The Canary Murder Case (1929)
The Canary Murder Case (1929)
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Cast & Crew.
William Powell
Philo Vance
Louise Brooks
The Canary
Jean Arthur
Alice LaFosse
James Hall
Jimmy Spottswoode
Charles Lane
Charles Spottswoode
Lawrence Grant
John Cleaver
Gustav von Seyffertitz
Dr. Ambrose Lindquist
E.H. Calvert
Dist. Atty. John F.X. Markham (as Captain E. H. Calvert)
Eugene Pallette
Sgt. Ernest Heath
Ned Sparks
Tony Skeel
Louis John Bartels
Mannix
Tim Adair
George Y. Harvey (uncredited)
Margaret Livingston
Double for Margaret O'Dell (uncredited)
Oscar Smith
Stuttering Hallboy (uncredited)
Malcolm St. Clair
Director
William Shea
Editor
Media.
Details.
Release DateFebruary 16, 1929
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 22m
Content RatingNR
Genres
Last updated:
Wiki.
The Canary Murder Case is a 1929 American Pre-Code crime-mystery film based on the 1927 novel of the same name by S.S. Van Dine (the pseudonym for Willard Huntington Wright). The film was directed by Malcolm St. Clair, with a screenplay by Wright (under the Van Dine pseudonym), Albert Shelby LeVino, and Florence Ryerson. William Powell starred in the role of detective Philo Vance, with Louise Brooks co-starred as "The Canary"; Jean Arthur, James Hall, and Charles Lane also co-starred in other principal roles.
The first film to feature the Vance character, the film revolves around Vance's investigation into the murder of a conniving showgirl. It is a prime example of many films initially produced as a silent film before being turned into a "talkie", as the format quickly became the industry norm. The film was instrumental in expanding the career of Powell, who had previously been known in villain roles. Conversely, Brooks' refusal to participate in the sound reshoots famously led to controversy from which her career never recovered; her role was dubbed by Margaret Livingston.
The Canary Murder Case was released by Paramount Pictures on February 16, 1929, to mixed reviews; the dubbing of Brooks was heavily panned by critics. However, the film was successful enough that Powell filmed two sequels with Paramount, The Greene Murder Case (1929) and The Benson Murder Case (1930); as well as The Kennel Murder Case (1933) at rival studio Warner Bros.