Murder in the Music Hall

Murder in the Music Hall is actually an incorrect title for this movie because that's not where the murder occurs. Nevertheless this is actually a good mystery story that is marred by the "acting" of the two lead protagonists: Vera Ralston and William Marshall. I gather Vera Ralston's career can be attributed to her affair and then marriage to the head of Republic Pictures, Herbert Yates.

The film does do okay thanks to the supporting actors like William Gargan, Jerome Cowan, Helen Walker, and Ann Rutherford. And this film is worth watching if only to catch the three minute performance of Mary Field who has the best lines in the picture and the acting chops to make them memorable.

The plot will keep you guessing and their are some excellent suspects, and the viewer will feel they have not been cheated when the murderer is revealed.

When a blackmailer is found murdered in an apartment next to the music hall, Lila, beautiful star of the ice show, becomes a suspect. She had visited the former ice show producer Carl Lang earlier at his New York City penthouse apartment and refuses his offer to star in his new Music Hall Ice Show. He says he can ruin her by pinning the blame of a man's accidental death on her ...

Back at the Music Hall, Lila discovers she has left her purse at Lang's apartment and returns there, followed by orchestra leader Don Jordan; they discover that Carl has been stabbed to death. Lila's understudy Gracie (Ann Rutherford) has also followed them there and helps them remove traces of Lila's visit. They also find a pair of kid gloves -the laundry mark on them leads Don to wealthy socialite Rita Morgan, wife of George Morgan; Rita turns out to be a former ice-skating star for Carl Lang's Music Hall shows.

Rita admits to being in Lang's apartment but says he was in excellent health when she left, and says she passed no one except a blind man.

Determined to prove her innocence, Don is on the hunt for the blind man ...

Vera Ralston gets the chance to show off her splendid ice skating skills amidst the murder mystery, and there's plenty of other fine skating - the standout being the sword fighting one - interspersed between the lively display of detecting and barging into red herrings. It's a fun mystery, maybe a little confusing at times, but fun nevertheless. There's some witty dialogue and a cute Ann Rutherford adding some comic moments. Vera Ralston does well in her role.

Ice-skating headliner Vera Ralston (Lila) is being blackmailed to quit her show and team up with ex-partner Edward Norris (Carl). Norris is stabbed and dies after a meeting with her and Ralston is in a sticky situation. Her current boyfriend William Marshall (Don) sets about solving the mystery.

We are introduced to a cast of characters and one of them is a murderer. The cast are fine in this story set in a music-hall environment. We get to watch some ice-skating performances which is pleasant enough - nothing too special - while the story develops between performances. I must give credit to these girls who run around and chase after clues within their own appearances within the same show! Wow. Anyway, the film is a murder mystery that starts to go off the rails a bit when we focus on the 'blind man' character. At this point, the audience just wants to wrap up the proceedings - just tell us who did it. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the film is poor.

This is one of my favourite classics, i wasnt alive wen this film was made, but as i am into classic pre-war films it has grown on me and i loved every minute of this mystery movie, great suspense.. the acting may not be the best but the plot is great

This movie is up there with "Silver City Kid", "The Phantom Speaks" and "The Blazing Sun" as John English's (I) best features. A classic mystery movie with some brilliant performances, especially from Vera Ralston and Ann Rutherford. It's pretty much your standard mystery story all about being in the wrong place at the right time. Vera Ralston plays the unlucky heroine, accused of a murder she didn't commit or did she......