Murder at the Vanities (1934)

Just as the curtains are on the brink of unfurling for the grand debut of Earl Carroll's Vanities, a sinister plot to harm the star of the show, Ann Ware, begins to unfurl backstage. Ann, who is deeply in love with her co-star, Eric Lander, finds herself in the crosshairs of an unseen adversary. Jack Ellery, the diligent stage manager, calls upon his old friend, the sharp-eyed police officer Bill Murdock, to unravel the mystery. Expecting a unique seat to the show as an apology for Jack's forgotten tickets, Bill instead stumbles upon a chilling surprise: a lifeless body of a woman. As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight of suspicion falls on Eric, especially after Rita Ross, the vibrant second lead, confesses witnessing the deceased woman depart from Eric's dressing room. The plot thickens when Rita becomes the victim of a gunshot during a live performance, with Eric's gun as the weapon. Undaunted by the chaos, Jack and Bill choose to let the show go on, even as Bill gears up to apprehend Eric. But is he pursuing the right suspect? Murder at the Vanities is a riveting tale of suspense that unfolds amidst the glitter and glamour of show business, leaving the audience to wonder who truly is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Murder at the Vanities is a music movie featuring Jessie Ralph.

Murder at the Vanities is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.