The Studio Murder Mystery

"The Studio Murder Mystery" from Paramount Pictures in 1929 stars Warner Oland, Frederic March, Neil Hamilton, Eugene Palette, and Doris Hill.

Actor Richard Hardell (March) has several enemies. One is his director (Warner Oland), another is his girlfriend (Hill) who finds out he's not going to divorce his wife (Florence Eldridge) and Hardell's wife herself.

When Helen is accused of the murder, gag writer Tony White (Hamilton) is determined to solve the case.

Many people don't realize that "sound" was different in each studio, as Warners had the license for the Vitaphone. Whatever Paramount owned was nowhere near as good, as the sound here is mushy, and when people speak too quickly, you lose what they are saying.

This film differs from the era's talkies in that it moves at a good pace. With people not in the rhythm of sound yet, there are often big pauses between sentences, but not here. And people were still learning how to act in front of a camera. Many actors came from the stage, where performances are much bigger.

One reviewer here didn't like Neil Hamilton, but I did. He's handsome and enthusiastic and if he seems maybe TOO enthusiastic, I think it was more the style of the era. Hamilton, who died at 85, played Commissioner Gordon on Batman. Interesting to see some of these people so young!

You can get a look at Paramount sound stages on this film, too, which is fascinating, and there is a silent film being shot during one of the scenes.

Good artifact.