An independent producer unwisely opens a can of worms after he decides to make a movie about the unsolved murder of a famous silent film director in 1929.An independent producer unwisely opens a can of worms after he decides to make a movie about the unsolved murder of a famous silent film director in 1929.An independent producer unwisely opens a can of worms after he decides to make a movie about the unsolved murder of a famous silent film director in 1929.
Julie Adams
- Sally Rousseau
- (as Julia Adams)
- …
Rico Alaniz
- Spanish Actor
- (uncredited)
Tony Barr
- Seedy Hotel Night Clerk
- (uncredited)
Chet Brandenburg
- Crew Member
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLarry and Sally screen The Phantom of the Opera (1925), which he cites as one of the films directed by the long-ago murder victim, Franklin Ferrara. Of course, the film was directed by Rupert Julian, but the writers obviously felt (no doubt correctly) that audiences in 1951 would not know or remember this, plus it allowed them to re-use footage of a silent classic.
- GoofsWhen Richard Conte sees on sidewalk the director's signature, it can see easily that a newest cement on that spot, all around is aged.
- Quotes
Mitch Davis: Who'd want to shoot an agent?
- ConnectionsFeatures The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
- SoundtracksSong of India
(uncredited)
Written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Arranged by Ferde Grofé Sr.
Played by the player piano in Franklin Ferrara's office
Featured review
"Don't tell me with arrows. Tell me with words."
Richard Conte plays Larry O'Brien, a New York-based film producer who moves to California to make his first L. A. picture. There, he becomes obsessed with the legend of an unsolved murder. Silent film director Franklin Ferrara was killed in his studio bungalow, and over 20 years later, the culprit remains unrevealed. Larry hopes that by producing a film on the subject, he can bring this cold case back into the light.
With a top supporting cast including the lovely Julie Adams, Richard Egan, Henry Hull, Fred Clark, Jim Backus (whose agent character also narrates the story), Houseley Stevenson, Paul Cavanagh, Peter Brocco, and Katherine Meskill, this Tinseltown mystery is no great shakes, but it entertains quite well for a decently paced 77 minutes. It offers no major surprises, up to and including the identity of the killer, but it keeps the viewer engrossed, and director William Castle does a fine job of creating that classic Hollywood feel. That's complete with brief cameo appearances by Francis X. Bushman, Betty Blythe, William Farnum, Helen Gibson, and Joel McCrea, who all play themselves.
Overall, the movie is a nice, atmospheric mix of nostalgia & suspense, and is sure to entertain audiences who favor this "Old Hollywood" era. Conte makes for a personable lead, playing a savvy, stubborn (he's not to be deterred from his mission) man with deductive abilities to rival that of the actual detective on the case (Egan). Good fun.
Seven out of 10.
With a top supporting cast including the lovely Julie Adams, Richard Egan, Henry Hull, Fred Clark, Jim Backus (whose agent character also narrates the story), Houseley Stevenson, Paul Cavanagh, Peter Brocco, and Katherine Meskill, this Tinseltown mystery is no great shakes, but it entertains quite well for a decently paced 77 minutes. It offers no major surprises, up to and including the identity of the killer, but it keeps the viewer engrossed, and director William Castle does a fine job of creating that classic Hollywood feel. That's complete with brief cameo appearances by Francis X. Bushman, Betty Blythe, William Farnum, Helen Gibson, and Joel McCrea, who all play themselves.
Overall, the movie is a nice, atmospheric mix of nostalgia & suspense, and is sure to entertain audiences who favor this "Old Hollywood" era. Conte makes for a personable lead, playing a savvy, stubborn (he's not to be deterred from his mission) man with deductive abilities to rival that of the actual detective on the case (Egan). Good fun.
Seven out of 10.
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- Hey_Sweden
- Mar 19, 2024
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Richard Conte Hollywood Story
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 17 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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