IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Bishop Murder Case (1930)

The Bishop Murder Case (1930) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   159 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
S.S. Van Dine (book)
Lenore J. Coffee (adaptation)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Bishop Murder Case on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 January 1930 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The finest of all S. S. Van Dine's murder mystery stories...now an all-talking picture! (original poster) more
Plot:
The murders start with the body of Robin. He is found with a arrow through the heart, but Vance deduces... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Elementary, my dear Vance! more (15 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Basil Rathbone ... Philo Vance
Leila Hyams ... Belle Dillard
Roland Young ... Sigurd Arnesson
Alec B. Francis ... Professor Bertrand Dillard
George F. Marion ... Adolph Drukker
Zelda Sears ... Mrs. Otto Drukker
Bodil Rosing ... Grete Menzel
Carroll Nye ... John E. Sprigg
Charles Quatermaine ... John Pardee (as Charles Quartermaine)
James Donlan ... Sergeant Ernest Heath
Sidney Bracey ... Pyne - Dillard's Butler (as Sydney Bracey)
Clarence Geldart ... John F.-X. Markham
Delmer Daves ... Raymond Sperling
Nellie Bly Baker ... Beedle - the Maid
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
88 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric System)
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Miscellaneous: Zelda Sears is credited on-screen as playing "Mrs. Otto Drukker," but throughout the film she is called Miss Drucker and is referred to as the sister of Adolph Drukker, with no other Drukker in evidence (in particular, there is no Otto). more
Movie Connections:
Followed by The Kennel Murder Case (1933) more
Soundtrack:
Waltz in A Minor, Op.34, No.2 ('Waltz Brilliante') more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
Elementary, my dear Vance!, 9 October 2007
7/10
Author: Gary170459 from Derby, UK

I found all of the Philo Vance films watchable, with the zippy and witty Kennel head and shoulders above the rest. Bishop was pretty good too but suffered from a cast of actors stuck in the silent era and displaying the full range of intensely melodramatic emotions that are were so essential to the making of – and enjoyment of watching a silent film. Static cameras are as nothing to tortured eyes and semaphore arm histrionics.

Mr. (Cock) Robin is found flat out murdered, apparently shot with an incredibly long arrow but Vance played by skinny and incisive Basil Rathbone knows better. He predicts a series of ghastly and inhuman murders will follow conceived by a intellect bent on playing games with his pursuers by couching his dastardly deeds in very handy nursery rhymes. He and one of the suspects, evergreen Roland Young are the only two to act naturally throughout, if still very slightly stagey. The photography is occasionally startlingly good, if still static. None of these criticisms bother me, I love it just the same as a well crafted atmospheric entertaining potboiler. Favourite bits: The scene in Dillard's library with the thunderstorm raging outside; the sedate and well-mannered way Vance and the cops enter Dillard's aerodrome of a house to search for the murderer.

I hadn't seen this since 1995, the last time UK Channel 4 gave anyone interested their opportunity to watch it. TCM UK unlike TCM US will never have room for it in their admirably varied schedule either (hem). But it's worth hunting down with all its faults for 90 minutes in the company of the world of 1929.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (15 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Bishop Murder Case (1930)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Mystery of Mr. Wong The Spider Returns The Benson Murder Case The Black Doll Making the Headlines
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Mystery section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.