Sunset Murder Case (1938)

Small-time showgirl, loved by two decent men, poses as a stripper to infiltrate a nightclub whose owner is believed responsible for her father's murder.

Director:

Louis J. Gasnier

Writers:

Harold Joyce (story), Paul Franklin (screenplay),

Stars:

Sally Rand, Esther Muir, Vince Barnett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Rand	...	Kathy O'Connor
Esther Muir	...	Lora Wynne
Vince Barnett	...	Barney
Paul Sutton	...	Bapti Stephani
Lona Andre	...	Nita Madera
Mary Brodel	...	Jane Baird
George Douglas	...	Carlo Rossmore
Reed Hadley	...	Oliver Helton
Kathryn Kane	...	Penny Nichols
Dennis Moore	...	Lou Fleming
Frank O'Connor	...	Detective Sgt. Tom O'Connor
Stanley Price	...	Eric Martin
Henry King	...	Band Leader
Bruce Mitchell	...	Everett
Lester Dorr	...	Editor

Storyline

First of all this film was produced and distributed in 1938, and is not a 1941 production. The exhibitors and various censor boards objected to the original title, "The Sunset Strip Case" (because of the double meaning that implied a strip on Sunset rather than the name of the street, which is exactly what the producer had in mind when he hired fan-dancer Sally Rand, the hit of the Chicago Exposition and the later Texas Centennial), and Boston promptly banned the film, as Boston was often subject to do with far less reason than they had with this film. The film was tied up in law suits across the country brought against the various blue-nose boards who also blocked its showing, and all this was going on during the collapse of Grand National with GN president E. W. Hammons being hauled to court by exhibitors and creditors, including the production unit headed by this film's producer George A. Hirliman. The latter produced it for Grand National distribution, but Grand National had no ...

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Plot Keywords:

murder | stripper | fan dancer | nightclub | showgirl | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

High Explosive

Company Credits

Production Co:

George A. Hirliman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films (1931-1940) and also the 1941-1950 catalog (apparently because the film was re-released in 1941) both credit actress Dennie Moore with playing the role of Lou Fleming, Reporter, when, in fact, it's actor Dennis Moore, aka Denny Moore, as correctly listed above.

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Soundtracks

"I'd Rather Look at You"
Written by Sam Coslow

User Reviews

A nice little film from Grand National

I must admit that I have a soft spot for the films of Grand national and their latter incarnation Producers Releasing Corporation.

That said,Sunset Murder Case is a nice little film although it is really not a mystery as you know early on who the bad guys are, even though it is a tad confusing as to what is going on.

Sunset Murder Case has nifty one liners and some nice dialog from some engaging characters, plus a not so bad musical number.

The main attraction of this film is Miss Sally Rand as the protagonist. She does a very nice dance number with her trade mark balloon while wearing a Grecian toga outfit, and later does what must have been her famous fan dance, although it seems to have been staged in Hollywood and shot with the camera in Cleveland, with palm fronds in between.

The main attraction of this film is Sally Rand, although the other players are quite good in their roles. The lisp that Miss Rand was supposed to have had is not noticeable in this film. The term ecdysiast was not meant to describe her or any earlier "stripper" as mentioned in the biography of Miss Rand in these pages, but was invented by H.L. Mencken at the request of Miss Gypsy Rose Lee as a polite description of her profession.

If you get a chance to see this film please do, it is a very nice slice of the past and the bubble dance will make it worth your while.