Sunset Murder Case (1938)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Louis J. Gasnier

Writers:

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

Release Date:

11 November 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Fan Dancer | Stripper | Sunset Strip | Women Rivals For Man

Cast

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 Sergeant Tom O'Connor
Stanley Price	...	Eric Martin
Henry King	...	Band Leader
Bruce Mitchell	...	Everett
Lester Dorr	...	Editor

Also Known As:

High Explosive (UK)
The Sunset Strip Case (USA) (original script title)

Runtime:

59 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

George A. Hirliman Productions

Trivia:

American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films (1931-1940) and also (1941-1950) (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.

Soundtrack:

I'd Rather Look at You

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.