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Murder by Television

  • 19351935
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
694
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
67,224
3,294
Murder by Television (1935)
MysteryThriller
James Houghland, inventor of a new method by which television signals can be instantaneously sent anywhere in the world, refuses to sell the process to television companies, who then send ag... Read allJames Houghland, inventor of a new method by which television signals can be instantaneously sent anywhere in the world, refuses to sell the process to television companies, who then send agents to acquire the invention any way they can. On the night of his initial broadcast Houg... Read allJames Houghland, inventor of a new method by which television signals can be instantaneously sent anywhere in the world, refuses to sell the process to television companies, who then send agents to acquire the invention any way they can. On the night of his initial broadcast Houghland is mysteriously murdered in the middle of his demonstration and it falls to Police C... Read all
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
694
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
67,224
3,294
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Clifford Sanforth
    • Writers
      • Joseph O'Donnell(screenplay)
      • Clarence Hennecke(idea)
      • Karl R. Coolidge(idea)
    • Stars
      • Bela Lugosi
      • June Collyer
      • Huntley Gordon
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Clifford Sanforth
    • Writers
      • Joseph O'Donnell(screenplay)
      • Clarence Hennecke(idea)
      • Karl R. Coolidge(idea)
    • Stars
      • Bela Lugosi
      • June Collyer
      • Huntley Gordon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 36User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos23

    Bela Lugosi and Huntley Gordon in Murder by Television (1935)
    Bela Lugosi, June Collyer, and George Meeker in Murder by Television (1935)
    Bela Lugosi, June Collyer, and George Meeker in Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Murder by Television (1935)
    Bela Lugosi and Huntley Gordon in Murder by Television (1935)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bela Lugosi
    Bela Lugosi
    • Dr. Arthur Perry…
    June Collyer
    June Collyer
    • June Houghland
    Huntley Gordon
    Huntley Gordon
    • Dr. Henry M. Scofield
    • (as Huntly Gordon)
    George Meeker
    George Meeker
    • Richard Grayson
    Henry Mowbray
    • Nelson - Chief of Police
    Charles Hill Mailes
    Charles Hill Mailes
    • Prof. James Houghland
    Claire McDowell
    Claire McDowell
    • Mrs. Houghland
    Hattie McDaniel
    Hattie McDaniel
    • Isabella - the Cook
    Allen Jung
    Allen Jung
    • Ah Ling - the Houseboy
    • (as Allan Jung)
    Charles K. French
    Charles K. French
    • Donald M. Jordan
    Larry Francis
    • Mendoza
    Henry Hall
    Henry Hall
    • Hammond
    Billy Sullivan
    Billy Sullivan
    • Reardon - Watchman
    • (as William 'Billy' Sullivan)
    William H. Tooker
    William H. Tooker
    • Allen
    • (as William Tooker)
    Ruth Cherrington
    Ruth Cherrington
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Wally Dean
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Harris
    Sam Harris
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Lew Hicks
    • Plainclothesman
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Clifford Sanforth
    • Writers
      • Joseph O'Donnell(screenplay)
      • Clarence Hennecke(idea)
      • Karl R. Coolidge(idea)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scenes showing television equipment, the filmmakers borrowed it from Los Aneles-area -area researchers who were working on experimental TV. The equipment they borrowed was worth $75,000--over twice the $35,000 budget for the film.
    • Goofs
      When Isabella (the cook) finds the body at the top of the stairs, she simply disappears into thin air. (This may be due to missing footage in the extant print, rather than an error by the original filmmakers.)
    • Quotes

      Ah Ling - the Houseboy: [while being questioned about the murder] Mr. Perry very good friend. Chinese do not repay friendship with death.

    • Connections
      Featured in Rumble Fish (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      I Had the Right Idea
      Music and Lyrics by Oliver Wallace

    User reviews36

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Great cure for insomnia...
    There are only two reasons for people to rate this film higher than a five. They are either Bela Lugosi fanatics who are blinded by his star power, or they're pulling your leg.

    In it's favor, this film has the following curiosities:

    Bela Lugosi in a rare non-horror leading role.

    Hattie McDaniel in an early screen appearance (although running around yelling "Lordy, Lordy" doesn't showcase her future greatness very well).

    A curious 1935 vision of television that doesn't seem to need cameras at the point of origin and can act as a "death ray" carrier wave. I guess that makes this a science fiction story, of sorts.

    And occasionally interesting story-telling by reshowing the same scene using different vantage points to add information withheld earlier in the film.

    Working against this film is:

    The poor print quality (both picture and sound)of existing copies. Insulting racial stereotyping. (As implied above.)

    Ridiculously inaccurate scientific predictions about television. (As implied above.)

    Undeveloped characters, giving the audience a "who cares" feeling when someone gets murdered.

    And a general weakness of the writing, acting, and directing.

    Being a Lugosi fan myself, it pains me to write negative reviews of some of his films. But the truth is, it pains me to watch some of his performances as well.

    I'm giving this film three stars, based on the curiosities mentioned above. If I were to rate it any higher, I'd be pulling your leg.
    helpful•13
    9
    • fibbermac
    • Aug 11, 2008

    FAQ2

    • Is this available on DVD?
    • Can I watch this film online?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 1935 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Houghland Murder Case
    • Filming locations
      • Talisman Studios - 4516 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Cameo Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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