THE CANARY MURDER CASE

US, 1929, 78 minutes, Black and white.
William Powell, Louise Brooks, Jean Arthur, James Hall, Charles Lane, Eugene Pallette.
Directed by Malcolm St Clair.

This film was originally made as a silent film. It was then re-shot in part as a sound film.
This was important for the career of William Powell, for several years in silent films, but with a suave manner and pleasing voice, he made the transition to sound films and was very successful. This was not the case with Louise Brooks. She had established herself as a leading lady with the impact of the vamp. This is evident in her brief scenes in this film. However, she had gone to Germany where she was very successful with Pandora’s Box and Lulu, and she refused to come back for the new scenes. She lost her reputation in the United States. Jean Arthur had been appearing in silent films and was to be very successful, especially as a comedienne, in the 1930s and 1940s. The other actor who made the transition to sound films was Eugene Pallette.
This is a version of the Philo Vance detective story from the novel by S. S. Van Dine. Powell was to play the detective in another three films. There have been a number of Philo Vance films with such actors as Basil Rathbone, Wilfred Hyde White, Alan Curtis.
The film is interesting as it indicates the way crime thrillers and detective stories were to develop during the 1930s and beyond. This time there is the set-up, the introduction to the victim and her blackmailing her suitors, the situation that would lead to her death, the murder and the aftermath, the rounding up of suspects who were in the vicinity at the time of the crime, interrogation, solution. There is a special feature of this film with Vance organizing a poker game, watching the players and determining who had done the murder. This was the style of Agatha Christie stories and has continued for many decades.
William Powell is his debonair self as Philo Vance. He was to develop this persona at MGM with the thin man series.
It is interesting to note the African American characters in the film, who are referred to as boy, who are serious but could be laughed it, especially the desk clerk with his frequent stammer.
The film was directed by Malcolm St Clair, a prolific director of smaller budget films in the 1930s and 1940s.

1. An interesting film from the early sound era? Originally made as silent? The several scenes without any sound or music? The dubbing of Louise Brooks? The use of a double for some scenes?
2. The popularity of Philo Vance mysteries? Transferring to the screen? The crimes, detection? The personality of Philo Vance? Debonair, hat, cane, moustache? Manner of speaking? Rich friends? Poker games? The confidence of the district attorney? His interaction with the slow sergeant? Friendship with Spotswood? Letting him know that he knew the answer? Inviting him to give himself up?
3. The black and white photography, the use of light and shadow?
4. The set-up? The Canary and her performance, on the swing, into the audience, the admiration of the suitors, Vance pointing them out to Spotswood? The Canary and her plan to marry Jim Spotswood, to become respectable? Her calls to the suitors, the blackmail, demanding money? In her apartment, the visit of Spotswood, her refusal to change?
5. Cleaver and his social reform, his double standards? Mannix, his concern about his reputation and his wife? Dr. Lindquist and his obsession? Their all being outside the building at the time of the murder? The newspaper, Vance using the cigar wrapper as evidence?
6. The Canary’s husband, coming out of prison, hearing her plan, blackmailing her, hiding in the closet, witnessing the murder, his own letter for blackmail, his being murdered?
7. Spotswood, the man at the desk, the scream from the Canary’s room, Vance’s later discovery of the magazine with the disk inside, the use of the record? Calling the police?
8. The sergeant, following the facts, no theories, always claiming to have the same idea has a balance, even at the end?
9. The suspects, the interviews, the denials, admitting the truth? Vance’s suggestion they all played poker, his studying their play? Spotswood joining the group? drawing his conclusions? The borrowing of the fountain pen?
10. The news of the second murder, Jim coming to give himself up, saving his father?
11. Vance phoning the murderer, his coming into the city, speed, the train, the crash, his death?
12. Vance spending the time thinking, the magazine, getting the evidence, explaining to the district attorney?
13. The developments of murder mysteries since this time?