Review of Murder at the Vanities (1934) by H C — 09 Jul 2010

I finally saw this movie after hearing about its pre-Code wickedness, and have to say it was disappointing. Mostly an excuse to parade around "The Most Beautiful Girls in the World" onstage wearing skimpy outfits, during boring and very mediocre songs, it also tells the tale of murders occurring backstage while the "show goes on".

There is an unethical producer, an unethical homicide detective, some intrigue about the male lead and his relationship to the wardrobe mistress, a scheming singer, Gail Patrick in a small role as a "private dick, eh?", and Kitty Carlisle, yes, that Kitty Carlisle, in a singing role that is the most wholesome in the movie.

There is also a welcome appearance by the Duke Ellington Orchestra that is sadly marred by a fairly offensive act, that was sure to add shock value, I suppose. A short number touting the benefits of "Sweet Marijuana" is probably what gained this movie notoriety, though it is lame and almost funny, with nude ladies popping up out of cactus flowers from behind the singer (pot grows on cacti? Do some research! Ha ha).

I think the song is a rip-off of an old blues song about opium or heroin, anyway; every musical number is just for shock value and not for quality. The murder mystery portion of the movie is vaguely interesting, but this film is mostly an excuse to shock and show scantily-clad women.

Not really worth the time.