The Preview Murder Mystery

The Preview Murder Mystery is a 1936 American comedy mystery film directed by Robert Florey and starring Reginald Denny, Frances Drake and Gail Patrick. It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The plot follows a studio public relations man who attempts to trap a killer using television technology, allowing on-screen glimpses of technicians like Florey's cinematographer Karl Struss.

The Preview Murder Mystery
Directed by	Robert Florey
Written by	Brian Marlow Robert Yost Garnett Weston Harlan Ware
Produced by	Harold Hurley
Starring	Reginald Denny Frances Drake Gail Patrick
Cinematography	Karl Struss
Edited by	James Smith
Production company	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	February 28, 1936 (1936-02-28)
Running time	60 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Johnny Morgan is the suave head of PR for a movie studio. He is a devoted fan of a mysterious actor who developed a cult following during the silent era. It is widely believed that it is a tragedy that he died before sound movies became the standard, and there are those who see the idea of remaking his films as sound productions as bordering on sacrilege. From his description, this actor reflected elements of Rudolph Valentino and Lon Chaney, Sr.: he was an exotically handsome leading man and a master of disguise who appeared in many intense, weird roles.

When an attempt is made to remake one of his starring vehicles as a musical, the effort seems cursed, with many accidents happening inexplicably. In time it becomes apparent that a murderer is lurking in the studio, possibly in the fashion of The Phantom of the Opera, and police quarantine the studio. Executives decide that work should continue on films as the night wears on. Morgan and a technician hide in a sound editing room and eavesdrop on productions. There is an iris out effect whenever they tune in to a soundstage and the audience sees the films being shot.

Cast

• Reginald Denny as Johnny Morgan
• Frances Drake as Peggy Madison
• Gail Patrick as Claire Woodward Smith
• George Barbier as Jerome Hewitt
• Ian Keith as E. Gordon Smith
• Rod La Rocque as Neil DuBeck/Joe Walker
• Conway Tearle as Edwin Strange
• Jack Raymond as George Tyson
• Colin Tapley as Studio Manager
• Jack Mulhall as Jack Rawlins
• Bryant Washburn as Carl Jennings
• Franklyn Farnum as James Daley
• Lee Shumway as Chief of Police
• Spencer Charters as Watchman Jones

Bibliography

• John T. Soister, Henry Nicolella & Steve Joyce. American Silent Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Feature Films, 1913-1929. McFarland, 2014.

External links

• The Preview Murder Mystery at IMDb
• The Preview Murder Mystery at AllMovie
• The Preview Murder Mystery at the TCM Movie Database
• The Preview Murder Mystery at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films