VHS : Murder at the Vanities
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starring: Lona Andre, Carl Brisson, Kitty Carlisle, Duke Ellington, Gwenllian Gill
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300185364
Format: Black & White, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 0783243030
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Release Date: January 01, 1998
Running Time: 91 minutes
Sales Rank: 10486
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: May 18, 1934
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - So awful that it's a delight (and it's a historical document, too)
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In the 1920s, the biggest name on Broadway was Flo Ziegfeld, whose staple (but by no means his only claim to fame) was an annual review called the "Ziegfeld Follies." The "Follies" offered the biggest names in variety and acres of scantily-clad, beautiful girls. His great rival was Errol Carrol who produced a similar show called the "Varieties." Carroll couldn't match Ziegfeld's star power but he offered more girls and even less clothing.
The market crash of 1929 was the beginning ... Read More
Rating: - Beating the Code - and Just Getting There
This pastiche was created just in time to beat the Production Code that would ban most of its content for years to come. It may not be the worst plot in the history of mankind but it is certainly in the running. If Carl Brisson understands English, and there is doubt from his glassy stare during almost all occasions, it is certain that "Sweet Marijuana" was translated from some other set of societal norms. Watching poor old Toby Wing vainly trying to cover her breasts while blood drips on them from the fly ... Read More
Rating:  - Unusual Yes, Good No
This strange, uneven little mix of musical and murder mystery is famous mainly for it's musical number "Sweet Marijuana" in which Gertrude Michael sings of getting stoned so her lover, if only in fantasy, will come "back to me", backed by showgirls apparently gowned as marijuana plants!! The song was cut from the TV print for decades and resurfaced in prints for college film theaters in the 1970's mainly as a selling point for the picture!! The number actually is not very good (frankly none of the numbers are ... Read More
Rating: - COCKTAILS FOR TWO...
And whacky tobaccy!! A bizarre, thoroughly fascinating excursion into 1934. This uniquely obscure and eccentric film isn't exactly a classic: but it probably merits cult status! Made just after the repeal of Prohibition (December 5, 1933) it legitimately sings the praises of being able to drink like "civilized ladies and men" in the standard by Sam Coslow entitled COCKTAILS FOR TWO. This movie also has an eclectic cast: Victor McLaglen, Jack Oakie, Gail Patrick, Kitty Carlisle, Jessie Ralph, Dorothy Stickney ... Read More
Rating: - murder at the vanities
Murder at the Vanities is an interesting and enjoyable musical mystery. The music runs the gamut from the familiar "Cocktails for Two" to the wierd "Sweet Marijuana" (this IS 1934!) to Duke Ellington jazzing up Lizst. Jack Oakie ends up with the cute Toby Wing at the end. The only downer is the European male star Carl Brisson seems miscast. Overall, this is a lot of fun.
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