As I mentioned, I've been watching random movies that Mrs. Spenser isn't interested in while she works. A lot of what I'm watching is random old mysteries, comedies and mystery/comedies on Amazon Prime (best selection of random old movies without a special subscription). Turns out this has been good training for Alfred Hitchcock's Murder! (1930).
It starts with screams on a small London street. Everyone comes to the window to see what's happening. We finally find out - an actress in a touring troupe has been murdered in a room alone with another actress, her bitter rival. The survivor, Norah Baring, has no memory of what happened.
We'd really like to hear more about what Baring has to say for herself, but this story is mostly told through other people, gossiping or guessing about the case. When it goes to trial, Baring sort of sums up her defense by giggling, "Me, a murderer? Why, it's absurd!" The jury inclines toward a guilty verdict, especially the Misses, three old spinsters including Una O'Conner. But one juror. Sir John (Herbert Marshall) can't believe she did it. She's so good looking and well spoken. He is a theatrical producer and his dramatic sense of character won't allow it. But he is convinced to make it unanimous - Guilty.
But he soon has regrets, and decides to use his theater powers to find the real killer. There are backstage interviews, a female impersonator, and a final "the play's the thing" from Hamlet. It's full of silly bits, like commenting heads floating around Marshall's head while he's deliberating. There aren't really jokes as such, but Hitchcock has a lot of fun. Since this is only his third sound movie, it's great to see.
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