The Canary Murder Case, starring Louise Brooks, available on newly released Blu-ray

The Canary Murder Case, starring William Powell, Jean Arthur and Louise Brooks (as the canary) is now available on Blu-Ray (only). Kino Lorber released the film on May 21 as part of its three film Philo Vance Collection. Want to purchase a copy? Follow this link HERE.

Here is the description from the Kino website: "Based on S.S. Van Dine’s bestselling novels, these classic Pre-Code murder-mysteries showcase the case-cracking prowess of the debonair detective Philo Vance, as portrayed by cinema’s icon of gentlemanly sleuthing, William Powell (The Thin Man, Take One False Step). THE CANARY MURDER CASE (1929) – Who silenced The Canary? A scheming showgirl known as The Canary turns up dead, and so does the lone witness to the killing. Only Philo Vance stands a chance at cracking this case. Directed by Malcolm St. Clair (A Woman of the World); co-starring screen great Jean Arthur (Easy Living) and the legendary Louise Brooks (Beggars of Life) as the conniving Canary. THE GREENE MURDER CASE (1929) – Members of the wealthy but loathsome Greene family gather at a spooky old castle to establish the terms of a will, only to be mysteriously murdered one-by-one. Philo Vance scrutinizes the clues and suspects. Directed by Frank Tuttle (This Gun for Hire); co-starring the dazzling Jean Arthur (A Foreign Affair) and Florence Eldridge (An Act of Murder). THE BENSON MURDER CASE (1930) – When a ruthless, crooked stockbroker croaks at his luxurious country estate, Philo Vance just so happens to be there to investigate. Directed by Frank Tuttle (Lucky Jordan); co-starring acting ace Paul Lukas (By Candlelight) with William “Stage” Boyd (The Locked Door) and one of Powell’s Thin Man suspects, Natalie Moorhead (Private Detective 62)."

Product Extras :

• Brand New 4K Restorations of THE CANARY MURDER CASE and THE GREENE MURDER CASE
• 2K Restoration of THE BENSON MURDER CASE
• NEW Audio Commentaries for THE CANARY MURDER CASE and THE GREENE MURDER CASE by Novelist/Critic Kim Newman and Writer/Journalist Barry Forshaw
• NEW Audio Commentary for THE BENSON MURDER CASE by Professor and Film Scholar Jason A. Ney
• Optional English Subtitles

 

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The Philo Vance character appeared in a series of films, each based on a story or book by S.S. van Dine. Vance was played by other actors. Those interested in viewing some of these other films would do well to check out the 2013 DVD release, The Philo Vance Murder Case Collection, from Warner Archive. "The dilettante detective stylishly sleuths his way through some of his most famous cases in this 2-Disc, 6-Film Collection. And a veritable rogue's gallery of golden age "gentlemen actors" all take a crack at Philo, including William Powell, Warren William and Basil Rathbone. Classic cinephiles should keep their eyes on the credits for contributions by luminaries the likes of Michael Curtiz, Mary Astor, Rosalind Russell and more! Includes: The Bishop Murder Case (1930), The Kennel Murder Case (1933), The Dragon Murder Case (1934), The Casino Murder Case (1935), The Garden Murder Case (1936), and Calling Philo Vance (1940)." Copies of this earlier release may be purchased HERE.

The books on which these films were based are readily available. Some, I believe, have fallen into the public domain. Late last year, the Library of Congress released The "Canary" Murder Case as part of its Library of Congress Crime Classics series. This new edition is graced by an introduction by Leslie S. Klinger, the well known Sherlock Holmes / crime fiction scholar. And yes, the introduction mentions Louise Brooks. Copies of this paperback release may be purchased HERE.

Here is the descriptive copy for the book: "At the height if his popularity, S.S. Vane Dine pens a locked-room mystery with a lethal dose of sex and sin where infamous actress, "The Canary," is murdered in her cage after a passionate night with her lover.

Margaret Odell, the famous Broadway beauty and ex-Follies girl known as "The Canary", is found murdered in her ransacked apartment, her jewelry stolen. It appears to be a robbery gone wrong, but the police can find no physical evidence to pinpoint a culprit. No one witnessed anyone entering or leaving, and the only unwatched entrance to the apartment building was bolted from the inside.

Who could have killed the Canary in her locked cage? Margaret was seeing a number of men, ranging from high society gentleman to ruthless gangsters, and more than one man visited her apartment on the night she died."

Held in the Louise Brooks Society archive is microfilm of the S. S. van Dine scrapbooks. One reel is devoted to the book, and another to the movie. Among the remarkable images contained on one of the reels is a department store window display devoted to The Canary Murder Case which pictures you know who....

For more on The Canary Murder Case film, be sure and visit the Louise Brooks Society website filmography page, located HERE. 

THE LEGAL STUFF: The Louise Brooks Society™ blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society  (www.pandorasbox.com). Original contents copyright © 2024. Further unauthorized use prohibited. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.