Murder in the Music Hall

For a Poverty Row studio, Republic Pictures often punched above its weight, giving it their all despite miniscule budgets and second (or third) tier talent, producing well-rounded entertainments combining crime, suspense, and big musical numbers, packaged in occasional light comedy like a candy wrapper. One such film is John English’s Murder in the Music Hall, a splendidly satisfying whodunit set backstage at an elaborate entertainment hall where women in 17th century ballgowns sing and dance beneath massive chandeliers while on ice skates (the skating, of course, looks primitive today). The always underwhelming and inexpressive Vera Ralston plays the ostensible lead, star dancer Lila Laughton, who becomes a prime suspect in the murder of her former producer due to circumstantial evidence. Ralston, however, is overshadowed by the other women in the cast who play her fellow dancers, each with her own motive for the same murder: Diane (Julie Bishop), who had had an affair with the victim; Gracie (Ann Rutherford), an understudy longing for her chance to shine; and the acerbic Millicent (“Good morning,” she says when Gracie realizes something obvious), played by the tragically underappreciated Helen Walker, who would retire at 35 and die of cancer at 47. William Marshall plays Don Jordan, Lila’s love interest and amateur sleuth who competes with Inspector Wilson (William Gargan) to solve the mystery. English and cinematographer Marta create lots of noir atmosphere, especially whenever the action moves outdoors, down the alley, and upstairs to the scene of the crime.