The Canary Murder Case (1929)
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33% of users liked it
(7 ratings)
This early talkie is the film that destroyed the career of popular silent leading lady Louise Brooks. A detective story, it centers upon a conniving "canary" (a nightclub singer) who takes on wealthy lovers and then blackmails them into giving her money. If they don't cooperate, she… More This early talkie is the film that destroyed the career of popular silent leading lady Louise Brooks. A detective story, it centers upon a conniving "canary" (a nightclub singer) who takes on wealthy lovers and then blackmails them into giving her money. If they don't cooperate, she will tell their wives and ruin their lives. It all unravels when she falls in love with a handsome young man and accepts his marriage proposal. She goes to each of her lovers and demands they each make one final large payment. She is found dead the next day and her fiancé is blamed until ultra-suave gumshoe Philo Vance shows up and proves his innocence. Originally, the film was made without sound. Later when Paramount decided to dub in voices, it recalled all of the actors, including Brooks, who was in Europe working with filmmaker Pabst. Brooks disdained talkies and refused to participate. This was a serious breach of contract, and she was released. Margaret Livingston ended up dubbing her voice for Brooks' role. Though later Brooks returned to Hollywood, she was relegated to appearing in low-budget Westerns. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Malcolm St. Clair, Frank Tuttle
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Feb 16, 1929 Wide
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Cast
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William Powell
as Philo Vance
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James Hall
as Jimmy Spotswoode
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Louise Brooks
as Margaret O'Dell
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Jean Arthur
as Alice LaFosse
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Gustav von Seyffertitz
as Dr. Ambrose Lindquist
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Charles Lane
as Charles Spotswoode
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Eugene Pallette
as Ernest Heath
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Lawrence Grant
as Charles Cleaver
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Ned Sparks
as Tony Skeel
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Louis John Bartels
as Louis Mannix
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Tim Adair
as George Y. Harvey
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E.H. Calvert
as D.A. John F.X. Markham
- George Y. Harvey
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Margaret Livingston
as Voice double for Louise Brooks
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Oscar Smith
as Stuttering hallboy
