A public relations man for a movie studio uses an early form of television to help solve a murder.A public relations man for a movie studio uses an early form of television to help solve a murder.A public relations man for a movie studio uses an early form of television to help solve a murder.
- Detective McKane
- (as Thomas Jackson)
- James Deley
- (as Franklin Farnum)
- Theatre Manager
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe illuminated rooftop sign of the local chain Broadway Department Store's famed Hollywood location is briefly glimpsed in the background. The corner building still stands at the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine and is listed on the national register of historic places. It is a converted residence building as of 2023, but in its heyday, the department store served many Hollywood personnel, who worked both in front of and behind the camera.
- GoofsDu Beck hands Smith a crumpled noted with the threat typed on it. However, in closeup, the paper is smooth with a single fold in it.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Peggy Madison: [changing from what was her guide of astrology] I'm going to take up numerology.
Johnny Morgan: What's that?
Peggy Madison: Well, if the letters of your name don't add up right, we'll change it.
Johnny Morgan: Say, that's a swell idea. We'll change your name tomorrow.
Peggy Madison: Don't I have anything to say about that?
Johnny Morgan: Yup, just two words.
Peggy Madison: Two words?
Johnny Morgan: "I do."
Peggy Madison: [as Johnny hugs her] Oh, Johnny.
- Crazy creditsThe cast list shown at the end lists only the supporting players, not the stars (who are listed at the beginning).
- ConnectionsReferences The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
- SoundtracksPromise with a Kiss
(uncredited)
Music by Charles Kisco
Lyrics by Leo Robin
[Neil Du Beck (Rod La Rocque) sings the song during the filming of Song of the Toreador]
However, Larocque has been getting threatening notes that he won't live to see the new picture. When he dies during the premiere, it turns out to be poison... and then, during the production of her next picture, a prop gun aimed at Miss Patrick turns out to hold real bullets.
It's a pretty good murder mystery, directed by Robert Florey, showing off the Paramount studio using a lot of Dutch angles. Florey spent his career as a good journeyman director, always trying out interesting shots, so much so that they dominated his pictures... and he never got much higher than the programmers. Paramount's wealth of talent, in front of and behind the camera helped make this a very watchable movie, with Karl Struss as DP, and a cast that includes Reginald Denny, George Barbier, Thomas Jackson and a wealth of faded but still skilled performers. Had this been a production at Fox or RKO or one of the minors, this would have been a top-grade A picture. At Paramount, it was just another interesting release.
- How long is The Preview Murder Mystery?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1