The Benson Murder Case | 1930 | Crime Mystery

Title: The Benson Murder Case | 1930 | Crime Mystery Director: Frank Tuttle Studio: Paramount Pictures Starring: William Powell, William "Stage" Boyd, Eugene Pallette, Paul Lukas, Natalie Moorhead, Richard Tucker, May Beatty, E.H. Calvert Based on: Novel *The Benson Murder Case* by S.S. Van Dine Release Date: April 13 1930 Runtime: 65 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Crime Mystery --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Arrival at Anthony Benson’s estate 00:10:00 Murder discovered and investigation begins 00:20:00 Philo Vance interviews suspects 00:30:00 Motives and alibis examined 00:40:00 Clues lead to new theories 00:50:00 Confrontation with prime suspect 01:00:00 Resolution and reveal --- Summary: The Benson Murder Case is a 1930 American pre-Code crime mystery film in which amateur sleuth Philo Vance attends a social gathering at the luxurious country estate of stockbroker Anthony Benson and becomes embroiled in a murder investigation after Benson is found dead. Vance methodically examines the motives and alibis of the eclectic group of suspects, including gamblers, socialites, and dubious acquaintances, using deductive reasoning and sharp observation to unravel the tangled relationships and hidden intents behind the crime. Set in a secluded mansion with a confined circle of personalities, the narrative blends suspense and character interaction as Vance navigates deception, betrayal, and red herrings to ultimately identify the killer and bring clarity to the baffling crime. --- Background: Directed by Frank Tuttle and produced by Paramount Pictures, The Benson Murder Case was written for the screen by S. S. Van Dine and Bartlett Cormack, adapting the popular 1926 detective novel by Van Dine. It was part of an early series of Philo Vance films starring William Powell, one of the actor’s notable early sound roles, and contributed to the detective genre’s development in the early talkie era. --- Trivia: The film is the third Philo Vance mystery adapted for the screen, following earlier entries in the series. William Powell reprised the role of the urbane detective Philo Vance, becoming closely associated with the character in early sound cinema. A Spanish-language version of the film titled *El cuerpo del delito* was produced concurrently. The movie reflects the transition of mystery stories from silent to early sound filmmaking, with emphasis on dialogue and deduction. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: April 13 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Paramount Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #TheBensonMurderCase1930 #PhiloVance #WilliamPowell #CrimeMystery #ClassicFilm #PublicDomain