Sunset Murder Case

When Sally Rand's police detective father is killed to cover up another murder, she goes undercover as a dancer to help crack the case.

Yes, that Sally Rand. She performs a bubble dance in a chiton here. She actually had a significant movie career, going back to 1924, more than thirty in total. This was her last. Between her presence, the original title of "The Sunset Strip Murder Case", and the collapse of Grand National, release was delayed three years. It didn't do her co-stars, including Reed Hadley and Kathryn Kane much good either.

What survives is an OK movie. Miss Rand does a total of two dances here, and it's certainly Code-compliant. Apparently Boston, which banned the movie, objected to Miss Rand rather than anything on screen. There's no mystery involved, just a matter of the big brains involved, figuring things out.

I am pretty amazed that during the Post-Code era that this film ever managed to be shown--and, according to IMDb, it was NOT shown nationally as local censor boards went ape at the plot as well as the brief nudity! Pre-Code (1934 and earlier) I could see such a film getting made--after all, brief nudity and salacious plots were not uncommon. But, after the Code was strengthened, films exactly like this one were to have been banned! Think about it--the film stars the famous naked fan dancer, Sally Rand! This is actually pretty interesting, as another 'exotic dancer' (Gypsy Rose Lee) also wrote a film and acted in a few during this supposedly sex-less era!

The film, however, is NOT all cheesecake and tease. Ms. Rand was a competent actress and the acting and production values were quite good in this little B-mystery. While not a great film, it was interesting, had decent characters and is an unusual curio. Also, while I watched it on my computer, I was surprised how much of Ms. Rand you could see--and on the big screen I am sure the audiences were having a grand time!! In a way, it's a shame they put in this VERY BRIEF nudity, as it tends to obscure the fact that this is a pretty good film and also detracts a bit from the plot.

Last thing Sally Rand ever did. started in the silents, did a couple more talkies, then was done with hollywood. Co-star Vince Barnett actually stuck around and did a TON of talkies, right up to 1975. Sound, picture, and editing are all TERRIBLE, but I guess we're lucky to still have this one around in any form. When Sally does her stage act, the sound is so bad, it's distracting. Badly in need of restoration, but it's probably in public domain at this point, so it would have to be a non-profit that doesn't need the cash. almost useless to try to follow a story here... someone apparently murdered her father, and she's determined to track them down. Not sure what the heck is going on here.. be sure to watch the Dance of the Droopy Dresses about halfway through. Directed by frenchman Louis Gasnier; he had come to the US right when silents were starting in hollywood. he only made a couple more films after this one.... and probably his best known work was the un-intentionally funny "Reefer Madness". Skip this one... there's a reason it's rarely shown. More annoying than entertaining. thank goodness its over in an hour. Currently on Moonlight Movies channel.

I must admit that I have a soft spot for the films of Grand national and their latter incarnation Producers Releasing Corporation.

That said,Sunset Murder Case is a nice little film although it is really not a mystery as you know early on who the bad guys are, even though it is a tad confusing as to what is going on.

Sunset Murder Case has nifty one liners and some nice dialog from some engaging characters, plus a not so bad musical number.

The main attraction of this film is Miss Sally Rand as the protagonist. She does a very nice dance number with her trade mark balloon while wearing a Grecian toga outfit, and later does what must have been her famous fan dance, although it seems to have been staged in Hollywood and shot with the camera in Cleveland, with palm fronds in between.

The main attraction of this film is Sally Rand, although the other players are quite good in their roles. The lisp that Miss Rand was supposed to have had is not noticeable in this film. The term ecdysiast was not meant to describe her or any earlier "stripper" as mentioned in the biography of Miss Rand in these pages, but was invented by H.L. Mencken at the request of Miss Gypsy Rose Lee as a polite description of her profession.

If you get a chance to see this film please do, it is a very nice slice of the past and the bubble dance will make it worth your while.