Murder in the Blue Room

Universal remakes Secret of the Blue Room again, this time as a musical comedy. It's got a good cast, including Anne Gwynne, Regis Toomey, John Litel, Milton Parsons, Donald Cook, and Ian Wolfe. The likable comedy dance team The Three Jazzybelles (Grace McDonald, Betty Kean, and June Preisser) steal the picture. It's one of those movies that seems like it was made by committee. One guy said "Let's do a murder mystery." Another said "Let's do a comedy." And then another said "No, it must be a musical!" The result is this uneven but surprisingly enjoyable concoction. It's a good-looking picture with some fairly impressive special effects and a nice amount of shadowy atmosphere. If you go into it knowing what it is, I think you'll take more kindly to the musical comedy elements. But if you go into it expecting a thriller or something, you'll probably be pretty disappointed.

1944's "Murder in the Blue Room" was the second and last of Universal's two remakes of 1933's "Secret of the Blue Room," following 1938's "The Missing Guest." Using basically the same backstory as in "Guest," this version dispenses with the obnoxious reporter (remember Scoop?), substituting lighthearted comedy laced with four musical numbers, one mimed by Anne Gwynne, and the others sang by The Three Jazzybelles, last minute replacements for the absent Ritz Brothers (who never again starred in any more features). The setting is once again a seaside mansion just reopening after two decades, starring lovely Anne Gwynne as the hostess (replacing Constance Moore), and John Litel as her stepfather. Bill Williams plays the William Lundigan role of Larry Dearden, who learns of the 20 year old unsolved murder in the forbidding blue room, and insists on spending the night there, only to disappear before morning, the window left wide open above the raging sea. On the following evening, newshound Steve Randall (Donald Cook, nowhere near as intrusive as Paul Kelly) decides to sleep in the same salon, only for the dead body of Larry Dearden to mysteriously turn up in the bed, with no trace of Steve! Many familiar faces abound, such as Regis Toomey, Emmett Vogan, Victoria Horne, and Milton Parsons, whose chauffeur character is referred to as both Dracula and Frankenstein during the proceedings. As for the Jazzybelles, this was the only time they ever worked together, but all three were formerly part of vaudeville sibling acts. June Preisser, the short blonde, was a former MGM rival to Judy Garland, displaying her remarkable contortions in one incredible scene, next to brunette Grace McDonald, who played the female lead in Abbott and Costello's "It Ain't Hay" and Olsen and Johnson's "See My Lawyer" (both saw their screen careers end by the late 40's). Leading the way with all the best wisecracks is the tall blonde Betty Kean, half of a sister act with Jane Kean (THE HONEYMOONERS), who plays the part scripted for Harry Ritz (and becomes the first to meet up with a real ghost, not found in the other versions). Her career continued right up until her death in 1986, but this may have been her one shining Hollywood moment. Those familiar with "The Missing Guest" will already note one major change in the scenario, but this is clearly superior to its 1938 predecessor (though neither can hold a candle to the 1933 original, with its atmospheric Germanic castle and superb sets). Neither remake was part of television's SHOCK! package of 1957, but all three turned up with regularity on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater- "Murder in the Blue Room" aired Feb 15 1975 (following 1969's "Journey to the Far Side of the Sun" and 1936's "The Invisible Ray") and Oct 12 1976 (following 1960's "First Spaceship on Venus"), not seen on TV since 1988.

A party is thrown at a haunted house where a man was murdered in the "blue room" 20 years earlier. The room has not been opened since. That night, Larry (Bill Williams) spends the night there. In the morning, he has disappeared. The following night, Steve (Donald Cook) stays the night there with a similar outcome. On the 3rd night, it is the turn of the Jazzy Belles.....can they solve the mystery...?...

This is a quick paced mystery with musical numbers courtesy of the Jazzy Belles. They sing and dance for 2 numbers and have a 3rd dance routine, all of which are good and performed in an Andrews Sisters swing style. A 3rd song is sung by the party host Anne Gwynne and is dubbed by Martha Tilton - that's why it sounds so good! The mystery keeps you guessing and the film is played as a comedy ...... and there's a ghost....!

According to IMDB, the Ritz Brothers were supposed to make this film but for some reason or another, Universal substituted the lady comedy team, the JazzyBelles in their place. I have no idea why, but this was a welcome change not only because this odd team do a better job but because the Ritz Brothers were LESS funny than Ebola! I have seen quite a few of their films and always find them boorish and unfunny....and really, really obnoxious.

The story begins in a haunted house during a storm. The blue room in the title refers to a seemingly cursed room in this creepy joint. According to legend, when folks stay the night in the room, they die! Can the heroes and heroines get to the bottom of this mystery?

This movie is a remake of the 1930s film "Secret of the Blue Room" but with a comedic and musical bent. The JazzyBelles provide both the humor and do some absolutely amazing dance routines...which are pretty weird considering it's about a haunted house and murders!

The bottom line is that the film is very entertaining in a brainless sort of way. In other words, it's worth seeing but don't think too much or the silliness of it might just make your brain explode! Fun and quite unique. Sadly, however, the JazzyBelles never took off and soon faded into obscurity.

Boogie woogie, singing, dancing, and murder! Is it comedy or drama? Who cares?! Mindless but still fun... I've seen worse A list high budget films!