One manipulative songbird, many possible suspects: 'The canary murder case' is the cinematic representation of a classic murder mystery. We get just enough exposition to establish some chief characters, suspects, and motives, and the story otherwise bears almost no substance that isn't directly tied to the case at hand. While we watch the investigation and secrets to unfold, the narrative is broadly very straightforward, with no especial twists or turns in the active plot - unless one counts inordinate sophistication to the murderer's scheme that I think similarly reflects genre convention. That directness is perhaps a little off-putting, as it strictly defines and therefore somewhat limits our engagement. Still, this is reasonably entertaining despite its difficulties.
As any reading of the production history shows, those difficulties include in no small part the effort to dub dialogue over finished silent footage. The producers did the best they could, sure, but the disparity is notable all the same - and most glaring when it comes to unmistakable Louise Brooks, here accordingly dubbed over by Margaret Livingston. On a like note, it's unfortunate that the two black actors to appear in the feature are relegated to roles with mannerisms that feel a bit too stereotypical to feed into our entertainment. Oh well.
Despite indelicacies in inserting audio over the picture, the cast are quite solid, both in their visual representation and even in the voiceovers they recorded in post. While the plainness of the story is perhaps unfortunate, by way of being a little bland, the narrative is complete and cohesive. There's even a measure of cleverness in the picture in Vance's effort to discern the psychology of the suspects, and his analysis of the case beyond the superficial presentation of apparent facts.
If I seem noncommittal in my words, consider it an extension of my feelings about the feature: 'The canary murder case' is enjoyable, but it's not wholly captivating, and doesn't specifically spark the imagination in the way one would like from a movie. Though you don't really need to go out of your way, it's an adequately satisfying diversion if you come across it.
As any reading of the production history shows, those difficulties include in no small part the effort to dub dialogue over finished silent footage. The producers did the best they could, sure, but the disparity is notable all the same - and most glaring when it comes to unmistakable Louise Brooks, here accordingly dubbed over by Margaret Livingston. On a like note, it's unfortunate that the two black actors to appear in the feature are relegated to roles with mannerisms that feel a bit too stereotypical to feed into our entertainment. Oh well.
Despite indelicacies in inserting audio over the picture, the cast are quite solid, both in their visual representation and even in the voiceovers they recorded in post. While the plainness of the story is perhaps unfortunate, by way of being a little bland, the narrative is complete and cohesive. There's even a measure of cleverness in the picture in Vance's effort to discern the psychology of the suspects, and his analysis of the case beyond the superficial presentation of apparent facts.
If I seem noncommittal in my words, consider it an extension of my feelings about the feature: 'The canary murder case' is enjoyable, but it's not wholly captivating, and doesn't specifically spark the imagination in the way one would like from a movie. Though you don't really need to go out of your way, it's an adequately satisfying diversion if you come across it.