Movie Murder Case

Originally Aired: April 5, 1949Philo Vance #39, "Movie Murder Case," takes listeners behind the scenes of a troubled Western film production where tensions run as high as the balcony stunts. Art Ingram, a demanding and difficult leading man with 70 Westerns to his credit, clashes with director Ed Hadey and the crew during the filming of a dangerous fight scene. As the cameras roll and stunt doubles perform treacherous falls, Art's caustic complaints about the script, his co-star Joyce, and everyone around him create a powder keg atmosphere on set. The antagonism reaches a chilling peak when Joyce cryptically remarks that she wishes Art had taken the dangerous balcony fall himself, adding ominously that perhaps he wouldn't have gotten back up.When the volatile mix of Hollywood egos, dangerous stunts, and bitter resentments culminates in murder, the urbane detective Philo Vance must navigate the complex web of grudges and motives among cast and crew. With no shortage of suspects who despised the victim, Vance faces the challenge of determining which member of this fractious film production turned their anger into deadly action.