Murder At The Vanities
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Ottawa Citizen, July 25, 1933
IN NEW YORK
By PAUL HARRISON
Theater seers predict an outbreak of mystery plays for the autumn. Even Earl Carroll is planning to mix melodrama and pulchritude in his next revue, which will be called ‘Murder at the Vanities.”
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The New York Times, August 20th, 1933
Earl Carroll.
“Murder at the Vanities,” with or without a bow to the scenic artists’ union, is expected to begin a preliminary engagement in Philadelphia next week before arriving at the New Amsterdam sometime in September. Basically, “Murder at the Vanities” is a mystery play, but the authors, Rufus King and Mr. Carroll, have embellished it with – well, the “Vanities.” The songs have been supplied by John W. Green, Edward Heyman and Herman Hupfield. Players in the company will include James Rennie, Olga Baclanova, Bela Lugosi, Ben Lackland, Jean Adair, Billy House and Naomi Ray.
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August 30-September 6, 1933
Garrick Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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September 8-November 5, 1933
The New Amsterdam Theatre, New York
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New York Herald-Tribune, September 12, 1933
Carroll’s ‘Murder at the Vanities’ Opening Tonight at the New Amsterdam
Earl Carroll will present his “Murder at the Vanities” at the New Amsterdam Theater tonight. He is part-author, sharing the honors with Rufus King, who conceived the combination of murder mystery and musical show which this edition of the “Vanities” is heralded as being. The revue section has been contrived by Edward Heyman, Richard Myers, Eugene Conrad and Stuart C. Whitman. Chester Hale has staged the dances and there will be projected scenery by Max Teuber. The principal actors will include Olga Baclanova, James Rennie, Billy House, Bela Lugosi, Jean Adair, Beryl Wallace and Ben Lackland.
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On October 12, 1933, Bela Lugosi, Minnie Dupree and Harold Vermilyea performed a scene from Murder At The Vanities on Rudy Vallee’s popular NBC musical variety show radio show The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour. You can view the script on Martin Grams excellent blog http://martingrams.blogspot.jp/2015/10/bela-lugosi-in-murder-at-vanities.html
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November 6-March 10, 1934
Majestic Theatre, New York
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On November 17, 1933, Bela Lugosi, James Rennie, Minnie Dupree, Naomi Ray and Olga Baclanova performed a scene from Murder At The Vanities on WEAF’s The Theatre Presents.
The New York Times, Nov 12 1933
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Film Daily, January 16, 1934
ACTING UNDER the green spot……..must be gloating glee for that mysterious gent Bela Lugosi……..This stage and screen diabolist……..has just removed himself from “Murder at the Vanities”……..to……..”Pagan Fury”……..a sweet little cut-throat tome……..by that peaceful citizen Sam J. Warshawsky……..who learned playwriting in the RKO publicity department……..Sam’s play opens in Chicago soon……..and as we read his first dittie “The Woman of Destiny”……..we predict that much will be left on the cutting room floor……..after the screen adaptations are made……..
