Monday, June 28, 2010

THE DEATH KISS / K.B.S. Productions Inc. - 1932

Welcome to another Moldie Oldie Monday here at the Dungeon! Today we have a little murder-mystery comedy from way back in 1932, starring Bela Lugosi as studio executive Joseph Steiner.

Tagline reads... "Movie star MURDERED! KILLER on the loose!" The plot... "While filming the closing scene of "The Death Kiss", leading man Myles Brent is actually killed. Having played around with, or been married to, most of the women connected with the movie studio, there are lots of suspects. When leading lady Marcia Lane is arrested for the killing, her suiter, a studio writer, starts to investigate the killing in order to prove her innocence."

The stock music is by uncredited composer Arthur Lange, music director was Val Burton. Lange also composed music for THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, CARNIVAL BOAT, RACKETY RAX, CALL HER SAVAGE, CURLY TOP, GIRLS' DORMITORY, SUBMARINE PATROL, THE UNDYING MONSTER, LADY OF BURLESQUE, PIN UP GIRL, JUNGLE PATROL, RANCHO NOTORIOUS and THE MAD MAGICIAN!

Rufus the Gnat has been pacing the pad and wants to 'drop the hammer' on the big red 'GO' button and start today's Eariffic Earclip for yer audio pleasure!.. THE DEATH KISS!

This movie was originally released with color tinted sequences!!

Something seems wrong on the set of "The Death Kiss!" And, wouldn't you know it, it's the last scene!!

Okay, tell him he's a good actor, but that he needs to get up because we have to shoot that part over!

Wow, nice office, gots atmospheric conditions...

Bela has an intense conversation with 'the poor man's Charles Laughton!'

The coppers arrive and turn up the heat on the suspects.

A young grip gets some advice from an old-timer. Remember, it's a comedy!

There are some similarities to HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER, like this scene where they are looking at the footage of the murder in the screening room, searching for clues, here, the projectionist is nearly blown up!

A studio cop just don't get no respect!

The photography director requested and got his 'arty shot!'

This shot is great, notice, that's a real block of ice, not a CGI!!

Adrienne Ames does a great job of being beautiful!

I know that hats make the man...

But, what the hell does this mean?!

We finally get a good look at the killer. The reason for murder was professional jealously, what else?!

Alright then, who wants to go get tore up?!..

Ghoulnight, everbloody!!

4 comments:

  1. Awesome Kiss. Nothing like it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was the first film to convince me that David Manners could be a really fine actor other than a useless horror hero,given the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  3. it's funny, i'd totally forgotten that i ever knew this film existed! well, it's not THAT funny!...

    here's one for ya!- "krapphe"!

    ReplyDelete