The Benson Murder Case 1930 ★★★ (CC) pre-Code Crime

The Benson Murder Case is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and written for the screen by S. S. Van Dine and Bartlett Cormack. The film stars William Powell, William "Stage" Boyd, Eugene Pallette, Paul Lukas, Natalie Moorhead, Richard Tucker and May Beatty. The film was released on April 13, 1930, by Paramount Pictures, and was based on the 1926 novel of the same name by S. S. Van Dine.

Foppish amateur sleuth Philo Vance (William Powell) takes on a surprise murder investigation when ruthless stockbroker Anthony Benson (Richard Tucker) is found dead at an impromptu party in his lavish country estate which Vance himself attended. As Vance follows the trail of deception, he encounters a cast of shady suspects including the likes of notorious gambler Harry Gray (William 'Stage' Boyd), enigmatic actress Fanny Del Roy (Natalie Moorhead), and mysterious gigolo, Adolph Mohler (Paul Lukas). With the help of tough-talking Sgt. Ernest Heath (Eugene Pallette) and sharp-witted District Attorney John F. X. Markham (E. H. Calvert), Vance navigates a dangerous web of lies, greed, and betrayal to determine who killed Benson.

Credits:
William Powell as Philo Vance
William "Stage" Boyd as Harry Gray
Eugene Pallette as Sgt. Ernest Heath
Paul Lukas as Adolph Mohler
Natalie Moorhead as Fanny Del Roy
Richard Tucker as Anthony Benson
May Beatty as Mrs. Paula Banning
E.H. Calvert as Dist. Atty. John F. X. Markham
Mischa Auer as Albert Brecker
Guy Oliver as Captain Hagedorn (uncredited)