Is this film fun or what?


I mean, murder, dames, funky handsome german guy,Kitty Carlisle and a homage to a very popular herb with a bunch of hot dames that are old enough to be your grandma now. Whats not to enjoy? I haven't seen this film in years because of the sweet marijuana set. What a shame.

mondo

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You haven't seen it recently? It was available on VHS tape; I got a copy from amazon.com. Also, try Movies Unlimited; they have lots of out of print videos.

"If ah irritate you, jes think how ah irritate mahself."

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If the version you saw was purged of the Sweet Marihuana number, then it is highly probable that they cut short, or cropped the frame of, the scene where the singer in the Jazz Rhapsody number (Duke Ellington and his small band) is realizing that she has been shot. It is in that short sequence that the black dancing ladies are making their way backstage after curtain-down, and as they pass the camera, it is totally evident that they are wearing no bras under their sheer costume tops.

Wow, talk about pre-code shennanigans!

And how hot is Toby Wing in this?

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Yes it was fun and funny. We all laughed at the rediculous costumes on display and dance numbers (of course we were all stoned at the time). I give this *******

my favorites are Harlow and Garbo. I guess I'm just an old fashion guy

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Dig the trivia section, where it mentions that Kitty Carlisle had no idea what marijuana was and thought it was a mexican musical instrument. Far out, man!

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

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MUCH FUN!

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A perfect example of naughty, sassy, pre-Code 30's fun, with a once-in-a-lifetime cast. The "Sweet Marijuana" number defies belief, and you also get the great Duke Ellington in his prime and the first appearance of the standard "Cocktails for Two"...plus a scantily-clad Kitty Carlisle, lol. The only negative to me was a very unsubtle Victor McLaglen, who stumbles over his dialogue at several points.

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The lyrics of some of the early songs were not very good either. They're obviously trying to fit words to existing music and pretty much ignoring the existing tempo, squeezing in words quickly to fit in the rhyme. I could do about as well, which is to say, mediocre at best.

Apart from that, very entertaining though. Really love the slang expressions from the copper and others. "Cork the place!"

Wonder if this film was the first to use the expression "Judas Priest". It's certainly long before the band, or Hill Street Blues.

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I love the lyrics to "Cocktails for two". 

I love the movie! 

~~
💕 JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen 👍

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I've watched it three times this week! Fun movie!

~~
JimHutton (1934-79) & ElleryQueen

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If you’re in the US and still care, it is showing this month on The Criterion Channel. Of course, you have to sign up but they have such wonderful films that it is worth the monthly fee.

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'Sweet Marijuana' Sing-along song from 'Murder at the Vanities' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjdETBXwDo8

This is the film that contains the "Sweet Marijuana" song and dance number. It got past the censors because at the time the film was made, marijuana's legality in the United States varied by state, and marijuana was prescribed by physicians for medicinal use. Today, most copies of the film delete the "Sweet Marijuana" number.

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