Murder Goes to College + Partners in Crime DVD-R

Get the original film, Murder Goes to College (1937), and the sequel, Partners in Crime (1937), for 20% off their individual prices!

MURDER GOES TO COLLEGE (1937)

Starring Roscoe Karns, Marsha Hunt, Lynne Overman, Buster Crabbe, Astrid Allwyn
Directed by Charles Reisner

Print: black/white
Runtime: 77 min.
Genre: mystery

A sort of follow-up to the studio's earlier College Scandal, Paramount's Murder Goes to College once again combines homicide with higher learning. When the titular murder occurs, detective Hank Hyer (Lynne Overman) shows up to investigate, with vacationing reporter Sim Perkins (Roscoe Karns) tagging along. Both of our heroes run up against formidable opposition from a strangely secretive faculty, an openly hostile local constabulary, and sneering racketeer Strike Belno (Larry "Buster" Crabbe). Foremost among the suspects is Greta Barry (Astrid Allwyn), the ex-showgirl spouse of much-despised professor Tom Barry (Earl Foxe). Much of the suspense in Murder Goes to College arises from the possibility that the bibulous Sim Perkins won't remain sober long enough to solve the mystery..

PARTNERS IN CRIME (1937)

Starring Lynne Overman, Roscoe Karns, Muriel Hutchison, Anthony Quinn, Inez Courtney
Directed by Ralph Murphy

Print: black/white
Runtime: 66 min.
Genre: drama

Partners in Crime was Paramount's follow-up to its successful Murder Goes to College; both films were based on a series of mystery novels by Kurt Steel. Lynne Overman and Roscoe Karns are back as insouciant private eye Hank Hyer and his bibulous partner-in-crimesolving Sim Perkins. Our heroes are currently engaged in protecting a reform-ticket mayoral candidate from a blackmail scheme. When this fails, Sim himself runs for mayor, and through the sort of miracles that only happen in movies he wins the election. A clever last-minute plot twist loses him his office, but at least the good guys did triumph for a while. Alas, Partners in Crime went the way of most sequels; lacking the freshness and spontaneity of the first film, it was less successful at the box office, precluding any more follow-ups. On the other hand, it did afford an excellent early acting opportunity for new Paramount contractee Anthony Quinn.