The Benson Murder Case is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and written 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.
A ruthless, crooked stockbroker is murdered at his luxurious country estate, and detective Philo Vance just happens to be there; he decides to find out who killed him. Reviewed in the NY Times in 1930 as "It is a moderately entertaining affair, despite the fact that several of the players appear to be somewhat conscious of the microphone as they speak their lines. The manner in which the murderer gets rid of Anthony Benson, however, is by no means without its surprises. "
Cast
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