Rosalind Russell once described this movie as "A real bomb! The worst picture I ever made!" And it must be admitted that the professional critics also were not kind. Paul Lukas came off a distinct second best in all comparisons with William Powell's interpretations of Philo Vance (and of course in Powell's 1930 "Benson Murder Case", Lukas plays one of the principal suspects). All the same, I enjoyed this entry. Despite Edwin L. Marin's competent but rather ordinary direction, Alison Skipworth and Isabel Jewell give absolutely marvelous performances! And there's solid support from a more than able roster of some of our favorite character players, particularly Arthur Byron and Ted Healy. The script is reasonably taut and suspenseful. And the movie is attractively dressed up with all M-G-M's usual polish. What more can you ask?
Review of The Casino Murder Case
