mukava991 "The Death Kiss," a humor-laced murder mystery set in a Hollywood movie studio, unspools at a snappy pace offering one delight after another: a striking opening, followed by the introduction of a succession of colorful characters played by Everett Van Sloan, Bela Lugosi, Harold Minjir, Alexander Carr, the photogenic Adrienne Ames and David Manners as a studio writer who tries to figure out whodunit. There is a loose, breezy feel, with the camera tracking and panning freely not only around the movie studio but into its nooks and crannies as the dialogue zings with amusing exchanges and wisecracks. There are even hand-tinted flames, gunshots and flashlight beams during various action sequences.

LeonLouisRicci Early Talkie-Fest that has a Number of Things that make this just a Tad Above the Normal Run of the Mill, Low-Budget Movies that were Churned Out in Hollywood at the Time Faster than Food in Styrofoam. There's Bela Lugosi in a Non-Horror, Non-Leading Role. A Peek Behind the Scenes at the Primitive Sound Stages of 1932. The Reunion of three Major Stars from Dracula (1931). Some Very Effective and Neat use of Limited Color Tinting. Pre-Code Characters that in a Few Short Years would become Extinct, Homosexuals and Ethnic Types. The Plotting of a Movie within a Movie.The Story Unfolds with more Characters and Twists and Red Herrings than Necessary, but Overall it is Worth a Watch for the Aforementioned and while Never Dull in the End it Boils Over from too much in the Pot. Affecting, Interesting, and a Curioso.

GManfred Is there anything more distracting and more unsatisfying than a comedy-mystery? I cringed when I read the description on IMDb's page for this picture. The two genres don't go together, especially as here, when it's in the form and person of Vince Barnett's dopey-sidekick-keystone-cop routine.The mystery itself is pretty good and you can't guess the murderer, due in part to several plot holes. David Manners makes a pleasing appearance in a thankless role - if they wanted to go all-out on the comedy angle, a few custard pies in face for his insufferable character would have helped matters a great deal. Way too smug by half.The movie becomes a Talking Picture for much of the 75 or so minutes and they neglect Bela Lugosi for most of it. But it was an interesting look backstage at a film studio making a film - although it's been done many times since, this must have been one of the first attempts. It started off well but I gave it a rating of a 6 overall.

bensonmum2 It's a plot device that's been used many times since, but The Death Kiss may have been the first time an actor was killed on set when someone fired a real bullet instead of blanks (at least it's the first I know of). Studio writer Franklyn Drew (David Manners) takes it upon himself to "help" the police find the killer – whether they actually want him snooping around or not. It seems that Drew has a thing for the film's leading lady, Marcia Lane (Adrienne Ames), a prime suspect because of her past relationship with the dead man. With lots of clues, red herrings, and no shortage of suspects, Drew's got his work cut out for him.The Death Kiss is far from being a great movie, but for a low budget poverty row thriller/mystery, it's not half bad. One of the more interesting aspects of the film is the reuniting of Dracula alums Manners, Bela Lugosi, and Edward Van Sloan. Unlike Dracula, however, this is Manners' film with his scenes and importance far out-stripping his better known co-stars. In fact Lugosi is given very little to actually do other than stare suspiciously and mysteriously at anyone who gets within his gaze. Another positive aspect is the relationship between Manners and Ames. They work well together and make a very believable couple. First time director Edwin L. Marin does a more than adequate job with this early talkie. He seems to have an understanding of the medium and how to use it. The plot includes plenty of twists and turns to keep the viewer's interest. And the final outcome and reveal, though dependent upon coincidence and a bit of dumb luck, is more than satisfactory.