Murder by Television (1935): Cast & Plot
Murder by Television is a 1935 mystery thriller directed by Clifford Sanforth, starring Claire McDowell as Mrs. Houghland, Charles Hill Mailes and George Meeker. It runs 53 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 53 min
- Director
- Clifford Sanforth
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Cameo Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Murder by Television About?
The premise of Murder by Television without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
James Houghland invents a way to transmit television signals instantly worldwide and refuses to sell it. Rival TV firms dispatch agents to obtain the technology by any means. During his first broadcast, Houghland is killed onstage, and Police Chief Nelson must sift through the numerous suspects to uncover the murderer in a tense investigation.
Murder by Television Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- psychotronic film
- dawn of television
- corporate rivalry
- asian servant
- inventor
- new technology
- character's picture appears in a newspaper
- watching tv
- female singer
- technological marvel
- london fog
- televised event
+38 more Show fewer
- murder
- on camera
- interrogating a witness
- shadow
- irish accent
- racial stereotype
- bandage on face
- shadowy figure
- stolen technology
- whodunit
- brain analysis
- stabbed
- killer in the house
- flashlight
- writing in code
- extreme measures
- prowler
- identical twins
- impersonating someone
- stealing documents
- scene repeated from alternative perspective
- unusual weapon
- technology used for evil
- secret compartment
- blueprint
- experimental film
- actor playing dual role
- television
- reference to confucius
- reference to charlie chan
- father daughter relationship
- male female relationship
- murder on the air
- remote control
- government agent
- foreign agent
- federal agent
- death ray
Murder by Television Cast & Characters
Claire McDowell leads the cast as Mrs. Houghland, with Charles Hill Mailes as James Houghland and George Meeker as Police Chief Nelson. Directed by Clifford Sanforth; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Director Clifford Sanforth
- Claire McDowell as Mrs. Houghland
- Charles Hill Mailes as James Houghland
- George Meeker as Police Chief Nelson
- Bela Lugosi as Arthur Perry
Also Starring in Murder by Television
· 15 more- June Collyer June Houghland
- Hattie McDaniel Isabella
- Sam Harris Party Guest (uncredited)
- Dick Rush Detective (Uncredited)
- Henry Hall Hammond
- Charles K. French Donald M. Jordan
- Huntley Gordon Dr. Henry M. Scofield
- Frank Meredith Plainclothesman (Uncredited)
- Ruth Cherrington Party Guest (Uncredited)
- Allen Jung Ah Ling
- Lew Hicks Plainclothesman (Uncredited)
- William H. Tooker Allen (as William Tooker)
- Wally Dean Party Guest (uncredited)
- Billy Sullivan Reardon - Watchman (as William 'Billy' Sullivan)
- Larry Francis Mendoza
Murder by Television Plot Summary
What happens in Murder by Television from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
James Houghland, Charles Hill Mailes, the inventor of a groundbreaking method for transmitting television signals worldwide, refuses to sell the process to television companies, provoking agents to pursue the invention by any means. On the night of his initial broadcast, Houghland is murdered in the middle of the demonstration, and Police Chief Nelson, George Meeker, must navigate a crowded mansion filled with potential culprits.
Full summary
The whole story of Murder by Television, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Murder by Television?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is inventor James Houghland famous for creating?
Murder by Television Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “The Houghland Murder Case” and “Asesinato por televisión”.
- Also known as
-
- The Houghland Murder Case
- Asesinato por televisión
- Un dramma per televisione
- 电视谋杀案
Seen Murder by Television?
Movies Like Murder by Television
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Murder by Phone, Murder by Natural Causes and Murder by Night.
Murder by Television FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Murder by Television, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Murder by Television?
Murder by Television runs 53 minutes.
When was Murder by Television released?
Murder by Television was released on October 1, 1935.
Who directed Murder by Television?
Murder by Television was directed by Clifford Sanforth.
Who is in the cast of Murder by Television?
Murder by Television stars Claire McDowell as Mrs. Houghland, Charles Hill Mailes as James Houghland and George Meeker as Police Chief Nelson, among 19 credited actors.
Does Murder by Television have a post-credit scene?
No. Murder by Television has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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