Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Mystery comedy

Murder in the Private Car (1934): Cast & Plot

Murder in the Private Car (1934) movie poster

Murder in the Private Car is a 1934 mystery comedy directed by Harry Beaumont, starring Mary Carlisle as Ruth Raymond, Berton Churchill and Porter Hall. It runs 1 hour 3 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
Murder in the Private Car (1934) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 3m (63 min)
Director
Harry Beaumont
Genres
Mystery , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Murder in the Private Car About?

The premise of Murder in the Private Car without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Ruth Raymond, who operates the switchboard in a bustling New York City office tower, is approached by a private detective who reveals a startling truth: she is the long‑lost daughter of railroad magnate Luke Carson. Fourteen years earlier, Luke’s bitter brother Elwood had kidnapped the infant and placed her with an unrelated family.

Murder in the Private Car Themes & Keywords

· 45 tags
  • several attemps to murder
  • fake telegram
  • lie
  • pre code
  • fear
  • suspense
  • suspicious
  • train with dynamite
  • very peculiar man
  • runaway train
  • railroad
  • telegram
+33 more
  • male female relationship
  • train
  • train wreck
  • telephone operator
  • revenge
  • rescue
  • private detective
  • porter
  • police
  • native american
  • murder
  • monkey
  • los angeles california
  • long lost relative
  • lion
  • lawyer
  • kangaroo
  • impersonation
  • heiress
  • gorilla
  • fingerprint
  • father daughter relationship
  • explosion
  • elephant
  • dynamite
  • circus
  • chauffeur
  • camel
  • brother
  • bow and arrow
  • bodyguard
  • attempted kidnapping
  • based on play
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Murder in the Private Car Cast & Characters

Mary Carlisle leads the cast as Ruth Raymond, with Berton Churchill as Luke Carson and Porter Hall as Alden Murray. Directed by Harry Beaumont; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Murder in the Private Car

· 9 more
Plot

Murder in the Private Car Plot Summary

What happens in Murder in the Private Car from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ruth Raymond is a sharp-eyed Los Angeles switchboard operator who gets pulled into a high-stakes family mystery when a sharp-eyed lawyer, Alden Murray, reveals that she is actually the daughter of railroad magnate Luke Carson. Kidnapped as a baby by Luke’s embittered brother and partner, she was hidden away and raised elsewhere, a fact that makes her an heiress in the eyes of dangerous enemies. As soon as that truth comes to light, an attempt on her life—carried out by her own bodyguard and chauffeur—is thwarted by the quick actions of the cunning sleuth Godfrey D. Scott, setting the stage for a perilous escape.

Full summary

The whole story of Murder in the Private Car, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Murder in the Private Car?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What is Ruth Raymond's occupation at the beginning of the film?

Details

Murder in the Private Car Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “El vagón de la muerte” and “Der Schreckens-Express”.

Also known as
  • El vagón de la muerte
  • Der Schreckens-Express
  • O Crime do Vagão Particular
  • Makuuvaunu-mysteerio
  • Le mystère du rapide
  • Murder on the Runaway Train
  • To mystirion tou express
  • Il mistero del vagone letto
  • A Última Carruagem

Seen Murder in the Private Car?

FAQ

Murder in the Private Car FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Murder in the Private Car, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Murder in the Private Car?

Murder in the Private Car runs 1 hour 3 minutes (63 minutes).

When was Murder in the Private Car released?

Murder in the Private Car was released on June 29, 1934.

Who directed Murder in the Private Car?

Murder in the Private Car was directed by Harry Beaumont.

More films by Harry Beaumont

Who is in the cast of Murder in the Private Car?

Murder in the Private Car stars Mary Carlisle as Ruth Raymond, Berton Churchill as Luke Carson and Porter Hall as Alden Murray, among 13 credited actors.

Does Murder in the Private Car have a post-credit scene?

No. Murder in the Private Car has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app