Murder! (1930) in Color — Starring Herbert Marshall & Edward Chapman

Murder! (1930) — Buy This Classic in Color

Murder! (1930) is an early Alfred Hitchcock thriller starring Herbert Marshall as a distinguished actor-juror who becomes convinced that the woman he helped convict is innocent, with Norah Baring and Edward Chapman. This professionally colorized version brings Hitchcock’s innovative early sound-era mystery to fascinating new life. Buy your colorized copy today for €15.00 and own this groundbreaking classic movie in color.

Plot Summary

When actress Diana Baring (Norah Baring) is found standing over the body of her murdered colleague in a dingy boarding house, dazed, blood-stained, and completely unable to remember what happened in the hours before the killing, she is quickly arrested and put on trial for murder. The evidence against her appears overwhelming — she was found alone with the victim, the murder weapon was nearby, and she can offer no alibi or alternative explanation. Among the jury deliberating her fate is Sir John Menier (Herbert Marshall), a famous and highly respected actor-manager of the London stage, who initially votes guilty along with the rest of the dozen jurors.

But after the verdict is delivered and Diana is sentenced to death, Sir John is haunted by a creeping, persistent doubt — something about the evidence doesn’t add up, and the more he replays the trial in his mind, the more he suspects that Diana is protecting someone she loves or fears. Taking matters into his own hands, Sir John launches a private investigation, using his theatrical skills, his wealth, and his connections in the West End world to probe the hidden lives of the touring repertory company where Diana worked. His search leads him to the mysterious and deeply enigmatic Handel Fane (Esme Percy), a talented half-caste trapeze artist and actor who harbors a dangerous secret that connects him intimately to the murder. As Sir John devises an elaborate theatrical trap — commissioning a play that mirrors the real crime — to provoke the guilty party into revealing the truth, the tension builds to a dramatic and vertigo-inducing climax high above the circus ring. This classic movie showcases Hitchcock’s early mastery of suspense and his groundbreaking experimentation with sound techniques.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Stars: Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring, Edward Chapman, Esme Percy, Miles Mander, Donald Calthrop, Phyllis Konstam, S.J. Warmington, Gus McNaughton, Marie Wright

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This colorized version of Murder! reveals the theatrical world, the courtroom drama, and the circus setting with striking new visual detail. The original black and white photography captured Hitchcock’s inventive visual storytelling brilliantly, but the professionally colorized restoration brings out the rich velvet curtains and gilt-edged boxes of the London theaters, the sober wood-paneled courtroom where Diana’s fate is decided, the cramped and cluttered dressing rooms of the touring company, and the spectacular heights of the circus tent where the climax unfolds with frame-by-frame precision. The costumes of the theatrical world — from elegant evening dress to greasepaint and stage makeup — gain wonderful new visual life in color. Watch this restored classic film in color and discover one of Hitchcock’s most underrated early thrillers. Now also available in colour.

Buy Murder! in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Murder! is notable for several remarkable technical innovations by Alfred Hitchcock that were years ahead of their time. The film features the first use of a character’s interior monologue in a sound film — the famous scene where Sir John’s private thoughts are heard on the soundtrack while he shaves before the mirror was achieved by Hitchcock playing a pre-recorded orchestra live on set, since dubbing technology did not yet exist. The film was also one of the earliest sound pictures to employ sophisticated editing techniques and creative use of sound design to build suspense. Additionally, Hitchcock simultaneously shot a German-language version titled Mary with a different cast, a common practice in early talkies before dubbing became standard. The film’s exploration of identity, performance, and the gap between appearances and reality anticipated themes Hitchcock would explore throughout his entire career. The colorization brings new appreciation to Hitchcock’s visual experimentation in this early masterwork.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 108 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this one of Alfred Hitchcock’s early films?
A: Yes, Murder! was made in 1930, during Hitchcock’s early British period. It demonstrates many of the suspense techniques he would refine throughout his career.

Q: What makes this film technically innovative?
A: Murder! features the first use of interior monologue (a character’s thoughts heard on the soundtrack) in a sound film, as well as innovative editing and sound design techniques that were groundbreaking for 1930.

Q: Is this the complete version?
A: Yes, this is the full 1930 theatrical release directed by Alfred Hitchcock, presented in its colorized version.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: DRM-free MP4, compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: €15.00 for instant download. The colorization process ensures every scene looks stunning in color.

Q: Can I watch on multiple devices?
A: Absolutely. The file is DRM-free, so you can watch on your TV, tablet, phone, or computer.

Related Colorized Classics

• This Gun for Hire (1942)
• Circle of Danger (1951)
• The List of Adrian Messenger (1963)
• A Blueprint for Murder (1953)
• Fly By Night (1942)