The Red-Haired Alibi

Last updated

The Red-Haired Alibi is an American pre-Code feature-length film produced by Tower Productions. The film was produced by Sigmund Neufeld. The title is often written as Red-Haired Alibi.

Contents

Released on October 15, 1932, it was directed by Christy Cabanne. The movie was based on a novel of the same name written by Wilson Collison. It is the first feature-length film to feature child actress Shirley Temple in the credits. [1]

Plot

A young woman, Lynn Monith (Merna Kennedy), comes to Manhattan and is employed by pleasant and charming Trent Travers (Theodore von Eltz) as a companion. She learns over time that Travers is a gangster. After his crimes escalate to murder, police urge her to leave him in order to protect herself. She builds a new life in White Plains and marries Bob Shelton (Grant Withers), a widower with a four-year-old daughter, Gloria (Shirley Temple). However, one night, Lynn drops off Bob at Grand Central Station in Manhattan, and is spotted by Travers, who threatens to reveal her past unless she gives him a large sum so he can leave the country.

The next night, Lynn meets Travers at a restaurant, as they had arranged—but she refuses to pay, fires a gun at him, and flees. Travers is found shot to death soon after. A waiter overheard part of their conversation, and informs the police. The police confront Lynn at her home in White Plains. Lynn confesses and hands over her gun. However, the bullet which killed Travers was fired from a gun of a different caliber! The police realize that Lynn is innocent.

Cast

Related Research Articles

<i>The Circus</i> (1928 film) 1928 film by Charlie Chaplin

The Circus is a 1928 silent film written, produced, and directed by Charlie Chaplin. The film stars Chaplin, Al Ernest Garcia, Merna Kennedy, Harry Crocker, George Davis and Henry Bergman. The ringmaster of an impoverished circus hires Chaplin's Little Tramp as a clown, but discovers that he can only be funny unintentionally.

The following is an overview of 1932 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.

Gloria Stuart American actress and painter (1910-2010)

Gloria Frances Stuart was an American actress, visual artist, and activist. She was known for her roles in Pre-Code films, and garnered renewed fame late in life for her portrayal of Rose DeWitt Bukater in James Cameron's epic romance Titanic (1997), the highest-grossing film of all time at the time. Her performance in the film won her a Screen Actors Guild Award and earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.

Shirley Temple American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat (1928–2014)

Shirley Temple Black was an American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat who was Hollywood's number one box-office draw as a child actress from 1934 to 1938. Later, she was named United States ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia, and also served as Chief of Protocol of the United States.

<i>Bright Eyes</i> (1934 film) 1934 film by David Butler

Bright Eyes is a 1934 American comedy drama film directed by David Butler. The screenplay by William Conselman is based on a story by David Butler and Edwin J. Burke.

Educational Pictures American film company

Educational Pictures, also known as Educational Film Exchanges, Inc. or Educational Films Corporation of America, was an American film production and film distribution company founded in 1916 by Earle Hammons (1882–1962). Educational primarily distributed short subjects; it is best known for its series of comedies starring Buster Keaton (1934-37) and the earliest screen appearances of Shirley Temple (1932-34). The company ceased production in 1938, and finally closed in 1940 when its film library was sold at auction.

Shirley Temple filmography

Shirley Temple (1928–2014) was an American child actress, dancer, and singer who began her film career in 1931, and continued successfully through 1949. When Educational Pictures director Charles Lamont scouted Meglan Dancing School for prospective talent, three-year-old student Temple hid behind the piano. Lamont spotted her and immediately decided she was the one he was looking for. Starting at $10 a day, she was eventually under contract for $50 per film. The production company generated its Baby Burlesks one-reeler film short satires of Hollywood films in 1931–1933, produced by Jack Hays and directed by Lamont. Temple made eight Baby Burlesks films, and 10 other short films, before being signed to star in feature-length motion pictures.

Merna Kennedy American actress

Merna Kennedy was an American actress of the late silent era and the transitional period into talkies.

Jane Withers American actress and childrens radio show host (1926–2021)

Jane Withers was an American actress and children's radio show host. She became one of the most popular child stars in Hollywood in the 1930s and early 1940s, with her films ranking in the top ten list for box-office gross in 1937 and 1938.

Sara Dylan is an American former actress and model who was the first wife of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. In 1959, Noznisky was wed to magazine photographer Hans Lownds, during which time she was known as Sara Lownds.

<i>Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm</i> (1938 film) 1938 film by Allan Dwan

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Allan Dwan, and written by Don Ettlinger, Karl Tunberg, Ben Markson and William M. Conselman, the third adaptation of Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1903 novel of the same name.

Grant Withers American actor (1905–1959)

Granville Gustavus Withers was an American film actor who acted under the screen name Grant Withers. With early beginnings in the silent era, Withers moved into sound films, establishing himself with a list of headlined features as a young and handsome male lead. "As his career progressed ... his importance diminished, but he did manage a 10-year contract with Republic."

<i>Change of Heart</i> (1934 film) 1934 film by John G. Blystone

Change of Heart is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film starring Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, James Dunn, and Ginger Rogers. The movie, about a quartet of college chums who all move to 1934 New York City, was written by James Gleason and Sonya Levien from Kathleen Norris's novel, Manhattan Love Song and directed by John G. Blystone.

Christy Cabanne American film director, screenwriter and actor

William Christy Cabanne was an American film director, screenwriter, and silent film actor.

Theodore von Eltz American actor

Theodore von Eltz was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1915 and 1957. He was the father of actress Lori March.

Lynn Shelton American director

Lynn Shelton was an American filmmaker, known for writing, directing, and producing such films as Humpday and Your Sister's Sister. She was associated with the mumblecore genre.

<i>Little Big Shot</i> 1935 film by Michael Curtiz

Little Big Shot is a 1935 American film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Sybil Jason and Glenda Farrell. The film was released by Warner Bros. on September 7, 1935. A young girl endears herself to her caretakers after her father is murdered by mobsters.

Wilson Collison American dramatist

Wilson Collison was a prolific author and playwright.

<i>Send for Paul Temple</i> 1946 British film

Send for Paul Temple is a 1946 British crime film directed by John Argyle and starring Anthony Hulme, Joy Shelton and Tamara Desni. Paul Temple is called in by Scotland Yard after a major diamond theft. It was the first of four film adaptations of the BBC's Paul Temple radio serials, with John Bentley taking over the lead role in future installments.

<i>Sinner Take All</i> 1936 film by Errol Taggart

Sinner Take All is a 1936 murder mystery film directed by Errol Taggart and starring Bruce Cabot and Margaret Lindsay.

References

  1. "The Red-Haired Alibi (1932)". nytimes.com; retrieved April 16, 2014.