"Murder by Television" (1935) — Bela Lugosi in a Locked-Room Mystery of the Airwaves

Inventor Professor James Houghland unveils a revolutionary TV system and drops dead during its first live broadcast. With all suspects locked in the house, the key to the mystery lies with a mysterious set of twins, both played by the one and only Bela Lugosi, in this peculiar time capsule of 1930s sci-fi and detective tropes.

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📖 STORY

Inventor James Houghland refuses to sell his new television technology, capable of instantaneous worldwide transmission. At a demonstration in his home, attended by rival businessmen eager for his secret, Houghland is mysteriously killed right in front of the camera.

Police Chief Milton locks down the house, questioning a gallery of suspects: Houghland's daughter, industrial spies, and bribed assistants. The investigation centers on Dr. Arthur Perry, Houghland's assistant, and his FBI agent twin brother, Edwin—both played by Bela Lugosi. The finale reveals an outlandish "scientific" murder method directly tied to the television apparatus itself.

⭐ HIGHLIGHTS

· Bela Lugosi in a Dual Role: The horror icon plays both the suspect and the investigator, a rare non-horror turn in his filmography.
· A 1935 Vision of Television: A fascinating historical artifact showcasing how people of the era imagined TV's future, endowing it with almost magical power.
· Early Hattie McDaniel: The future Oscar-winner appears in one of her first film roles as Isabella the Cook.
· "So-Bad-It's-Good" Cult Status: Known for its slow pace, clunky dialogue, and absurd pseudo-science, it has earned a reputation as a beloved B-movie curio.
· Public Domain Accessibility: The film is easily available for free viewing online.

🎬 PRODUCTION DETAILS

· Also Known As: The Houghland Murder Case.
· Release Year: 1935.
· Director: Clifford Sanforth.
· Writer: Joseph O'Donnell.
· Runtime: 55 minutes.
· Studio: Cameo Pictures Corp..
· Music: Oliver Wallace (later famous for Disney animated scores).

Cast:

· Bela Lugosi as Dr. Arthur Perry / Edwin Perry.
· June Collyer as June Houghland.
· Huntley Gordon as Dr. Scofield.
· George Meeker as Richard Grayson.
· Hattie McDaniel as Isabella, the Cook.
· Charles Hill Mailes as Prof. James Houghland.

💎 BEHIND THE SCENES & LEGACY

Filmed on a shoestring budget at the modest Cameo Pictures, this is a rare non-horror starring role for Bela Lugosi. For modern audiences, Murder by Television is less a gripping mystery and more a historical curiosity—a window into naive futurism and early sound film aesthetics. Like many films of its era, it contains racial stereotypes in its portrayal of servants, which can be jarring today.

💬 DISCUSSION

· Is Murder by Television a failed detective story or a valuable historical artifact showcasing the birth of a new media technology?
· Who is the film for today? Primarily Lugosi completists, film historians, and fans of "so-bad-it's-good" cinema.

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