On this day in movie history - The Bishop Murder Case (1929 movie & novel):

The Bishop Murder Case

directed by David Burton and Nick Grinde,

written by S.S. Van Dine and Lenore J. Coffee,

based on the novel by S.S. Van Dine,

was released in the United States on December 31, 1929.
Music by William Axt.

Cast:

Basil Rathbone, Leila Hyams, Roland Young, Alec B. Francis, George F. Marion, Zelda Sears, Bodil Rosing, Carroll Nye, Charles Quatermaine, James Donlan, Sidney Bracey, Clarence Geldart, Delmer Daves, Nellie Bly Baker.

Recommended reading:

The Bishop Murder Case

By S.S. Van Dine.

# 4 in the Philo Vance mystery series.

Published by Scribners.

First published 1929.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0684179776

ISBN-13: 978-0684179773

Description:

Master sleuth Philo Vance is baffled by a series of grisly murders committed by the sinister “Bishop,” who uses Mother Goose rhymes for inspiration. The killings are the handiwork of genius gone awry, and the suspects are all distinguished intellectuals of the highest order: a physicist, a mathematician, an astronomer, a chess master. Set against the rich tapestry of New York City in the gilded 1920s, this is a brilliant mystery featuring the debonaire, aristocratic sleuth who was America’s first classic detective.

“So Philo Vance will be darting around again. Good!” – Rex Stout.

“A nightmarish shocker, a dazzling deductive work… Vance’s greatest triumph.” – Chris Steinbrunner.

Born on this day – Val Kilmer:

Val Kilmer

Actor

December 31, 1959 – April 1, 2025

Credits:

Book:

I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir (2020).

Movies and television:

100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994); 10th & Wolf (2006); 1995 MTV Movie Awards (1995); 1st Born (2019); 2:22 (2008); 2009 American Music Awards (2009); 5 Days of War (2011); 5 Second Movies (2008); 7 Below (2012); A Century of Science Fiction (1996); A Director's Journey: The Making of 'Red Dragon' (2003); A Soldier's Revenge (2020); A West Texas Children's Story (2007); ABC Afterschool Specials (1985); Academy Event: Heat (2016); Africa Unbottled (2001); Alexander (2004); Alta Voltagem (1997); American Cowslip (2009); American Masters (2009); American Meth (2008); At First Sight (1999); Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009); Batman Forever (1995); Batman Forever Heroes: Batman (2005); Batman Forever: Deleted Scenes (2005); Behind Closed Doors (2020); Beyond Batman: The Many Faces of Gotham City (2005); Beyond the Trailer (2010); Big Brother's Efourum (2005); Billy the Kid (1989); Biography (1987–2005); Blind Horizon (2003); Blood Out (2011); Bloodworth (2010); Bounty Hunters (2004); Breakfast (2005); Breathless (2012); B'Twixt Now and Sunrise (2011); Cabeça a Prêmio (2009); Canada A.M. (2006); Champion (2005); Charlie Rose (1996–2004); Cinema mil (2005); Cinema Twain (2019); Columbus Day (2008); Comanche Moon (2008); Conan (2013); Conspiracy (2008); Danger Zone: The Making of 'Top Gun' (2004); DC Fandome (2020); Dead Girl (1996); Deep in the Heart (2012); Deja Vu (2006); Déjà Vu: Surveillance Window (2007); Delgo (2008); Double Identity (2009); Dr. X's Creatures (2003–2008); Embracing the Chaos: A Conversation with the Cast of 'the Salton Sea' (2002); Entertainment Tonight (2007–2023); Entourage (2004); Fan des années 80 (2010); Felon (2008); Fight Against Time: Oliver Stone's Alexander (2005); Film '05 (2005); George and the Dragon (2004); Ghost Ghirls (2013); GMTV (2005); Good Day L.A. (2013); Good Morning America (2020 / 2021); Gun (2010); Gylne tider (2016); Hard Cash (2002); Hardwired (2009); HBO First Look (1998–2004); Heat (1995); Heat: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Filmmaker Panel (2017); Hollywood Insider (2019–2022); How to Rob a Bank (2024); Icons Unearthed (2024); Inside the Actors Studio (2000–2005); Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2005–2006); Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater (1995); Joe the King (1999); Kenny Loggins: Danger Zone (1986); Kill Me Again (1989); Kill the Irishman (2011); Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005); Knight Rider (2008–2009); Larry King Now (2013); Last Call with Carson Daly (2003–2004); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2003–2005); Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2013–2014); Late Show with David Letterman (1996–2000); Le Fossoyeur de Films (2021); Life's Too Short (2013); Live & Kicking (1999); Live with Kelly and Mark (2005–2006); MacGruber (2010); Magacine (2005); Making American Cowslip (2010); 'Masked & Anonymous' Exposed (2003); Masked and Anonymous (2003); Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers (1991); Mindhunters (2004); Mindhunters: Stunt Sequence (2005); Minty Comedic Arts (2020); Mon clown (2008); Mon plus grand moment de cinéma (2005); Moscow Zero (2006); MTV EMA Berlin '09 (2009); Mundo VIP (1997–1998); NeXt (1998); Nigella (2005); No Sleep TV3 (2016); Numb3rs (2007); Oliver Stone - Hollywoods Lieblingsrebell (2006); On the Set of 'Alexander' (2004); Oneohtrix Point Never: Animals (2016); Palo Alto (2013); Paydirt (2020); Planes (2013); Played (2006); Pollock (2000); Psych (2014); Real Genius (1985); Red Planet (2000); Red Planet: Deleted Scenes (2000); Richard & Judy (2004); Riddle (2013); Riddle Me This: Why Is Batman Forever? (1995); Riptide (2021); Robot Chicken (2014); Saturday Night Live (2000–2011); Saturday Night Live: Presidential Bash 2000 (2000); Saturday Night Live: The Best of Molly Shannon (2001); Seal: Kiss from a Rose (Batman Forever Version) (1995); Sean Carnage Parking Lot (2020); Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight - Batman Unbound (2005); Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight - Reinventing a Hero (2005); Shakespeare High (2011); Shootout (2005); Showbiz Today (1995); Song to Song (2017); Spartan (2004); Special Collector's Edition (2012); Spider-Man: Edge of Time (2011); Standing Up (2013); Stateside (2004); Streets of Blood (2009); Summer Love (2006); Tavis Smiley (2013); Tenacious D: To Be the Best (2012); The 26th Satellite Awards (2022); The 41st Annual Golden Globe Awards (1984); The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards (1994); The 56th Annual Academy Awards (1984); The 66th Annual Academy Awards (1994); The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999); The 9th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (1994); The Annual 1995 ShoWest Awards (1995); The Art of Zen (2016); The Bigger Picture (2005); The Birthday Cake (2021); The Choe Show (2021); The Cowboy (2016); The Daily Show (2002–2004); The Death of 'Alexander' (2005); The Doors (1991); The Doors: Break on Through (1991); The Doors: Featurette (1991); The Doors: The Road of Excess (1997); The Fourth Dimension (2012); The Fourth Dimension / Segment: The Lotus Community Workshop (2012); The Future Of (2022); The Ghost and the Darkness (1996); The Heaven and Earth Show (2004); The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996); The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2006–2008); The Love Guru (2008); The Making of 'Heat' (2005); The Making of Spider-Man: Edge of Time (2011); The Making of 'Tombstone' (2002); The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains (1987); The Man-Eaters of Tsavo (2025); The Missing (2003); The Money Programme (2004); The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1986); The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2004); The Prince of Egypt (1998); The Real McCoy (1993); The Reichen Show (2006); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1999); The Saint (1997); The Salton Sea (2002); The Seventh Man (2003); The Showbiz Show with David Spade (2005); The Snowman (2017); The Spoils of Babylon (2014); The Steam Experiment (2009); The Super (2017); The Ten Commandments: The Musical (2006); The Thaw (2009); The Thaw: Behind the Scenes (2009); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1994–2002); The Traveler (2010); The Tree Is Still There (2025); The Untold West (1993); The Wayne Brady Show (2003); This Morning (1995–2004); Thunderheart (1992); Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn (2014); Tombstone (1993); Top Gun (1986); Top Gun: Maverick (2022); Top Secret! (1984); Trudell (2005); True Romance (1993); Tussen de sterren (2003); Unconquered; Allan Houser and the Legacy of One Apache Family (2008); V Graham Norton (2003); Val (2021); Vivement dimanche (1999); Welcome to the Basement (2012–2013); Willow (1988); Willow: The Making of an Adventure (1988); Wings of Courage (1995); Wonderland (2003); World Premiere of Red Planet (2000); Wyatt Earp's Revenge (2012); XIII: The Conspiracy (2008); Xtravaganza (1997).

Born on this day – John Denver:

John Denver

Singer

Songwriter

Guitarist

Actor

December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997

Born on this day – Rosalind Cash:

Rosalind Cash

Actress

December 31, 1938 – October 31, 1995

Credits:

227 (1990); A Dangerous Affair (1995); A Different World (1989–1991); A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion (1982); A Killing Affair (1977); Afros, Macks & Zodiacs (1995); Amazing Grace (1974); American Playhouse (1983–1985); Barney Miller (1978); Benson (1981); Black Hollywood (1984); Black Journal (1969); Cagney & Lacey (1987); Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (1975); China Beach (1990); Circle of Pain (1996); Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975); Day of Absence (1971); Death Drug (1978); Death Spa (1988); Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976); Falcon Crest (1989); Family Ties (1989); Flashpoint (1979); Forced March (1989); Frank's Place (1988); From a Whisper to a Scream / Segment: Lovecraft's Traveling Amusements (1987); General Hospital (1994–1995); Go Tell It on the Mountain (1985); Good Times (1976); Great Performances (1971); Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980); Hardcastle and McCormick (1984); Harry O (1974); Head of the Class (1990); Hickey & Boggs (1972); Highway to Heaven (1987); Hill Street Blues (1985); Insight (1982); Just an Overnight Guest (1983); Klute (1971); Knight Rider (1986); Knightwatch (1988–1989); Knots Landing (1991); Kojak (1977); L.A. Law (1987); Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993); Melinda (1972); Police Woman (1977); Riptide (1985); Roc (1992–1993); Sister, Sister (1982); Special Bulletin (1983); Starsky and Hutch (1977); Sundance: A Matter of Process (1986); Tales from the Hood (1995); Tequila and Bonetti (1992); The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984); The All-American Boy (1973); The Class of Miss MacMichael (1978); The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1993); The Golden Girls (1988); The Last Man Alive (1971); The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1974); The Merv Griffin Show (1969); The Mighty Pawns (1987); The Monkey Hu$tle (1976); The New Centurions (1972); The Omega Man (1971); The Second Coming (1992); The Sophisticated Gents (1981); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1969); Thirtysomething (1987–1989); This Is the Life (1985); Tilmon Tempo (1972–1976); Trapper John, M.D. (1982–1984); Uptown Saturday Night (1974); Welcome to the Basement (2018); What's Happening!! (1976–1977); Wrong Is Right (1982); You Must Remember This (1992).

Born on this day – Rex Allen:

Rex Allen

Actor

Singer

Songwriter

December 31, 1920 – December 17, 1999

Born on this day – Suzy Delair:

Suzy Delair

Actress

Comedian

Vaudevillian

December 31, 1917 – March 15, 2020

Credits:

Actor studio (1986); Tabarin's Farewell (1966); Love, laugh and sing: Jacques Offenbach (1957); Antenne 2 Midi (1981); Au cinéma ce soir (1970–1971); At Théâtre ce soir (1974); Aujourd'hui Madame (1970); Botta e risposta (1950) Casanova (1934); Champs-Elysées (1989); Certified copy (1947); Daisy Jones & The Six (2023); Dédé (1934); Défense d'aimer (1942); Chickweed for small birds (1963); Emily in Paris (2020); Ferdinand le noceur (1935); Fernandel the Dressmaker (1956); Gervaise (1956); Henri-Georges Clouzot: The Enlightened Tyrant (2004); Ici Paris (1947); Is Paris Burning? (1966); Jenny Lamour (1947); The crisis is over (1934); The Lady from Maxim's (1933); La joie de vivre (1953–1970); La vie de bohème (1945); Lady Paname (1950); The Vermeil Age (1984); Money by the windows (1972); Le bal des Petits Lits blancs (1949); The last of the six (1941); Le fil à la patte (1954); The Lovers' Riding School (1965); The mythomaniac (1981); Le palmarès des chansons (1965); The Song Chart (1966); The creatures of God (1967); The San Francisco Regatta (1960); The Sisters Hortensia (1935); Gold in the Street (1934); Lost Memories (1950); Cinema Tuesday (1987); Oublie-moi, Mandolin (1976); Through the Window (1948); Poliche (1934); Take The Road (1936); Professor Cupid (1933); Rocco and His Brothers (1960); The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (1973); The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942); Touch du bois (1933); Toute la chanson (1961); Thirty-six Candles (1957–1958); Three... six... new (1937); Un caprice de la Pompadour (1931); Utopia (1950); Violets imperial (1932); White Paws (1949).

Born on this day – Arletta Duncan:

Arletta Duncan

Actress

December 31, 1914 – October 28, 1985

Credits:

Damaged Goods (1937); Mile a Minute Love (1937); Hook and Ladder (1935); Menace (1934); Unknown Blonde (1934); The Gallant Fool (1933); The Fighting Champ (1932); Back Street (1932); Fast Companions (1932); Night World (1932); Frankenstein (1931).