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Alibi for Murder

Name: Alibi for Murder
Director: D. Ross Lederman
Released: 1936
Duration: 61 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1936

Approved

Director

D. Ross Lederman

Runtime

61 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Alibi for Murder is a conventional 1936 crime thriller that prioritizes genre efficiency over social commentary. The narrative follows a standard detective structure, focusing on a male protagonist's struggle to clear his name after a murder occurs in his studio. The film reflects the era's cinematic norms, characterized by a lack of diverse perspectives. It relies on traditional hierarchies of gender and race, centering on white, Anglo-Saxon protagonists within a formal legal framework. Ultimately, the work serves as a period-typical example of the B-movie circuit. It does not attempt to disrupt cultural expectations or introduce diverse identities, sticking instead to the established clichés of the mystery genre.

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Category Breakdown

Does Alibi for Murder have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film operates within a framework that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender. There is no depiction of non-traditional gender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Alibi for Murder portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on Perry Travis, a male protagonist whose actions drive the plot. The film adheres to traditional 1930s gender roles where men lead the investigation.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Alibi for Murder?

Minimal

The production reflects the homogeneous casting practices of 1930s Hollywood. There is no evidence of non-white majority casts or actors playing roles traditionally assigned to white actors.

How does Alibi for Murder represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot reinforces traditional Western institutional structures and the legal justice system. It functions as a classic procedural that respects established social and legal orders.

Does Alibi for Murder include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no indication of characters with visible or invisible disabilities portrayed with meaningful roles. Such attributes are omitted or used only as minor plot devices.

Present on Screen

The film provides a streamlined and efficient crime procedural typical of the 1930s B-movie circuit.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks diverse representation, adhering strictly to the homogeneous casting and gender roles of its era.
There is an absence of non-traditional gender identities or characters with disabilities portrayed with meaningful roles.
The story reinforces traditional Western institutional structures rather than exploring alternative cultural or social perspectives.

Official Synopsis

A radio commentator named Perry Travis fancies himself a brilliant amateur detective. The cops wish he’d stick to his microphone and let them do the detecting. This proves impossible when a famed scientist is murdered in Perry’s studio, right in the middle of the interview. All evidence points to Perry, and he sets out to clear his name before the Shadow-like villain roaming the hallways of the radio station gets away with murder.

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