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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1262

The Bishop Murder Case

192988 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: English
This copy runs: 87:31
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · David Burton and Nick Grinde · Public domain

Synopsis

An apparent archery killing draws detective Philo Vance into a household of scholars, relatives and watchful neighbours. The staged crime scene and a taunting note signed by the Bishop suggest a murderer who turns nursery rhymes into clues.

Cast

Basil Rathbone

Leila Hyams

Roland Young

DirectorsDavid Burton Nick Grinde

Historical context

Basil Rathbone played Philo Vance here before becoming closely associated with Sherlock Holmes. David Burton and Nick Grinde shared the direction, with separate stage and screen credits.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 16, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Basil Rathbone — Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0
Leila Hyams — Photoplay Magazine; https://archive.org/stream/photoplay3637movi#page/n172/mode/1up · Public domain
Roland Young — Trailer screenshot · Public domain

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