This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Find sources: "The Perfect Crime" 1928 film – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2024)

The Perfect Crime
Directed by	Bert Glennon
Written by	Ewart Adamson Randolph Bartlett Victor Currier William LeBaron
Based on	The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
Produced by	William LeBaron
Starring	Clive Brook Irene Rich Ethel Wales
Cinematography	James Wong Howe
Edited by	Archie Marshek
Production company	Film Booking Offices of America
Distributed by	Film Booking Offices of America Ideal Films (UK)
Release date	August 4, 1928 (1928-08-04)
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Sound (Part-talkie) English intertitles

The Perfect Crime is a 1928 American sound part-talkie crime drama film directed by Bert Glennon and starring Clive Brook, Irene Rich and Ethel Wales.^[1] The film is loosely based on the 1892 novel The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill.

The film is important historically as it was the first sound feature to be released by FBO. It was the first feature film not produced by either Warner Bros. or Fox Film to contain synchronized sound, also being the first non-Warner feature to contain any talking sequences.

A criminologist sets out to prove there is such a thing as a perfect crime, and commits a murder without leaving any clues. However, when an innocent man is arrested for the crime, he is presented with a moral dilemma.

• Clive Brook as Benson
• Irene Rich as Stella
• Ethel Wales as Mrs. Frisbie
• Carroll Nye as Trevor
• Gladys McConnell as Mrs. Trevor
• Edmund Breese as Wilmot
• James Farley as Jones
• Phil Gastrock as Butler
• Tully Marshall as Frisbie
• Jane La Verne as Trevor Baby
• Lynne Overman as Newlywed

In addition to sequences with audible dialogue or talking sequences, the film features a synchronized musical score and sound effects along with English intertitles. The soundtrack was recorded using the RCA Photophone sound-on-film system.

• List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)

• Ken Wlaschin. Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. McFarland, 2009.

• The Perfect Crime at IMDb

This article about a crime film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e