Recommendations
Senior Film Conservator

In the vast archive of Comedy cinema, Murder Goes to College stands as a cult status beacon, it's essential to look at the contemporaries that shared this cult status. Our cinematic experts have identified several titles that reflect the spirit of 1937.
Few films from 1937 manage to capture to leave an indelible mark on the history of United States film.
The policy-racket reaches it lean, bony fingers into the ivy-towers of a large university and the underworld trying to "beat the numbers-racket" with applied mathematics. One of the professors, Tom Barry (Earle Foxe) is murdered in the Dean's office. He had worked out a system that enabled gangster Strike Belno (Buster Crabbe) to beat the numbers-racket and then double-crossed him. This makes Belno a suspect. The professor's wife, Greta Barry (Astrid Allwyn), who is in love with Belno , but doesn't resent the attentions of another professor who is madly in love with her. This provides two more suspects. There is also professor's sister, Nora Barry (Marsha Hunt), who is burned up because he wouldn't give her permission to get married, and her fiance, who never liked the professor anyway, and who has a mean look. Add two more suspects. Add to this is a dozen professors mixed up in some dirty work with the dead man; an elevator boy who slinks unseen from floor to floor, and a mysterious janitor who "hears pistol shots" and the list is complete. Maybe. Enter detective Hank Hyer (Lynne Overman) and newspaper reporter Sim Perkins (Roscoe Karns) aiming to bring order out of chaos. Instead, they get themselves pretty well involved.
Critics widely regard Murder Goes to College as a cult-favorite piece of Comedy cinema. Its cult status is frequently cited as its strongest asset, solidifying its place in United States's film legacy.
Based on the unique cult status of Murder Goes to College, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Comedy cinema:
Dir: Lloyd Ingraham
While walking along the street one day, Arthur P. Hampton, an impoverished young doctor, and his chums, Stub Masters and Johnny Stokes, are persuaded to part with their last remaining funds by tag day solicitor Mary Jane Smith, with whom the doctor promptly falls in love. Doc's friends then hit upon a get-rich-quick scheme. Knowing that his Uncle George has promised a large sum of money upon his nephew's marriage, they persuade Doc to send out fake wedding invitations naming Mary Jane as the blushing bride. Uncle George, elated at the good news, writes to Mary Jane's aunt, Angelica Burns, an old sweetheart, to invite Mary Jane and Angelica to be his guests on an ocean voyage. Meanwhile, Mary Jane pays a visit to the doctor's office and, upon seeing the wedding invitations, becomes so flustered that she trips and sprains her ankle. Doc comes to her rescue and then begs her to pose as his wife. She agrees, but at ship-side, Stub and Johnnie confess all to Uncle George, who flies into a rage until Doc announces that he and Mary Jane have chosen a wedding at sea.
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Dir: Jerome Storm
Ne'er-do-well Homer Cavender ventures to the city from Mainsville in an effort to find fame and fortune. Both elude him, and after clerking for two years, Homer returns home for a vacation. Impressed by his flashy clothes, the townspeople assume that Homer has achieved success. Attempting to win Rachel Prouty from his rival, Arthur Machim, Homer continues the deception by announcing that his employer, Kort and Bailly, has dispatched him to enroll stockholders for a proposed new plant to be built in Mainsville. Machim discovers the sham and denounces Homer as a crook. Meanwhile, Homer returns to New York, convinces his employers of the merits of his plan and comes home triumphant, with a proposal for both the new plant and for Rachel's hand in marriage.
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Dir: Robert Thornby
Mary Willard takes over her father's railroad after his death. Her major competitor is a ruthless crook named Harvey Judson. She arranges for Judson to be kidnapped and taken to an isolated spot deep in the forest and turned loose to fend for himself. She accompanies the kidnappers to the wild and Judson, not knowing who she is, begins to fall in love with her. Complications ensue.
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Dir: Unknown Director
The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.
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Dir: Malcolm St. Clair
A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.
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Dir: Hal Roach
An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.
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Dir: J. Gordon Edwards
William Farnum is Drag Harlan, a tough cowboy vigilante. After learning about a gold mine from a dying man, he seeks his daughter (Jackie Saunders) as well as the gold. He falls in love with her, but the same gang that shot the old man is after the gold.
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Dir: Frank Moser
The simple story is about two siblings, little brother Bud and big sister Susie. After they've been reading "Huckleberry Finn" they dream of adventures on the Mississippi River.
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Dir: Charley Chase
A young married couple volunteer to take charge of several orphans after the asylum has burned down. Of course they find their hands full with their troublesome charges.
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Dir: Unknown Director
The village youths are rivals for the hand of the local belle. Their battles lead them to the village store, where chaos soon reigns, terminating in the place being blown up, leaving Bobby a happy victor.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Murder Goes to College
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary's Ankle | Surreal | High | 86% Match |
| Homer Comes Home | Ethereal | Linear | 93% Match |
| The Deadlier Sex | Gothic | Layered | 97% Match |
| A Fitting Gift | Surreal | Layered | 96% Match |
| Don't Weaken! | Tense | Dense | 89% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Charles Reisner's archive. Last updated: 6/11/2026.
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