Murder! - the alternative ending
The following DVD releases of Murder! contain an extra "alternative ending" which is, in fact, the last 10 minutes of the US version of the film:
- Mord - Sir John greift ein (1930) - Arthaus (Germany, 2006)
- Meurtre (1930) - Studio Canal (France, 2005)
- Murder! (1930) - Optimum Releasing (UK, 2007)
The US version inserts two segments which appear to be designed to help explain the ending to the audience.
In the screen grabs shown below, grabs with a green border appear in the main UK version of the film and those with a blue border are from the inserted US segments.
In the first segment the cast are shown returning to the dressing room, along with the dead Fane being carried in on a stretcher (covered by a blanket). Sir John is handed a note from Fane which is addressed to him. He glances at the note and then walks out of the room.
The dialogue from this section is:
- Sir John: [walking through the crowded room] Excuse me.
- Manager to Sir John: [referring to Fane] Neck broken.
- [the Manager hands Sir John a letter]
- Manager: This is for you, Sir John. I don't know whether it's anything to do with this.
- [Sir John opens the letter]
- Sir John: [to Markham] All right, Markham.
- [Sir John contemplates the content of the letter]
- Sir John: Is the manager there? [to the Manager] You know where to find me?
- Manager: Yes, Sir John.
- Sir John: I shall be able to throw some light on this. [to Markham] All right, come along.
- [they exit the dressing room]
In the second short segment, Diana Baring is shown leaving prison and meeting Sir John. This is followed by a scene of them together in a carriage -- Sir John says to her "Now, my dear, you must save those tears... they'll be very very useful... in my new play".