A 1919 American silent drama starring Marion Davies, The Cinema Murder is based on the 1917 book by E. Phillips Oppenheim. Elizabeth Dalston (Davies), who is preparing for a career in theatre, sees what seems to be a murder, as stated in a film magazine. She is horrified and unsure of the specifics, but she maintains strict confidentiality. She meets writer Philip Romilly (Barrie), who prepares her for her first theatre role, on a ship headed back to the United States. Although the killer is also traveling aboard the cruise, there is no real danger. Elizabeth participates in the summoning as the performance begins and is successful. The show's financier Sylvanus Power (Randolf), who is laying claim to Elizabeth's affections, knows that the new star is in love with Philip. Sylvanus then makes the decision to ruin Philip by implicating him in the slaying, only to discover that the allegedly murdered guy is still alive and well. Elizabeth and Philip are together as the movie closes.
E. Phillips Oppenheim was born on October 22, 1866, in Tohhenham, London, England, to Henrietta Susannah Temperley Budd and Edward John Oppenheim, a leather retailer. After leaving school at age 17, he helped his father in his leather business and used to write in his extra time. His first novel, Expiration (1886), and subsequent thrillers piqued the interest of a wealthy New York businessman who eventually bought out the leather business and made Oppenheim a high-paid director.He is more focused on dedicating most of his time to writing. The novels, volumes of short stories, and plays that followed, numbering more than 150, were about humans with modern heroes, fearless spies, and stylish noblemen. The Long Arm of Mannister (1910), The Moving Finger (1911), and The Great Impersonation (1920) are three of his most famous essays.