
“William Powell returns as Philo Vance”
Philo Vance, accompanied by his prize-losing Scottish terrier, investigates the locked-room murder of a prominent and much-hated collector whose broken Chinese vase provides an important clue.
Release Date: 10/28/1933
Runtime: 73 minutes
Languages: English
Director: Michael Curtiz
00Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures
Countries: United States of America
CinemaSerf
This is a well above average murder mystery that finds amateur detective "Philo Vance" (William Powell), and his Scots terrier, called in to investigate the curious case of a wealthy man who has apparently shot himself whilst locked in his study. The coroner, however, casts doubt on the simplicity of the suicide theory, and when the man's brother is found dead too - we have a cracking little enigma to solve. There are a few twists and turns as many of the characters seem quite likely suspects and Eugene Pallette ("Detective Heath") adds well to the pace of this quite quirky whodunit as a policeman in the ("Lestrade") vein. The ending is a bit contrived, but it's still a good watch.

William Powell
Philo Vance

Mary Astor
Hilda Lake

Eugene Pallette
Detective Heath

Ralph Morgan
Raymond Wrede

Robert McWade
District Attorney Markham

Robert Barrat
Archer Coe

Frank Conroy
Brisbane Coe

Etienne Girardot
Dr. Doremus
James Lee
Liang

Paul Cavanagh
Thomas MacDonald

Arthur Hohl
Gamble the Butler

Helen Vinson
Doris Delafield
1940