The Kennel Murder Case (1933)

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(956 ratings)

Often (and accurately) described as a model of the whodunit genre, The Kennel Murder Case stars William Powell, making his fourth screen appearance as S. S. Van Dine's dilettante detective Philo Vance. This time the story involves intrigue at the Long Island kennel club. The murder victim is Robert… More Often (and accurately) described as a model of the whodunit genre, The Kennel Murder Case stars William Powell, making his fourth screen appearance as S. S. Van Dine's dilettante detective Philo Vance. This time the story involves intrigue at the Long Island kennel club. The murder victim is Robert H. Barrat, who works overtime making himself a much-hated target in the first ten minutes. With the aid of a Doberman, Vance solves not only Barrat's murder but a follow-up killing designed to deflect attention from the killer. The suspects include Mary Astor, Ralph Morgan, Jack LaRue, Helen Vinson, Paul Cavanaugh and Arthur Hohl, all of whom have "done it" from time to time in other murder mysteries (movie buffs, however, will have little trouble spotting the killer; the person in question has probably been the hidden murderer in more films than any other member of the Screen Actor's Guild). Kennel Murder Case was William Powell's last "Philo Vance" film; it would be remade in 1940 as Calling Philo Vance, with James Stephenson as Vance and a new World War II angle added to the plot. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: Betty Amann, Bonita Granville
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 28, 1933 Wide
On DVD: Jul 3, 2001
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Top notch Philo Vance mystery with non-stop clever touches.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Creaky mystery but Powell is suave and efficient as always.
AJ V

Before the Thin Man, Powell played Philo Vance, detective. He has charm and humour in this movie as well. This movie is fun and exciting for a movie involving a dog.
nefnie l

Although William Powell is always a class-act, his Philo Vance seems to be Nick Charles, without as much fun. He's a detective trying to piece together a string of murders related to a dog show. I had a little bit of a difficult time keeping up, because so many of the actors… More
Although William Powell is always a class-act, his Philo Vance seems to be Nick Charles, without as much fun. He's a detective trying to piece together a string of murders related to a dog show. I had a little bit of a difficult time keeping up, because so many of the actors looked alike. I kept getting confused on who was who. It's a good little film, but definitely not one of his best.

Cast

            William Powell as Philo Vance

            Mary Astor as Hilda Lake

            Eugene Pallette as Sgt. Ernest Heath

            Ralph Morgan as Raymond Wrede

            Helen Vinson as Doris Delafield

            Etienne Girardot as Dr. Doremus

            Jack LaRue as Eduardo Grassi

            Paul Cavanagh as Sir Thomas MacDonald

            Robert H. Barrat as Archer Coe

            Henry O'Neill as Dubois

            Robert McWade as District Attorney John F.X. Markham

            Frank Conroy as Brisbane Coe

            Spencer Charters as Snitkin

            Charles C. Wilson as Hennessey

            Jimmy Lee as Liang the Cook

            Harry Allen as Sandy the Dog Trainer

            Wade Boteler as Sergeant

            Don Brodie as Photographer

            James Burke as Cop

            George Chandler as Reporter

            Arthur Hohl as Gamble the Butler

            Milt Kibbee as Charlie Adler Reporter

            Monte Vandergrift as Detective

            Leo White as Desk Clerk

            Paul Cavanaugh
            
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