The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
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80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(979 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… 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
- Directed By
- Michael Curtiz, Betty Amann
- Written By
- S.S. van Dine, Robert Presnell Sr.
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Oct 28, 1933 Limited
- On DVD
- Jul 3, 2001
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Paul Chambers, Movie Chambers
William Powell returns to the role that he originated in the late 1920′s. This is perhaps the finest of all the Vance films. It was directed by the legendary Michael Curtiz and features an early performance by Mary Astor.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Far and away the best of the Philo Vance pictures and perhaps the finest example of this particular kind of mystery ever made.
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Cast
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William Powell
as Philo Vance
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Mary Astor
as Hilda Lake
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Eugene Pallette
as Sgt. Ernest Heath
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Ralph Morgan
as Raymond Wrede
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Helen Vinson
as Doris Delafield
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Etienne Girardot
as Dr. Doremus
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Jack LaRue
as Eduardo Grassi
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Paul Cavanagh
as Sir Thomas MacDonald
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Robert H. Barrat
as Archer Coe
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Henry O'Neill
as Dubois
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Robert McWade
as District Attorney John F.X. Markham
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Frank Conroy
as Brisbane Coe
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Spencer Charters
as Snitkin
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Charles C. Wilson
as Hennessey
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Jimmy Lee
as Liang the Cook
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Harry Allen
as Sandy the Dog Trainer
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Wade Boteler
as Sergeant
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Don Brodie
as Photographer
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James Burke
as Cop
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George Chandler
as Reporter
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Arthur Hohl
as Gamble the Butler
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Milt Kibbee
as Charlie Adler Reporter
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Monte Vandergrift
as Detective
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Leo White
as Desk Clerk
- Paul Cavanaugh
