Philo Vance the Kennel Murder Case (part 2 of 2)

The Kennel Murder Case is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film adapted from the 1933 novel of the same name by S. S. Van Dine. Directed by Michael Curtiz for Warner Bros., it stars William Powell and Mary Astor. Powell's role as Philo Vance is not the actor's first performance as the aristocratic sleuth; he also portrays the character in three films produced by Paramount in 1929 and 1930.

When Philo Vance's dog does not make it into the final of the Long Island Kennel Club's dog show, fellow competitor Archer Coe (Robert Barrat) is disappointed, having hoped to savor a victory over Vance. The next morning Coe is found dead, locked inside his bedroom. District Attorney Markham (Robert McWade) and Police Sergeant Heath (Eugene Pallette) assume it was suicide, because Coe was shot through the head and was found holding a pistol. Vance is not convinced. He soon finds evidence that Coe was murdered. Coroner Dr. Doremus (Etienne Girardot) determines the victim had bled to death internally from a stab wound. There is no shortage of suspects; Coe was very much disliked.

Cast

William Powell as Philo Vance

Mary Astor as Hilda Lake

Eugene Pallette as Detective Heath

Ralph Morgan as Raymond Wrede, the Secretary

Robert McWade as District Attorney Markham

Robert Barrat as Archer Coe

Frank Conroy as Brisbane Coe

Etienne Girardot as Dr. Doremus

Paul Cavanagh as Sir Thomas MacDonald


text from wikipedia