The Kennel Murder Case [1933] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Customer Reviews:

William Powell as Philo Vance is excellent in this locked room whodunit.......2007-05-29

"Markham," says urbane gentleman crime-solver Philo Vance (William Powell) to the district attorney, "I'm coming more and more to the belief that Archer Coe was killed in this room. That poker, this dagger sheath, now these fragments...it's all here." "But Vance," Markham says, "do you mean to tell me a dead man walked upstairs?" "I'm not trying to tell you anything but the facts," Vance says. "This is the most remarkable case in my experience."

We're sympathetic. Wealthy, arrogant Archer Coe, disliked it seems by all who knew him, had been found slumped in a chair in his bedroom, pistol in his hand and a gunshot wound to his head. But wait. Further examination shows Coe had been hit hard by a blunt instrument that fractured his skull. Then there's the dagger wound in his back. Complicating matters is that Coe's bedroom door and windows all had been locked from the inside. Coe was no suicide; this was murder. But how could the killer have escaped? What was the specific motivation since there are so many suspects? And why was Coe's brother, Brisbane Coe, found dead in the main-floor closet?

The Kennel Murder Case, now 73 years old, still provides a stylish look at the old locked-room classic whodunit. What makes it work as well as it does is, first, the mystery is complicated and clever, but still is logical. Second, is the amusing, assured performance of William Powell. Consider his work as Philo Vance as something as a rehearsal for his great performances as Nick Charles. Few things escape Vance. He uses his wits to piece things together. He's also good company. Powell was a star in the Twenties and moved steadily upward in status and popularity when the talkies took over. His intelligence, style and effortless sophistication have made him one of the most contemporary-seeming of actors from the past.

Also pleasant is seeing a few other great faces. There's Mary Astor as Hilda Lake, the young, resentful and potentially rich ward of Coe; Paul Cavanaugh as a titled Brit hovering around Hilda; Helen Vinson with her notably sultry and selfish manner (watch her really do her stuff in Vogues of 1938); Etienne Giraudot, a small elderly man as the fussy Dr. Doremus, whose job as coroner and medical examiner keeps taking him away from his meals; and Ralph Morgan as Archer Coe's private secretary. This movie has a high percentage of middle-aged men without an ounce of fat who can wear snug, English-cut tailored suits with ease. Most of all is Eugene Pallette, with his noble belly and gravel voice, as Detective Sergeant Heath. Sergeant Heath and Vance are long-time acquaintances who actually seem to like each other.

Don't expect much when it comes to the quality of the DVD transfer

A classic murder case.......2006-02-22

As with all good murder cases there is some nasty person (Archer Coe) that makes everyone he comes in contact want to murder him. You guessed it he apparently committed suicide in a “locked” room.
Of course Philo Vance (William Powell) does not believe it and has to unravel a complex “Who-done-it” and how?

This film is based on a novel by S.S. Van Dyne. And even thought it has William Powell and Mary Astor, two well known actors in it they are not a couple in the movie.
The acting is well done. And you will find many of the elements (character portrayal, gimmicks, and subplots) in later movies.

A Great Little Mystery.......2005-05-02

S.S. Van Dine's Philo Vance is almost forgotten today but the dapper detective was adapted to film several times. The Kennel Murder Case is by far the best of the lot. Director Michael Curtiz used that early 1930's soft focus look and a well written and witty script to bring Vance to life in the form of William Powell, who was perfect for the part.

From the opening moments of Vance at the Long Island Kennel Club with his dog, Captain McDavish, this is a classy and breezily paced little mystery. The murder of Hilda Lake's dog escalates into a human murder with lots of suspects. But how was the murder commited since the victim is found dead in a room locked from the inside?

In steps Philo Vance, cancelling his boat trip to bail out Detective Heath (Eugene Pallet). A young and very stylish Mary Astor as Hilda Lake, and a supporting cast which includes Helen Vinson, Ralph Morgan, Frank Conroy, Paul Cavanaugh and James Lee Liang as the cook obsessed with Chinese treasures, add flavor to this delicious little concoction.

Shady business dealings, spurned affections and valuable Chinese artifacts all play a part in this tight little mystery. Powell's Vance is uptown, cool as a cucumber and fun to watch as he's always one step ahead of everyone else. Vance's solution to the mystery is unique, but the best part is the fun we have getting there.

This is a great little rainy night mystery for those times you're in a nostalgic mood. Mystery lovers don't want to miss this little gem.

Philo Vance Is A Genius.......2004-03-30

THE KENNEL MURDER CASE is an old-fashioned detective movie complete with a locked room mystery and a case of mistaken identity. The detective work by the hero Philo Vance is brilliant. The film is based on a novel by S.S. Van Dyne. It is a fun movie even though the story takes place during the height of the Great Depression in New York City.

The role of Vance is played convincingly by William Powell. The strong supporting cast includes Eugene Pallette, Mary Astor, Ralph Morgan, Jack LaRue, Helen Vinson, Etienne Girardot and Paul Cavanaugh.

Customer Reviews:

William Powell as Philo Vance is excellent in this locked room whodunit.......2007-05-29

A classic murder case.......2006-02-22

A Great Little Mystery.......2005-05-02

This is a great little rainy night mystery for those times you're in a nostalgic mood. Mystery lovers don't want to miss this little gem.

Philo Vance Is A Genius.......2004-03-30

The film's director Michael Curtiz also directed CASABLANCA and YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.

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