Customer Reviews

The Kennel Murder Case

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If this is the ground-breaking 30's detective movie they say it is, the DVD deserves more care as to quality control. (Please note that the distributor is not the studio that originally produced the film.) That said, the mystery is entertaining; and the acting is solid. However, the DVD picture quality is poor and is a major distraction. UCLA needs to get to work on this one, fast! The sound is surprisingly strong for most of the film, except in a couple of places where it cuts in and out. I will keep this DVD in my collection, but I cannot recommend it to any one to buy.

Great story with a great actor. Too bad Alpha didn't care enough to find a good print... sound is okay. I would not buy from them again.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "THE KENNEL MURDER CASE" (1933) (73 min/B&W) -- Starring William Powell, Mary Astor, Eugene Pallette, Ralph Morgan, Robert McWade & Robert Barrat

Directed by Michael Curtiz

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.

Great cast, wonderful plot and good direction -- but a bad copy from Alpha Video, this copy is a keeper until a better one comes along.

BIOS:
1. Michael Curtiz [aka: Manó Kertész Kaminer] [Director]
Date of Birth: 24 December 1886 - Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)
Date of Death: 10 April 1962 - Hollywood, California

2. William Horatio Powell
Date of Birth: 29 July 1892 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 5 March 1984 - Palm Springs, California

3. Mary Astor [aka: Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke]
Date of Birth: 3 May 1906 - Quincy, Illinois
Date of Death: 25 September 1987 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 2 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 73 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (07/30/2002)

William Powell @ his best....movie is non-stop entertainment....as good as or even better than the "Thin Man" series.

This is a great murder mystery. There are twists and turns from the beginning to the end. There are several movies that have been made over the years since this one, it is often imitated but never made better.

This movie was a little long with not enough substance to warrant its length. But William Powell is an actor's actor in this one. Totally natural and believable as the detective who's just slightly a scoundrel himself. Very smooth.

As with all good murder cases there is some nasty person (Archer Coe) that makes everyone he comes in contact want to murder him. ...
Of course Philo Vance (William Powell) does not believe it and has to unravel a complex "Who-done-it" and how?
The acting is well done. And you will find many of the elements (character portrayal, gimmicks, and subplots) in later movies.