The Kennel Murder Case
William Powell returns as Philo Vance
1933 | 73m | English
Popularity: 4 (history)
| Director: | Michael Curtiz |
|---|---|
| Writer: | S.S. Van Dine, Robert N. Lee, Robert Presnell Sr., Peter Milne |
| Staring: |
| Philo Vance, accompanied by his prize-losing Scottish terrier, investigates the locked-room murder of a prominent and much-hated collector whose broken Chinese vase provides an important clue. | |
| Release Date: | Oct 28, 1933 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Michael Curtiz |
| Writer: | S.S. Van Dine, Robert N. Lee, Robert Presnell Sr., Peter Milne |
| Genres: | Crime, Mystery |
| Keywords | murder, pre-code, philo vance, based on novel or book, dog, dog show |
| Production Companies | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Jul 14, 2025 (Update) Entered: Apr 20, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| William Powell | Philo Vance |
| Mary Astor | Hilda Lake |
| Eugene Pallette | Detective Heath |
| Ralph Morgan | Raymond Wrede |
| Robert McWade | District Attorney Markham |
| Robert Barrat | Archer Coe |
| Frank Conroy | Brisbane Coe |
| Etienne Girardot | Dr. Doremus |
| James Lee | Liang |
| Paul Cavanagh | Thomas MacDonald |
| Arthur Hohl | Gamble the Butler |
| Helen Vinson | Doris Delafield |
| Jack La Rue | Eduardo Grassi |
| Harry Allen | Sandy (uncredited) |
| Wade Boteler | Desk Sergeant Mellish (uncredited) |
| Don Brodie | Police Photographer (uncredited) |
| James Burke | Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited) |
| George Chandler | Reporter at Police Station (uncredited) |
| Spencer Charters | Sergeant Snitkin (uncredited) |
| Virginia Dabney | Girl (uncredited) |
| Milton Kibbee | Reporter (uncredited) |
| Harry Morgan | Gamble (uncredited) |
| Henry O'Neill | Dubois (uncredited) |
| Paul Panzer | Baggage Clerk (uncredited) |
| Cliff Saum | Policeman on Night Patrol (uncredited) |
| Skippy | Terrier at Dog Show (uncredited) |
| Arthur Thalasso | Detective (uncredited) |
| Monte Vandergrift | Detective (uncredited) |
| Leo White | Chicago Hotel Clerk (uncredited) |
| Renee Whitney | Telephone Operator (uncredited) |
| Charles C. Wilson | Detective Hennessy (uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Michael Curtiz | Director |
| S.S. Van Dine | Writer |
| Orry-Kelly | Costume Design |
| William Rees | Director of Photography |
| Robert N. Lee | Screenplay |
| Robert Presnell Sr. | Adaptation |
| Maxwell Arnow | Casting Director |
| Harold McLernon | Editor |
| William C. McGann | Assistant Director |
| Peter Milne | Screenplay |
| Bernhard Kaun | Original Music Composer |
| Jack Okey | Art Direction |
| Al Alleborn | Unit Manager |
| Kurt Rayfeld | Second Assistant Director |
| Herbert Plews | Props |
| Charles Althouse | Sound |
| Owen Crompton | Grip |
| John Ellis | Still Photographer |
| Lawrence Kennedy | Electrician |
| William P. Whitley | Assistant Camera |
| William Maybery | Casting Assistant |
| Russel Trost | Casting Associate |
| Leo F. Forbstein | Conductor |
| Ray Heindorf | Orchestrator |
| Name | Title |
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| Organization | Category | Person |
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Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 5 |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 4 |
| 2024 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Trending Position
| Year | Month | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 583 | 824 |
This is a well above average murder mystery that finds amateur detective "Philo Vance" (William Powell), and his Scots terrier, called in to investigate the curious case of a wealthy man who has apparently shot himself whilst locked in his study. The coroner, however, casts doubt on the simplicity o ... f the suicide theory, and when the man's brother is found dead too - we have a cracking little enigma to solve. There are a few twists and turns as many of the characters seem quite likely suspects and Eugene Pallette ("Detective Heath") adds well to the pace of this quite quirky whodunit as a policeman in the ("Lestrade") vein. The ending is a bit contrived, but it's still a good watch.