The Kennel Murder Case (1933)

Detective Philo Vance, (william Powell) investigates the suspicious death of two brothers who both belonged to a prestigious long island kennel club. He is assisted in his efforts by hilariously over -eager Sergeant Ernest Heath (Eugene Pallette). Philo gets a chance to enjoy his love of canines while tracking down the perpetrator before they can kill again in this entertaining feature. 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. 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 James Lee as Liang Arthur Hohl as Gamble, the butler Helen Vinson as Doris Delafield Jack La Rue as Eduardo Grassi Uncredited: Harry Allen as Sandy Wade Boteler as Sergeant Mellish George Chandler as first reporter at police station Spencer Charters as Sgt. Snitkin Leo White as desk clerk (uncredited) Cast notes: The records of Warner Bros. indicate that original casting included Hugh Herbert as Dr. Doremus, George Blackwood as Bruce MacDonald and Claire Dodd as Doris Delafield. Ralph Bellamy was reported to have been signed to perform in the film, but he does not appear in the film as released