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Calling Philo Vance

Play trailer Poster for Calling Philo Vance 1940 1h 2m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 17% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Trying to get information on airline mogul and accused spy Archer Coe (Richard Kipling), sleuth Philo Vance (James Stephenson) soon finds himself investigating a murder when Coe turns up dead. Because Coe was such a widely disliked and unethical character, everyone in his orbit becomes a suspect -- even his niece, the strong-willed Hilda Lake (Margot Stevenson). Hopping from one continent to another, Vance must piece together a complicated set of clues in order to close the case.

Critics Reviews

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Paul Chambers Movie Chambers A remake of "The Kennel Murder Case" except with European spies. This was about the time that the Germans and Austrians became the usual bad guys in Hollywood mystery films. James Stephenson is a ho-hum Vance. Rated: B- Mar 10, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Stephenson is solid but it can't hold a candle to the original. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/17/24 Full Review Audience Member Nowhere near the quality of the first film version of the novel, The Kennel Murder Case. James Stephenson is a weak version of Philo Vance but not awful in the role. An entertaining film but the earlier version is much better. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member "A remake of "The Kennel Murder Case" except with European spies. This was about the time that the Germans and Austrians became the usual bad guys in Hollywood mystery films. James Stephenson is a ho-hum Vance." Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Average entry in the Philo Vance series, James Stevenson is Philo in this one. Good supporting cast, Henry O'Neill, Edward Brophy and Jimmy Conlin stand out. Short, well paced. Good score. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Calling Philo Vance

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Calling Philo Vance

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Movie Info

Synopsis Trying to get information on airline mogul and accused spy Archer Coe (Richard Kipling), sleuth Philo Vance (James Stephenson) soon finds himself investigating a murder when Coe turns up dead. Because Coe was such a widely disliked and unethical character, everyone in his orbit becomes a suspect -- even his niece, the strong-willed Hilda Lake (Margot Stevenson). Hopping from one continent to another, Vance must piece together a complicated set of clues in order to close the case.
Director
William Clemens
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 2m