The Kennel Murder Case

Released Oct 28, 1933

1h 13m

Mystery & Thriller

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

66%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Everyone assumes dog-show competitor Archer Coe (Robert Barrat) committed suicide -- except for intrepid detective Philo Vance (William Powell). As Vance investigates, he turns up evidence of foul play that points in every direction; Coe wasn't just disliked -- he was despised. The long list of suspects includes Coe's niece Hilda (Mary Astor) ; his rival, Sir Thomas MacDonald (Paul Cavanagh) ; and his brother. Can Vance sort through the competing motives to find the true killer?

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Charles Davy

The Spectator

As screen entertainment the story is rather complicated and not very strong in human interest, but it has been efficiently directed by Michael Curtiz and is on the whole well acted.

Jun 14, 2018

Full Review

Paul Chambers

Movie Chambers

William Powell returns to the role that he originated in the late 1920′s. This is perhaps the finest of all the Vance films. It was directed by the legendary Michael Curtiz and features an early performance by Mary Astor.

Rated: A-

Mar 10, 2013

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 29, 2005

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Far and away the best of the Philo Vance pictures and perhaps the finest example of this particular kind of mystery ever made.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 2, 2004

Full Review

TV Guide

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 30, 2003

Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson

Apollo Guide

Rated: 70/100

Apr 20, 2001

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Frances H

An interesting case, but one misses the Witt re[artere between nick and Nora Charles of Powell's Thin Man movies!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Steve D

Solid mystery with not enough Astor.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

Full Review

Taylor L

The Kennel Murder Case seems like a pretty decent introduction to American pre-Code mystery films, and particularly the sleuth of choice of the era, Philo Vance, played by William Powell. Forget relatable or slightly quirky investigators with a chip on their shoulder and the mud of the streets on their shoes, Vance seems like the kind of character to get his white collars bleached every other day; we're introduced to him at a dog show swapping barbs with a series of vaguely aristocratic people, and all of a sudden we've got our relatable mystery protagonist. This is the classic era of murder-mysteries, but S. S. Van Dine (the author of the original novel) doesn't really seem to have as many graces as Agatha Christie. The film is never dull, but that's almost by virtue of being overstuffed at a 73-minute runtime which sees at least half a dozen potential suspects identified, cleared, and then re-identified. At the same time, it's all very crisp and gentlemanly by the nature of the era, even where murder is supposedly concerned. Still, it's got plenty of period flourishes and classic detective tropes to give the period piece fans a good time, even if its pristine morality may keep modern viewers less than interested. I love that at one point in the film, Vance just begins showing the possible explanations for the murder with a perfect model recreation of the entire city block that he just happens to have. I'm not sure if it's funnier if he happened to have that model lying around, or if there was a cut scene where he spent a week making it. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/22

Full Review

deke p

1933 ! Highly acclaimed book & movie! WILLIAM POWELL as the Detective. MARY ASTOR! Odd title. Never heardo bfo saw on TV Jan 26, 2022

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

kevin c

William Powell stars as a detective out to solve a case that was thought to be suicide as the victim was found in a locked room from the inside. Everyone becomes a suspect in these old movies at some point even the Chinese cook as he is referred to.  Fun whodunnit from the day before yesteryear.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Boneyard L

This movie is an all-around decent representation of the ‘30s mystery genre. It's equally about the investigation and keeping the story moving along, but the mystery and characters get somewhat pushed aside. There's enough of an interesting case to keep the audience entertained for the duration, but it's not compelling enough to be memorable after the credits roll. Closest comparison: It's a run-of-the-mill suit-and-tie mystery like any other Setting: Drama Plot: Mystery Tone: Drama

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/20

Full Review

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Michael Curtiz

Director

William Powell

Philo Vance

Mary Astor

Hilda Lake

Eugene Pallette

Detective Sgt. Heath

Ralph Morgan

Raymond Wrede

Helen Vinson

Doris Delafield

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Synopsis

Everyone assumes dog-show competitor Archer Coe (Robert Barrat) committed suicide -- except for intrepid detective Philo Vance (William Powell). As Vance investigates, he turns up evidence of foul play that points in every direction; Coe wasn't just disliked -- he was despised. The long list of suspects includes Coe's niece Hilda (Mary Astor) ; his rival, Sir Thomas MacDonald (Paul Cavanagh) ; and his brother. Can Vance sort through the competing motives to find the true killer?

Director: Michael Curtiz
Screenwriter: S.S. Van Dine, Robert Presnell Sr.
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 1933, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 13m

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