Calling Philo Vance

While I do like JAMES STEPHENSON as an actor (he was excellent in THE LETTER with Bette Davis), he lacks the sort of debonair charm needed for the role of Philo Vance in CALLING PHILO VANCE. However, that's not integral to your enjoyment of this updating of "The Kennel Murder Case" which was made in '40 when the Nazis were making big strides during World War II.

Secret stolen plans for a bomber falling into the hands of German agents is the crux of the matter here, to the tune of $250,000. The story begins with Vance accepting an assignment in Vienna where he is trying to find out whether Archer Coe is selling aircraft plans to a foreign country. But the main story begins when he's deported to the U.S., escapes authorities and returns to investigate the case for Chief Investigator Markham (HENRY O'NEILL).

The wealthy household where Coe died in a locked room, is at first ruled as the scene of a suicide but soon evidence proves it to be a murder and there are several suspects--among them, RALPH FORBES, DONALD DOUGLAS and MARTIN KOSLECK, in an unusual role as a butler. Kosleck usually played German spies in all the Warner war films.

Under Stanely Clements' direction, the tale moves quickly to an all too abrupt conclusion with very little explanation given for the intricate murder plot. While not exactly plausible, it does make an interesting mystery for who-dun-it fans with some clever touches in the script.

But the main disappointment lies in not having a satisfactory actor in the Philo Vance role.

The main problem with this movie is that it is a remake of the 1933 the Kennel Murder Case, starring the incomparable William Powell. James Stephenson makes a passable attempt at playing Philo Vance, but without Powell's panache and humor. He would have made a better Bulldog Drummond. The plot is updated to Nazis and aviation secrets with a mysterious suicide? Murder? In the obligatory locked room. The supporting cast is as effective as most B movies, although Margot Stevenson lacks the fire and spirit of Mary Astor, who originated the role. It remains a moderately diverting movie. Be sure to catch William Hopper and George Reeves in early uncredited roles.

This is a remake of the "Kennel Murder Case" with Philo Vance (James Stephenson) going after some U. S. airplane plans sold to a foreign nation; the designer of the plans and his brother both wind up murdered, and there are plenty of suspects.

William Powell was probably the best Philo Vance - he had the requisite charm. Stephenson, who started in films late in life after stage work, was on his way to a big career when he made "Calling Philo Vance" - unfortunately, he died the next year, at the age of 53.

As with "The Dragon Murder Case" with Warren William as Vance, the supporting players have the good lines and the energetic roles. Stephenson doesn't have a lot to work with, but he's okay.

Parts of this film are interesting, it's a little better than "The Dragon Murder Case," which isn't really saying much.

James Stephenson is Philo Vance in this movie. He's in Vienna, tracking down a rumor that Richard Kipling has been selling his military airplane designs to foreign governments, instead o the US, as he is required by contract to do so. Vance gets the plans, but they are taken from him by the local police. As a result, when he returns to the States, he reports to Henry O'Neill that he has no proof that would stand up in court. Stephenson and O'Neill go to Kipling's home, only to discover him dead bebehind a locked door. He seems to have committed suicide -- by shooting himself with a bow, a gun, and a blunt instrument.

It's a remake of The Kennel Murder Case, and Stephenson's posh British accent and unhurried motions fit the character pretty well. The updating of the maguffin from Chinese art to airplane plans shows where Warner Brothers' thoughts were about the international situation. With a plethora of suspects, including Margot Stevenson, Sheila Bromley, Ralph Forbes, and Bo Ling, it's a pretty good updating of S. S. Van Dine's mystery.

This remake of Kennel Murder Case, The (1933) has some good points, but James Stephenson is not one of them. He plays it too impersonal for my taste and pales by comparison with William Powell, who played Vance in the original. But the screenplay, which was updated for the war that loomed on the horizon, was nicely developed, concerning plans for a warplane. The setting was switched to the State Department, with Vance an employed investigator instead of a private eye. I really enjoyed how he used diagrams to explain the movement of the people involved in the murder of the warplane designer, so that in the end, the actions of all were clear. The film also had the advantage of having Edward Brophy in the Sergeant Heath role (here he's called Ryan), bringing comedy without the stupidity of the Heath character. It was rather fun to watch.