The debonair William Powell plays detective Philo Vance, who immediately gets off a boat to Italy when he hears that a rich guy has killed himself. He's just seen the guy at a dog show the day before and can't believe the assessment that it was suicide - and we can't either, since it was made in about ten seconds without anyone even examining the body. Of course it's murder, and suspects abound, seven in total, and to the film's credit, it's not hard to follow each and their possible motives.
Director Michael Curtiz does a good job keeping the film moving, telling some of the stories in flashback, and with quick cuts between scenes. The cast is strong too, and I loved seeing Mary Astor, though her part is small and she's upstaged by Helen Vinson, who plays the lover across the street and gets to wear several beautiful dresses. Eugene Pallette is a treat as always, and watch for that funny little moment when his character isn't introduced to someone else by Powell's; the annoyed look that briefly passes over his face is priceless. Pallette plays the detective who isn't quite as talented, and the little sparring that he and Powell do throughout the film is amusing. There are a couple of nice dogs in this, a Doberman pinscher and a Scottish terrier named Captain McTavish as well (another great name for a future dog :).
As the film is only 73 minutes long, however, it can't really expand on all the characters or ways the crime could have been committed. I have to say, any murder mystery that depends on someone not noticing something that he definitely should have (being vague on purpose) is hanging on a thread, and it's all explained just a little too neatly. It's always fun watching Powell though, and this film delivers on entertainment value.
Director Michael Curtiz does a good job keeping the film moving, telling some of the stories in flashback, and with quick cuts between scenes. The cast is strong too, and I loved seeing Mary Astor, though her part is small and she's upstaged by Helen Vinson, who plays the lover across the street and gets to wear several beautiful dresses. Eugene Pallette is a treat as always, and watch for that funny little moment when his character isn't introduced to someone else by Powell's; the annoyed look that briefly passes over his face is priceless. Pallette plays the detective who isn't quite as talented, and the little sparring that he and Powell do throughout the film is amusing. There are a couple of nice dogs in this, a Doberman pinscher and a Scottish terrier named Captain McTavish as well (another great name for a future dog :).
As the film is only 73 minutes long, however, it can't really expand on all the characters or ways the crime could have been committed. I have to say, any murder mystery that depends on someone not noticing something that he definitely should have (being vague on purpose) is hanging on a thread, and it's all explained just a little too neatly. It's always fun watching Powell though, and this film delivers on entertainment value.