The second Philo Vance film with William Powell in the central role was made in the same year as the first ("The Canary Murder Case"), but it is somewhat less of an antique. It's still often static, but at least there are a few panoramic shots of the house of the Greenes, and a more cinematic finale. Perhaps more importantly, the mystery is much more complicated than that of "Canary"; having read Maltin's comment about an obvious killer and remembering how easy it was to spot the killer in "Canary", I was certain I had it all figured out but I was fooled; I found the ending thoroughly surprising. Fans of Jean Arthur (she also appeared very briefly in "Canary") will be glad to know that her part is much bigger this time. **1/2 out of 4.

This was possibly made right after Cecil B. Demille's first talkie ,when he removed the camera out of the sound booth and had it covered up with towels ,so that the camera could move .There are some shots ,like in the hallway,where William Powell and Eugene Pallet are disusing the murder and the camera is following them.that's not zoom lenses.For some reason they don't get a lot of close ups.Obviously the camera was very heavy.This is an early Philo Vance mystery on film starring William Powell ,who would repeat his role in later films.A very young Jean Aurthur Frederich Marches wife,Florence Eldridge, is in it too.I don't know if this was her first talkie,it might have been.The adult Children Green,played by Florence Eldridge as Sibella ,Jean Aurthur as Ada,a fat Lowell Drew as Chester and Morgan Farley as Rex .Under their fathers will they all have to stay in the house for 15 years in order to inherit their fathers money.Their mother is an invalid,unable to walk,played by Gertrude Norman as the widow.Very controlling against her adult children.Then their the German cook or maid,Gertrude played by Augusta Bermiester.It seemed that their late father had business in Germany and taught his kids the language.One night some one shows up at Chester's room and shoots him.Then Ada gets shot but is injured.It's time for William Powell and Eugene Palette to go to the Greene's house and investigate.The families personal doctor,also German American,Dr Arthur Von Blon,what a name,played by Ullrich Haupt, does the autopsy.He and Sibella have a yen for each other.Then Morgen Farley gets killed.The surprising result of this film it turn out that Jean Arthur has been killing the family ,poisoning her mother,so she can get the inheritance.But, she ends up getting killed as she tries to push Florence out of the balcony into the cold lake.Aurthur end up in the lake instead.Powell Rescues Eldridge from the second story of the house.This was the only time Jean played a bad guy.nice early talkie.Available at Amazon,Bonanza,i offers. 02/14/13

This is a film that has two extreme performances: Great for William Powell, awful when it comes to Jean Arthur. Lets start with the bad: Gladys Georgianna Greene, is not only the last name of a character from the film "The Greene Murder Case" (Ada Greene), but the real name of Jean Arthur (No wonder it was changed. It does not fit hyperactive image of Jean Arthur classic film fans know). I do not know where to start complaining about her character, but here are a few basic complaints with her in the film. Her voice does not fit the character, she is skinny, ugly, and got under my skin, every time she popped up. This was shocking, because you can pick about a dozen films that are bona-fide classics that she was in (Included in this list is "The Ex-Mrs Bradford" also with Powell), but the good Jean Arthur, will not show up for another 6 years ("The Whole Town's Talking" with Edward G. Robinson). The reason to watch is Powell. His Philo Vance is very much like Nick Charles in training: Classy, sophisticated and brilliant, but not perfect. For example: Although he gets things right: Spoilers (Like when he questions Gertrude about her illegitimate daughter (A key point in uncovering the identity of the killer)), and when he shows Sgt. Heath (Eugene Palette) how the crime was committed). He also makes a major mistake in letting the murderer alone with an intended victim, in a place where Vance or the police cannot save that person in time (The victim is lucky and survives while the killer dies, but not because of Vance or the police). It goes without saying, Nick Charles would not make that kind of mistake. I actually preferred him as Vance in this film to "The Kennel Murder Case" (Which all around is a better film, because it did not have Jean Arthur (That is how bad she was)). What is interesting is that he already has the Nick Charles persona down pat (A full five years before he shows up in the "Thin Man"). This is a film that should be remastered and put in a DVD Box Set of William Powell Detective Films (Warners has all of MGM "The Thin Man" films, plus "Bradford" (RKO), maybe, Universal should sell the rights to this film, "Canary Murder Case" & "The Benson Murder Case" to Warners so we might see that. My grade? 8/10. 10 for Powell -2 for Arthur.

There was a sequence in "Paramount on Parade" called "Murder Will Out" (a comedy sketch) in which Sherlock Holmes (Clive Brook), Fu Manchu (Warner Oland) and Philo Vance (William Powell) put their heads together to solve a crime. Philo Vance novels were extremely popular in the mid to late 20s, although, now, only the movies are remembered. S.S Van Dine (the author) described him (Vance) as a man of unusual culture and brilliance. An aristocrat, he held himself aloof from the common man - and he often wore a monocle!!! No wonder Ogden Nash said "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pants"!!!According to Greene Snr's will, if his family are to inherit his estate, a member of the police force is to call each year on Dec. 31st to see if all the family are present - if not they will be disinherited. No wonder there is so much internal fighting and hate from the family members - all except sweet little sister Ada (Jean Arthur). Suddenly the fighting takes on a sinister look when Chester Greene is fatally shot and Ada wounded. Enter Philo Vance, a debonair private detective, who rules out the burglar theory right away when the time is reckoned at three minutes between each shot. Keeping proceedings earthy is Sergeant Heath (Eugene Palette) - "sure it's funny - so is a chicken crossing the road, but nobody's solved that yet"!!!Among the usual suspects - highly strung Rex Greene (Morgan Farley), who has to be slapped to bring him to his senses. Sibella (Florence Eldridge) who seems to have something going on with the doctor. As each of the family is killed off, the most likely person shaping up to be the killer is Sproot, the butler (Brandon Hurst). According to the will, the last man or woman left standing will inherit the lot!!! Maybe old Mrs. Greene is not a bed-ridden cripple after all!!! Maybe the doctor is not out on all the house calls he claims!!Even though it was a typical static, "two room" talkie - for it's time the plot had some intricate twists and Vance very clearly explained how he came to his deductions.Highly Recommended.