Calling Philo Vance (1940)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

William Clemens

Writers:

Tom Reed (screenplay)
S.S. Van Dine (novel)

Release Date:

3 February 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery

Plot:

Philo is in Vienna working for the US Government to see if Archer Coe is selling aircraft designs to foreign powers...

Plot Keywords:

Coroner | Escape | Vienna | Mistaken Identity | Caught

Cast

James Stephenson	...	Philo Vance
Margot Stevenson	...	Hilda Lake
Henry O'Neill	...	J.P. Markham
Edward Brophy	...	Ryan
Sheila Bromley	...	Doris Delafield
Ralph Forbes	...	Tom McDonald
Donald Douglas	...	Philip Wrede
Martin Kosleck	...	Gamble
Jimmy Conlin	...	Dr. Doremus - Coroner (as Jimmy Conlon)
Edward Raquello	...	Eduardo Grassi
Creighton Hale	...	Du Bois - Fingerprint Man
Harry Strang	...	Hennessey - Markham's Assistant
Richard Kipling	...	Archer Coe
Wedgwood Nowell	...	Brisbane Coe
Bo Ling	...	Ling Toy

Runtime:

62 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G (TV rating) | USA:Approved (PCA #5585)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: Ralph Forbes is credited onscreen as "Tom MacDonald," but throughout the film, he is called Taylor MacDonald.

Movie Connections:

Follows The Greene Murder Case (1929)

Soundtrack:

I'm Happy About the Whole Thing

Warner Bros. programmer gives Philo Vance role to James Stephenson...

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.