Rating: 
Summary: A classic murder case
Review: As with all good murder cases there is some nasty person (Archer Coe) that makes everyone he comes in contact want to murder him. ...
Of course Philo Vance (William Powell) does not believe it and has to unravel a complex "Who-done-it" and how?
The acting is well done. And you will find many of the elements (character portrayal, gimmicks, and subplots) in later movies.
Rating: 
Summary: William Powell as Philo Vance gives a fluid performance.
Review: For those who enjoy the Thin Man movies, this remake of the earlier silent version is worth watching. Although, not totally faithful to the book, this script captures the spirit of Philo Vance and William Powell gives a fluid performance. The supporting cast is made up of character actors familiar to any one who has viewed movies from the 30's. For Van Dine devotees this may be a bit of a disappointment, but for most this will prove a very viewable adaptation.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A GOOD OLD FASHIONED WHO DONE IT
Review: from the 30s. William Powell is his usual sophisticated self, and in this film he, as Philo Vance, has an extraordinary talent for sleuthing. So much so that he makes the head detective of the police department (played adroitly by Eugene Palette) look like a dunderhead. But Palette's character doesn't mind and, in fact, depends on Powell's gift to solve the case and take the credit (and Powell doesn't mind in the least) for it. So all is amicable.
Several reviewers have mentioned the poor quality of the DVD. I only experienced near the end of the film two or three moments when the sound/picture seemed to slightly skip. Other than that, all ran smoothly.
Mary Astor is in this film, suave and gorgeous and looking so young one hardly recognizes her. Also legendary character actor Jack LaRue playing an Italian. And then there is Frank Morgan, et al. And one meets a couple of terrific dogs: one a scotty, the other a doberman. Their performances are up to par.
I personally couldn't guess who the murderer was unti it was ultimately revealed due to Vance's brilliancy. In fact, I had the wrong man in mind. I like a who done it where the villian's identity turns out to be a surprise. And the motive was one I couldn't imagine.
An enjoyable trip to the 30s.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT DETECTIVE - MARGINAL PRINT
Review: Great story with a great actor. Too bad Alpha didn't care enough to find a good print... sound is okay. I would not buy from them again.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful classic whodunnit-lousy copy
Review: I was looking forward to a sharp, clear DVD of one of my favorite whodunnits but instead I wasted my money with Alpha Video on something that looks like a poor copy of a VHS! Do yourself a favor and look for a good, remastered version of this movie from someone else and enjoy! The story and plot are well worth it!
Rating: 
Summary: Sound good, picture quality bad
Review: If this is the ground-breaking 30's detective movie they say it is, the DVD deserves more care as to quality control. (Please note that the distributor is not the studio that originally produced the film.) That said, the mystery is entertaining; and the acting is solid. However, the DVD picture quality is poor and is a major distraction. UCLA needs to get to work on this one, fast! The sound is surprisingly strong for most of the film, except in a couple of places where it cuts in and out. I will keep this DVD in my collection, but I cannot recommend it to any one to buy.
Rating:
Summary: FINE VINTAGE MYSTERY.
Review: Probably the best of the Philo Vance series which starred, for the fourth time, the debanaire William Powell as the clever detective. The setting of the film takes place in a Long Island kennel club where Philo solves a double murder with the aid of his Doberman! Michael Curtiz successfully helmed this film which was based upon the novel by S.S. Van Dine (a pseudonym for Willard Wright). The previous Vance films were filmed by Paramount; this was the first done by Warner Bros. Because Powell requested a rather high fee for his services, for the next entry into the series - THE DRAGON MURDER CASE - the lead was given to the fairly adequate Warren William. Powell's earlier Vance films included THE CANARY MURDER CASE (1929) which starred the unique silent star Louise Brooks. Brooks refused to lend her voice for the sound version (her dialogue was subsequently dubbed) and this attitude greatly hampered her career in Hollywood. Brooks made her finest pictures in Germany where she collaborated with director G.W. Pabst on PANDORA'S BOX & DIARY OF A LOST GIRL.
Rating:
Summary: An Enjoyable Little Mystery
Review: S.S. Van Dine's Philo Vance is almost forgotten today but the dapper detective was adapted to film several times. The Kennel Murder Case is by far the best of the lot. Director Michael Curtiz used that early 1930's soft focus look and a well written and witty script to bring Vance to life in the form of William Powell, who was perfect for the part. From the opening moments of Vance at the Long Island Kennel Club with his dog, Captain McDavish, this is a classy and breezily paced little mystery. The murder of Hilda Lake's dog escalates into a human murder with lots of suspects. But how was the murder commited since the victim is found dead in a room locked from the inside? In steps Philo Vance, cancelling his boat trip to bail out Detective Heath (Eugene Pallet). A young and very stylish Mary Astor as Hilda Lake and Helen Vinson add greatly to the proceedings, as do Ralph Morgan, Frank Conroy, Paul Cavanaugh and James Lee Liang as the cook obsessed with Chinese treasures. Shady business dealings, spurned affections and valuable Chinese artifacts all play a part in this tight little mystery. Powell's Vance is uptown, cool as a cucumber and fun to watch as he's always one step ahead of everyone else. This is a great little rainy night mystery for those times you're in a nostalgic mood. Mystery lovers don't want to miss this little gem.
Rating:
Summary: Philo Vance Is A Genius
Review: THE KENNEL MURDER CASE is an old-fashioned detective movie complete with a locked room mystery and a case of mistaken identity. The detective work by the hero Philo Vance is brilliant. The film is based on a novel by S.S. Van Dyne. It is a fun movie even though the story takes place during the height of the Great depression in New York City. The role of Vance is played convincingly by William Powell. The strong supporting cast includes Eugene Pallette, Mary Astor, Ralph Morgan, Jack LaRue, Helen Vinson, Etienne Girardot and Paul Cavanaugh. The film's director Michael Curtiz also directed CASABLANCA and YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.
Rating:
Summary: The Kennel Murder Case
Review: This is a great murder mystery. There are twists and turns from the beginning to the end. There are several movies that have been made over the years since this one, it is often imitated but never made better.
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