william powell philo vance the kennel murder case  film also starring mary astor paul cavanagh eugene palette helen vinson ralph morgan dog show philo entered scottish terrier captain serves background locked room mystery many suspects mystery clever denouement complicated interesting since talkies still quite young camera work little static michael curtiz good job directing actionbr br the supporting cast excellent entire cast brings film notch lots actors played philo vance including paul lukas basil rathbone wilford hydewhite edmund lowe james stephenson alan curtis warren william others powell played five times best fit role  relaxed serious time made the thin man catapulted big stardom  spent  years film then beginning career stage  age  remarkable man remarkable screen presence remarkable actor lived nearly  were lucky films available dvd tcm today the kennel murder case great story fun film  miss it