philo vance many affinities bulldog drummond gentleman kind polish elegance usually associated british upper classes also independently wealthybr br but vital differences drummond adventurer charming gallant lively vance could pompous slighty dull selfrighteous hint fundamental cruelty mannerbr br the kennel murder case impressive  vance films made   story murdered collector chinoiserie ingredients classic private eye mystery exotic setting blue nose long island kennel club three killings vance solve including baffling locked room murder key whole affair plenty suspects br br usually detective story setting proved static talkative make convincing movies even though work well enough printed page michael curtizs direction fine editing give film pace urgency make altogether different similar films type br br william powells elegance suavity made perfect vance although year later switched studios stayed genre enormously successful popular the thin man mgm