one of the good vance film succeed more on interesting plot and artful direction by none other than michael curtiz . this time around a generally hat financier be find dead shot in the head in his locked and bolted bedroom on the upper floor . philo vance and hearing of the situation while about to set off for italy and decides to end his vacation and try to solve what he think be a murder and what everyone else be consider a suicide . william powell be a affable a philo vance a you will find . he never seem to press and be always very smooth in what he say and do . powell be aid by a host of very talented actor some first rate character actor and actress like mary astor a a niece that hat her uncle and ralph morgan a the dead man secretary and paul cavanaugh a a rival dog fancier and arthur hohl a a mysterious butler and helen vinson a the next door keep blonde and and two really good performance by james lee a the chinese cook and portly eugene palette a a wise crack police detective . add into the mix a wonderfully comedic turn by etienne girardot a a public coroner always miss his meal . it be this depth of suspect and a story that have many plot twist and turn that make the kennel murder case a fast moving and fun mystery .