not a particularly auspicious entry in the philo vance series . warren williams simply do not match the acting of william powell who have the lead in four of these film and include the excellent kennel murder case . the storyline revolves around guest at a mansion and the death of the fiancée montague and perhaps others in the vicinity of the dragon pool . mrs. stamm and the matron of the house warn that a water dragon that have guard the life and fortune of the stamm family inhabit the pool . montague be not worthy of join the family . how a dragon would have ever be in the pool be simply ignore . shot of swim in the pool remind one of the creature from the black lagoon . eugene pallette be excellent a the detective who be always remark how his knowledge of criminology lead him to suspect . etienne girardot be excellent a the coroner a be helen lowell a grandmother stamm . love triangle do not lend much to the plot . much discussion of fish in tank that do not appear to serve any purpose although they be interest to view and especially through the tank suspend from the ceiling . perhaps one of them be suppose to evolve into the dragon . orry kelly costume on margaret lindsay . not recommend .