Reviewer Robert Temple wasn't kidding when he said "The Vance series gets a makeover". This was like going from the 1st season of Adam West's BATMAN to the 2nd, in that the whole tone changes, not to mention, not for the first time, the entire regular cast. At least when MGM did "BISHOP" in 1929, I could believe Vance, Markham, Heath & Doreums were all the same characters from the Paramount films, and while Warner Brothers recast Markham & Doremus, they had the good sense to bring back Powell & Pallette. But here, only Doremus seems vaguely like the same character. The other 3 are unrecognizable! Wikipedia's article on the film lists the various casting choices who didn't make it in before we got what we did. WHY on Earth cast Paul Lukas, who later was so perfect as "Professor Arronax" in Disney's "20,000 LEAGUES", as a New York aristocrat?
Several have noted MGM tried to imitate "THE THIN MAN" films; this same mistake was made by multiple TV series in the mid-60s who all decided to imitate "BATMAN" instead of sticking with what made them successful. In the process, for the first time Vance gets romantically involved with a woman. At least Rosalind Russell was worth watching.
This film is also crammed with terrific character actors, including Arthur Byron (THE MUMMY), Leo G. Carroll (UNCLE and various Hitchcock films), Eric Blore (later THE LONE WOLF's sidekick in a whole slew of films), William Demarest (the auctioneer) and Donald Cook (who played both ELLERY QUEEN and PERRY MASON, and in here, oddly enough, reminds me of Jon Lovitz-- especially at the climax!). I'd swear I also recognized Jean Rogers as a woman who was at the auction.
I've read the later Vance books declined sharply; it seems the films did the same. One thing stood out for me. I figured out that I hadn't seen this movie in several decades, and so most of it I'd forgotten. But, as soon as the intended victim collapsed at the casino, I immediately figured out who the murderer was! And it was because I'd seen "THE GREENE MURDER CASE" twice-- as a variation on a gimmick used there popped up here. Turns out I was right.
Several have noted MGM tried to imitate "THE THIN MAN" films; this same mistake was made by multiple TV series in the mid-60s who all decided to imitate "BATMAN" instead of sticking with what made them successful. In the process, for the first time Vance gets romantically involved with a woman. At least Rosalind Russell was worth watching.
This film is also crammed with terrific character actors, including Arthur Byron (THE MUMMY), Leo G. Carroll (UNCLE and various Hitchcock films), Eric Blore (later THE LONE WOLF's sidekick in a whole slew of films), William Demarest (the auctioneer) and Donald Cook (who played both ELLERY QUEEN and PERRY MASON, and in here, oddly enough, reminds me of Jon Lovitz-- especially at the climax!). I'd swear I also recognized Jean Rogers as a woman who was at the auction.
I've read the later Vance books declined sharply; it seems the films did the same. One thing stood out for me. I figured out that I hadn't seen this movie in several decades, and so most of it I'd forgotten. But, as soon as the intended victim collapsed at the casino, I immediately figured out who the murderer was! And it was because I'd seen "THE GREENE MURDER CASE" twice-- as a variation on a gimmick used there popped up here. Turns out I was right.