The Philo Vance series of mysteries made in the 20s, 30s, and 40s were of widely varying quality. The first four starred William Powell and were excellent as Powell fit the Philo Vance character like a glove. But then Powell left Warner Brothers for MGM and the Philo Vance franchise (largely) moved there too, but oddly enough MGM never put Powell back into the Philo Vance role. Were they afraid he'd leave there too if he had to play Vance again? At any rate, over the years, Basil Rathbone, Warren William, Edmund Lowe, James Stephenson, and - in this case - Paul Lukas played Philo Vance at Warner Brothers, MGM, and Paramount.
Lukas does a good enough job here, and he gets the urbane and sophisticated style of Vance down well enough, but I'm just not buying the European accent on a cinematic Vance. The plot has Vance receiving an anonymous note saying that if socialite Lynn Llewelyn goes to the casino that night he will be in danger. He does so anyways and is poisoned but survives. His wife is also poisoned - at home - but dies. Vance investigates with the help of Llewelyn household servant Doris Reed (Rosalind Russell).
MGM put star power and production value effort into this, but forgot the plot and pacing, and as a result it is as boring as watching paint dry. I will say, though, that the end does an interesting and unique end run around the production code. Also, this is when MGM was still trying to push Ted Healy, and thus they completely miscast him as police Sergeant Heath, who spends most of his time admiring himself and his tuxedo in a mirror. Why I have no idea. The best actor to play Heath was Eugene Pallette who played it likeable and professional, even if deferential to Vance. Healy couldn't be likeable if you gave him detailed instructions and diagrams.
Apparently Rosalind Russell really hated this film - It was when she was first starting out, had not yet become established, and as a contract player had to do what she was told. I wouldn't say this was the worst role I've ever seen her in, but it just might be the worst film. I'd avoid this one unless you are a Philo Vance completist.
Lukas does a good enough job here, and he gets the urbane and sophisticated style of Vance down well enough, but I'm just not buying the European accent on a cinematic Vance. The plot has Vance receiving an anonymous note saying that if socialite Lynn Llewelyn goes to the casino that night he will be in danger. He does so anyways and is poisoned but survives. His wife is also poisoned - at home - but dies. Vance investigates with the help of Llewelyn household servant Doris Reed (Rosalind Russell).
MGM put star power and production value effort into this, but forgot the plot and pacing, and as a result it is as boring as watching paint dry. I will say, though, that the end does an interesting and unique end run around the production code. Also, this is when MGM was still trying to push Ted Healy, and thus they completely miscast him as police Sergeant Heath, who spends most of his time admiring himself and his tuxedo in a mirror. Why I have no idea. The best actor to play Heath was Eugene Pallette who played it likeable and professional, even if deferential to Vance. Healy couldn't be likeable if you gave him detailed instructions and diagrams.
Apparently Rosalind Russell really hated this film - It was when she was first starting out, had not yet become established, and as a contract player had to do what she was told. I wouldn't say this was the worst role I've ever seen her in, but it just might be the worst film. I'd avoid this one unless you are a Philo Vance completist.