Calling Philo Vance | |
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Directed by | William Clemens |
Produced by | Brian Foy (assoc. prod; uncredited)' |
Screenplay by | Tom Reed |
Based on |
The Kennel Murder Case (1933 novel) by S. S. Van Dine |
Starring |
James Stephenson Margot Stevenson |
Cinematography | L. Wm. O'Connell |
Edited by | Benjamin Liss Louis Lindsay |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date
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February 3, 1940 (US) |
Running time
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62 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Calling Philo Vance is a 1940 American mystery/comedy released by Warner Bros. and starring James Stephenson as the dilettante detective Philo Vance, his only appearance as the character; Margot Stevenson co-stars. The film also features Henry O'Neill, Edward Brophy, Sheila Bromley and Ralph Forbes. It was directed by William Clemens from a screeenplay by Tom Reed, based on the 1933 novel The Kennel Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine, which had previously been made into a film in 1933, starring William Powell and Mary Astor.
For this adaptation of the story, Vance is on international assignment from the United States government to investigate traffic in wartime aircraft designs. The original story dealt with art world double-dealing, but the solution to the mystery is the same in each film.
Cast notes:
Calling Philo Vance had the working titles "Philo Vance Comes Back" and "Philo Vance Returns".
Notes