Warren William is Philo Vance in "The Dragon Murder Case," a 1934 film also starring Lyle Talbot, Eugene Palette, and Margaret Lindsey. Vance helps the police investigate the disappearance of a man who jumped into a swimming pool and never came up for air.
Despite a career of playing heavies, Warren William could bring a light touch to a role and be funny and charming. As Philo Vance, he has smoothness and sophistication here, but he's deadly serious, unlike his approach to Perry Mason and his work in "Satan Met a Lady." With the exception of vibrant Margaret Lindsey and Eugene Palette as an exasperated police detective, the performances lack energy and the film moves slowly.
It is, however, an intriguing mystery.
Despite a career of playing heavies, Warren William could bring a light touch to a role and be funny and charming. As Philo Vance, he has smoothness and sophistication here, but he's deadly serious, unlike his approach to Perry Mason and his work in "Satan Met a Lady." With the exception of vibrant Margaret Lindsey and Eugene Palette as an exasperated police detective, the performances lack energy and the film moves slowly.
It is, however, an intriguing mystery.