The Dragon Murder Case is a 1934 mystery film adaptation of the novel of the same name by S. S. Van Dine, starring Warren William as private detective Philo Vance, Margaret Lindsay, Lyle Talbot and Eugene Pallette, and featuring Helen Lowell, Robert McWade, Robert Barrat, Dorothy Tree, George E. Stone and Etienne Girardot.
| The Dragon Murder Case | |
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 | |
| Directed by | H. Bruce Humberstone |
| Written by | Rian James (adaptation) |
| Screenplay by | F. Hugh Herbert Robert N. Lee |
| Based on | the 1933 novel The Dragon Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine |
| Starring | Warren William Margaret Lindsay Lyle Talbot Eugene Pallette |
| Cinematography | Tony Gaudio |
| Edited by | Terry Morse |
| Music by | Bernhard Kaun[citation needed] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
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Running time | 65 or 67-68 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editMonty Montague disappears after diving into a natural pool of water on an estate. Several people dive in, but there is no trace of him. Philo Vance and the District Attorney come to investigate and decide to drain the pool. They are told that there are potholes near the pool, and Montague's body is found at the bottom of a very deep pothole. His body has claw marks on it, consistent with the superstition that a dragon inhabits the pool.
Cast
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Production
editPrincipal photography took place from May 11, 1934 to mid-June.[1]
The Dragon Murder Case was the first Philo Vance film to star Warren William as Vance; the character had previously been played by Basil Rathbone and William Powell. William would play the character only once more, in The Gracie Allen Murder Case.[1]
H. Bruce Humberstone was not the first director considered for the film. It was offered to Michael Curtiz, Archie Mayo, Mervyn Le Roy and Alfred Green, all of whom turned it down.[1]
Reception
editIn his review in The New York Times, Mordaunt Hall found that the "denouement is scarcely satisfactory, for it is not quite clear how Mr. Vance reaches his conclusions." Also, in his opinion, "Mr. William, while he does fair work, is not as easy and smooth in the rôle as was Mr. [William] Powell."[2]