Philo Vance Collection

15 movies

The movie adaptions of the S. S. Van Dine novels featuring the detective Philo Vance, starring various actors in the lead role.

Movies

The Canary Murder Case

5.6

1929

Movie

A beautiful showgirl, name "the Canary" is a scheming nightclub singer. Blackmailing is her game and with that she ends up dead. But who killed "the Canary". All the suspects knew and were used by her and everyone had a motive to see her dead. The only witness to the crime has also been 'rubbed out'. Only one man, the keen, fascinating, debonair detective Philo Vance, would be able to figure out who is the killer.

The Canary Murder Case

1929

5.6

The Greene Murder Case

6.0

1929

Movie

Philo Vance investigates when a murderer preys upon members of a wealthy family on New York's Upper East Side.

The Greene Murder Case

1929

6.0

The Bishop Murder Case

5.2

1929

Movie

The murders start with the body of Robin. He is found with a arrow through the heart, but Vance deduces that the body was placed and not found where he was killed. The note found dealing with the murder was part of a nursery rhyme and signed by 'Bishop'. The only witness may have been Mrs. Drukker and Adolph, but they are not talking. As the murders progress, each one is accompanied by a nursery rhyme. It is up to Philo Vance to unravel the clues and unmask the identity of the murderer 'Bishop'.

The Bishop Murder Case

1929

5.2

The Benson Murder Case

5.8

1930

Movie

A ruthless, crooked stockbroker is murdered at his luxurious country estate, and detective Philo Vance just happens to be there; he decides to find out who killed him.

The Benson Murder Case

1930

5.8

The Kennel Murder Case

6.0

1933

Movie

Philo Vance, accompanied by his prize-losing Scottish terrier, investigates the locked-room murder of a prominent and much-hated collector whose broken Chinese vase provides an important clue.

The Kennel Murder Case

1933

6.0

The Dragon Murder Case

5.8

1934

Movie

Wonderful idea to give a party with people who dislike each other. Late at night, everyone decides to go into the pool, except Stamm, who is drunk. Montague dives in as does Greeff and Leland, but only Greeff and Leland come out. Montague is no where to be found so Leland suspects foul play and calls the cops. Luckily, Philo is with the D.A. and comes along, but they do not find Montague. When they drain the pool the next day, they find nothing except what looks like dragon prints. Philo has his suspicions and tries to piece the clues together to find out what has happened.

The Dragon Murder Case

1934

5.8

The Casino Murder Case

6.5

1935

Movie

After socialite Lynn Llewellyn receives an anonymous threat, he is poisoned at his uncle's casino, and although he recovers, his wife is murdered by the same killer.

The Casino Murder Case

1935

6.5

The Garden Murder Case

5.5

1936

Movie

Two people with ties to rich murdered socialite Lowe Hammle die from unusual suicides—but Vance suspects foul play.

The Garden Murder Case

1936

5.5

No Image

The Scarab Murder Case

6.0

1936

Movie

One of a series of murder mysteries featuring the character Philo Vance. A Lost Movie

The Scarab Murder Case

1936

6.0

Night of Mystery

1937

Movie

One of a series of movies based on the character Philo Vance

Night of Mystery

1937

The Gracie Allen Murder Case

5.6

1939

Movie

Super-sleuth Philo Vance faces the zaniest case of his career when Gracie Allen "helps" him try to solve the murder of an escaped convict. As she attempts to clear the name of a friend accused of the killing, her wacky, scatterbrained ways constantly impede the investigation.

The Gracie Allen Murder Case

1939

5.6

Calling Philo Vance

5.9

1940

Movie

Philo is in Vienna working for the US Government to see if Archer Coe is selling aircraft designs to foreign powers. He grabs the plans with Archer's signature, but is captured by police before he can escape. Deported he comes back to America and plans to confront Archer, but Archer is found dead in his locked bedroom with a gun in his hand. While it looks like a suicide, Vance knows better and the coroner finds that Archer has been shot, hit with a blunt instrument and stabbed - making suicide unlikely. But Vance is on the case and is looking to see if government secrets have been sold and who has murdered Coe. This is a remake of "The Kennel Murder Case" using aircraft designs and espionage instead of Chinese porcelain and dog shows.

Calling Philo Vance

1940

5.9

Philo Vance's Gamble

5.7

1947

Movie

Private Detective Philo Vance gets involved with a succession of murders and a mystery concerning the disappearance of an emerald that has been smuggled into the United States.

Philo Vance's Gamble

1947

5.7

Philo Vance Returns

5.0

1947

Movie

Playboy Larry Blendon introduces his grandmother Stella Blendon to his fiancée, radio singer Virginia Berneaux. Despite Larry's record of broken romances and divorces, Virginia decides she will marry him. Virginia is slain that night and Blandon telephones his friend, Philo Vance, to help find the killer.

Philo Vance Returns

1947

5.0

Philo Vance's Secret Mission

5.0

1947

Movie

Philo Vance is hired to write a true-crime mystery... but when the facts about an unsolved crime are about to be brought out into the open a murder takes place.

Philo Vance's Secret Mission

1947

5.0