Several times Sigurd Arnesson (Roland Young) sarcastically calls Philo Vance (Basil Rathbone) "Sherlock Holmes". Nine years later, Rathbone would take the role of Holmes in Il mastino dei Baskerville (1939) (and 14 sequels), and it became his iconic role.
Although modern sources often refer to this as a 1930 production, it was completed in 1929, and premiered in San Antonio, Texas on 31 December 1929, but not released nationally until early 1930.
Third of fifteen "Philo Vance" films released from 1929 to 1947, and the only one starring Basil Rathbone.
This film received its initial television showings in Philadelphia PA Monday 25 March 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6), followed by New Haven CT 8 April 1957 on WNHC (Channel 8), by Chicago IL 25 May 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), by Amarillo TX 18 June 1957 on KFDA (Channel 10), by Norfolk VA 19 June 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), by New York City NY 1 July 1957 on WCBS (Channel 2), by Lubbock TX 4 August 1957 on KCBD (Channel 11), by Tucson AZ 9 August 1957 on KVOA (Channel 4), by Hartford CT 2 September 1957 on WHCT (Channel 18), by Cincinnati OH 28 October 1957 on WLW-T (Channel 5), by Columbus OH 5 November 1957 on WLW-C (Channel 4), by Portland OR 22 November 1957 on KGW (Channel 8), by Indianapolis IN 25 November 1957 on WLW-I (Channel 13), by Durham NC 3 December 1957 on WTCD (Channel 11), by both Spokane WA and Honolulu HI 9 December 1957 on KHQ (Channel 6) and on KHVH (Channel 13), respectively, by Omaha NE 3 February 1958 on WOW (Channel 6), and by San Francisco CA 19 May 1958 on KGO (Channel 7). Obviously, despite its advanced age, it was a widespread, popular local favorite, but no reliable documentation has yet been found confirming it ever was telecast in Los Angeles at this time. Now, comfortably residing in the TCM library, it's a frequent and welcome visitor to cable TV viewers on Turner Classic Movies.