The Garden Murder Case

This mystery involves the death of three people that may be suicides and again might be murder. The dead are - a jockey, a wealthy corrupt man who was hated by many, including his own family, and a woman who called the police and said she could tell them something about the death of the corrupt man.

These Philo Vance mysteries from 1930 to 1940 are all over the place as far as the persona of the titular character, the pace, and even the studio at which they were made. In this entry, Philo Vance is played by Edmund Lowe who gives a dapper and restrained performance, much along the lines of William Powell's interpretation of the character in the four Philo Vance films in which he starred. Lowe's portrayal brings out the detective's wit, charm, and sharp intellect, capturing the essence of Vance's original literary persona. Also, this Philo Vance loves dogs!

A negative aspect of the production is the pacing occasionally slows down in certain scenes. Additionally, a few characters receive less development than others, leaving their motivations feeling slightly underexplored. A positive aspect is that in this film Vance's resolution to the mystery does come from the various clues he uncovers, not pulled from almost thin air as was the situation in the Dragon Murder Case.

I really liked the performances in this one, especially Edmund Lowe as Vance although I couldn't figure out why he would begin to fall for the murdered Hammle's niece and heir, Zalia. At best she is someone who blows hot and cold on relationships - she impulsively breaks an engagement with somebody because he is a bit naive. And at worst she could be the murderer!

Philo Vance is back with a new face and minus that thick accent he had in the last film (ha!). This time Vance is investigating strange suicides. The best part of the movie is the return of Etienne Girardot as coroner Dr. Doremus. This wonderful actor steals every scene he's in. He was previously in two Philo Vance films in a row, The Kennel Murder Case and The Dragon Murder Case. But then he was noticeably absent in The Casino Murder Case. His part was played by a dull actor with no flair for comedy. This marks his return to the role but sadly is also the last time he'll play it. By coincidence or not, the three Vance films Girardot are in also happen to be the best three of the series.

The rest of the cast is solid. Edmund Lowe is not as well-known as William Powell or even Warren William, but he's charming and good with comedy. If you get a chance to see it, check out the underrated gem Espionage (1937) that he stars in. He's wonderful in that. The supporting cast here is pretty impressive. Great character actors Nat Pendleton, Gene Lockhart, H.B. Warner, Jessie Ralph, Henry B. Walthall, and Grant Mitchell -- nice lineup. Also beauties Virginia Bruce, Frieda Inescort, and Benita Hume, who would go on to be Mrs. Ronald Colman and then Mrs. George Sanders! This also happens to be the film debut of Kent Smith, leading man of the Cat People movies. This is a good B detective flick with a short runtime and quick pace. It's not the best of the series but it's up there. It's a shame Lowe didn't play Vance anymore. The series badly needed a steady actor in the role.

When Philo Vance (Edmund Lowe) is standing precariously on the edge of a balcony high above the city, apparently hypnotized and just about to step to his death,it immediately reminded me of a nearly identical scene in another film made nine years later, "The Woman in Green" in which Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone)is similarly about to hurl himself into space while being hypnotized.

Happily, both Philo Vance and Sherlock Holmes survive these attempts at murder by unscrupulous criminals. Exciting cinematic suspense in both these scenes. When will they learn you can't cloud the minds of great fictional detectives ?

EDMUND LOWE (who reminds me somewhat of Warren William), heads the nice cast of an interesting little mystery that moves at a brisk pace and runs just a little over an hour.

Douglas Walton plays the unlucky jockey who appears to be intent on his own demise (hypnotism, anyone?), and the suspects include a good number of the supporting cast--everyone from Virginia Bruce, Kent Smith, Frieda Inescourt, Gene Lockhart, Jessie Ralph, Benita Hume, Rosalind Ivan and H.B. Warner. As an added bonus, there's Nat Pendleton as a dimwit detective--and furthermore, get a load of that art deco set decoration for the fancy interiors of a wealthy home. Must have been a set that was used in many a subsequent film.

On the plus side, the mystery is not so complicated that anyone can follow the plot with reasonable assurance of not being too baffled. It's all suddenly clear to detective Philo Vance--and then he has a final confrontation with the murderer that gives the film a nifty five minutes of unmitigated suspense.

Nicely done and passes the time in an entertaining manner.

While there were not that many filmed Philo Vance mysteries, THE GARDEN MURDER CASE is a standout in the series and, perhaps, a close second to the KENNEL MURDER CASE starring William Powell.

This is an elaborate murder mystery with dapper Edmond Lowe doing the honors as the master detective. The only debit; Lowe did not continue the series, which needed a debonair gent, and he definitely fit the bill. Beautiful Virginia Bruce plays the lady in distress, naturally suspected of murder and the object of Lowe's affection. They make a sleek couple.

This screenplay is extremely clever, dealing with hypnotism, and is similar to THE WOMAN IN GREEN, a Sherlock Holmes entry, starring Basil Rathbone (and yes, he too played Philo Vance!). Makes us armchair detectives wonder if the writers at Universal may have "borrowed" a few ideas from this screenplay to keep their famous detective in business? Bertram Millhauser wrote both stories, known for his work with Cecil B. DeMille.

Another interesting footnote, Nat Pendleton was cast as the long arm of the law, quite the same type of role he played in the original THIN MAN. Those casting directors were a smart bunch.

Whatever the case, this fine whodunit will keep your attention through and through, campy at times, and guessing the murderer is worth the wait.

Virginia Bruce would next co-star in THE GREAT ZIEGFELD.

Always on dvd and thanks to TCM for running this golden oldie.