William Powell | Benson Murder Case | Philo Vance Mystery | full movie

(1930) 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 third Philo Vance movie starring William Powell. It's adapted from the first Vance novel, itself based on the real life "locked room" murder of famous bridge player Joseph Bowne Elwell. The mystery here has a neat resolution. Powell is always aces and he has fun support from Eugene Pallette. Paul Lukas gives a nervous turn that gets a little grating. Lukas would later play Vance himself. The only real downsides are the usual complaint about early talkies, namely the pacing and that they have a lot of stiff joints. I'm an avid fan of classic films so it doesn't bother me much. But your mileage may vary. Cast: William Posell, Eugene Pallette, Paul Lukas, Natalie Moorhead.