Writing
S.S. Van Dine
Born October 15, 1888 · Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Died April 11, 1939 · aged 50
S. S. Van Dine is the pseudonym used by American art critic Willard Huntington Wright (October 15, 1888 – April 11, 1939) when he wrote detective novels. Wright was an important figure in avant-garde cultural circles in pre-WWI New York, and under the pseudonym (which he originally used to conceal his identity) he created the once immensely popular fictional detective Philo Vance, a sleuth and aes…
Known For
Philo Vance Returns · 1947Philo Vance Returns
★ 6.31947
MovieCrimeMystery
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.
The Kennel Murder Case · 1933The Kennel Murder Case
★ 6.11933
MovieCrimeMystery
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 Dragon Murder Case · 1934The Dragon Murder Case
★ 5.91934
MovieMystery
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 Canary Murder Case · 1929The Canary Murder Case
★ 5.71929
MovieCrimeMystery
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 Garden Murder Case · 1936The Garden Murder Case
★ 5.71936
MovieMysteryCrime
Two people with ties to rich murdered socialite Lowe Hammle die from unusual suicides—but Vance suspects foul play.
The Gracie Allen Murder Case · 1939The Gracie Allen Murder Case
★ 6.31939
MovieComedyMystery
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 Benson Murder Case · 1930The Benson Murder Case
★ 6.11930
MovieCrimeMystery
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 Casino Murder Case · 1935The Casino Murder Case
★ 6.81935
MovieActionMystery
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.
Filmography
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