Matrixston
Wow! Such a good movie.
Gutsycurene
Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
Mathilde the Guild
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
bkoganbing
In this very first big screen portrayal of Perry Mason he does some very unMason like things for those of us used to watching Raymond Burr operate. The Case Of The Howling Dog involves Gordon Westcott retaining Mason to write a will leaving his assets to a neighbor who is the wife of a womanizing abuser, Russell Hicks. When Hicks is later killed along with his dog and Westcott goes missing, Mason conceives his duty to defend the beneficiary Mary Astor from a murder charge.Don't think for one minute you will see the business like Raymond Burr type of Perry Mason. Perry's quite the lady's man here and the romance between him and Helen Trenholme as Della Street is far from understated. And she's in a long line of conquests.In fact The Case Of The Howling Dog breaks one of THE cardinal rules for those of us who see Raymond Burr in action. Can't tell you because it wouldn't be right, but think of all the Perry parameters from television and I think you can guess.The Mason movies were good, not as popular for William as Philo Vance or The Lone Wolf, but good. Mason as a character never got real traction with the public on the big or small screen until Raymond Burr did the role.
robert-temple-1
This was the first Perry Mason film ever made, with Warren William as Mason, who is superb in the part, much better than Raymond Burr, who always annoyed me so much I could not watch the later Perry Mason films. Mason's assistant Della Street is here played by Helen Trenholme, a beautiful and talented choice, but she inexplicably left the film business after making this and one other film in 1934, and that was it. The best performance in the film is by Gordon Westcott, as a distraught client in a state of high anxiety and 'aggravated melancholia'. Unfortunately, he died not long after in a polo accident, which deprived the screen of a real talent. The direction is excellent, with lots of retreating dolly shot 'pullbacks' to add dynamism to the action. Mary Astor does well, but then when did she not? Hats off to Lightning the Dog, who is seen howling splendidly like a wolf in the initial shots of the film. I'd like to have one like that around the house, wouldn't you? Lots of character, not anybody's poodle, not a wimp. The plot of this film is wonderfully complex, a true brain-teaser. This is a Perry Mason film with serious intent, and not a pastiche. It is well worth watching.
chall-5
Wow, can't top the "Lightning" review, but here's more about the movie itself. I believe this was the first in a series of Perry Mason films starring Warren William.What's odd is that this film has no other cast members in common with the subsequent films and in fact the whole tenor of the movie is quite different. In this film Perry has a huge office and staff of detectives. He makes no quips. Has no comic-relief sidekick. And the mystery itself is actually quite good.Later films gave him a goofy detective sidekick ("Spudsey"), made more of the romance between Della Street and Perry, and had much less mystery in the plots. The appeal of these movies is Perry's string of one-liners he gives to the police, witnesses, etc.But give this first film a look. There's no comic relief, but the plot is very involved and interesting.
fuuie
Don't expect a Raymond Burr type performance. If you like a fun movie short and sweet check this one out. Also the other Perry Mason ones. A good series to watch. I give this one 3 stars. Thanks-AMC+TCM and all those others who put these little gems on for all of us.
