Hollywood Sleuths: Kennel Murder Case/Nancy Drew (1939) Rating: Starring: Mary Astor, Eugene Pallette, William Powell Director: Michael Curtiz Category: Classic, Suspense / Thriller Studio: Roan Group Subtitles: [None] Length: 141 mins Want to buy?           Studio contract director Michael Curtiz took home a single Oscar (for Casablanca) during his long career, but his list of credits simply cannot be equaled. He gave us Yankee Doodle Dandy, Sea Hawk and White Christmas, to name a few. His The Kennel Murder Case (1933) stands as one of the best mystery pictures of the Thirties, as Philo Vance solves a murder during a snooty Long Island dog show. Curtiz really keeps things moving, with plenty of stylish touches along the way (thanks in part to cinematographer William Rees). Of course, having William Powell (as Vance), Mary Astor and Eugene Pallette in the cast doesn't hurt.