Philo Vance Returns (1947)

In the glamorous world of high society, charming playboy Larry Blendon (Damian O'Flynn) presents his sophisticated grandmother, Stella Blendon (Clara Blandick), to his future bride, the enchanting radio singer Virginia Berneaux (Ramsay Ames). Despite Larry's notorious history of fleeting romances and multiple divorces, Virginia bravely commits to becoming his wife. Tragically, her life is cut short that very night, prompting a distraught Larry to seek out the aid of his friend, the sharp-witted detective Philo Vance (William Wright). But even as they converse, the merciless killer strikes once more, claiming Larry's life in a chilling moment that Philo bears witness to over the phone. Philo, now spurred by personal loss, initiates his quest for justice alongside Alexis Karnoff (Leon Belasco), Virginia's shrewd manager. Their investigation leads them to Larry's opulent mansion, where a cryptic Stella hints at a possible motive—the contents of Larry's will, which surprisingly bequeath his fortune to the six women who had once held his heart. As the will's probate looms, the stakes rise: the demise of any heir would result in the remaining women inheriting a greater share. The plot thickens when they discover the murder of Katherine Corbett (Phyllis Planchard), the first in Larry's string of wives. Suspicion then veers towards the fragile Lorena Sims (Vivian Austin), another of Larry's ex-wives who suffers from a nervous condition and resides in a sanitarium, where she admittedly had access to the lethal poison that claimed the victims. As Philo uncovers a pivotal clue, he finds himself racing against time, breaking into the Blendon estate just as Stella is about to serve Lorena a seemingly innocent glass of warm milk.

Philo Vance Returns is a crime movie featuring William Wright.

Philo Vance Returns is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.