CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG 1934 (WARNER ARCHIVE)

This was the first time the character of Perry Mason ever appeared on the big screen, and Warren William handles the role very well indeed.

The plot surrounds a seemingly crazy man who visits Perry's office one day complaining about a dog that has been howling constantly for the laast two days.

The next day the man disappears and the dog and his owner are murdered. Thus gets Perry's attention and he looks into the bizarre goings on.

There are lots of twists and turns in this complex movie and that really holds the viewers interest. Perry allows a young woman named Bessie Foley (Mary Astor) to be arrested for the murder, but he knows more than the police so he tells her to be patient.

The rest of the cast includes Allen Jenkins, Grant Mitchell, Helen Trenholme as Della Street, Dorothy Tree, Addison Richards and Frank Reicher.

If you haven't ever seen one of these fine Warner Brothers mysteries, I recommend you do so very soon. This story by Erle Stanley Gardner was also used in the 50's TV series starring Raymond Burr as Mason.