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Just perfect...

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Blistering performances.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Tiny, ultra-low budget PRC made three Philo Vance movies in 1947. While "Philo Vance's Gamble" was the third one released, it was the second one they made....which must have confused a few folks since the final installment (which appeared second) starred a different actor. Now considering they were made by PRC, they aren't that bad...I certainly expected much worse!The story concerns a stolen emerald and folks who are associated with it suddenly dying. Vance is pulled into the story when the low-life trying to sell it tries to hire him and ultimately he's able to figure out who's killed who.While this film is very simple and far from great, it is mildly interesting and reasonably well written. For fans of B-mysteries, it's worth seeing. For everyone else, it's a time-passer at best.

Although this PRC film had its usual bottom of the barrel production values, Philo Vance Gambles might have been a much better film had it been done at a major studio like the previous Vance movies were. Alan Curtis is the urbane and dapper detective who resents false rumors going out about him.Dan Seymour plays one of his usual oily crooks, he's a jewel thief who has a valuable emerald and he's put out the rumor that Alan Curtis is on his payroll. Not a rumor that Curtis wants to have circulating especially after Seymour and his girlfriend Tala Birrell are bumped off.Given Vance's outstanding record of solving difficult cases the DA gives him a chance to be his own client. Do you doubt that Philo Vance will solve the murders which total three by the end of the film? Alan Curtis is hardly William Powell who is more my idea of what Philo Vance should be like. Still he does the job and sad it wasn't in a better produced film.

1947's "Philo Vance's Gamble" came second in PRC's brief three picture series (shot Nov 1946), but was issued first (Apr 13 '47), again with Alan Curtis as Vance, and Frank Jenks as comic sidekick Ernie Clark, more helpful this time. Almost as good as "Philo Vance's Secret Mission," particularly in its well thought out solution, Vance calls upon smuggler Jeffrey Connor (Dan Seymour) to learn why Connor has been spreading the word that he's hired the great detective as a bodyguard. Right after Connor signs a check for 'pain and suffering,' he is shot dead by an unseen assailant, who swiftly kayos Vance while he's still on the floor. Just like the first feature, Vance must clear himself by solving the mystery, supported by a veteran cast that 'B' movie lovers will appreciate. Returning from "Secret Mission" are Tala Birell (criminally wasted here) and Toni Todd, while Vivian Austin would be back for the third entry, "Philo Vance Returns." Joseph Crehan plays the District Attorney, who actually mentions D. A. Markham, a fixture from all earlier Vance features. Other capable performers include Cliff Clark, James Burke, Gavin Gordon, Francis Pierlot, Grady Sutton, and especially Karolyn Grimes, coming off her iconic role as little Zuzu in "It's a Wonderful Life." William Wright would take over the title role in the PRC finale, "Philo Vance Returns," making one regret the absence of Alan Curtis, the only actor other than William Powell to play Philo Vance on screen more than once.

I agree with the previous two reviews: "Philo Vance's Gamble" is one of the better movies of its kind. The script is smart in both its plotting (which cleverly fools the viewer) and its dialogue ("You know I have a dozen of these, right?" - "Yeah, but now I have only 11 more to worry about"). The direction is not phenomenal in any way (with this kind of budget, how could it be?), but it does keep the film moving along without any dull moments. And the cast is competent - in the case of Terry Austin, more than that: she goes beyond the call of duty and gives a masterful performance. The ending holds two major surprises, the first is not that surprising and you may find yourself thinking "Is that it?"....and then, the REAL surprise hits you! It makes sense that this film, "Philo Vance's Secret Mission" and "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back" (1947) are all written by the same person (Lawrence Taylor) - all three films have way above average mystery stories. **1/2 out of 4.