The Case of the Howling Dog (1934) in Color — Starring Warren William & Mary Astor

The Case of the Howling Dog (1934) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Case of the Howling Dog, Alan Crosland’s 1934 gripping Perry Mason mystery starring Warren William and Mary Astor, now available as a professionally colorized version. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Brilliant, unorthodox defense attorney Perry Mason (Warren William) is working late in his office when he receives a visit from Arthur Cartwright (Grant Mitchell), a visibly agitated, well-dressed man who presents Mason with a bizarre and deeply unsettling request. Cartwright is obsessed with his neighbor’s dog — a howling hound that has been baying incessantly at night with what Cartwright describes as an unearthly, blood-chilling wail. Cartwright is convinced that the dog is howling because it senses death, and he demands that Mason take legal action to have the animal destroyed. But beneath this seemingly eccentric complaint lies something far more sinister — Cartwright also insists that his neighbor, Ray Baskerville, has murdered his wife Lucy and buried her body in the backyard.

As Mason investigates the strange case with his characteristic blend of legal brilliance and detective cunning, he uncovers a labyrinth of deception that goes far deeper than a howling dog. The relationship between Cartwright and his neighbor Baskerville is entangled with jealousy, mutual obsession, and a woman — the alluring Bessie Foley (Mary Astor) — whose true identity and loyalties become the central mystery. Both men claim to be married to the same woman, forged documents surface that contradict sworn testimony, and a genuine murder occurs that transforms what seemed like a neighborhood eccentricity into a deadly serious criminal case. Mason must navigate a maze of false identities, faked marriages, jealous rage, and calculated deception to untangle the truth, defend an innocent client, and expose the real killer — all while matching wits with a police force that suspects Mason himself of obstructing justice. Crosland directs with the crisp, fast-paced efficiency that defined Warner Bros.’ pre-Code crime films, keeping the twists coming at a breathless pace.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alan Crosland

Stars: Warren William, Mary Astor, Allen Jenkins, Grant Mitchell, Helen Trenholme, Gordon Westcott, Harry Tyler, Russell Hicks, Arthur Aylesworth, Frank Reicher

Warren William brings suave, commanding charisma to Perry Mason, portraying the legendary attorney with a worldly sophistication, a razor-sharp intellect, and a willingness to bend the rules that makes this the most dashing and morally ambiguous incarnation of Erle Stanley Gardner’s famous character. Mary Astor — years before her iconic performance in The Maltese Falcon — brings beauty, mystery, and genuine dramatic skill to the pivotal female role around whom the entire mystery revolves. Allen Jenkins provides reliable comic relief as Mason’s wisecracking associate, and Grant Mitchell creates genuine menace beneath Cartwright’s surface respectability. Alan Crosland directs with the tight, atmospheric style that made him one of Warner Bros.’ most reliable craftsmen.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Case of the Howling Dog was originally filmed in sharp black and white with shadowy, atmospheric photography typical of Warner Bros.’ early crime films. This professionally colorized restoration brings frame-by-frame precision to the dark wood-paneled interiors of Mason’s law office, the moonlit gardens where the mysterious dog howls in the night, the elegant homes concealing terrible secrets, the warm amber of lamplight illuminating tense confrontations, and the crisp courtroom where Mason orchestrates his brilliant defense. The colorized version adds visual depth and atmospheric mystery to this restored classic film, bringing the pre-Code crime world to vivid, suspenseful life. Now also available in colour.

Buy The Case of the Howling Dog in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

The Case of the Howling Dog is the first film adaptation of an Erle Stanley Gardner Perry Mason novel, launching one of the most successful and enduring franchises in mystery entertainment history. Gardner’s novels would eventually sell over 300 million copies worldwide, and the Perry Mason character would become one of the most famous fictional lawyers in history through film, television, and literature. Warren William’s portrayal established the template for the screen Mason — a brilliant, sophisticated attorney who operates in morally grey areas — and the film’s blend of legal drama, detective investigation, and pre-Code frankness created a formula that proved enormously popular with audiences. Through colorization, this historic Perry Mason debut is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD restored
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Original mono restored
• Runtime: Approximately 74 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this the first Perry Mason film?
A: Yes, The Case of the Howling Dog is the very first film adaptation of an Erle Stanley Gardner Perry Mason novel, launching a franchise that would span films, radio, and the legendary television series starring Raymond Burr.

Q: Who plays Perry Mason in this film?
A: Warren William stars as Perry Mason, bringing suave sophistication and morally ambiguous charm to the legendary defense attorney in the most dashing screen portrayal of the character, predating the more familiar Raymond Burr television version.

Q: How does colorization enhance this pre-Code mystery?
A: Colorization adds atmospheric depth to the shadowy office interiors, moonlit gardens, and tense courtroom sequences, bringing the pre-Code mystery world to vivid visual life while enhancing the suspense of the intricate plot.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as an MP4 file compatible with virtually any device or media player.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• The Thin Man (1934)
• The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
• The Maltese Falcon (1941)
• One Dangerous Night (1943)
• Murder, My Sweet (1944)