Calling Philo Vance (1940)

James Stephenson: Philo Vance

Photos 

Quotes 

• Philo Vance : You see, Markham, we have all of the parts of the puzzle, but none of them seems to fit.

• Philo Vance : [Sniffing the aroma of the lipstick from the back of his hand]  Gardenia, I should say. Definitely common. Do you know anything about lipstick, Ryan?

  Ryan : [Taking offence]  What do you think I am?

  Philo Vance : Hmmm... I'll let you know.

  Ryan : [Annoyed, as Vance is leaving]  Okay, wise guy, you're not out of the woods yet!

  Philo Vance : You're right, Ryan.

• Avery : [Referring to Vance's secret mission]  ... and you understand the American government must not enter into this.

  Philo Vance : I know. If I'm caught, I shall be a man without a country.

  Avery : More than that, Vance. Possibly also a man without a head!

  Philo Vance : Hmmm, not an amusing thought, your excellency.

• Philo Vance : [Approaching Grassi's table as he is eating]  Signor Grassi?

  Eduardo Grassi : [Looking up]  Yes.

  Philo Vance : The same Signor Grassi who distinguished himself in the Ethiopian campaign?

  Eduardo Grassi : The same.

  Philo Vance : I hope you'll pardon the intrusion. My name is Philo Vance.

  Eduardo Grassi : Oh, uh, won't you join me? I've heard of you too.

  Philo Vance : Have you also heard that Mr. Archer Coe, whose airplane designs you've tried to buy for your government has been murdered?

  Eduardo Grassi : [Shocked]  Murdered?

  Ryan : Yes, stabbed in the back! And the dagger's been a favorite Latin weapon since Nero played with matches!

• Ryan : [as they are entering the front doo]  By the way, Philo, how was the weiner schnitzel over there?

  Philo Vance : Hmmm, mostly bread and water!

• Philo Vance : [Finding no knife hole in the robe Coe was apparently stabbed in]  This complicates things a bit.

  Ryan : Hunh?

  Philo Vance : You still think it was suicide?

  Ryan : It's clear he couldn't have slugged, shot, and stabbed himself... particularly in the back.