
story by Dashiell Hammett


based on the book The Kennel Murder Case by S.S Van Dine
actors Eugene Pallette, William Powell, and Robert McWade
Powell played amateur sleuth Philo Vance in a series of movies based on the books

included Cornell Woolrich’s “Street of Jungle Death”, the basis for his classic novel Black Alibi

1942 Simon & Schuster hardcover, an Inner Sanctum mystery
his 3rd novel as by Woolrich
better image than previously posted



1946 American Mercury/Jonathan Press digest – cover art by George Salter
(previous owner’s intrusive signature on cover)

1956 Mercury digest – cover art by George Salter

1965 Collier Mystery reissue – cover accredited to Dick Cuffari

1982 Ballantine reissue – cover art by Laurence Schwinger

1960 Gold Medal Book UK – No. 434
originally published in the US by GM Books # s845, 1959

movie tie-in edition to the 1964 film

reissue from Stark House Press, 2013


New York: E.P. Dutton, 1955. First Edition. In publisher’s trial dust jacket, date stamped March 1, 1955, on the bottom of the front flap.
Basis for Stanley Kubrick’s breakthrough 1956 film “The Killing,” starring Sterling Hayden in one of his defining roles.

1956 Signet reissue – cover art by Robert Maguire

1988 Black Lizard reissue – cover art by Kirwin

1956 United Artists – written and directed by Stanley Kubrick