The differing personalilties of Philo Vance

In the novels, Vance was presented as a somewhat bored, almost-sleepy, disinterested man-about-town. In the radio show he is much more of an engaged, vigorous personality, very focused on his cases (much to focused on them to suit his secretary). The latter is more appealing, but since Van Dine created the character, the former is what he was supposed to be.


Basil Rathbone as Vance