What Is The Case of the Howling Dog About?
The premise of The Case of the Howling Dog in 303 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑baked sprawl of Los Angeles, the law is a polished veneer that masks a city pulsing with restless whispers and unspoken anxieties. The film moves through sleek office corridors and cramped courtrooms with a measured, almost theatrical cadence, letting the ordinary rhythms of legal practice swell with an undercurrent of unease. The atmosphere is one of restrained tension, where every polite exchange could conceal a deeper, more unsettling motive.
Cartwright arrives at the attorney’s office visibly jittery, his hands trembling as he clutches a crumpled form. He is a wealthy, highly superstitious man convinced that the mournful howl of the German Shepherd next door signals an imminent death—an omen he feels compelled to act upon. Driven by a desperate need to control his legacy, he demands two things: that the neighbor be arrested for the perceived threat and that his entire estate be bequeathed to the woman living next door, a decision rooted as much in fear as in affection.
Perry is a seasoned litigator whose reputation for sharp intellect is matched only by his dry, sardonic humor. He listens to the nervous client’s frantic pitch, drafts the will with meticulous care, and accepts a generous retainer, all while maintaining a professional distance that hints at a seasoned skepticism. When Cartwright returns the following morning, the document has been altered and both the client and the intended beneficiary have vanished, leaving behind only a faint trail of questions.
The story balances the measured precision of courtroom strategy with the unsettling aura of superstition, inviting the viewer to wonder whether the law can untangle a mystery woven from fear, belief, and hidden interests. As Perry sifts through paperwork and whispers, the audience is drawn into a web where legal rigor meets the uncanny, promising a tense, cerebral exploration of truth and deception.
What Happens in The Case of the Howling Dog?
The complete story of The Case of the Howling Dog, from the first scene to the last, in 821 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A Los Angeles legal thriller anchored by a cynical will and a deadly mystery, this story follows Perry Mason as he untangles a web spun from love, deceit, and a dog that unites or tears apart a family.
Millionaire Arthur Cartwright Gordon Westcott visits the city to have his will drawn up, convinced that the howling of a German Shepherd next door signals a death and a chance to direct his fortune. He intends to leave the money to the apparent wife of Clinton Foley Russell Hicks, a man Cartwright believes is inducing a sham marriage. The lawyer Perry Mason Warren William explains how the bequest should read, takes a hefty retainer, and hands Cartwright a fill-in form to return. The very next day, Cartwright has altered the beneficiary to Foley’s real wife, a change that binds Mason to defend the true interests of Bessie Foley, Foley’s spouse, who is not what she seems to be on the surface.
From the moment Foley files a complaint of insanity against Cartwright, alleging that Cartwright’s erratic behavior pushed his staff away, the case takes on a chilling momentum. A sheriff’s deputy is assigned to help investigate, and Mason accompanies him back to Foley’s house, where questions multiply. Why is a new garage addition being built if Foley’s chauffeur has quit? Enter Lucy Benton Dorothy Tree, Foley’s housekeeper who bursts out with a bandaged hand and claims to be aiding her employer while revealing that Evelyn, the supposed wife of Cartwright, has vanished after leaving a note saying she loves Cartwright and is running away with him. Cartwright’s overnight disappearance the same night deepens the mystery, and a telegram from Ventura, signed by Evelyn, adds another layer of intrigue.
As Mason’s team digs deeper, they uncover a tangled past: Evelyn was actually Cartwright’s wife who felled into a partnership with Clinton Foley during happier times in Santa Barbara, while Lucy had served as Foley’s private secretary. She and Foley share a complicated history that foreshadows the emotional and legal stakes of the case. A cab arrives at Foley’s home, carrying a woman in black who asserts she wants justice; the dog is released to attack this intruder, who is not easily identified, and the dog’s death and Foley’s own murder come quickly after. A perfumed handkerchief left in the cab ties “Bessie” to the crime, and Mason’s team tracks down the cab driver, with Della Street Helen Trenholme—Mason’s trusted secretary—impersonating Bessie to move the narrative forward.
Perry sees through the cab driver’s misidentification when he demonstrates that Della has been misread, and the case pivots to the truth of the people around the dog. The defense builds a persuasive case around Lucy’s dual handwriting—lucid proof that the killer could be ambidextrous—and Mason orchestrates a dramatic shift to the crime scene itself, highlighting how the dog’s loyalty stretched across all three women who could have become its caregiver. The diary page Mason seizes from Lucy’s entries becomes a crucial clue, revealing the day after Cartwright disappeared and clarifying the sequence of loyalties, betrayals, and motives.
The trial then explodes into a courtroom confrontation where Mason’s cross-examination dismantles key eyewitness claims. He challenges the cab driver’s identification and reveals Lucy’s allowed role in the note, the telegram, and the diary page, using precise inference to expose the web of infidelity and self-preservation that followed Cartwright’s death. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the jury is forced to confront the possibility that the killer was one of the women connected to Cartwright and Foley, not the grieving wife who would appear most innocent.
Meanwhile, workers excavate the garage foundation and unexpectedly uncover the bodies of Cartwright and Evelyn, murdered by Foley in a fatal act of self-preservation or vengeance. With the case pivoting once again, Bessie Foley is acquitted after Mason argues that the dog’s devotion to her proves she would not have been the killer, and that the defense’s closing argument has driven home the idea that the other links to the crime have crumbled. Mason’s final gambit is a symbolic gift—a dog that resembles the one that died—which he presents to Bessie, a gesture intended to show she can move forward with her life without fear of retribution. The detective work, the courtroom strategy, and the moral questions of justice come full circle as Mason refuses to push the law beyond its proper boundaries, suggesting that the truth—like the dog’s loyalty—can be both protective and elusive.
In the end, Mason explains to Della Street that Bessie’s actions were likely in self-defense and that the legal system’s protection against double jeopardy means she cannot be retried. The result is a meticulous, morally layered finale that underscores Mason’s insistence on thorough investigation, careful reasoning, and the careful weighing of evidence before passing judgment. The film closes on a quiet, restrained note, with justice delivered through a combination of clever legal maneuvering and a dogged commitment to the truth.
The Case of the Howling Dog Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Cartwright hires Perry Mason to draft his will” to “Trial revelations and discovery of the other bodies”. 12 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Cartwright hires Perry Mason to draft his will
Millionaire Arthur Cartwright travels to Perry Mason's office in Los Angeles to discuss a will. He explains the howling of the neighboring German Shepherd signals that death is near and wants the fortune left to Evelyn Foley, a woman who pretends to be Foley's wife. Perry agrees to draft the will after receiving a large retainer and gives Cartwright a form to fill out and return.
When:First meeting Where:Perry Mason's office, Los Angeles
- 2
Perry provides the will form and retainer
After the initial meeting, Perry provides Cartwright with the will form and instructions to return it completed. Cartwright pays a hefty retainer and leaves with the paperwork in hand. The arrangement hinges on how the bequest is worded and who is legally recognized as Foley's wife.
When:Day of form delivery Where:Perry Mason's office
- 3
Cartwright changes the beneficiary on the form
Upon receiving the completed form the next day, Cartwright changes the beneficiary to Foley's actual wife, altering the intended bequest. Perry notes the alteration and prepares to defend the real Mrs. Foley in court. This raises the stakes and makes the case far more intricate.
When:The following day Where:Cartwright's residence
- 4
Foley files an insanity complaint
Foley accuses Cartwright of insanity, claiming Cartwright's bizarre behavior proves he is a homicidal maniac. A sheriff's deputy is assigned to investigate the allegation, and Perry prepares to get involved as counsel for the real Mrs. Foley.
When:Shortly after Where:Foley's house
- 5
Investigation at Foley's house reveals tensions
Perry and Foley examine the house and notice a garage addition being built for another car despite the chauffeur having quit. The scene hints at hidden motives and a tangle of relationships surrounding the households. Investigators gather early clues about loyalty and deception.
When:Investigation day Where:Foley's house
- 6
Lucy Benton reveals the dog bite and Evelyn's disappearance
Lucy Benton arrives with a bandaged hand and explains she was bitten by the dog while administering an emetic. She notes that Evelyn Foley has disappeared, leaving a note claiming she loves Cartwright and is going away with him. The personal turmoil behind the household fuels the mystery.
When:Investigation day Where:Foley's house
- 7
Cartwright disappears and a telegram surfaces
Cartwright vanishes overnight, and a telegram signed by Evelyn arrives from Ventura asking Foley to stop his actions. The disappearance deepens the conspiracy and hints at a planned flight or cover-up. Perry begins connecting the telegram to Cartwright's absence.
When:Next day Where:Cartwright's home / Ventura, California
- 8
Backstory uncovered by Perry's detectives
Perry's private investigators reveal Evelyn is Cartwright's wife who ran away with Foley, and Lucy was Foley's private secretary. The past in Santa Barbara with Foley and his wife Bessie clarifies the entwined relationships. This background reframes motives and loyalties.
When:Investigation days later Where:Santa Barbara (backstory)
- 9
A dramatic arrival and the murder of Foley
A woman in black arrives at Foley's house, claiming she wants justice. Foley releases the dog to attack her; two shots kill the dog and Foley, and the killer flees as the garden door slams. The confrontation shifts the case from investigation to murder inquiry.
When:Evening Where:Foley's house, garden
- 10
Cabbie clue and handkerchief link to Bessie
Perry's team tracks down the cab driver and uncovers a perfumed handkerchief linking Bessie to the murder scene. Della Street is sent to impersonate Bessie and claim the handkerchief before it can be turned in. The ploy narrows the suspect pool and pushes the case toward trial.
When:Following the killings Where:Cab stand and Foley's house
- 11
Lucy’s diary page provides a crucial clue
Perry obtains a page from Lucy's diary written the day after the Cartwrights disappeared, hoping to corroborate handwriting and intent. The diary item becomes a key piece of evidence that ties the notes to specific individuals. This evidence guides the forthcoming courtroom strategy.
When:Before trial Where:Perry Mason's office
- 12
Trial revelations and discovery of the other bodies
During the trial, Perry discredits the cab driver's identification and redirects focus to the crime scene, arguing the dog loved all three women. He demonstrates Lucy's ambidexterity and that she wrote the note, telegram, and diary page with her left hand. As the evidence unfolds, workers excavating the garage foundation discover the bodies of Cartwright and Evelyn, proving Foley's involvement. Bessie is acquitted after Perry's closing argument.
When:During trial Where:Courtroom; garage foundation site
Who Are the Main Characters in The Case of the Howling Dog?
8 characters, among them Perry Mason (Warren William), Bessie Foley (Mary Astor) and Lucy Benton (Dorothy Tree): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- PM
Perry Mason (Warren William)
Played by Warren William
A calm, methodical Los Angeles lawyer who converts a peculiar will and a tangle of clues into a coherent defense. He guides his client with professional ethics and sharp courtroom tactics, turning marginal details into crucial evidence. Mason’s strategic mind and faith in due process drive the investigation as the truth emerges from misdirection and careful cross-examination.
- ⚖️ Lawyer
- 🧠 Strategist
- 🕊️ Defender
- BF
Bessie Foley (Mary Astor)
Played by Mary Astor
The real Mrs. Foley, whose innocence is central to the case. She denies murder and relies on Mason’s defense to clear her name. Her interactions with the other women and the ambiguity surrounding family ties complicate the courtroom narrative. In the end, she is acquitted amid a web of alibis and motives.
- 💍 Wife
- 💼 Socialite
- 🔎 Suspect
- LB
Lucy Benton (Dorothy Tree)
Played by Dorothy Tree
Foley’s housekeeper and secret lover, who holds crucial leverage through hidden relationships. She is ambidextrous, writing key notes and messages with her left hand. Lucy’s dual role as confidante and potential clues maker drives several pivotal revelations in the trial.
- 💼 Secretary
- 💘 Lover
- 🖊 Ambidextrous
- AC
Arthur Cartwright (Gordon Westcott)
Played by Gordon Westcott
A wealthy client whose demand to shape his will launches the drama. He disappears overnight, later found dead along with Evelyn, his supposed companion, setting off a chain of investigations and accusations. His wealth and status frame the stakes of the case.
- 💼 Wealthy
- 🧠 Calculating
- CF
Clinton Foley (Russell Hicks)
Played by Russell Hicks
Husband of Evelyn and suitor of Bessie, whose actions drive much of the intrigue. He becomes a central figure in the motive scene, ultimately linked to the killings through a web of jealousy, opportunity, and concealed relationships. The courtroom hinges on proving his role as the true killer.
- 💰 Millionaire
- 🕵️ Suspect
- DS
Della Street (Helen Trenholme)
Played by Helen Trenholme
Perry Mason’s secretary, who plays a pivotal role behind the scenes. She impersonates Bessie to plant a crucial handkerchief, demonstrating the quick-thinking and improvisational nature of Mason’s team. Della’s wit helps pivot the investigation toward the truth.
- 💼 Secretary
- 🧠 Quick-thinking
- JM
Judge Markham (Addison Richards)
Played by Addison Richards
Presides over the courtroom, maintaining order as the intricate case unfolds. His rulings and demeanor frame the pace of the trial, testing Mason’s strategy and the defense’s arguments. He represents the formal authority of the legal system in this complex murder case.
- ⚖️ Judge
- 🧭 Authority
- P(
Prince (Lightning the German Shepherd)
Played by Lightning the German Shepherd
The neighbor’s howling dog whose presence ignites the initial mystery and frames the surrounding tension. The dog becomes a functional clue within the investigation, its behavior contributing to the chain of evidence. The animal’s role underscores the story’s blend of ordinary life with extraordinary courtroom intrigue.
- 🐕 Animal
- 🐾 Clue
Where and When Is The Case of the Howling Dog Set?
The Case of the Howling Dog is set in Los Angeles and California. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles serves as the backdrop for this Perry Mason legal thriller. The plot moves between upscale homes, a bustling courthouse, and private investigators, all within a city known for its wealth and sharp social circles. The urban setting heightens the pace of investigation and courtroom drama.
- 🏙️ Cityscape
- 🗺️ Urban backdrop
- 🎭 Legal drama setting
What Are the Themes of The Case of the Howling Dog?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Justice & Strategy, Identity & Deception and Loyalty & The Dog.
-
01
Justice & Strategy
Perry Mason uses careful legal maneuvering to outwit the prosecution, turning the case into a study of motive, evidence, and courtroom technique. He leverages the will's wording, misidentified witnesses, and a diary to uncover the truth. The trial becomes a test of perception, inference, and the limits of memory. The closing argument hinges on matching the evidence to the true sequence of events, not mere suspicion.
-
02
Identity & Deception
The plot hinges on shifting identities, with Evelyn posing as a wife, Lucy concealing past ties and providing handwriting clues, and Bessie fighting to prove her innocence. Names and relationships blur as characters wear disguises and false fronts. Mason's investigation reveals how appearances conceal motives, and how handwriting and diary pages reveal truth. The case shows how deception can be both personal and legal.
-
03
Loyalty & The Dog
The howling German Shepherd, Prince, becomes a narrative touchstone that ties the women to the crime. The dog’s loyalty to the women is used to challenge the prosecution’s single-link theory. Mason employs observations about the dog to undermine the idea of a straightforward killer. The final turn hinges on the existence of a lookalike dog and the dog’s bond with its owners.
-
04
Secrets & Motives
Handwritten notes, telegrams, and a diary page drive the mystery, with handwriting samples testing alibis. The plot exposes past relationships and concealed motives, culminating in the discovery of the true killer and the nuances of self-defense. The outcome relies on clever legal reasoning rather than a straightforward confession. Tiny clues and private records reshape the narrative.
What Kind of Film Is The Case of the Howling Dog?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A steady-paced, tense legal thriller that methodically unravels a complex web of murder and deceit, building suspense through careful investigation and cerebral courtroom strategy.
- suspenseful
- cerebral
- methodical
- intriguing
- tense
- determined
- legal thriller
- crime investigation
- murder mystery
- infidelity
Content notes: murder, animal death, infidelity.
Quiz
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