Reviews (6)

INTERESTING MURDER MYSTERY....
When blackmailing night club singer Mavis Marlowe is strangled with her own silk scarf, a man she was blackmailing and involved with is arrested. He says he's innocent, his loyal wife says he's innocent---but all evidence points to his guilt. The wife (June Vincent) sets out to prove his innocence even though the cop on the case (Broderick Crawford) is doubtful. She finds an unlikely ally in Marlowe's alcoholic piano player husband Dan Duryea. The clue to the murder is a missing ruby brooch. Duryea plays a nice guy here with a big problem---his drinking. He's talented, likable and really cares for Vincent. He's practically the whole show but Peter Lorre is also on hand as a mysterious night club owner and a potential suspect. Good noir photography, interesting twists, solid performances from the cast and a good DVD print make this an enjoyable little thriller. Worth watching for noir enthusiasts.

BLACK ANGEL DISTURBING, COMPELLING, THRILLING
A sexy singer, an ex lover and a dutiful wife: classic film noir lover's triangle tinged with a race against time and singed in sparkling performances from a stellar cast. In "Black Angel" femme fatale chanteuse Mavis Marlowe (Constance Dowling) turns up dead. Kirk Bennett (John Phillips) who used to be her lover seems the natural choice for the police's prime suspect and their latest blackmail victim. No one believes Kirk's story - it is a little hard to swallow - that he found Mavis already a goner on the floor of her apartment. However, when Kirk is sentenced to death, his long-suffering, too-good-to-be-true wife, Catherine (June Vincent) begins to investigate the crime for answers of her own. She's aided by Martin Blair (Dan Duryea) Mavis' husband. The film is riddled with rich curiosities of character; Kirk's philandering innocence, Mavis' evil vixen turned victim, Catherine's never wavering devotion to her wayward hubby and Blair's nonchalant, noncommittal dedication to discovering who really killed his wife. At one point Blair even goes so far as to offer himself as Kirk's replacement, should salvation not come in time to spare him from the electric chair. It must be love! An outstanding cameo comes by way of Peter Lorre as Marco, the always spurious, never to be trusted seedy nightclub owner who happened to visit Mavis Marlowe on the night she bought the farm. It should be pointed out however, that the suspense of finding the killer gets somewhat diffused in the process and never quite reaches the par excellence caliber of say, "The Asphalt Jungle" or "Laura."
Another solid effort from Universal.The gray scale is very well balanced with deep solid blacks and whites that are almost pristine. There's a hint film grain and some age related artifacts. Also, some edge enhancement and pixelization occur as well but nothing that will distract. The audio is mono and very well represented. There are no extras on this disc. Nevertheless, it is a good disc to add to your library of classic cinema.

"Sometimes I find myself surrounded by puzzles."
In the film "Black Angel" when beautiful singer Mavis Marlowe is found murdered in her apartment, her ex-lover and latest blackmail victim, Kirk Bennett is arrested and tried for her murder. No one believes his story that he found Mavis dead, but when he is sentenced to death, his long-suffering wife, Katherine starts looking for answers of her own. Katherine seeks out Martin Blair (Dan Duryea) the husband of the victim, and together they try to solve the crime.

One interesting element in this film is the contrast between the two female leads--both are singers--both are attractive, and both are about the same age and size. Mavis Marlowe, though, is the quintessential Film Noir evil female, and this is evident by her dress, love affairs with men, and also in the abysmal way she treats people (especially the maid). Katherine Bennett, on the other hand, as the 'good woman' here, maintains an absolutely perfect home, and she sticks by her man no matter what he does. Kirk Bennett is a philanderer and quite possibly a murderer, but Katherine's heart never wanders--even though Martin Blair (Duryea) makes it perfectly clear that he'd happily step into Kirk's place now that hubbie is safely locked up in San Quentin.

Another equally fascinating element in "Black Angel" is Marco (Peter Lorre)--the nightclub owner who visited the naughty Mavis Marlowe on the night of her death. Those lizard-like eyelids hide many secrets, and Peter Lorre is always fun to watch in any role. "Black Angel" as a classic Film Noir does include essential elements--an unsolved mysterious death, an evil woman, a race against time, irrevocable choices etc., However, that said, the suspense of finding the killer is not emphasized, and the film--while enjoyable--does not reach its maximum suspense potential. Some of the drama seems to surround the question of Kathy's choices--and whether or not Martin will do the right thing, and this results in a 4 star rating for this film--displacedhuman.

Black Angel = Mavis Marlowe
This 1946 memorable noir boasts a fine cast that includes: Peter Lorre, Dan Duryea, June Vincent, and the stunningly beautiful Constance Dowling. Based on the novel by Cornell Woolrich and directed by Roy William Neill, Black Angel's storyline hinges on the elements that comprise many noir classics. Murder, blackmail, deceit, and a race against time to prove a desperate man's innocence are the essential plot elements that propell Neill's film through the uncertainties of urban darkness. Cheating husband Kirk Bennett (John Phillips) is wrongfully convicted of murder and is sentenced to die in the electric chair. This time it is a woman, Kirk's wife Cahterine ( June Vincent) who intensifies the murder investigation. As Kirk's execution date draws near, Catherine instills the help of an alcoholic songwriter, Marty Blair (Dan Duryea). Blair is the ex-husband of the murdered woman ( Constance Dowling). The unlikely pairing uncover a trail of clues that lead them to a swarthy night club owner named Marko ( Peter Lorre). Great performances by all actors highlight the picture. Lorre is excellent as the shaddy club owner who is being blackmailed. June Vincent as Catherine gives an admirable performance as she attempts to balance emotional distance and closeness with the rejuvenated Marty. But it is Constance Dowling as Mavis Marlowe who devours her screen time with vampish presence. Mavis exudes sexual danger as a pretensiously concieted singer who lives in a posh high-rise apartment surrounded by trinkets that reaffirm her beauty and status. Why Dowling never achieved the same screen stardom as actresses such as: Lauren Bacall, Barbara Stanwyck, or Rita Hayworth is mystifying. Maybe that is why films such as Black Angel are worth viewing over and over again.

Great Treasure re-released
Finally available is a not too often discussed, but superbly filmed drama about a person, whose guiltiness becomes clear only late in the movie. Dan Duryea, often framed by dull stories, acts without his usual (wanted) sliminess and is the tragic hero of a dark drama. A fine score as well as good costumes and a false fire performance by Peter Lorre complete this beautifully restored edition. Every noir fan has to get it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Collectors Item
This film is really great, for as much as any other reason...the spooky noir-ish atmosphere that permeates every frame.
The story works pretty well although it does not have quite the energy of some of the earlier Bruce/Rathbone collaborations.
The description on the Box of the plot sort of makes it a collector's item.
As with a certain metered degree of the captioning done on these films, the plot description is terribly inaccurate.
Just for the record the King of a Ravenia has been assassinated and his son Nikolas is now a potential target of assassination.
Holmes fools the on-board assassins by having the Future King pose as a Ship Steward.
It is Dr. Watson's Nephew who poses as the Future King.
Nikolas, the Future King never poses as Dr. Watson's Nephew as the box description says.
This glaring inaccuracy is no big deal other than it sort of makes it even more collectable.
I am thinking of compiling a complete list of all the captioning mistakes and omissions and Box Sleeve inaccuracies.
Frustrating only in that it is pure slackness on the part of MPI.
The quality (long believed lost forever) of the films is the over riding redeeming feature overall though.
It is important to remember... that Rathbone and Bruce were a lot like Lennon and McCartney....even when they were not at their absolute best together...they were still 100 times better than anyone else.

The 10th film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series
"Pursuit to Algiers," the tenth film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, is fairly routine overall, but it does have a novel twist in that it sends the Great Detective and Dr. Watson off to sea.

In some ways, its plot is similar to the next film, "Terror by Night," in that Holmes is once again renting out his services as a bodyguard of sorts, this time protecting the son of the assassinated King of Ravenia as he sails home to claim his throne. The future monarch is disguised as Watson's nephew! Aside from Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, what gives this entry its kick are the other passengers, the most eccentric and suspicious bunch ever booked onto a voyage.

Coming at the tail-end of a series whose finest moments were now behind it, "Pursuit to Algiers" is far from the best, but possessing enough suspense and atmosphere to recommend it.

Brian W. Fairbanks

pretty good
This is one of twelve movies of Rathbone as Holmes put out during the war and shortly thereafter by Universal. All twelve stories are newly written and not contained in the originally published series. Holmes is played in the traditional was as a talented person who is always willing to help others while interjecting some humor in the process. This Holmes is very humble and does not suffer from the mental illness of egomania. This is in stark contrast to the Brett version where Holmes displayed arrogance and airs of secret knowledge which is almost exclusively done in real life by people who are marginal performers.

This particular story plot is somewhat less imaginative and realistic compared to the other eleven, but it is still entertaining to watch.

The digital remastering makes the quality like a recently made movie without any visual or audio flaws. ... Read more

Description

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH
Digitally Restored in 35mm

The master detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his faithful cohort Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are back, preserved and digitally restored in 35mm to original condition by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This newly restored version of the classic film includes the period war bond tag, studio logo and credits from its original theatrical release. Filled with ominous shadows and interesting camera angles, the visual beauty of the film in 35mm is stunning.

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) is an intriguing mystery based upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The Musgrave Ritual." Dr. Watson, tending recuperating soldiers housed at centuries-old Musgrave Manor, summons Sherlock Holmes to investigate strange happenings.What follows is a bizarre series of events, including murders, secret passages, a game of chess and a mysterious family ritual.

Even Inspector Lestrade is on hand, as well as lovely Hillary Brooke as Sally Musgrave.But only Sherlock Holmes, in a race against time and a desperate killer, can decipher the ancient riddle and uncover the treasure it hides.Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not a Nazi in sight in splendid Holmes mystery
After three films in which Sherlock Holmes battled the Nazis, even Universal must have grown tired of their gimmicky attempt to "modernize" the Great Detective. With "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death," Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are back on more familiar turf and solve a mystery having absolutely no connection to World War II.

For the first time in the series, a film doesn't merely credit a story by Arthur Conan Doyle, screenwriter Bertram Millhauser actually makes use of one, "The Musgrave Ritual," a traditional murder mystery involving an old family curse. The story gives director Roy William Neill plenty of opportunities to pour on the atmosphere that is the series' best attribute, aside from stars Rathbone and Bruce, of course.

With this entry, the series greatly improved, and greater adventures were still to come for the famous detective from Baker Street.

Brian W. Fairbanks

What's Next...Peace in the MidEast?
As I wrote an extensive build up of these movies, prior to their release. I am now pleased to say that about 98% of my anticipation was not misguided.
Overall, these are the clearest and sharpest versions I have seen in my lifetime.
In comparison to some of the non Key Video versions that were out on VHS these offerings from MPI are stunning.
My only letdown was, as others have mentioned, is that there could have easily been more additional material offered.
A short commentary was offered on the restoration of Orson Welles' "The Third Man" by Criterion and was fascinating.
Something similar to this would have been easy to produce and Holmes fans like myself who have put up with public domain trash copies for decades would have eaten up such a documentary.
I also have wondered for years if there are any out-takes from the films that still exist.
How fascinating that would have been, and would still be....hint....hint.
At the very least, Filmographies of Rathbone and Bruce, or trivia facts about the series or the actors, or the productions, or at least even the trailers should have been included.
Little things, such as pointing out the appearance of a young dark handsome Milburn Stone in "Faces Death" who later became "Doc" on Gunsmoke.
There are several instances where the Captioning is lazy. Such as in "Faces Death" when Holmes says "anno Domini" in a sentence and the caption writer just put "Domino."
Even with occasional lapses in the captioning, it was indeed nice to have them captioned.
Of all the films in this Volume, the one I found most curious was "Faces Death."
Even after reading the liner notes, I still wonder why some of the extreme deterioration marks on individual frames could not have been repaired by computer.
Much worse deterioration existed on the "Third Man" and it was restored flawlessly. And oddly, there are a few sections of the Key Video version of this Film that are clearer than this MPI restored version.....?....
Was this a real case of Wet vs. Dry printing or laziness on the part of those in the restoration process?
All that said, the other three films are near pristine, especially Holmes in "Washington". I think there will never be another version of these prints released that will surpass the quality of this offering.
Lastly, for the snobby Holmesian purest who nearly worship the Brett/Granada versions of the Holmes stories, I think this offering will go a long way in explaining to many why Rathbone is beyond doubt the nearest thing to Holmes incarnate that has or ever will exist.
The Granda versions are draining, dripping with overcharachterization and forced melodrama...did I mention contrived?
Brett often behaves like a neurotic narcissistic snot who sees and loves his own image off a distance in a mirror somewhere.
These films with Rathbone and Bruce are timelessly engaging, underplayed, entertaining, perfectly moody and just downright fun in every aspect. Rathbone and Bruce had a chemistry that so completely complimented each other.
Rathbone especially....you never catch him playing Sherlock Holmes...he just "is" Sherlock Holmes.
Now, if we can just get the first two Rathbone and Bruce films restored and captioned and in our libraries....well what's next...Peace in the MidEast?

Superb Transfer; Thank God Holmes Is Back With Us!
There's very little to say; these are the classic Universal "modern" Holmes films from the 1940s, and they are now finally available on DVD in superb transfers, complete and uncut, absolutely pristine in their presentation, and now generally available. If you liked these years ago, you will love them now; taken from superb 35mm materials in three countries, the films look as clean as when first released. Buy them all! This is cinema history.

Ghosts Don't Stab People in the Neck, Do They?
This was the first of the Universal Sherlock Holmes movies that returned the detective to traditional mystery plots, after three wartime anti-Nazi adventures. It's also one of the best... and in fact it was voted the 2nd-best Holmes movie of all time in one poll (after Rathbone's "Adventures" or "Hound," I forget which). The entertaining opening has Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson, who has a bit more on the ball than usual, bringing Holmes into the case-which itself is a clever improvement on Conan Doyle's rather dull short story "The Musgrave Ritual." The cast features almost all of the usual stock company featured in this series (Dennis Hoey, Gerald Hamer, Vernon Dowling, Frederic Worlock, Gavin Muir), playing assorted cretins, rotters, weaklings, and twitching neurotics. Various sets from "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" turn up as well, and the plot abounds with bloodthirsty ravens, bolts of lightning, mysterious passageways, and a clock that strikes thirteen on the nights that evil is afoot. Rathbone strikes a nice balance between his earlier, more wired Sherlock and his later jaded style, but the excellent UCLA restoration also reveals him as a bit older and more ravaged than I recall. Maybe there's something to be said for a "soft" transfer after all.

Great Expectations
I am writing this pre-review to express my Great Expectations and excitement over the upcoming DVD release of the 14 Sherlock Holmes movies made by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
For those of us who have loved and worn out our VHS versions of these films, I am sure that I speak for many of us in expressing incredible anticipation and near shock that someone has finally recognized the need to release a "restored version" of these timeless classics.
We are told that they have been "Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive." This is marvelous and I have already pre-ordered Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 from MPI Home Video.
I so hope that the entire 14 movies, are ultimately released in restored condition. Especially the rarest of them, "The Scarlet Claw" which has rarely been shown on televison and only been available on VHS sporadically.
To me and many others I know, Basil Rathbone is the definative Holmes. Not just because he looks alarmingly similar -as much as is humanly possible- to Sidney Pagets drawings of Holmes from the Strand Magazine illustrations, but mostly we love Rathbone because he portrayed the same Holmes that we as readers get through the buffer of Dr. Watson explaining away not magnifying Holmes' shortcomings.
Jeremy Brett chose to amplify every negative aspect of Holmes' personality that in the written versions Watson explained away. Rathbone's Holmes has been demeaned visciously over the past years and hopefully the respect and dignity that he gave his portrayals will be seen in all their accuracy and glory with these new digitally restored releases. ... these will have to be the best quality versions of these classics ever released...so for all of us who have cursed the incomprehensibly awful releases of these films over the years...our time has almost come. Show your support for this effort by ordering a restored version of American Film Histroy.
Much Thanks to UCLA, MPI, and Whoever was ultimately responsible for the idea of doing this!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The BEST of the "Universals"
Here's the very best of the Rathbone-Bruce Universal pictures. No, it's not set in the proper Sherlockian period (none of the Universal films were), but it seems "timeless," with no contemporary (1940s) references. It's dark, spooky fun...featuring a really well done MYSTERY. Some of the best banter between Rathbone and Bruce is in this film. And the bad guy ranks up there with the best of the non-Moriarty movie Holmes villains. THIS is the Rathbone movie from the Universal series that I return to again and again. The DVD quality is superb. No extras, but it's a treat to have a terrific copy of this little gem.

Superb DVD, Which Does Justice To This Atmospheric Gem!
"The Scarlet Claw" (aka: "Sherlock Holmes And The Scarlet Claw") was made in 1944, and represents the 8th Sherlock film in the fourteen-movie series starring the ever-pleasing duo of Basil Rathbone as Mr. Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John H. Watson. This is most certainly one of the better films in the Rathbone/Bruce franchise of Sherlock flicks -- a successful and entertaining franchise that began with the outstanding 1939 version of "The Hound Of The Baskervilles", and ended with "Dressed To Kill" in 1946.

"The Scarlet Claw" was one of three Sherlock Holmes' entries produced in the calendar year of 1944. Basil Rathbone was one busy Sherlock during this mid-'40s time period, cranking out yet another three Holmes' motion pictures the following year of 1945 as well.

"Claw" exudes a feeling of tension and dread right from the very first scene. The viewer is reeled into the mysterious happenings immediately, as we wonder "Who -- or What -- is ringing that church bell at this hour of the night?". A very effective, and eerie, opening to the picture.

Our favorite pipe-smoking detective from London's 221B Baker Street is soon called into this baffling case, which features murder victims being found with their throats torn open -- presumably caused by the elusive "Monster of La Morte Rouge".

The film conveys a realistic sense of the foggy, damp atmosphere that permeates the marshes surrounding the small village where these gruesome murders are taking place. This "atmosphere" is particularly powerful during the climactic scene at the end of the film.

This DVD version of "Claw" comes via MPI Home Video, and displays nicely-restored video quality, thanks to the praise-worthy preservation efforts undertaken by the "UCLA Film and Television Archive". This black-and-white Holmes' classic has most certainly never looked better on any home video format.

The DVD's soundtrack is pleasing enough, although not completely free from all background "crackle". It's a Dolby Digital 2-Channel Mono track used here, with no alternate-language track employed.

This stand-alone, single-disc edition of "The Scarlet Claw" contains nothing but the film itself. No supplemental bonus features are present whatsoever. There's a simple static Main Menu, with just one lonely Sub-Menu (for the 11 Chapter Selections).

Additional information concerning this DVD ...........................

>> Video Aspect Ratio -- Full Frame (1.33:1), which is the original theatrical ratio.

>> Audio -- DD 2.0 Mono (English only).

>> Subtitles -- English.

>> Running Time -- 74 minutes. (Which is actually one of the longest of the 14 Sherlock Holmes' films in this Rathbone-starring series. Generally, Basil's Holmes was required to wrap up the mystery and get his man in just a tad more than 60 minutes.)

>> Insert Included? -- Yes. A one-sheet enclosure with Chapter List.

------------------------

In this reviewer's opinion, the immensely-likeable and ingeniously-cast tandem of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce shall forever represent the quintessential "Sherlock Holmes" and "Doctor Watson". "The Scarlet Claw" is a shining example of the twosome's appeal and talent. And these traits have never looked more visually alluring than on this beautifully-restored DVD from MPI Home Video.

The best of Sherlock Holmes
The best film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series is also the best Holmes mystery ever put on the screen. I first saw "The Scarlet Claw" in July 1967 when a local TV station aired it at the last minute in honor of Basil Rathbone who had passed away earlier that day. It was the first time I had seen Rathbone in something other than a latter day American International horror film, but sentiment aside, this film is a classic, a macabre thriller perfect in every department.

When we first see Holmes and Watson, they are attending an occult convention in Canada where the great detective is the lone dissenter, expressing skepticism and challenging the theory that a supernatural creature is behind a series of grisly murders in a nearby village. The great detective is soon on the case, and the setting is a perfect one for Holmes to ply his trade.

Everything about "The Scarlet Claw" works. The director, Roy William Neill, reaches a peak here, providing moments that will make your skin crawl and cloaking the mystery in a rich atmosphere as memorable as the story. The cast is simply perfect. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce have never been better, and they receive fine support from Paul Cavanaugh, Kay Harding, and especially Gerald Hamer, a series regular who almost steals the movie from its stars.

It isn't based on a story by Arthur Conan Doyle, and unlike most entries in the series, doesn't claim to be, but "The Scarlet Claw" is the best Sherlock Holmes film made by Universal or any other studio.

The Baskerville Hound Cleverly Revamped
The single most famous Sherlock Holmes story...as well as the most popular...is, without a doubt, "The Hound of the Baskervilles". It has been in publication forever and is anthologized, eulogized, and satirized endlessly. And it has appeared on film almost as much as it has in print. Likely no other Holmes story has seen more screen incarnations as this one.

In the late 1930s Twentieth Century Fox did a classic version of this story with Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson...and created a version of this detective team that became the long-standing yardstick for judging Holmes/Watson screen portrayals.

Oddly, though, Fox didn't really seem to have an inclination to carry on with this concept in series format, and so "Hound" was basically a "one-off" for them (Though they DID do one weak sequel, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", which paled in comparison). Not so with Universal Pictures, however. They liked the idea of a Rathbone/Bruce series and cranked one up in the 1940s that did well.

In the mid 1940s Universal decided to re-tool "Hound" and this film, "The Scarlet Claw", is the result. The Baskervilles got dropped from the storyline, as did Dartmoor and the giant "hellhound"and its demonic legend.The story got moved to a desolate marshland in Canada and the hound became a ghostly,glowing, manlike "marsh monster"(in "Hound" the villain paints the killer dog's mouth with luminous paint, in "Claw" the villain wears luminous clothing...a twist on the original, but very effective). Some characters,relationships and motives got reworked and Holmes & Watson were then set on the trail. The Result? The hands-down BEST film in the Universal Holmes series. Without a doubt. Tense, eerie, exciting. "Claw" is all of these things and more. If you like Sherlock Holmes then you'll love this. A real Keeper on DVD.

What was that??? Did you hear something behind you???? Maybe you should walk a little faster with this fog creeping in.

A Goody That's Spooky !!!
Recently seen this one and must say I loved it dearly, so I watched it again, and plan on buying a copy. No one, (at least in my opinion) has ever been able to fill the shoes of the character of Sherlock Holmes as good as Basil Rathbone, and I've seen many versions of Sherlock Holmes. In this one, Sherlock is attending an occult conference in Canada when one of the attendee's wives is found murdered in a nearby village. The village where she was murdered is rumored to be roamed by a ghostly like monster who claws out people's throats. Sherlock doesn't buy the "monster" story, and after getting a letter from a frightened lady asking him to help her, Sherlock heads out with his trusty aide (which is, as always superbly played by Nigel Bruce) to look into the mystery. Lots of twists and turns in this movie. The one thing I've always liked about the Sherlock Holmes character is his courage. In Hound Of The Baskervilles, almost everyone was afraid to venture out at night in fear of the monster like hound, But not Sherlock!!! And in this one, he shows that same raw courage. Almost everyone in the village was afraid to venture out after dark, but Sherlock went out alone looking for the monster (and found him). But did Sherlock run? Heck no!!! That monster didn't know who he was messing with!!! Instead of running from the beast, Sherlock takes out his pistol, fires a few shots and starts chasing IT!!! Sherlock don't take no junk from anybody!!! If you like a spooky story with a great plot, if you like action, drama, comedy, horror, suspense, and courage, you'll love this unique film.I hope to buy copies for my family at Christmas and birthdays. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here is another strong entry (beautifully restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive) from the peak of Basil Rathbone's prolific, seven-year run as a definitive Sherlock Holmes for the big screen. The House of Fear (1945), adapted from "The Five Orange Pips," is a chamber mystery concerning successive murders of the members of an elite club, the Good Comrades. On film, the tale seems a bit ludicrous, but its conclusion is among the most startling in the Rathbone films. There's also a fair amount of comedy between Watson (Nigel Bruce) and Inspector Lestrade's (Dennis Hoey) bumbling ways. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Perfect viewing on a dark, stormy night
"The House of Fear" is a hugely enjoyable Sherlock Holmes film, perhaps the last truly satisying entry in the 12 film Universal series (of which this is number 8, not counting the two unrelated films made by 20th Century Fox).

This is a good old fashioned haunted house mystery, the perfect companion for a dark, stormy night. There's nothing supernatural going on, only the all too mundane matter of murder, motivated by greed. There's nothing mundane about the way Holmes and Watson go about solving it though, and director Roy William Neill guides them with his usual brilliance, magically creating an ambiance of suspicion, fear, and mystery in gorgeous black-and-white. The plot resembles Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," the first film version of which was in production when "The House of Fear" was in release, (and the Holmes entry was probably an attempt to steal that film's thunder) but this film is actually superior. After all, it has Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. How can you beat that?

One of the Series BEST!
This selection is one of the Best of the 14 Rathbone and Bruce made. I've seen it countless times and I enjoy it every time. Wonderful feel to the film that will never be duplicated!!!!!
I am writing this pre-review to express my Great Expectations and excitement over the upcoming DVD release of the 14 Sherlock Holmes movies made by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
For those of us who have loved and worn out our VHS versions of these films, I am sure that I speak for many of us in expressing incredible anticipation and near shock that someone has finally recognized the need to release a "restored version" of these timeless classics.
We are told that they have been "Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive." This is marvelous and I have already pre-ordered Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 from MPI Home Video.
I so hope that the entire 14 movies, are ultimately released in restored condition. Especially the rarest of them, "The Scarlet Claw" which has rarely been shown on televison and only been available on VHS sporadically.
To me and many others I know, Basil Rathbone is the definative Holmes. Not just because he looks alarmingly similar -as much as is humanly possible- to Sidney Pagets drawings of Holmes from the Strand Magazine illustrations, but mostly we love Rathbone because he portrayed the same Holmes that we as readers get through the buffer of Dr. Watson explaining away not magnifying Holmes' shortcomings.
Jeremy Brett chose to amplify every negative aspect of Holmes' personality that in the written versions Watson explained away. Rathbone's Holmes has been demeaned visciously over the past years and hopefully the respect and dignity that he gave his portrayals will be seen in all their accuracy and glory with these new digitally restored releases. ... these will have to be the best quality versions of these classics ever released...so for all of us who have cursed the incomprehensibly awful releases of these films over the years...our time has almost come. Show your support for this effort by ordering a restored version of American Film Histroy.
Much Thanks to UCLA, MPI, and Whoever was ultimately responsible for the idea of doing this!!!!

Orange Pips Prove Fatal In This Entertaining Sherlock Tale
1945's "The House Of Fear" is the 10th (of 14) Sherlock Holmes mysteries starring the inimitable duo of Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John H. Watson.

This old-dark-house adventure features Holmes & Watson investigating the mysterious deaths of several members of "The Good Comrades Club".

Despite some obvious plot holes (such as the unusually high number of old geezers who would have to be dropping dead right and left in this small hamlet town in order for enough corpses to be available for the perpetrators' use) this is one of my favorite Rathbone Sherlock entries. But, to be completely fair to the plotters of this story's crime, perhaps (unlike Watson's interpretation of the events) these body snatchers were going out of town to dig up a few.

Another fun Holmes outing. Recommended highly, along with all of the other 13 Basil/Nigel teamings. ... Read more

Description

SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON
Digitally Restored in 35mm
The master detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his faithful cohort Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are back, preserved and digitally restored in 35mm to original condition by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This newly restored version of the classic film includes the period war bond tag, studio logo and credits from its original theatrical release. Filled with ominous shadows and interesting camera angles, the visual beauty of the film in 35mm is stunning.

A British secret service operative, carrying top-secret microfilm from England to Washington, disappears while traveling to his destination.Fearing for his safety just before his disappearance, he passes the microfilm, ingeniously hidden, to another passenger on the train without her knowing.The agent is reported missing and Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate.

Filmed during World War II, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON pits Holmes and Watson against Nazi enemy agents.The British government asks Holmes and Watson go to Washington to recover the missing documents before they fall into the wrong hands, which would be disastrous for England and her allies.Holmes is up against an international ring of spies in a race against time to piece together the clues and discover the whereabouts of the microfilm before it is too late.Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Classic Sherlock Holmes
I loved this entry in the series. It was full of pithy, classic, Holmes deductions and Watson wise cracks. I enjoyed the other two WWII movies that were part of the Sherlock Holmes series and highly recommend this one as well. I thought it was excellent!!!! This movie is homeschooler friendly!

Enjoyable curio
Other than "Dressed to Kill," the last entry in Universal's 12 film Sherlock Holmes series, "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" may be the weakest effort but it remains an enjoyable curio.

In this third film, the attempt to update Holmes for the 20th century reached its zenith as the producers sent the great detective into the very center of the New World, Washington D.C., in another episode devoted to espionage and criminal activity related to World War II. The novelty is tolerable if only because we know there are less gimmicky, superior entries to come, but anyone whose love of Holmes came from the original Conan Doyle stories rather than the film adaptations will wince at this film more than any other. Basil Rathbone entertainingly overplays the role this time, and with his eccentric hairstyle and wardrobe looks less like Sherlock Holmes than my tenth grade high-school English teacher, the one everyone suspected of being gay (not that there's anything wrong with that).

What makes this entry worthwhile, aside from the always entertaining emoting of Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (more bumbling than ever as he discovers the Sunday newspaper comics and chewing gum) is the supporting cast. The superb George Zucco, whose Satanic presence enlivened many a B horror movie and who already appeared as Professor Moriarty in 20th Century Fox's "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," comes slithering back, not as Moriarty but as another demented creature, and Henry Daniell, who would be the best Moriarty of all (in Basil Rathbone's opinion, as well as mine) in "Woman in Green," is also on hand with his share of villainy.

This film may have greatest value for history buffs and sociologists than for Holmes fans, however. It remains fascinating to see how a major Hollywood film studio converted a beloved literary figure into a special agent as a way to contribute to the United States' propaganda campaign during WWII.

A Big Country, Watson, and a Small Match Folder
When I was a wee lad steeped in Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories, this movie struck me as plain awful. It was painful to see Sherlock as a tourist in a wildly inappropriate DC milieu (the back-projected crazy quilt of Washington monuments on his drive around town makes it seem the chauffeur is on crack), spouting pax Americana patriotism and even paying tribute to the crime-fighting superiority of the FBI (??!!). Nigel Bruce was a particular affront as a doddering Dr. Watson, noisily sucking down ice cream sodas and struggling to read 30 pages on a 10-hour transatlantic flight.

But time has been kind to "SH in Washington." This was the first of these movies written by Bertram Millhauser, who always came up with witty dialogue for Rathbone and Bruce and snarky bits of malice for the supporting cast. Basil Rathbone gives a hopped-up performance as Holmes, barking out ludicrously improbable deductions and even reprising his Louis XI imitation as a limp-wristed "eccentric" collector. There is a small gem of a performance from Gerald Hamer (unbilled, sadly) as the master spy who sets the plot in motion -- he gives the movie a few whiffs of danger, intrigue and poignance. And it's hard to dislike a movie with two Moriartys: silky sadist Henry Daniell and glittery-eyed psycho George Zucco. By the way, the suspense hinges on the fate of a fast-dwindling book of matches, so if you're trying to quit smoking, this is not the movie for you.

Washington never looked so good!
I am writing this pre-review to express my Great Expectations and excitement over the upcoming DVD release of the 14 Sherlock Holmes movies made by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
For those of us who have loved and worn out our VHS versions of these films, I am sure that I speak for many of us in expressing incredible anticipation and near shock that someone has finally recognized the need to release a "restored version" of these timeless classics.
We are told that they have been "Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive." This is marvelous and I have already pre-ordered Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 from MPI Home Video.
I so hope that the entire 14 movies, are ultimately released in restored condition. Especially the rarest of them, "The Scarlet Claw" which has rarely been shown on televison and only been available on VHS sporadically.
To me and many others I know, Basil Rathbone is the definative Holmes. Not just because he looks alarmingly similar -as much as is humanly possible- to Sidney Pagets drawings of Holmes from the Strand Magazine illustrations, but mostly we love Rathbone because he portrayed the same Holmes that we as readers get through the buffer of Dr. Watson explaining away not magnifying Holmes' shortcomings.
Jeremy Brett chose to amplify every negative aspect of Holmes' personality that in the written versions Watson explained away. Rathbone's Holmes has been demeaned visciously over the past years and hopefully the respect and dignity that he gave his portrayals will be seen in all their accuracy and glory with these new digitally restored releases. ... these will have to be the best quality versions of these classics ever released...so for all of us who have cursed the incomprehensibly awful releases of these films over the years...our time has almost come. Show your support for this effort by ordering a restored version of American Film Histroy.
Much Thanks to UCLA, MPI, and Whoever was ultimately responsible for the idea of doing this!!!!

Sherlock Holmes in Washington
None of these Rathbone/Bruce movies are a very accurate representation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, but I find them enjoyable nevertheless. I always enjoy seeing Rathbone and Bruce in the roles of Holmes and Watson although neither of them would win any awards for accuracy. I found "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" to be one of the more enjoyable films in the series. I love the scene where Holmes is in the antique store even though he makes a mistake that the Holmes in Doyle's stories never would have made. I would recommend this movie as long as you don't mind something that's not very faithful to the canon. If you're looking for something more faithful then I would suggest the Jeremy Brett series (which I also love). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here is another strong entry (beautifully restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive) from the peak of Basil Rathbone's prolific, seven-year run as a definitive Sherlock Holmes for the big screen. In the gripping Pearl of Death (1944), a then-contemporary update (set in the World War II years, as with most of the Rathbone-Holmes features) of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Six Napoleons,"a reluctant Holmes agrees to help a London museum recover a stolen, rare pearl. But the investigation takes a strange turn when the great detective and his sidekick, Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), find their mystery linked to a series of odd murders involving the destruction of porcelain china. Typically, "Pearl of Death" has its share of inside jokes for true Sherlockians, including Holmes's declaration, "If I'm wrong, I'll move to Sussex and raise bees." Of course, that's exactly what Doyle's most famous character did upon retirement.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A highlight in Holmes' film career
In some quarters, "The Pearl of Death" is considered the best of Universal's 12 Sherlock Holmes films if only because, unlike most of the others, it is generally faithful to one of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, in this case "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons." But the fact is that it's not as effective as "The Scarlet Claw" which directly preceded it, nor is it as entertaining as several other entries in the series ("Spider Woman," "House of Fear"). Nonetheless, it remains a highlight in the legendary sleuth's film career.

Director Roy William Neill once again turns out the lights and heightens the gloom with his customary dark shadows giving the film beautiful atmosphere, and Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are as reliable as ever. Cranking out an average of three Holmes films a year, you could expect them to have grown weary of their roles but neither ever showed the slightest hint of fatigue.

As for the villains, Rondo Hatton steals the show as The Creeper, but he almost inspires more sympathy than dread. Voted the most handsome boy in his high-school class and immensely popular due to his good looks and athletic abilities, Hatton was exposed to poison gas in World War I and left horribly deformed, a condition that Hollywood's ever so sensitive "dream factory" was happy to exploit. After small roles in "The Ox Bow Incident" and "In Old Chicago," he became a star through his encounter with Sherlock Holmes and was publicized by Universal as the "Monster Without Makeup." Whoever came up with that tag may have been more deserving of being called "The Creeper" than Hatton, but...oh well, enjoy the movie. It's a good one.

Ankers, Rathbone Rock!
It's great fun to watch the Queen of Screams--Universal's Evelyn Ankers--finally able to do some acting. In Pearl, she portrays one of her rare villianess' (you should see her strut her stuff as Illona in the camp classic "Weird woman". As Naomi, she portrays a cockney dishwasher, a bookish clerk of antiques, while all the time terrified by The Creeper--played by real-life acrogomaliac, Rondo Hatton. No one can display terror as la Ankers: her blue eyes widen, she uses her palm to press against her temple, her breathing quickens and usually there's a blood-curdling scream. There's plenty of Universal fog-machines at work here with Rathbone deftly solving the murders (along with Dr. Watson-Nigel Bruce). Ankers wrote in her memoirs that the set of Pearl was unusually British and droll. She and Nigel addressed Basil Rathbone--as Rasil Bathbone. The spry but elderly Nigel flirted with Ankers who took it with good humor but terrified her admirer when she brought her new husband on the set, B-movie king, Richard Denning, who had just joined the Navy since this was during World War II. Sharp little gem of a thriller. Wish Universal would put all the Sherlock Holmes movies on tape, or in a boxed series. Especially "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror' which showcases Ankers talents and beauty more than any other flick she made--with the exception of "The Mad Ghoul."

Good Sherlock Holmes outing with a clever, inventive script
This film and "The Scarlet Claw" are generally considered to be the best of the Universal Holmes series. Rathbone and Bruce are in good form with a clever and resourceful script to back them up and Miles Mander gives a fine performance as Giles Conover,master criminal. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here is another strong entry (beautifully restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive) from the peak of Basil Rathbone's prolific, seven-year run as a definitive Sherlock Holmes for the big screen. The Spider Woman (1944) employs details of Holmes's apparent death and resurrection between "The Final Problem" and its follow-up, "The Adventure of the Empty House." But the movie takes a different direction when a bizarre series of late-night "pajama suicides" finds Holmes probing the involvement of a femme fatale. Of the quartet of features in this set (all produced and directed by the energetic Roy William Neill) Spider Woman has the most vivacity and familiar textures from Doyle's canon. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Creepy thriller is one of Holmes' best
With this, the fifth film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone, the studio dropped the great detective's name from the title, confident that other aspects of the production were powerful enough to attract audiences. "Spider Woman" was a perfect entry in which to deemphasize the appearance of Sherlock Holmes since Gale Sondergaard's performance as Andrea Spedding, aka the Spider Woman, would have been good enough to make this episode memorable even if she had matched wits with a less formidable opponent. Her character was so well received that it inspired an unofficial sequel, "The Spider Woman Strikes Back" (unofficial because she technically played another character and Holmes was not involved) in which another alumnus of the series, "Pearl of Death"'s Rondo Hatton, was also featured.

For fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, it's fun to see how screenwriter Bertram Millhauser uses Doyle's "The Dying Detective" as a source for our first glimpse of Holmes here, and, as always, Roy William Neill creates a beautifully eerie atmosphere with scenes draped in shadows the likes of which can only be found in German Expressionism (and don't miss the scene in Ordway's lab, perhaps the most frightening moment in any of the 12 films). Neill deserves more acclaim than he's received, and the fact that he never rose above the assembly line of B movie making is a damning indictment of Hollywood's inability to properly utilize its talent.

Rathbone is superb, as always, and Dennis Hoey as LaStrade also shines especially in the affecting moments early in the film when the Inspector believes his rival has died. And Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, though bumbling as amusingly as ever, is given the opportunity to demonstrate his intelligence, even showing Holmes up for once.

The only drawback to this creepy thriller is a disappointing climax. Otherwise, "Spider Woman" has bite to spare.

Get the Pop Corn and Coke!
I am writing this pre-review to express my Great Expectations and excitement over the upcoming DVD release of the 14 Sherlock Holmes movies made by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
For those of us who have loved and worn out our VHS versions of these films, I am sure that I speak for many of us in expressing incredible anticipation and near shock that someone has finally recognized the need to release a "restored version" of these timeless classics.
We are told that they have been "Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive." This is marvelous and I have already pre-ordered Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 from MPI Home Video.
I so hope that the entire 14 movies, are ultimately released in restored condition. Especially the rarest of them, "The Scarlet Claw" which has rarely been shown on televison and only been available on VHS sporadically.
To me and many others I know, Basil Rathbone is the definative Holmes. Not just because he looks alarmingly similar -as much as is humanly possible- to Sidney Pagets drawings of Holmes from the Strand Magazine illustrations, but mostly we love Rathbone because he portrayed the same Holmes that we as readers get through the buffer of Dr. Watson explaining away not magnifying Holmes' shortcomings.
Jeremy Brett chose to amplify every negative aspect of Holmes' personality that in the written versions Watson explained away. Rathbone's Holmes has been demeaned visciously over the past years and hopefully the respect and dignity that he gave his portrayals will be seen in all their accuracy and glory with these new digitally restored releases. ... these will have to be the best quality versions of these classics ever released... ... Read more

Description

Terror by Night (1946) hints at a few of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle'soriginal stories.The action takes place on a speeding steam train racing from London toEdinburgh.Lady Margaret Carstairs possess a 423 karat diamond, known as the 'Star ofRhodesia' and her son employs Holmes to protect the priceless jewel until it reaches itshome in Scotland. Lady Margaret's son is found murdered and the 'Star of Rhodesia' hasbeen whisked away.Eccentric and suspicious passengers line the Scotland Express asSherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) investigate.Alongfor the ride is an old friend of Watson's, Major Duncan-Bleek (Alan Mowbray), who mayor may not be as disinterested a party as he appears. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Elementary...
It had been years since I saw Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It is always a good idea to trace something that has become a cliché back to its source. For better or worse, the character of Holmes will forever be inextricably linked to Rathbone.

The action in this film is similar to The Lady Vanishes or Murder on the Orient Express. Sherlock is hired to guard a valuable diamond. Of course someone is murdered on the train and he must solve the crime.

Watching this film feels, in a sense, like coming home. Sherlock is THE iconic detective and when he's around, you never worry too much because you are sure no one is going to get the better of him. He is a direct precursor to James Bond, except with more emphasis on intelligence. In many ways it is more entertaining to watch these old films than more modern entertainments. Here you know the acting is going to be good and the dialogue snappy. The film moves along at a brisk pace - in fact, it is so short it wouldn't even be considered a feature by today's standards. Nigel Bruce's Watson may not be as Arthur Conan Doyle imagined him, but it makes sense in the film series: one needs a comic counterpoint to Holmes' dry wit.

However old these films get, I find them very enjoyable.

The DVD itself is bare necessity, but the picture is good enough and the cost is very inexpensive.

One of the Best Holmes
Next to the brilliant Scarlet Claw(undoubtedly the best in the series) this is one of my faves in the series with Rathbone & Bruce. The entire film(with the exception of the very beginning and end) takes place on a speeding train from London to Edinborough. The plot(be sure to watch Rathbone's slight-of-hand!) involves a diamond called the Star of Rhodesia, and there are many strange characters on the train.There is some good comic relief as Dr. Watson conducts an interview with one of the passengers who is addicted to the study of mathematics(like Col. Sebastian Moran--Another Holmes Foe!). If you are a fan of Universal horror, you will recognize that same old stock footage of the train station and scenes of train speeding into the night(used a decade earlier in The Black Cat), and Lestrade is along for this one. I always enjoyed Dennis Hoey as Lestrade.It is interesting in that we do not ever find ourselves at 221 B-Baker Street in this one. I am a confirmed Sidney Toler Charlie Chan addict as well, and be sure to read my reviews on that subject!

A ticket to mystery
This is not the best of the Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce pairings but nonetheless this is an enjoyable outing.
Terror by Night is one of those I put on late at night to watch curled up on the sofa with a cat by my side. The rhythm of the train and the steadfast bond between Holmes, Watson and Lestrade creates one of the most relaxing murder mysteries ever put on film. The deliberate pace may not please all, but to those with a taste for it this is the mystery equivalent of a good house wine.

Murder on the Scotland Express
The 11th film in Universal's series of Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone as the Great Detective and Nigel Bruce as his faithful companion, Dr. Watson.

With only one more film to go following this 1946 release, it's not surprising that there's little fresh about this entry, but it hardly matters. The draw is still Rathbone and Bruce, as well as Dennis Hoey's Inspector LeStrade, all of whom deliver typically energetic performances.

The setting is novel, though, with Holmes and Watson aboard a train bound from London to Edinburgh, acting as bodyguards for the "Star of Rhodesia," a precious jewel whose owner is murdered.

Of course, a train is the perfect setting for a mystery, but as "Murder on the Orient Express" would prove twenty-eight years later, the claustrophobic atmosphere severely limits the action. But with a brisk running time of only 60 minutes, "Terror by Night" never threatens to bore.

Brian W. Fairbanks

A must for all Sherlock Holmes fans
If you are a fan of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes then this DVD will complete your collection of this actor's works. The picture quality of the film is far better than the VHS. The picture is clearer and the sounds are crisper. Some people may think it is not one of the best pictures Basil made, but no Sherlock Holmes collection will be complete without it. Basil and Nigel Bruce give such a wonderful performance that it grows on you every time you watch it. I have been waiting a long time to see all 14 movies on DVD, and I am happy to see that dream become a reality ... Read more

Amazon.com

Basil Rathbone. Nigel Bruce. Sherlock Holmes. Who can resist these mystery masters? Legendary Sherlock Holmes Movies packs three Arthur Conan Doyle adventures on one DVD. Dressed to Kill pits Holmes against a formidable female adversary as he tries to tease apart a puzzle involving music boxes and murder. The Woman in Green centers on a series of brutal murders in which each victim is missing a finger. Finally, Terror by Night is a good old-fashioned mystery about jewel theft and murder on an overnight train. Any one is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea on a stormy night. Basil Rathbone is still the definitive Sherlock Holmes, and Nigel Bruce, charming and deftly comic, is the perfect Watson. DVD goodies include cast biographies and Sherlock Holmes trivia. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Tremendous Nostalgic Value
Many people, especially those who grew up during the 1930s and 1940s, have fond memories of Basil Rathbone's famous Sherlock Holmes series. My own exposure to the popular series came in the 1970s, when I encountered them on the late-late show; "The Scarlet Claw" was a particular favorite. Unfortunately, few of these films have ever been released to the home market in either VHS or DVD, and those that have reflect their need for serious restoration. This is particularly true of the films seen here. Although not unbearably fuzzy, the pictures are far from being crisp and clean, and the sound is occasionally problematic.

DRESSED TO KILL finds Holmes investigating three mysterious music boxes--and events quickly turn to murder. Of the three films, this is the weakest: the story is very slow to start and it never really achieves a good pace; the sound quality is also very, very poor in spots. THE LADY IN GREEN concerns Holmes' investigation into several murders that seem to be the work of a serial killer, and although the film elements remain problematic this film is quite a bit more enjoyable than the first. The third and final film, TERROR BY NIGHT, is easily the best of the three in both story and elements, setting a cracking pace with its story of murder and a diamond theft onboard an Edinburg-bound train.

Film restoration issues aside, Rathbone's Holmes has held up extremely well over time. As interpreted here, Holmes is sometimes as much action hero as he is thinking machine, and Rathbone plays him with a snappy clip, dry humor, and enough intensity to suggest untold depths. He is well matched by Nigel Bruce, whose truly dunderheaded Dr. Watson nonetheless has considerable wit and charm. The stories and scripts are pure formula, of course, and the supporting casts and production values quite mild--but Rathbone and Bruce's performances and chemistry have more than enough charm to gloss over these inadequacies. Not every one will enjoy these films, for they have a naive quality that many may consider unsophistocated to the point of absurdity, but fans of the series would rather fight than switch. Just bear in mind the quality issues, don't expect too much, and you'll have a very good time.

Just as I Remembered Them
This DVD brings back these three movies exactly as I remember them. I was not yet born when these movies debuted on the silver screen, however...my memories of these movies is from when I was a child, watching them on late-night television with my grandmother. Since then, I have been a fan of Basil Rathbone and enjoy his rendition of the infamous resident of 221B Baker Street. These movies are original material (as opposed to, say, The Hound of Baskervilles which is adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writings) but still capture the epitome of Sherlock Holmes.

The quality of the reproduction certainly is not perfect. However, if you remember watching these movies on television as I do, then you will be familiar with the quality of the film. The sound is a little scratchy, and the picture is a little grainy, but the movies are viewable and very much enjoyable. If you remember these movies, you will not be disappointed by this DVD. If, however, you are looking for adaptations of original Conan Doyle material, you may wish to look to the Jeremy Brett renditions.

Dressed to Kill/Woman in Green/Terror by Night-set
I think some of the postings here have been less than truthful. This particular DVD is very grainy, the sound is often muddy and there are occasional jumps in scenes. I do not recommend this to a buyer wanting to add some Holmes films to his library. Surely there's a better offering out there...and if not, I would suggest waiting till someone offers a digitally remastered version of these very fine old films.

Gotta love those sleuths.
I adore every one of the old Holmes/Watson films with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. I thought they were perfect for the parts, and Nigel Bruce was just an endearing Watson. If you are into the Master, and don't take yourself too seriously, these are fun to watch. I only wish that there were more of them for us to enjoy. On the down side, do not expect great quality from these films because it isn't there. Sadly, these are falling apart, so there may not be any more of them in the future, unless someone makes an investment, and restores them. Even though they are only "acceptable" visually, these are wonderful slices of cinematic entertainment. Rathbone's arch, tongue in cheek Holmes, and Bruce's endearing, bumbling, and smug Watson are too good to pass up. I watched these as a child, and so for me, there are no other actors who could come close to these guys. Watching Watson bumble around, gives you an understanding of what an upper class twit is, and how they lost the empire!

Vintage Holmes Portrayals
Basil Rathbone's portrayal of Holmes, while less mercurial and intense than Jeremy Brett's, has stood up well over the years. Unfortunately, Nigel Bruce's characterization of Watson as a lovable dolt has not. Also, the production values are far below the earlier "Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" not to mention those of the modern BBC productions. Nevertheless, I found these fun to watch.

My favorites in this set are "Dressed to Kill" and "The Woman in Green". Both are original stories that transpose the Holmes and Watson characters to the 20th century. In each, Holmes matches wits with a wily femme fatale, as in "A Scandal in Bohemia".

The DVD transfer is acceptable, but well below the quality one might hope for. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

FUN!
The Secret Weapon is one my all time favorite Rathbone and Bruce films. It's wonderful to have it on DVD! The Universal Holmes series continues to be a great source of fun and I've always enjoyed seeing Holmes and Watson transplanted into the 1940's and dealing with W.W.II intrigue and Nazi spies. The Secret Weapon adds the nefarious Moriarty to the mix! I won't argue that the Universal Holmes movies had the most logical elements, but they always highly entertained me. The Secret Weapon is no exception. I found this one to be a blast. Great stuff!

News Flash! Colorized print is from 20th Century Fox!
Most of the reviews shown underneath this colorized-b/w combo disc of "Secret Weapon" seem to be discussing discs issued by other companies. I am (normally) a total believer that discs from "no name" issuers are to be avoided like the plague, as the print quality will almost always be inferior; one of the best lessons I ever learned about buying DVD's was that if it isn't issued by a major studio (Paramont, Fox, Universal, etc.), and that if that info isn't clearly listed on the outer packaging, then it isn't worth buying. Over the years, I've learned that there are a few exceptions; Artisan normally puts out nice prints, and one of the old "villians" of VHS, GoodTimes, seems to have changed it's spots and has issued some very nice prints (some of the "Airport" films); but in general, the "major studio or don't buy it" rule still applies.
This issue was inexpensive, so I decided to take a chance. I can't recall the name of the issuer that's shown on the outside of the case, but once it starts to play, the 20th Century Fox logo makes it very clear that this is at least a co-effort, and why they don't show Fox's name on the cover is beyond me. The picture quality/sound is really very good (as I say, many or all of the reviews shown under this particular issuance were apparently written for other companies' editions of this same title)...so, bottom line is: the colorzied option is fun, not garish or saturated, and the print is very clear. Also offers the film in b/w for you purists, and that's just another reason to get these versions.

Reread "His Last Bow"--Homes went up against the Kasier!
First of all, this is not quite a Sherlock Holmes film.It has Holmes, but no deerstalker cap. no calabash pipe, and no magnifying glass.It does have Holmes keep observations, and it is loosely based (14% of the film at least) is based on the canonical story "The Dancing Men." Furthermore, it is not set in Victorian England, but during the Blitz of WWII.If you can get past all of this, it is quite an enjoyable film.

It is essentially a B spy film.Since it does not focus on Bond's gadgets, or any heroessuper alien powers, you actually get a story that has a Bourn Identity fell to it.This is what saves the film--you see normal people with keen minds solving a riddle and trying to get the targeting equipment.

As a Sherlock film, it falls flat on it's face.It is a vague, pale ditto-copy of "The Dancing Men," and is barley a Holmes filmAs a spy film, it is fairly good, and is a good family film.The only objectionable material is there is a torture scene, which, by 1940's standard, is a bit graphic--about 10 years old and over.However,Kids see this type of thing all the time while playing HALO.

Most other reviews have blasted this film, primarily for the continuity jump from 1890's to 1940's.I would remind these people that Holmes is a timeless charter, as the Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century cartoon shows.

Moreover, the Nazi blitz was a real thing. Think of the scene where Holmes and Dr. Tobel were walking to 221-B Baker street, and cross over the rubble and bombed-out buildings. The Brits needed this film for the moral. That is why they had that corny speech at the end of the film. This was not a bleached-teethed marketing monkey or airhead exec, but a soul-surge of a people on the brink of a very real and present disaster.

For the die-hard Sherlockinas, I would also ask them to reread "His Last Bow":He was at odds with the Kaiser.Having him fight Hitler is by no means a stretch of the imagination.

This is a good Saturday afternoon or rainy day film.

A weak plot does a great disservice to Professor Moriarty
As a Holmesian traditionalist truly spoiled by the unsurpassed performances of Jeremy Brett as the great detective, I find it difficult to fully embrace the old 1940s Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone.If for no other reason, it's just odd to see Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade transported to the World War II era.Obviously, this film is not a product of any of the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (although it is extremely loosely based on his story The Dancing Men), a fact made manifest to even the most casual of observers by the overall weaknesses of this plot.While Holmes displays some of the remarkable talents of observation he is famous for, he can't hold a mental candle to Doyle's Holmes, and his archenemy, Professor Moriarty, displays none of the mental acumen that made him Holmes' intellectual equal in the stories of the canon.

There is a propaganda element to Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, as the plot pits Holmes in a race against time to keep a military secret from falling into the hands of the Germans.Holmes' final speech, I might add, surely did an effective job of rallying British audiences amidst the dark days of 1942.A Swiss scientist has invented a new bombsight capable of greatly increasing the accuracy of bombs, and Holmes is sent to Switzerland to safeguard Doctor Franz Tobel and conduct him and his innovative bombsight to London - before he and his discovery fall into the hands of the Gestapo.Once safely ensconced in the British capitol, though, Tobel refuses to part with his secret, insisting that he alone oversee the production of his nifty bombsight.Naturally, he soon disappears - courtesy of Professor Moriarty.The only solid clue Holmes has to work with is a piece of paper bearing the faintest of imprints of a coded message the scientist left behind (here's where your dancing men come in).Normally, a renewal of the struggle between Holmes and Moriarty lifts a Holmesian story to great heights, but neither great man really impressed me - especially Moriarty, who came across as a sad amateur rather than the greatest criminal mastermind in England.Furthermore, no matter what you might think of Professor Moriarty, I for one do not believe he would betray his own country.

Rathbone makes for an interesting and, by and large, successful portrayer of the great detective (even though it looks as if he and Shemp Howard shared the same barber).Dr. Watson (played by Nigel Bruce) is almost buffoon-like at times and barely manages to shine even in the presence of Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey).Personally, I was not very impressed by Lionel Atwill's portrayal of Professor Moriarty, but the weakness of his character here would naturally preclude any actor from excelling in the role.

This is still an interesting film with some enjoyable moments, and the atmosphere is, at times, noticeably Sherlockian, but Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon is very much in the pastiche vein and, as such, delivers only the palest of incarnations of the great detective - although I must admit the World War II propaganda aspect of the film makes it a little more interesting than it would otherwise be.

"We meet again, Professor Moriarty..."
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON is one of the Basil Rathbone "Sherlock Holmes" films that I watched many, many times while a youngster and adored completely.Thanks to this DVD featuring a newly restored print, I'm watching the film in much better condition today that has probably been seen in decades.And I'm overjoyed that the film is as delightful to the adult-me as it was to the mini-me.

"Thousands are finding strength in Guinness!" proclaims the side of a double-decker bus in a stock footage establishing shot.This is the second film which pits Sherlock Holmes directly against the Germans during World War II.Holmes had previously fought for the Allies in THE VOICE OF TERROR, and would do so again in SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON.After these three films, Universal would keep Holmes and Watson in their contemporary setting, but would limit them to more conventional crime-fighting.For my money, this is the best of the three.The plot is a variation on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Dancing Men", and the code-breaking storyline is quite apt for a WWII-era escapade.

The storyline concerns a new invention which we're told could single-handedly turn the tide of the war -- a new bomb sight, the creation of Doctor Tobel, a brilliant Swiss scientist, who has decided to hand over his device to the British Government.And just as the Allies were fighting the Axis Powers, Holmes finds himself struggling against his greatest enemy, Professor Moriarty.Moriarty is, of course, working for Germany, for no immediately obvious reason other than the fact that they're the film's dual bad guys.

I love the interaction between Holmes and Watson.Yes, it's a huge exaggeration of the characters as originally written, but I can't fault its entertainment value.Right from the very beginning, they're bouncing fun lines off each other (almost entirely at Watson's expense).Holmes patiently explaining the plot to Watson, or neglecting to explain his disguise until Watson's makes a fool of himself to Scotland Yard, or the pair of them independently complaining about the other's untidiness.Utterly ticklish material and performed superbly by the actors.

And, of course, there's the great intangible that this film possesses in spades -- atmosphere.It's rare to see a Sherlock Holmes adaptation without a good menacing sense of atmosphere (it almost seems inherent in the format), but when you put that together with that certain mood of a good thriller which films of the 1940s seemed to produce effortlessly and you really have something.

Yes, there's something very iconic about seeing London's most famous address, "221B Baker Street", standing amid bomb wreckage, smashed buildings and piles of heavy sandbags.The humorous sequences I mentioned earlier are perfectly balanced with some strong noir-like set pieces: the smuggling of Dr. Tobel out of Zurich under the nose of the Gestapo, Holmes' disguised jaunt through Soho, the tracking of Moriarty to his lair.The dialog is delightfully smooth as well.You can see Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill (Prof. Moriarty) drinking in their lines like wine of the finest vintage, practically purring their "my dear Holmes" and "my dear Professor" to each other.

There are no DVD extras to speak of, although the digitally restored picture and sound go a long way towards making up for that.I did watch a few of the scenes with the closed captioning on and was shocked by how poor the transcription was.A lot of phrases seemed to be dropped from the captioning completely, which is unfortunately not unusual, but seemed particularly bad in this case.Numerous mistakes ("conceded" instead of "conceited", "We don't need your confounded submarine" rather than "We'll meet your...", etc) were very obvious, in many cases completely altering the meaning of sentences.It wrecks one of the films cleverest lines:"[It] was so simple that it fooled us.I was looking for something ingenious; this is ingenuous" is rendered as "[It] was so simple that it fooled us.I was looking for something ingenious; this is ingenious." Yes, I realize it's only one transposed letter, but it's sort of an important one.

I'm very glad this film still holds up for me, as it's always a huge disappointment when you revisit something you enjoyed as a child only to discover that you had absolutely no taste or discretion when you were eight.I'll be slowly working my way through the rest of the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce films now that they're all released on DVD, taking in both movies that I've seen before and ones that I'm ignorant of.I can only hope that the ones I'm not experiencing for the first time are as fun for the adult as they were for the child. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The Best Colorized film I have ever seen
Many people here have covered the actual film content, I just wanted to mention that I have seen many colorized films over the years and have not been very pleased with the results until I saw this new version of Woman in Green, it's The Best Colorized film I have ever seen, stunning natural color that I feel really adds to the viewing pleasure of the film, I watched this on my 7ft screen projected from a dlp projector, and it was fantastic quality, I hope there will be more of these classic old movies released in both original black and white for the purists, but also in these wonderful colorized versions, well done to all the technicians involved in this disk.

A Hypnotic Mystery!!
+++++

(Note that this review is for the DVD "The Woman in Green" that was released by "Delta Music" in 2004.)

This movie is not based on a story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 to 1930) but is just based on the characters created by him.

In this movie, Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) with his sidekick Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) come to the rescue as Scotland Yard is stumped by the unusual crimes of a blackmailing murder ring.Holmes also encounters his arch nemesis Professor Moriarty (Henry Daniell) and a "women in green" (Hilary Brooke) who subdue their victims through hypnosis.

Rathbone captures the essence of the famous gumshoe in his performance.Bruce as his bumbling aid also gives a good performance.As well, Daniell as Holmes' archenemy and Brooke as the mysterious lady give convincing performances.

This movie is like a time capsule of 1940s London.As well, the background music adds to each scene.

The only problem I had with this movie was with the story.As indicated above, this movie is not based on a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story and it shows. I felt that the story was a bit
too unrealistic.

Finally, extras include two original Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts.I found these interesting.

In conclusion, this is a fun movie that every Sherlock Holmes fan should own!!

(1945; 70 min; black and white; full screen)

+++++

Scotland Yard calls in Holmes to solve a murder spree
While The Woman in Green is not based on any of the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it does manage to place Sherlock Holmes in his element, trying to figure out the diabolical plot behind a series of gruesome murders.Scotland Yard, despite investigators' best efforts, is clueless, so Inspector Gregson sucks up his pride and seeks the help of the inhabitant of 221B Baker Street when a fourth young lady falls victim to the gruesome killer.Each of the victims has had her right forefinger removed, and there seems to be nothing else linking the victims.Holmes just so happened to see Sir George Fenwick in the company of a young lady when he first spoke with Gregson.When Fenwick becomes a related victim in the murder spree, Holmes' mental gears begin turning, and he soon comes to believe that none other than Professor Moriarty, his arch nemesis (who was supposedly hanged the previous year) is behind the murders.Blackmail and hypnotism lie at the heart of the plot, and Holmes is d