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| On the moors with Holmes and Watson |
"Oh, Watson, the needle."
This is the first of two Sherlock Holmes films made by Twentieth Century-Fox and the first in which the wonderful Basil Rathbone created perhaps the definitive movie portrayal of the famous detective -- he is simply outstanding. The plot has to do with Holmes and Watson (Nigel Bruce) trying to save the life of an heir (Richard Greene) while dealing with rumors of the huge title beast roaming the foggy moors where the story takes place. John Carradine has a small role as a servant, and Wendy Barrie is the love interest. Lionel Atwill, who played Holmes' nemesis Professor Moriarty in a later film, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, is excellent in the more sympathetic role of Dr. Mortimer. Mary Gordon played Mrs. Hudson for the first time in this picture. Barlowe Borland scores as the cranky, litigious old Frankland. Morton Lowry is fine as John Stapleton. The 1959 color remake is also quite creditable, and some may feel it has the slight edge. Followed by The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Verdict: Fine introduction to the Rathbone portrayal. ***.
4 comments:
Love this one, Rathbone and Bruce were the greatest Holmes & Watson, and this is a great adaptation. Need to see it again soon.
-C
Many actors have interpreted this role but Rathbone, for me, will always be the greatest Holmes!
I adore this film--it's possibly the most-watched of any in my entire life. From Rathbone's sharp, clipped-delivery to his physical appearance, he's the perfect and definitive Sherlock Holmes. And this film serves his portrayal with the most sumptuous production of all the Rathbone & Bruce films that followed--and IMO they're all pretty good if not excellent. This one, though, is sheer perfection to me--the period setting, the lavish sets, the atmospheric miniature moor landscapes (as well as the full-sized ones)--it all just works wonderfully. Not to mention Bruce's lovable Watson, who is noticeably less bumbling here, which I imagine is thanks to his being on-screen for much of the film without Rathbone to play off of. I think the filmmakers felt he needed to seem at least somewhat competent so audiences would accept Holmes' faith in him to safeguard Sir Henry. Later in the series he got more and more buffoon-like, but that never bothered me--or affected Bruce's extreme likeability. His chemistry with Rathbone is so pronounced it just rings true, and it's impossible to imagine the series without him. There are so many pleasures here--Richard Greene's Sir Henry is affable and skeptical, becoming believably less so as events unfold. Lionel Atwill is amusing but still a little sinister as the owl-eyed Dr. Mortimer. His relating the legend of the Hound strikes exactly the right note and grounds the supernatural aspect instantly. John Carradine, another red-herring, is tall, skinny and suspicious as Barryman the butler (BarryMORE in the novel, but I assume the makers worried audiences might find the similarity to the famous actor distracting). I could go on, but I've got nothing but praise for this film. It's just a pure pleasure and stands up to endless rewatching.
--Mark
I think you've nailed why this film not only is a classic but engendered so many sequels. You've clearly read Doyle's stories, which are also so memorable. One of these days I will revisit the entire series for many hours of viewing pleasure!
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