THE WOMAN IN GREEN

THE WOMAN IN GREEN (1945). Director: Roy William Neill. 

"By the way, you may have noticed all through time that prominent men have prominent noses." 

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is called in when Scotland Yard is stymied by a series of "finger murders," in which young woman are killed and then have one of their fingers removed and taken away. Today we would think a serial killer is at work, carrying off "trophies," but there's a more fiendish motive to the murders which Holmes, of course, uncovers. This is an entertaining modern-dress Holmes outing, but it's less atmospheric than others in the series. Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Watson are excellent, but Hillary Brooke makes a comparatively colorless villainess. Henry Daniell is a fine actor, but his portrayal of Moriarty doesn't compare to that of Lionel Atwill or George Zucco. Paul Cavanagh is as solid as ever as Sir George Fenwick, who comes afoul of the villains. Tense climax on a roof top and many amusing sequences. Brooke appeared on My Little Margie for several years. 

Verdict: Watson to the rescue! ***