Brain Drippings

Basil Rathbone 1892 – 1967

One year, two films. Five Years, twelve more films. Fourteen Sherlock Holmes movies over 50 years ago and still the definitive Sherlock Holmes actor.

The Hound Of the Baskervilles (1939)

A close adaptation from the original novel, Rathbone is actually not the star in this film, that was Richard Greene as Sir Henry Baskerville. All the elements are there for the later films though, Rathbone and Bruce and even Mary Gordon as Mrs Hudson.

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (1939)

Holmes and Watson (Rathbone and Bruce) versus the arch-nemesis Moriaty (George Zucco). Possibly the best film in the Rathbone-Holmes archives.

Sherlock Holmes and The Voice Of Terror (1942)

Sherlock Holmes versus the Nazis? Well, okay. It is 1942, I guess we could use every possible hero, right?

Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Weapon (1942)

Once more we have Holmes in modern times opposing Nazi treachery. This is the first appearance of Dennis Hoey as the bumbling Inspector Lestrade (forerunner of Insp. Jacques Clouseau? Perhaps)

Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943)

Holmes. Nazis. Been there, done that. This one has Holmes in Washington DC though, providing the only real twist on the previous two movies.

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)

OK, Holmes is still in modern times, but at least we are off the Nazis. This movie has one of the best original puzzles in the films with the various characters playing the parts of chess pieces on a checkered tile floor.

The Spider Woman (1944)

An intricate plot involving faked suicides, Holmes’ faking his own death, pyjamas, a pygmy, spiders, and a femme fetal villain. Overreaching, but mostly works.

The Scarlet Claw (1944)

As close as Rathbone’s Holmes gets to Film Noire, this is a dark movie with dark and muddy undertones. Another contender for the best of the Rathbone-Holmes movies. Gerald Hamer appears in this movie as Ransom and also appears in the 1945 Pursuit to Algiers in a different role. Paul Cavanaugh also appears in this film and then in two more Rathbone-Holmes movies (1945’s The Woman in Green and The House of Fear) in different roles.

The Pearl Of Death (1944)

Again, back to basic story telling (nary a Nazi to be seen!) this film has a few dark elements, including a scene where Holmes convinces one villain to kill another. Good stuff.

The House Of Fear (1945)

This movie has some definite echoes to more than one Agatha Christie novel with a story that involves a seaside estate, a seeming insurance scandal, and a lot of murders. Holmes and Watson save the day after lots of bodies pile up, and Lestrade gets in the way. Classic Rathbone Holmes here. Cracking good time.

The Woman In Green (1945)

Moriarty Returns! Well, it’s a different actor and we don’t know how he’s alive again, but here he is. Decent movie, though not one of the best, and doesn’t date well.

Pursuit To Algiers (1945)

Holmes takes a Cruise. Holmes is protecting the prince of a fictional African country (erm.. don’t think ‘black’ here, you’d be wrong) and uses Watson’s nephew as bait.

Terror By Night (1946)

Son of Moriarty! OK, not really, but it sounds so much better than assistant to Moriarty, doesn’t it? there’s something about a diamond and someone dies and Holmes solves the case. There’s no Nazis, so it’s not the bottom of the Rathbone-Holmes pile, but it’s in the neighborhood.

Dressed To Kill (1946)

Stolen bank plates and puzzle boxes. A step up from the previous film, but sadly the last of the Rathbone-Holmes movies.