Description

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR
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.

The Voice of Terror (1942) is loosely based on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story "His Last Bow."It was the first film in the Sherlock Holmes series to bring the master detective Dr. Watson into the terrifying modern world of Nazi sabotage and spies.

When taunting saboteurs warn of a Nazi invasion of the British Isles through theirhorrific radio menace the Voice of Terror, the British Intelligence's Inner Council calls in Sherlock Holmes to help in the crisis.

On the first night of their inquiry, Holmes and Watson find a dying man on their doorstep.His last word sends Holmes to London's seedy Limehouse district, where he enlists the aid of Kitty, the sweetheart of the slain man, to help find the saboteurs.

With the Voice of Terror promising new destruction in the coming days, Holmes and Watson must hurry to solve a complicated puzzle of terrorism and espionage.Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Sherlock Holmes vs. the Nazis
The story begins with a printed disclaimer explaining why the famous Victorian-era detective is living and working in London of the 1940s. Sherlock Holmes' appeal is timeless, they claim, and he is quite capable of living in the then-present day. They are, of course, correct, although the real reason for updating him was that it allowed the filmmakers to produce a series of propaganda films wherein the greatest British detective of all time goes head to head with German spies and emerges victorious. The format works. I love these films, as far removed as they are from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories.

The beginning film in this Sherlock Holmes series as produced by Universal jumps right into its Sherlock Holmes vs. the Nazis motif. The British government is stumped. At regular intervals, a radio signal is beamed in from Germany. A voice (of terror) gloats about terrible acts of sabotage that occur just as the signal begins. The British Intelligence agency, unable to locate the source of the broadcasts or prevent the acts of terrorism is forced to call for Sherlock Holmes.

Many of the films in this series were less mysteries, and more straightforward thrillers. This is no exception. In fact, this is one of the weaker entries in the series as far as its plot is concerned. The storyline relies a bit too strongly on leaps of logic and sheer coincidences, and the climax is just a bit too silly. If you're looking for a mystery in the style of the original Doyle stories, you'll be disappointed. There's too much that is held away from the audience, meaning that there's not much left for the viewer to figure out before the detective does.

But where this film succeeds is in its style, regardless of its actual substance. A lot of the story takes place in dark rooms, smoky bars and other sinister locales. The direction, lighting and cinematography are great. The scene in the saloon where Holmes (via a widow) turns a den of criminal elements into a force fighting for the Allies is particularly strong. The director plays the visuals for all they're worth; the craggy faces of the outlaws peering out of the dark, raising drinks to their lips, while Sherlock Holmes' sharp features gaze out into the light. It's scenes like this that raise the film above the limitations of its plot.

The acting also serves to this film's advantage. Honestly, I could watch Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce reading the phone book. Yes, I realize that Bruce's interpretation of Dr. Watson is quite at odds with the original (in Doyle's stories, Watson, while not the equal of Holmes, is an intelligent and insightful character, capable of logic and independent thought; on the other hand, one wonders how Nigel Bruce's Watson manages to feed himself every day). But I don't care; I think the two of them are great fun and play off each other well. Henry Daniell makes the first of several appearances in the Sherlock Holmes movies here, playing a member of the intelligence council.

The DVD features are rather light (there aren't any), but the restoration that's been done to the print is astounding. The picture couldn't be any sharper and the sound is very crisp.

As the film reaches its conclusion, the plot holes become harder to ignore. It's a pity because the movie has so much going for it. It is worth watching though, just because it is so successfully stylish. The propaganda elements aren't at all distracting and in fact have become rather endearing as time has passed. This probably isn't the place for a newcomer to the series, as there are better films to choose from. But fans of these Sherlock Holmes films will almost certainly enjoy it as I did.

Soild start to a popular series
This was the first in the 11 film series featuring Basil Rathbone ( excellent ) and Nigel Bruce (irritating ) as the great team of Holmes and Watson respectively .They are called in by the British government ,then conducting the war against Hitler , to unmask a traitor ,the eponymous Voice .He is infiltrating the airwaves broadcasting dire prophecies of defeat to the British nation .His prophecies of impending military disaster come true .In the face of opposition from some Cabinet members Holmes digs into the case uncovewring a traitor from within the Cbinet itself ,eventually unmasking the culprit in a climax in a ruined church
Good performances all round apart from Bruce ,who to be fair was compelled to play the role as bumbling comic relief and not the stalwart comrade that Doyle wrote .Henry Daniell is excellent as a supercillious civil servant who turns out to be on the side of the angels .

Enjoyable B -movie that shows what an accomplished actor Rathbone was -pure class in every role however under-written

Great Movie
I assume that they changed the timeline; can't you understand that, that they moved the movies from the Victorian age to WWII?

the time element
Anybody besides me ever wonder why Holmes, Watson,Mrs. Hudson, etc., don't age a day between ADVENTURES OF SH and VOICE OF TERROR? 45 years go by inbetween the films! ADVENTURE is set in 1897; VOICE in 1942. Yet nobody has aged a day! I wish they would have explained this in some way, maybe Moriarity froze them all in ice or something ... as is, it makes no sense.

Beautifully atmospheric
The first in Universal's series of Sherlock Holmes films, "The Voice of Terror" was widely condemned at the time of its release by critics who were offended by the studio's attempt to modernize the great detective for 1940's audiences whom, they believed, would consider Holmes irrelevant in the age of the Holocaust. Holmes resembles James Bond (not yet created) more than Arthur Conan Doyle's creation in this effort. He's less a private detective than a secret agent, working with the British government that is helpless in dealing with a series of taunting radio broadcasts that predict widespread destruction.

If this film is not true to Doyle (the credits claim the story is based on "His Last Bow," but other than the name of the chief villain and Holmes' closing remarks, there is no resemblance), it is nonetheless a fascinating time capsule that demonstrates the way Hollywood aided the war effort, using a beloved character from fiction to propagandize against the Nazi threat.

But the film has other virtues. Film scholars generally credit director Roy William Neill for the beautifully mysterious atmosphere that was as much an attraction of the Holmes series as Basil Rathbone's portrayal, but that atmosphere is apparent even here with John Rawlins at the helm. Much of "Voice of Terror" is cloaked in dark shadows that will make you forget the more awkward aspects of the screenplay. The scene in which Holmes and Watson visit a waterfront saloon is superbly staged with a noirish quality not found in 20th Century Fox's earlier Holmes adventures.

The dialogue also deserves praise, and as another reviewer pointed out, puts today's films to shame. Thomas Gomez makes an excellent villain, and, of course, Rathbone is brilliant, further putting his stamp on the role. ... 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

Description

BASIL RATHBONE NIGEL BRUCE
In SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON
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.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" inspired THE SECRET WEAPON. The wartime plot pits Sherlock Holmes once more against his nemesis, the villainously brilliant Professor Moriarty, who was believed dead but is now working for the Nazis.

The Nazis have assigned Moriarty to kidnap Dr. Franz Tobel, the inventor of a new super bombsight.Sherlock Holmes outwits the enemy agents and escapes with Tobel and his precious invention. But despite elaborate precautions, the inventor later disappears before the process of manufacturing the bombsight is perfected.

Holmes and Watson must stop the Nazis from getting their hands on the new bombsight, wrapped in a code of dancing men. Using a variety of disguises - a Swiss inventor, the Lascar sailor Ram Singh, and an old German bookseller, Holmes puts his own life on the line in a race against the clock to prevent Moriarty from carrying out his evil plans. THE SECRET WEAPON is also the first of the films to introduce Dennis Hoey as Scotland Yard detective Inspector Lestrade.Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

It's Holmes Against Moriarty--and the Nazis!
Although the first two movies Basil Rathbone made as Sherlock Holmes ("The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes") were in the original Victorian setting, Hollywood subsequently decided that even Holmes could pitch in during the propaganda years of World War II. And so, he donned modern dress and rode about in fast cars in pursuit of Nazi collaborators, aided as ever by Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), who oddly enough was still wearing a suspiciously Edwardian collar.

"Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon" is one such vehicle. Somewhat prophetically, the secret weapon is a type of super bomb and its inventor is a much-sought-after fellow. So Holmes goes over to the mainland to fetch him and bring him to the right side, England. While the inventor is very glad to be rescued from the Nazis by Holmes, for some inexplicable reason, he keeps leaving the flat, giving Basil Rathbone an opportunity to put on greasepaint and go scouring the wharves for this guy in cognito as a toughened seaman. That's actually the second disguise BR wears; before the movie's over, he'll indulge a few more times. Well, the upshot is that with all of his goings-about, the stupid inventor eventually gets kidnapped by Holmes' nemesis, Dr. Moriarty (Lionel Atwill), who of course puts him to the screws to get info out of him. Will Holmes get there in time? Since this review is being written in English not German, I think you can figure it out for yourself.

Rathbone does a pretty good job in his various incarnations; actually, what strikes me most about him aren't his disguises, but his rather unique coiffure when he's being just plain Holmes. It is a style where the locks around his temples are brushed forward, not back, to make him look as though he were just about to set his hair in curlers. I know he does sport this hairdo again in "SH in Washington", but sad to say, this attempt to make Sherlock Holmes a trendsetter in the world of hairstyles came to naught. Ah well, what he does well, he does well, and so after the culprits are rounded up, Holmes ends the piece by reciting from the "this blessed isle" speech of "Richard II", demonstrating once again that British pluck that did indeed forestall Nazi domination. Not great cinema, but fine for easy viewing.

Rathbone, gloriously brilliant as Sherlock Holmes
The second film in Universal's series of Sherlock Holmes adventures starring Basil Rathbone as the Great Detective and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon" was one of several titles in the series to fall into the public domain, hence its availability over the years in numerous bargain bin editions of poor quality. Thanks to UCLA's restoration program, this title is now available in all its original black and white glory.

Like Universal's first entry in the series, this one drags Holmes out of his original Victorian era habitat to match wits with the Nazis. But those disappointed with the modernization gimmick should be happy to learn that Holmes' arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty is on hand, as well, this time in the person of the magnificent Lionel Atwill who brought his creepy elegance to some of the best films Universal made in the 40s.

The plot has little to do with "The Dancing Men," the Arthur Conan Doyle story referred to in the credits, and this film is neither as visually striking or as well-written as "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror," or most of the 10 films to come, but it has Rathbone, incadescently brilliant as the greatest master detective of them all, and that's enough to make it a winner.

Brian W. Fairbanks

This is NOT the UCLA restored version!!
Despite what several customers have written (one even chastising others for slamming this DVD "when it hasn't even been released yet") this is NOT THE RESTORED VERSION, this is the dupey, scratched, and horrid sounding transfer that's been around for several years. MPI, not Focus Film, is the distributor of the new restored versions of this series. That said, if you come across a used copy of this version cheap (and I mean CHEAP!!) it has a few nice extras not found on the MPI, like the re-issue trailer (ironically looking better than the feature itself on this disc), and a generous helping of Rathbone / Bruce radio shows that are fun. But for the feature itself the UCLA restoration is the ONLY way to go.

The Needle to the Last, eh Holmes?
It's one of the paradoxes of Basil Rathbone's wartime anti-Nazi Sherlock Holmes films (Voice of Terror, SH in Washington, and this one) that while the plots and settings are mostly terrible, he is so good in them. Despite a bizarre wind-swept hairstyle meant to make him look younger, he blazes through every scene with so much bite and attack that you hardly register how flimsy the plots are. Here he also has great acting rapport with Lionel Atwill, who makes a wonderfully repulsive Professor Moriarty -- a heavy lidded cockroach with nice hints of sadism and depravity (it may not have been acting, kids). At the climax, changed into a lab coat in order to drain Rathbone's blood "drop by drop," he's as over-the-top sinister as Seinfeld's arch-nemesis Newman. The movie itself is ancient kiddie matinee fare, but it benefits from director Roy William Neill's attention to staging and atmosphere. It also looks fairly sharp in this UCLA restoration -- don't even think of buying any other edition, all of them faded, choppy public-domain prints.

This Version will be better than Any previously available.
I am frustrated that reviews of past DVD releases of this title are listed under this upcoming restored version. This is ludicrous and laziness on the part of someone!!! How can a review be asking customers to not buy this edition when it hasn't even been released to the public yet!! Furthermore it slams the quality of an upcoming RESTORED VERSION. WAKE UP!!!!!
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

Description

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. London is in a panic over a series of apparent "Pajama Suicides."Sherlock Holmes, however, is more inclined to believe that they are calculated murders.It is up to the great detective to discover the motive and the means of these crimes and to unmask the murderer.Enter Miss Adria Spedding; an intoxicating woman of character whom Holmes is convinced is behind the killings.A series of masquerades and deadly game playing ensues as Holmes and Watson enter a battle of wits with The Spider Woman. Packaging and design ©2003 MPI Home Video.WARNING:For domestic use only.Any unauthorized copying, hiring or lending for public performance of the digital videodisc is illegal.The supplemental information included on this DVD was compiled by MPI Home Video and is not part of the original program.Printed in USA. ©1942, 1969 King World Productions, Inc.All Rights Reserved.

Preserved by:UCLA logo
DVD LOGO
63 MINUTES ... 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

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. The famous Pearl of Death, a valuable gem with a history of bringing murder and misfortune to its owner since the days of the Borgias, finally reaches its proper place at a museum in London.But before long the jewel is ingeniously stolen.Shortly thereafter, a series of horrible murders begins, with the murderer leaving his victims surrounded by a mass of smashed china.Holmes must outwit two diabolical criminals in a complicated case that could lead to his own death.Packaging and design ©2003 MPI Home Video.WARNING:For domestic use only.Any unauthorized copying, hiring or lending for public performance of the digital videodisc is illegal.The supplemental information included on this DVD was compiled by MPI Home Video and is not part of the original program.Printed in USA. ©1942, 1969 King World Productions, Inc.All Rights Reserved.

Preserved by:UCLA logo
Preserved by UCLA LOGO
DVD LOGO ... 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

Description

"The Woman In Green (1945) was the last film in the Basil Rathbone/Sherlock Holmes series to be written by Bertram Millhauser. Four women are murdered and, curiously, all four have been left without their right forefinger.Scotland Yard concludes that a madman is to blame, but Sherlock Holmes suspects otherwise and soon deduces a criminal mastermind is at work. The illustrious sleuth has few clues to lead him towards another solved case, but he soon discovers a web of blackmail and hypnotism unlike anything he has ever seen.Holmes fears that only one man, his archenemy, Professor Moriarty (Henry Daniell) could be involved in such an evil scheme. " ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Nothing less than 4 stars
As a great fan of original Sherlock Holmes episodes I think pretty much all of Sherlock Holmes are 4 out of 5 stars. But I think this one might be 41/2 stars. With a origial plot that any criminal would like to do (if you hypnotism really worked on someone who didn't want to be hypnotized.) Ever since I was seven-years-old I liked this movie more than some color movies and loved the radio episodes starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. You should a least see this movie some how.

From The Back of The MY Box. I changed some word around
"The original Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are back once again doing battle against a contemporary day Jack the Ripper! The clues left next to the scene of the crime point a finger at a major member of Parliament, but Holmes believes there's something a bit odd going on possibly his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty might somehow involved! The trail leads the world's record detective to a group of blackmailers using the shadowy art of hypnotism, and as previously deuced, led by the evil professor! Woman In Green is a great detective story, full of trilling mystery and wonderful story telling."

Cast list

WOMAN IN GREEN Staring BASIL RATHBONE? NIGEL BRUCE With HILLARY BROOKE? PAUL CAVANAGH HENDRY DANIELL? EVE AMBER SALLY SHEPHERD ? MATTEW BOULTON Based on the Characters Created by SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE Produced and Directed by ROY WILLIAM NEIL

Nearing the End
Rathbone and Bruce made 14 Holmes and Watson films; it's a real shame that four of the weakest are in the public domain and keep turning up while the rest are out of print. This one, from late in the series, at least has the virtue of a script by Bertram Millhauser, who wrote the best of them and was most responsible for the distinctive tone of the series: sly humor mixed with slightly horrific mystery. Two of his most memorable creations, the Spider Woman and the Creeper, went on to lives of their own in other Universal horror movies. As for The Woman in Green, it's a blend of Jack the Ripper and Conan Doyle's "The Empty House," with a nice film noir ambience and some clever twists. Unfortunately, the ending is lame and one senses the fact that, after seven years, 10 films, and hundreds of radio broadcasts, Rathbone has begun to weary of playing Holmes. Film trivia note: someone colorized this a few years ago, and didn't even bother to put Hillary Brooke in a green dress. Go figure.

Henry Daniell as Professor Moriarty
The title of this Sherlock Holmes adventure, "Woman in Green," refers to the character played by Hillary Brooke (who previously had a minor supporting role in "Voice of Terror"), but the star villain is actually Holmes' arch-nemesis, the diabolical Professor Moriarty. The last time he clashed with the great detective in "Secret Weapon," the greatest criminal mastermind in all of fiction plunged to his death in an elevator shaft. And yet his resurrection here, never explained, doesn't really feel like a cheat, certainly not with the great Henry Daniell in the role. Few actors could convey evil as effectively, and he makes you believe Moriarty could survive anything. In his autobiography, Basil Rathbone praised Daniell's Moriarty as the best, high praise indeed when one considers his competition includes both George Zucco and Lionel Atwill.

Daniell's presence is the one element that elevates this otherwise standard Holmes thriller to a position near the top of the heap. Still, the standard was pretty high with this series thanks to the superb direction of Roy William Neill and the always electrifying performance of Basil Rathbone. Less appealing this time around is Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson who bumbles more than ever and, in an amusing yet somehow cruel scene, is publicly humiliated when he's hypnotized for laughs after protesting that anyone with even an "ounce of character" could never be put under a spell. By this time in the series, one wishes the good doctor was shown a bit more respect.

Predictable fun
Dead women are missing fingers all over London. The police are baffled as there is no pattern to the madness. Sherlock Holms on the other hand knows that it is the alleged to be dead Moriarty and the fingers point to a more sinister crime.

Holmes Squares Off Against the Best Moriarty
Yes, after having seen Lionel Atwill and George Zucco step up to the plate as the nefarious master criminal Moriarty, I can safely say that Henry Daniell brings the most to the role. ....

As slight as the story line may be (hypnotized men of means/rank are made to believe they committed murder and then are blackmailed), I must recommend you study the acting very carefully. Rathbone (Holmes), Bruce (Watson) and Daniell (Moriarty) are really doing an awful lot in the way of characterization. I love how Rathbone just hides a smile when he looks at the dunderheadings of Bruce.... These men are real pros, imbuing the scene with real tension. Daniell is particularly good, when his mouth drawn up grimly as he spars verbally with Rathbone. ...

I enjoyed "The Woman in Green" much more than I had expected to, thanks to the first-rate acting. Nice to know that some childhood favorites still hold up when you see them years later! ... Read more

Description

THE SCARLET CLAW 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 and Dr. Watson journey to Canada to attend a meeting of the Royal Canadian Occult Society in Quebec. Before long, they find themselves investigating a series of gruesome murders that the locals attribute to the legendary phantom marsh monster of La Morte Rouge.But Holmes suspects a master of disguise is the real killer, who might be anyone in the village.He contrives a clever trap and courageously sets himself up to be the killer's next victim. Packaging and design ©2003 MPI Home Video.WARNING:For domestic use only.Any unauthorized copying, hiring or lending for public performance of the digital videodisc is illegal.The supplemental information included on this DVD was compiled by MPI Home Video and is not part of the original program.Printed in USA. ©1942, 1969 King World Productions, Inc.All Rights Reserved.

Preserved by:UCLA logo
DVD LOGO
74 MINUTES ... 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

Reviews (7)

British cult classic -- wonderful
This seems to be a film made out of several episodes of the British 70's TV show -- which was essential viewing for me and my brother growing up. The basic elements are still there and I was left wanting to see more. Now my son can enjoy this perhaps more realistic look at who Arthur might have been.

+: The original cast (Oliver Tobias as Arthur and Brian Blessed as Mark of Cornwall, Lud & Kai -- excellent.)
+: More believable than Disney will ever produce
+: Clever take on the sword-in-the-stone story (a small subplot in the film).
+: Believable battle scenes (e.g. people running away when the bodies start piling up) without undue gore.
-: sound track has aged and was not cleaned up (the technology exists -- they did not use it!).
-: visual quality has deteriated a little (perhaps the change from PAL to USA's NTSC format?) but not too bad.

I hope they publish more episodes. Making it a film is totally unnecessary though. Many TV shows are converted successfully to video (3 or 4 shows per tape) e.g. Ab Fab, Thunderbirds, All Creates Great and Small, The Avengers.

BTW This is the least camp show I can think of -- I don't understand the previous reviewer. Perhaps he needs to have a look in the dictionary...or a word with the formidible Brian Blessed!

King Arthur the Young Warlord
I was delighted to have (at last) obtained a copy of this. Yes, the quality of colour and sound is poor, but who cares! This was a ground-breaking programme, and it still stands up well after more than two decades. I hope one day it will be available in the original unedited version, and transferred to DVD. It deserves to be seen, just as much as Robin Of Sherwood, which is now available as a complete edition on DVD (also an HTV programme). There are thousands of people in the UK who would buy this fondly remembered series.

Camp, Camp, Camp
Cerdic The Saxon looks more like a pizza-tossing Italian named Luigi than a tough Saxon warlord. He belongs in a 20th century pizza parlor not in 5th century Britain

BTW, this audio and visual quality of this video is HORRENDOUS. ENTER INTO YOUR VCR AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Gritty
A gritty view of a possible 6th century Arthur. Had a good look to it.

A lovely memory
OK, technically we can fault this but it was a child of its time. A generation brought up on Star Wars might not understand that this was what we got as entertainment back in the very early 70s. Yes, this is a selection of a TV series and the editing's bad and so are the wigs but this was a low budget series back then. The language is totally too modern but go with the flow, enjoy and we women can admire the lovely Oliver Tobias who to his credit puts in a very believeable performance and the gorgeous Michael Gothard. A lovely momento of a series I wish was available in its entireity - using first generation tapes please! ... Read more

Description

"Dressed To Kill (1946) is the fourteenth and final film in the Rathbone/Holmes series.After more than one dozen movies and 200 radio appearances as The Great Detective, Rathbone decided it was time to move on to other pursuits. Three identical music boxes manufactured by an inmate at Dartmoor Prison are sold to three random collectors at an auction house in London.A female antagonist (Patricia Morison) and her accomplices attempt to recover the music boxes using all means possible, even murder. Watson’s old schoolmate, Julian "Stinky" Emery, purchases one of the boxes.After an evening of entertaining Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Emery is murdered and robbed of the recently-purchased music box.Holmes and Watson investigate and begin to realize that the music boxes contain more than just a swaggering Australian folk tune. ... Read more

Description

"Terror By Night (1946) hints at a few of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories.The action takes place on a speeding steam train racing from London to Edinburgh.Lady Margaret Carstairs possesses a 423 karat diamond, known as the ‘Star of Rhodesia’ and her son employs Holmes to protect the priceless jewel until it reaches its home in Scotland. Lady Margaret’s son is found murdered andthe ‘Star of Rhodesia’ has been whisked away.Eccentric and suspicious passengers line the Scotland Express as Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) investigate.Along for the ride is an old friend of Watson’s, Major Duncan-Bleek (Alan Mowbray), who may or 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

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

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

Reviews (8)

GOOD QUALITY
This Marengo disc is a good buy. The quality while not perfect does not make the eyes or ears vomit. Like other reviewers have stated, The Women In Green is the nicest of the two. Dressed To Kill seems washed out and there is not enough distinction between the blacks and whites. Both movies are very watchable. I did not hear any annoying hissing in either movie.

THE GAME IS AFOOT
There is only one Holmes... Basil... and Nigel is the perfect foil... Dr. Watson. I have watched this DVD three times this year and have loved every minute of it... all three times! I read several reviews panning this DVD right before I wrote this and feel like maybe the competition is sandbagging this company... The Woman in Green is a SUPERB print and the sound is crystal clear as far as I can tell... Dressed to kill was a "Lighter" print than Dressed... but still it was very watchable, and the sound was perfect so I certainly am either going blind or something is 'Afoot' which I suspect... the DVD is a bargain for the price and if you love Holmes I would say buy it, you really won't be disappointed.

The Baker Street Boys
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are at it again in these two films. If you are a fanatic as I am you will enjoy these two very nice films. The print of The Woman in Green is superb the other print is what I would call very good. One print is lighter than the other but I can imagine it is hard to find these old films. Marengo has done a nice job on the sound... there is virtually no hiss, pops or crackels, etc. I personally found this DVD a very good buy... and of course Rathbone is the ultimate Holmes.

These look great on Laserdisc, but the DVD is awful!
I'm glad I still have my laserdisc player! The WOMAN IN GREEN looks GREAT on the FOX Video Laserdisc of the late 1980's, and the Landmark Laserdisc of DRESSED TO KILL looks very good! Just why they could not find the same masters to make this DVD is beyond me! Keep on waiting for a good version, or buy a Laserdisc player.

Recommended if you don't demand perfect quality
The sound is okay on this disc but the picture quality doesn't even come close to the quality of the key videos. Some scenes are a little too dark while others are a little too bright and others look kind of fuzzy. But the picture problems aren't so bad that it makes the disc unwatchable. So if you really want these movies on DVD and don't mind quality that only ranks as acceptable then buy it. But pass on it if you're looking for something with good quality. ... 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

Reviews (1)

GREAT PAIRING OF COOPER and SIGRID
Amusing, entertaining.... two words I would use in describing this holiday confection from Samuel Goldwyn. Lavish sets, costumes, music and good performances from Cooper and the Norwegian Sigrid Gurie(she is equally good in THREE FACES WEST with John Wayne) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The FIRST Dungeons and Dragons adventure!
This film, intended for kids, was a movie house favorite back in the 1960's. A handsome young man in love with the princess of his land takes on the quest to save her after she is kidnapped by an evil magician. There is some wonderful stuff here. A witch mother with a two headed servant, a special sword, armor and steed intended for Sir George when he reached manhood and a group of famous knights as companions for the quest who are from all over Europe. There is also some great campish humor in this film, especially when the "French" knight is drawn away by a pretty damsel singing in french and when he attempts to kiss her she turns into a horrible one eyed-monster, and upon being saved by Sir George he states: "I should have realized that such a beautiful woman would not be up so early in the morning!" The film also features silly ogres who throw logs like nine pins but get dizzy and fall over from watching a horse run in circles, the usual servant/sinister midgets who seem to terrify people by just standing around holding up their clenched hands and laughing mockingly,vaporous pools of death that knights on horseback seem to automatically lose their balance and fall into to die, caves full of ghostly witches that only the faith of an Irishman can confront and a genuinely good Dragon full of fire breathing fury at the end that is killed by our hero as he is about to feed on our princess. Classic stuff, darkly filmed in spots but deserves to be recognized as perhaps one of the earliest "questing" movies that a lot of fantasy minded gamers and movie makers were to benefit from some 35 years later.

SWORDS AND SORCERY
When watching a movie like "The Magic Sword", you have to smile at the camp and amateurism that often frequents a film like this. Bert I. Gordon did his first color movie with this one, and for the time it was made, the special effects are above average for this time. The dragon is hilarious; as are the conehead ripoffs. But, Estelle Winwood, what a wonderfully zany actress she was, and she steals the movie whenever she's on. Gary Lockwood, undeniably a hunk, is not the world's greatest actor here, although he went on to gain respect in the t.v. series, "The Lieutenant" and the movie, "2001." Anne Helm looks lovely but no more range than a Barbie Doll. Basil Rathbone is effectively hammy in his role as Lodac the evil sorcerer. One question though: they were supposed to encounter seven curses, I missed one somewhere?
Cheesy but enjoyable.

Cheesy rescue the princess from the sorcerer's dragon movie
Apparently Ray Harryhausen's big success with "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" inspired all sorts of sword and sorcery epics (filmed in Cinemascope). Case in point would be this 1962 film, "The Magic Sword," a three-word title that makes the S&S genre perfectly clear. The film is directed and co-written by Bert I. Gordon, who gave us "The Cyclops," "The Amazing Colossal Man," and "Earth vs. the Spider," and actually ends up being one of his better efforts, helped, no doubt, by the money put into the film for color and special effects. But keep in mind that the rest of those films are really bad. "The Magic Sword" also stars the aging Basil Rathbone as the sorcerer, Lodac, and the young Gary Lockwood of "2001" fame as the hero, Sir George. Rathbone does well when he appears on screens, but the rest of the cast is not up to his level and the special effects are average at best (although the dragon at the end is the best of the bunch).

The story is by the numbers for this genre. Sir George has been raised by a witch named Sybil (Estelle Windwood), and has used her magic to spy on the beautiful Princess Helene (Anne Helm). She ends up being abducted by Lodac who plans to feed her to the aforementioned dragon. When the King (Merritt Stone) does the old bit about who ever rescues his daughter gets her hand in marriage, Sir George is off on his quest to the evil sorcerer's castle. Our hero is aided and abetted by six knights that he restores from being petrified. This is good because they have to face seven curses from Lodac and having seven knights makes it sound fair but we all know this is going to get down to just--ALL TOGETHER NOW--Sir George and the Dragon. Along the way Gordon to throw all sorts of witches, ogres, helpful little people, and the like at our band of heroes. I am sorry I missed it when "The Magic Sword" played on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" because this film is a natural for that venue. Still, this cheesy film can be enjoyed as such without the silhouetted talking heads.

Brings back memories
I am so glad I found this video. I've been trying to find out the title to this movie for a long time and when I found out that they still sell the video, I jumped on it right away.

I first saw this movie when I was a kid. I've always remembered the knights that came back to life to help the hero and I always found that fascinating. It's a kid's film and if your kid isn't too spoiled by the high-tech special effects of today, then I think they will like this movie.

THE MAGIC SWORD
I enjoyed this moviw trwemendously when I was a child. The fantasy of the movie at the time was very exciting. The idea that a night could have magic used to help him find himself, was a good pretense for a movie. I still remember this movie today as if I'd just finished watching it. ... Read more