SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943)

ant-mac
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SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) Nov 8, 2018 5:02:21 GMT

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Post by ant-mac on Nov 8, 2018 5:02:21 GMT

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) 4/5.

This is the sixth film in the SHERLOCK HOLMES film series to feature Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce and also one of the stronger entries. The screenplay is written by Bertram Millhauser and is based upon THE ADVENTURE OF THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film soundtrack is provided by HJ Salter and is produced and directed by Roy William Neill.

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, Nigel Bruce as Doctor John Watson, Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade, Hillary Brooke as Sally Musgrave, Minna Phillips as Mrs Howells, Gavin Muir as Phillip Musgrave and Arthur Margetson as Doctor Bob Sexton. The film also features
Halliwell Hobbes, Milburn Stone, Gerald Hamer, Olaf Hytten, Charles Coleman and Peter Lawford as a customer in a public house.

Although its three immediate predecessors in the SHERLOCK HOLMES film series were all World War II spy adventures, this film marks the welcome return to the more traditional murder mystery form of film series. This is a well-made addition to that film series and makes for enjoyable viewing.

ant-mac

Nalkarj
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SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) Nov 12, 2018 1:05:52 GMT ant-mac likes this

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Post by Nalkarj on Nov 12, 2018 1:05:52 GMT

Really one of the best of the series. While the identity of the killer is remarkably obvious, the plot is cleverer than usual, and the human chess game provides some rather indelible imagery. “Who came to slay him?/The bloodthirsty bishop. Where shall he go?/Deep down below”—based on Doyle’s “The Musgrave Ritual,” but with the reason behind it changed completely—is wonderfully ominous.

Spooky atmosphere is first-class, Rathbone and Bruce are in fine form, the climax is exciting. Lovely sentiment Holmes gives at the end, though I find Sally’s action both unbelievable and unwarranted. Dennis Hoey’s Lestrade comes off as a complete idiot, but Halliwell Hobbes’ drunken butler Brunton is one of the series’ best supporting characters. Really good.

“Always keep your bowler on in times of stress, and watch out for diabolical masterminds.”

ant-mac
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SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) Nov 12, 2018 1:30:53 GMT Nalkarj likes this

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Post by ant-mac on Nov 12, 2018 1:30:53 GMT

Nov 12, 2018 1:05:52 GMT Nalkarj said:

Really one of the best of the series. While the identity of the killer is remarkably obvious, the plot is cleverer than usual, and the human chess game provides some rather indelible imagery. “Who came to slay him?/The bloodthirsty bishop. Where shall he go?/Deep down below”—based on Doyle’s “The Musgrave Ritual,” but with the reason behind it changed completely—is wonderfully ominous.

Spooky atmosphere is first-class, Rathbone and Bruce are in fine form, the climax is exciting. Lovely sentiment Holmes gives at the end, though I find Sally’s action both unbelievable and unwarranted. Dennis Hoey’s Lestrade comes off as a complete idiot, but Halliwell Hobbes’ drunken butler Brunton is one of the series’ best supporting characters. Really good.

The thing I always found most impressive about Dennis Hoey’s Inspector Lestrade is he managed to make Nigel Bruce's Doctor Watson look sensible, sensitive and subtle.

No easy feat.

ant-mac