The Basil Rathbone - Sherlock Holmes film-by-film discussion (part 2)

The last thread went up to film #5 (or film #3 in the Universal series). Instead of starting from scratch, we will continue from Sherlock Holmes Faces Death. This film is significant as it is the first film in the Universal series that is not about World War II.

Those wishing to look at detailed information on the first five films can view them on this thread:
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/basil-rathbone-sherlock-holmes-film-series.379323/

 

SH#6

Sherlock Homes Faces Death (1943)

Directed and Producer – Roy William Neill


Dr. Watson is staying at Musgrave Manor to assist with several ex-soldiers suffering from different battle psychoses who are rooming there. When a physician of the manor Dr. Sexton is attacked and wounded by an unknown assailant, Watson summons Sherlock Holmes to the house to detect who the culprit is, and as soon as they arrive another dead body turns up. As Holmes and Watson uncover more clues, Sally Musgrave (is required by family tradition to recite the Musgrave Verse for a ritual performed at a funeral. Believing that the clue to the identity of the murderer is located in the Musgrave Verse, Holmes finds language referring to Chess among the rhyming lines and pulls together the inhabitants of Musgrave Manor to determine what the secret of Musgrave Manor is and what it means to the murderer. When another dead body is discovered in a cavern deep beneath the main floor of the house Holmes makes a bold move to draw the killer out into the open and defeat him.



The Players

Basil Rathbone-Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce-Doctor Watson
Dennis Hoey-Inspector Lestrade
Arthur Margetson-Dr. Bob Sexton
Hillary Brooke-Sally Musgrave
Halliwell Hobbes-Alfred Brunton “that would be telling…”
Minna Phillips-Mrs. Howells aka Mrs. Brunton "don't go in there, you'll get lost..."
Milburn Stone-Capt. Pat Vickery “…smells like it”
Gavin Muir-Phillip Musgrave
Gerald Hamer-Maj. Langford
Vernon Downing-Lt. Clavering
Olaf Hytten-Capt. MacIntosh
Frederick Worlock-Geoffrey Musgrave (as Frederic Worlock)
Mary Gordon-Mrs. Hudson “now it’s bullet holes in my plaster…”
Martin Ashe-Slinking Figure (uncredited)
Joan Blair-Nora, Maid (uncredited)
Charles Coleman-Constable (uncredited)
Harold De Becker-Pub Proprietor (uncredited) “only don’t loiter, you won’t be welcome…”
Peter Lawford-Young Sailor at Bar (uncredited) “Blimey!”
Dick Rush-Constable (uncredited)
Eric Snowden-Sailor Trying to Play Piano (uncredited)
Norma Varden-Gracie, Barmaid (uncredited)"you should see Charlie after he found a tasty morsel..."
Heather Wilde-Jenny, Maid (uncredited)


Disguises – none


Locations in England referenced –
Twickenham
Northumberland
Hurlstone Towers
Musgrave Manor

Music – Flow Gently Sweet Afton – sung by women from window near the pub


Players that appeared in other SH films:

Olaf Hytten (2nd of 6) Captain Macintosh
Hillary Brooke (2nd of 3) Sally Musgrave
Gavin Muir (3rd of 4) Phillip Musgrave
Harold DeBecker (2nd of 4) Pub proprietor
Gerald Hamer (2nd of 5) Langford
Frederic Worlock (2nd of 6) Geoffrey Musgrave
Vernon Downing (1st of 2) Clavering

End quote:
Holmes: There’s a new spirit abroad in the land. The old days of grab and greed are on their way out. We’re beginning to think of what we owe the other fellow, not just what we’re compelled to give him. The time’s coming Watson when we shan’t be able to fill our bellies in comfort while other folk go hungry, or sleep in warm beds while others shiver in the cold. When we shan’t be able to kneel and thank God our blessings before our shining altars, while men anywhere are kneeling in neither physical or spiritual subjection.
Watson: You may be right, Holmes. I hope you are.
Holmes: And god willing, we’ll be able to see that day, Watson.




The screenplay is based on the Conan-Doyle story “The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual”

The elements used from the story are Brunton the Butler, Mrs. Howells the maid, and the Musgrave ritual (modified to fit the screenplay). Holmes does the same in both, solve the puzzle of the Musgrave ritual, but instead of finding treasure as in the novel, he finds a land grant. The morality play is at the end when Sally Musgrave burns the document, not wanting to have the locals lose the land they worked so hard to make a living.


Film notes:

It may be of interest to note that Captain Vickery, the love interest of Sally Musgrave, is played by a young Milburn Stone (Doc Adams of "Gunsmoke" fame).

A 20-year-old Peter Lawford appears in the pub scene at the beginning of the film. He plays the sailor at the bar who bandages his friend's hand and says "Blimey!" when he hears about the raven.

 

Holmes seems to have dropped the "by the by" catchphrase and Lestrade seems to have adopted another, which he uses for the rest of the series.
Lestrade: That's right, it's no good saying it ain't.

Some of my Favorite lines:
Watson: Do ghosts stab people in the neck?
Holmes: Not well-bred ghosts, anyway.

Sally to Holmes: If that's what you think, then you are no more of a detective than... Dr. Watson!

Brunton's note read by Holmes: Captain Vickery, here's your tea. If it's cold, don't blame me.

 

Another excerpt from Nigel Bruce's memoirs:

"During 1942 Basil and I made three Sherlock Holmes pictures. They were called 'Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror', 'Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon' and 'Sherlock Holmes goes to Washington'. Our director was the late Roy William Neill."

Two small lapses of memory here: the third Universal film was titled 'Sherlock Holmes in Washington'; and Roy William Neill only started directing with the second picture - the first was directed by John Rawlins.

"Roy was an Englishman by birth who had become an American citizen. He was a little man, very fussy about his clothes and like myself, he always smoked a pipe. He was an extremely kind and friendly person and all his assistants and the crews who worked for him were devoted to him. Roy was an extremely able director, having a great knowledge of film technique and of the use of his camera. During the many pictures we made under his direction we found him a joy to work for. Basil and I nicknamed him 'mousey' during our first picture and the name stuck to him from then on. We both became extremely attached to Roy Neill.
Our Sherlock Holmes pictures took between 18 and 22 days to make. Often we shot out of continuity. The moment one sequence was ended, the scenery would be torn down and the same stage used for a completely new set up. We learned our entire parts before the picture commenced as one does for a stage play. This meant we had no worries if the shooting schedule were changed and if the story was told out of its continuity. Roy Neill was always open to suggestions from Basil or myself and we always accompanied him to the daily rushes in the projection room. Roy, Basil, myself and our Sherlock Holmes casts always worked together as a happy and contented team.
The stories we did were modernised but the characters of the famous detective and his biographer were kept more or less as originally written by Conan Doyle. Watson, however, in the films was made much more of a 'comic' character than he ever was in the books. This was with the object of introducing a little light relief. The doctor, as I played him, was a complete stooge for his brilliant friend and one whose intelligence was almost negligible. Many of the lovers of Conan Doyle must have been shocked, not by this caricature ofthe famous doctor but by seeing the great detective alighting from an aeroplane and the good doctor listening to his radio.
To begin with, Basil and I were much opposed to the modernising of these stories but the producer, Howard Benedict, pointed out to us that the majority of youngsters who would see out pictures were accustomed to the fast-moving action of gangsterpictures, and that expecting machine guns, police sirens, cars travelling at 80 miles an hour and dialogue such as 'Put em up bud', they would be bored with the magnifying glass, the hansom cabs, the cobblestones and the slow tempo of an era they never knew and a way of life with which they were completely unfamiliar.
During the year 1943 Basil and I made two more Sherlock Holmes pictures. They were called 'Sherlock Holmes Faces Death' and 'Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman'. This series had now caught on and the pictures were doing well both in America and Great Britain."

 

A 1995 interview with Hillary Brooke (who played Sally Musgrave) on Rathbone and Bruce (Willie):
I adored them both. Of course, I just loved the character actors! At the time, people used to ask me, "Why don't you do some of those plays down on Melrose?" They had a little theater on Melrose and Santa Monica Blvd. I said, "Why should I do that when I can make films, get paid for it, and get the best instruction in the whole world fom all the character actors? Why should I act in plays and work with someone who's as just bad as I am? I've always felt a warm spot in my heart for them, because they were so good to me.
Basil Rathbone and I both loved animals and, many times, when we weren't working, we would go to the commissary and get ice cream cones and go down to the back lot. Universal had a little menagerie, and we'd go down to see the lions. Basil was a nice man. He looked very haughty, very elegant -but he was a very real person. His wife was the great party-giver. He wasn't that keen on it, but she just loved to give parties.
Willie was also very wonderful; I not only knew Willie, but I knew his family. He was joking all the time. During the string of Sherlock Holmes pictures, we really had a wonderful time together. They still have such a tremendous audience. Between the Sherlock Holmes pictures and the Abbott and Costello pictures - really, that's what keeps me in front of audiences today. I get a lot of fan mail and either a Sherlock Holmes or an Abbott and Costello picture is usually responsible.

 

For sure, for sure.

I wish there was a restore on that film, all my copies are really poor looking.

 

SH#7-Spider Woman (1944)

Directed and Producer – Roy William Neill

Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of so-called "pajama suicides". He knows the female villain behind them is as cunning as Moriarty and as venomous as a spider.

The Players
Basil Rathbone-Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce-Doctor Watson
Gale Sondergaard-Adrea Spedding
Dennis Hoey-Inspector Lestrade
Vernon Downing-Norman Locke “that would defeat the ends of injustice”
Alec Craig-Henchman Radlik
Arthur Hohl-Adam Gilflower “goodbye, Mr. Potson!”
Mary Gordon-Mrs. Hudson “what cannot be cured, must be endured”
Sylvia Andrew-Charwoman (scenes deleted)
Marie De Becker-Charwoman (scenes deleted)
Jimmy Aubrey-News Vendor (uncredited)
Frank Benson-Toy Doll Attendant (uncredited) “just the thing to bring home to the kiddies”
Lydia Bilbrook-Susan (uncredited) “yes, where is Sherlock Holmes?”
John Burton-Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Harry Cording-Fred Garvin - Henchman on Roof (uncredited)”I may be coming down sudden-like, see?”
Teddy Infuhr-Larry (uncredited) [deaf mute boy]
George Kirby-News Vendor (uncredited) “Read all about your pyjama suicides!”
Stanley Logan-Robert (uncredited) “suicide’s a crime…”
Wilbur Mack-Casino Patron (uncredited)
Belle Mitchell-Fortune Teller (uncredited) “your fate is in your own hands…”
Edmund Mortimer-Casino Patron (uncredited)
John Roche-Casino Croupier (uncredited)
Angelo Rossitto-Obongo - Pygmy (uncredited)
Gene Roth-Henchman Taylor (uncredited)
Arthur Stenning-Plainclothesman (uncredited)
Donald Stuart-Artie - Shooting Gallery Attendant (uncredited) “keep your hair on, Grandpa”
Florence Wix-Casino Patron (uncredited)

Disguises: Postman, Rajni Singh (Holmes), Ordway(Radlick)

Modern technology
Flashlight

Locations referenced:
Scotland
British Museum
Urban Casino
Le Burnham Villa, New Road,
Chipping – Walton
Wigmore Street

Players that appeared in other SH films:
Arthur Hohl (2nd of 3) Adam Gilflower
John Rogers (2nd of 2) clerk
Donald Stuart (2nd of 2) Artie
Harry Cording (4th of 8) Fred Garvin
John Burton (3rd of 4) Announcer
Vernon Downing (2nd of 2) Norman
Alec Craig (1st of 2) Radlik
William Benge (1st of 5) clerk


Film notes:

References five original Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes short stories and novels.
• The death of Sherlock Holmes from 'The Adventure of the Final Problem'.
• A bust of Sherlock Holmes from The Adventure of the Empty House.
• A poisonous creature enters a room through an air shaft from The Adventure of the Speckled Band.
• The murderous pygmy and the footprint of a child from The Sign of Four
Poisonous substance burnt in a fire from The Adventure of the Devil's Foot.

At one point Holmes says to Watson, "If you ever see me getting too sure again, fancying myself more clever then Adrea Spedding, just whisper one word to me: pygmy." This line was inspired by the short story "The Adventure of the Yellow Face," in which Holmes tells Watson, "If it should ever strike you that I am getting a little over-confident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you."

In the film, Watson mentions another adventure, “The Giant Rat of Sumatra” the story of which he tells in the later film “Pursuit to Algiers”.

Holmes used two words in this film, calling Watson mendacious, meaning to be untrue or tell lies, and calling Adrea Spedding audacious, meaning bold or daring.

A follow-up, The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946), has no relation to the HOLMES feature, as Gale Sondergaard plays a completely different character.

This is the second film while disguised that Holmes makes self deprecating remarks about his real self.
Postman: He was no great shakes as a tec from what I heard. Just one of them easy-chair-Johnnys what sat on his tail and let everyone else do the dirty work
Watson: That’ll be enough…
Postman: Mind you, I ain’t saying he didn’t get the credit, but newspapers can be bought, can’t they now?
Watson: You insect, you dare to imply…
Postman: Alright, alright, alright, guv’ner, keep your shirt on, I’ve got a right to my opinion, and it’s my opinion that Mr. Sherlock Holmes was nothing more than a old herring gut.

This is the first instance in this movie series that used the phrase “the games’ afoot”.
Watson in the same film, used said the line
“With all this murder afoot?”

Names that Watson called Adam Gilflower:
Filgilly, Wallflower, Billflower, Bullfrog, Gigglewoggle

End quote:
Holmes: Remarkable woman, as audacious and deadly as one of her own spiders.
Watson: Audacious? Stupid I call it. Fancy trying to commit a murder in a place like this, all these people about…
Holmes: That’s where you’re wrong, old boy. In an isolated place, a cry for help or a single shot might very well arouse the curiosity of at least one casual witness, but in an arcade like this, people are bent only on pleasure, and will instinctively disregard any deviation from the normal that does not immediately concern them. Yes Watson, Ms. Spedding deserves credit for picking the most logical spot in the world to commit my murder.
Watson: Oh? Where is that?
Holmes: In the middle of a crowd...
The film fades out with them strolling through the crowded arcade.

 

This slowly became one of my favorites. I did not watch it that much, but when I saw it on DVD, I began to enjoy it more. This was a new turn in the series, to introduce a female villain. There are some truly memorable scenes in this film. The scene with Watson and Lestrade (Watson: dunderhead? that's very affectionate, Lestrade!) and later with the "Postman". Then later on with Adrea Spedding and Rajni Singh (Adrea: I have nothing for burns, I seldom get burned) and the scene with the deaf mute child Larry (Watson: they used to call me - Twinkle toes!)
The big humor moment for Watson come when he meets Adam Gilflower (goodbye, Mr… Potson).
Though not a Word War II film, there are references to WWII, at the shooting gallery when Watson has to shoot at targets that are effigies of Hitler, Mussolini and Hirihito.

Gale Sondergard was cast very well to play the Spider Woman, she certainly pinned down that over-the-top villain role, with some very good dialogue.

 

Spider Woman is one my favorites. I haven't watched any of these in some time, but this thread makes me want to revisit them soon.

 

Up next is what most of you have been waiting for: The Scarlet Claw

 

SH#8- Scarlet Claw (1944)

Directed and Producer – Roy William Neill


While attending a conference in Quebec City, Sherlock Holmes and his good friend Dr. Watson are drawn into a murder investigation in the nearby village of La Mort Rouge. Holmes had received a letter from Lady Penrose asking for his assistance as she feared for her life. It was too late however as she had already been killed by the time he received it. Her throat was torn out and the local villagers are spreading rumors about monsters and evil spirits as being the cause. Holmes doesn't believe any of that and sets out to find the killer. He believes that Lady Penrose's past as an actress may have something to with her death. As others in the village are attacked, Holmes believes the killer is among them, impersonating a local villager as he goes about his business.


Basil Rathbone-Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce-Doctor Watson
Gerald Hamer-Potts / Tanner / Ramson
Paul Cavanagh-Lord Penrose
Arthur Hohl-Emile Journet
Miles Mander-Judge Brisson
Kay Harding-Marie Journet
David Clyde-Police Sergeant Thompson
Ian Wolfe-Drake “honks to you. Hoots to me!”
Victoria Horne-Nora
Harry Allen-Bill Taylor (uncredited) “this is the finest material, imported!”
Gertrude Astor-Lady Lillian Gentry Penrose (uncredited)
George Austin-Villager in Pub with Dr. Watson (uncredited)
Brandon Beach-Member of Royal Canadian Occult Society (uncredited)
Ted Billings-Villager in Pub (uncredited)
Horace B. Carpenter-Villager in Pub (uncredited)
Bill Cartledge-Hotel Bellhop (uncredited)
William Desmond-Member of Royal Canadian Occult Society (uncredited)
Al Ferguson-Attendant (uncredited)
Clyde Fillmore-Inspector (uncredited)
Charles Francis-Sir John (uncredited)
Olaf Hytten-Hotel Day Desk Clerk (uncredited)
George Kirby-Father Pierre (uncredited) "what you need is more faith and less imagination!"
Charles Knight-Assistant Police Inspector (uncredited)
Eric Mayne-Member of Royal Canadian Occult Society (uncredited)
Norbert Muller-Page-boy (uncredited)
Pietro Sosso-Andy Trent (uncredited)
Jack Tornek-Villager In Pub (uncredited)
Tony Travers-Musician (uncredited)
Eric Wilton-Hotel Evening Desk Clerk (uncredited)

Disguises – Potts, Tanner, Nora, monster (Ramson)

Locations
Quebec City
Le Mort Rogue
Talouge Prison
Hotel Journet
Delaporte Hotel

Players that appeared in other SH films:
Arthur Hohl (3rd of 3) Journet
Olaf Hytton (3rd of 6) Day Desk Clerk
Ted Vincent (2nd of 3) pub village
Gerald Hamer (3rd of 5) Potts
Ian Wolfe (2nd of 4) Drake
Paul Cavanaugh (1st of 3) Lord Penrose
Miles Mander (1st of 2) Judge Brisson
Kay Harding (1st of 2) Marie
David Clyde (1st of 2) Sgt. Thompson
Eric Wilton (1st of 2) Evening Desk Clerk
Charles Knight (1st of 3) assistant Inspector
Al Ferguson (1st of 2) attendant
Charles Francis (1st of 2) Sir John



Film notes:

The eighth entry in the Rathbone/Bruce series of Sherlock Holmes films, The Scarlet Claw is one of the best. This brilliantly-crafted mystery keeps the viewer guessing until the end. A completely original story, not based on any of the Conan Doyle stories, it takes place in Canada, so Mary Gordon (Mrs. Hudson) and Dennis Hoey (Lestrade) are not seen in this film. The foggy marsh, and the tolling bell in the old church create a foreboding atmosphere, and the acting is first rate.
Although an original story, it does reference two Conan Doyle titles, Hound of the Baskervilles and The Sussex Vampire.


End quote:
"Canada -- lynchpin of the English speaking world, whose relations of friendly intimacy with the United States on the one hand and her unswerving fidelity to the British Commonwealth and the motherland on the other. Canada -- the link which joins together these great branches of the human family."

 

This was without a doubt, arguably the best of the Universal series. These were the biggest roles for the supporting actors. Arthur Hohl and Gerald Hamer. The range of talent in the cast showed their versatility here and among the others. Notably, Miles Mander who would appear as grouchy Judge Brisson in Scarlet Claw would also play the main villain in the next film as well.

 

I agree- the best of the Universal series.

 

Gale Sondergaard in 1984:
Playing the Spider Woman was easy, because the characterization was up to me; she was not intricately conceived. Frankly, it was something to help pay the bills. I knew it wasn't art. I certainly didn't think it would outlast all my pictures other than The Letter. And I'm not sure that even The Letter would be so esteemed now, if not for Bette Davis' performance. I enjoyed working with Basil Rathbone. He was a gentleman at all times - courteous and helpful, an excellent technician. It was while shooting that film that I enjoyed the refreshment of afternoon tea served in the dressing room of Nigel Bruce. They were fun and interesting. The role added a lighter feeling to my image, and it was nice hearing from young people. I could have wished - if this doesn't sound ungrateful or demanding - that more young people could have been aware of the witch hunts, or cared, once they found out. I'll tell you: there was some publicity - I forget for which show - about my political times, and of course the term 'witch hunt' was used quite a bit. As a result, I received several letters from younger fans, asking which titles of the films in which I had portrayed a witch!

(excerpt from the MPI DVD set)

 

Ian Wolfe in 1992:

As a rule, I don't watch any of my old films. So many people I worked with are gone, and it gives me a funny feeling - I don't know why I'm still alive! It's been years since I saw the Scarlet Claw. I don't usually like myself when I do see one of my performances, but I thought I was pretty damn good in that. My character goes to the local pub and gets stewed, and it was a pretty good scene for me. I have good memories of making the film, and I enjoyed working with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, that old scene stealer.

(Excerpt from the MPI DVD set)


Ian Wolfe in Sherlock Holmes in Washington​

 

SH#9

Pearl Of Death (1944)

Directed and Producer – Roy William Neill



The Pearl of Death, the ninth film in the Rathbone/Bruce series of Sherlock Holmes films, was inspired by or loosely based on the Conan Doyle story "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons." In the Conan Doyle story, Lestrade consults Holmes to solve the mystery of why someone is breaking into homes and smashing plaster busts of Napoleon. At this point in the story, they know nothing about the pearl. Holmes eventually deduces that the famous black pearl of the Borgias was hidden in a plaster bust of Napoleon. The pearl had been stolen from the Prince of Colonna by the Princess' maid, and an accomplice hid the pearl in a bust of Napoleon. The only person murdered was Pietro, the brother of the maid, and he was killed by the accomplice who hid the pearl.



When a pearl with a sinister reputation for causing misfortune to its owners is stolen from a museum by a master criminal because of Sherlock Holmes' show-boating, he is naturally obliged to find it. Soon, he learns of a series of brutal murders that seemed to have been commited by a malevolent man mountain known only as the Creeper. Now, Holmes must deal with the seemingly overwhelming menace of this man and his boss in order to retrieve the pearl.


The Players

Basil Rathbone-Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce-Doctor Watson
Dennis Hoey-Inspector Lestrade
Evelyn Ankers-Naomi Drake “…Lovely weather, ain’t it?”
Miles Mander-Giles Conover
Ian Wolfe-Amos Hodder “bless my soul…”
Charles Francis-Digby “don’t bother smashing the glass…”
Holmes Herbert-James Goodram “That message… it was a ruse to get me out…”
Richard Aherne-Bates (as Richard Nugent)
Mary Gordon-Mrs. Hudson
Rondo Hatton-The Creeper
J.W. Austin-Police Sergeant Bleeker (uncredited)
Wilson Benge-Second Ship's Steward (uncredited) “Dover in 20 minutes!”
Billy Bevan-Constable (uncredited) “nothing gets by you, inspector”
Lillian Bronson-Harker's Housekeeper (uncredited)
Harry Cording-George Gelder (uncredited)
Harold De Becker-Restaurant Boss (uncredited)
Leslie Denison-Police Sergeant Murdock (uncredited) “no one’s going to hurt you”
Al Ferguson-Security Guard (uncredited)
Leyland Hodgson-Customs Officer (uncredited)
Colin Kenny-Security Guard (uncredited)
Charles Knight-Bearded Man (uncredited)
Connie Leon-Ellen Carey (uncredited) “I teach history at a school in Cardiff”
Audrey Manners-Body of Teacher (uncredited)
John Merkyl-Dr. Julien Boncourt (uncredited)
Arthur Mulliner-Thomas Sandeford (uncredited) “I swear I closed those library curtains”
Arthur Stenning-First Ship's Steward (uncredited)
David Thursby-Minor Role (uncredited)
Eric Wilton-Conover's Chauffeur (uncredited)

Disguises –
Clergyman, Dr. Boncourt (Holmes) – Museum Worker, Theopolis Kirby (Conover) – Match lady, Dishwasher, Bittenger (Naomi Drake)

Locations referenced:
White Cliffs Of Dover
Royal Regent Museum
Cardiff
Farnsworth Castle
Burnham Road, Streatham
Chelsea Place
Sussex


Players that appeared in other SH films:
David Thursby (2nd of 3) minor role
Holmes Herbert (4th of 6) Goodram (museum currier)
Evelyn Ankers (2nd of 2) Naomi Drake
Leyland Hodgson (5th of 7) Customs Officer
Arthur Stenning (2nd of 3) First Steward
Leslie Denison (4th of 6) Sgt Murdock
Harry Cording (5th of 8) Gelder
Harold De Becker (3rd of 4) Restaurant Boss
Ian Wolfe (3rd of 4) Amos Hodder
William Benge (2nd of 5) Second Steward
Miles Mander (2nd of 2) Giles Conover
Eric Wilton (2nd of 2) Chauffer
Charles Knight (2nd of 3) Bearded Man
Al Ferguson (2nd of 2) Guard
Charles Francis (2nd of 2) Digby, museum curator
Collin Kenny (1st of 2) Guard
Lillian Bronson (1st of 2) Housekeeper in shock
Billy Bevan (1st of 2) Constable with food tray

Film Notes:

References Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes story, 'The Adventure of the Six Napoleons'.

Rondo Hatton would play a different CREEPER in two follow-ups not related to this film, "House of Horrors" and "The Brute Man, " both completed in 1945, but released following Hatton's death, which occurred on February 2, 1946.

Holmes tells Watson that if he's wrong about the pearl's hiding place, "I shall retire to Sussex and keep bees." In the original Holmes stories, this is exactly what he does upon retirement.

This film in the series has the most disguises, at seven. Eight if you count Holmes imitating Conovers’ voice.

There is also a Horace Harker in "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons," but he is a newspaper reporter, and he wasn't murdered.

The scene at Major Harkers house, Holmes explains to Lestrade the maid is suffering from shock, almost catalepsy.
Lestrade then tells Murdock to take her away, she suffering from cata- from shock..”
That bit of stumbled dialogue was used also in the new Sherlock Holmes film with Robert Downey Jr. except catatonic was used instead.
The scene with the flies in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was also used in the new Sherlock Holmes film with Robert Downey Jr. as well.

End Quote:
Holmes: The Borgia pearl...with the blood of five more victims on it." To which Watson says, "Anyway, Conover was one of them." Holmes continues, "What's Conover? No more than a symbol of the greed and cruelty and the lust for power that has set men at each other's throats down through the centuries. The struggle will go on, Watson, for a pearl, a kingdom, perhaps even world dominion...until the greed and cruelty has been burned out of every one of us, and when that time comes perhaps even the pearl will be washed clean again."

 

Entry in Wikipedia for Rondo Hatton:

Hatton was born Rondo K. Hatton in Hagerstown, Maryland to Stewart Price and Emily Zarring Hatton, a pair of Missouri-born teachers. The Hatton family moved several times during Rondo's youth, to Hickory, North Carolina, and to Charles Town, West Virginia, and at last to Tampa, Florida, where family members owned a business. Following his father's death, Hatton, his mother, and his younger brother Stewart moved in with his maternal grandmother in Tampa. There he obtained work as a sportswriter for the local newspaper.[1] He worked as a journalist until after World War I when the symptoms of acromegaly developed.

Acromegaly distorted the shape of Hatton's head, face, and extremities in a gradual but consistent process. Hatton, who reportedly had been voted the handsomest boy in his class at Hillsborough High School, eventually became severely disfigured by the disease. Because the symptoms developed in adulthood (as is common with the disorder), the disfigurement was incorrectly attributed later by film studio publicity departments to his exposure to a German mustard gas attack during service in World War I. Hatton served in combat and served on the Mexican border and in France with the United States Army.

Director Henry King noticed Hatton when he was working as a reporter with The Tampa Tribune covering the filming of Hell Harbor (1930) and hired him for a small role (edit: the role was a bouncer in a club). After some hesitation, Hatton moved to Hollywood in 1936 to pursue a career playing similar, often uncredited, bit roles. His most notable of these were as a contestant in the "ugly man competition" (which he loses to a heavily made up Charles Laughton) in the RKO production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and as Gabe Hart, a member of the lynch mob in the 1943 film of The Ox-Bow Incident.

Universal Studios attempted to exploit Hatton's unusual features to promote him as a horror star after he played the part of The Hoxton Creeper (aka The Hoxton Horror) in its sixth Sherlock Holmes film, The Pearl of Death (1944). He made two films playing "the Creeper", House of Horrors (filmed in 1945 but not released until 1946) and The Brute Man (1946). Hatton died of a heart attack (a direct result of his acromegalic condition) in 1946.

 

Images from Scarlet Claw:

You're a clever man, Mr. Holmes!
(Judge Brisson and Holmes)


Good dog, nice winnie!
(Holmes, Watson & Nora)

 

I would say these last three, Spider Woman, Scarlet Claw and Pearl of Death were the best of the series, if not the most entertaining set of films in the series. They were more complex stories and the humor was kept just the right level. Although you might consider Scarlet Claw to be the most serious of the series, a future one, The Woman in Green would have an even more serious tone, as to not include Lestrade. Each of these films had different approaches to its antagonists. Spider Woman had the sophisticated Adrea Spedding and the spiders, Scarlet Claw had Ransom with his many disguises, while Pearl of Death had the team of Conover, Noami Drake and The Creeper.

 

Images from Pearl Of Death:


Holmes, Conover and the Creeper


Piddling matches without a license!
Naomi Drake and Holmes

 

SH#10 – House Of Fear (1945)

Director and Producer – Roy William Neill

Sherlock Holmes investigates a series of deaths at a castle with each foretold by the delivery of orange pips to the victims.

References Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes short story The Five Orange Pips.


The Players
Basil Rathbone-Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce-Doctor John H. Watson
Aubrey Mather-Bruce Alastair
Dennis Hoey-Inspector Lestrade
Paul Cavanagh-Dr. Simon Merrivale “Touche”
Holmes Herbert-Alan Cosgrave
Harry Cording-Captain John Simpson “Dickens with the dead!”
Sally Shepherd-Mrs. Monteith “Aye, you’ll find him like the others, a corpse!”
Gavin Muir-Chalmers
Florette Hillier-Alison MacGregor
David Clyde-Alex MacGregor “Only a fool believes in ghosts!”
Richard Alexander-Ralph King (uncredited)
Wilson Benge-Guy Davies (uncredited)
Hobart Cavanaugh-Bit Part (uncredited)
Alec Craig-Angus (uncredited) “If I did deliver a note for old Alex, what of it?”
Cyril Delevanti-Stanley Raeburn (uncredited)
Leslie Denison-Sergeant Bleeker (uncredited) “All I saw were stars!”
Doris Lloyd-Bessie (uncredited) “There’s no grouse here, sir for 40 years”
David Thursby-Police Sergeant (uncredited) “What is it, woman?”

Locations referenced:
Drearlliff Mansion
Invernayle, Scotland

Modern technology
cars
Flashlights
Phones (or lack of)
Dynamite

Players that appeared in other SH films:
David Thursby (3rd of 3) Police Sargeant
Holmes Herbert (5th of 6) Cosgrave
Leslie Denison (5th of 6) Sgt. Bleeker
Harry Cording (6th of 8) Captain Simpson
Gavin Muir (4th of 4) Chalmers
Alec Craig (2nd of 2) Angus (fisherman)
William Benge (3rd of 5) Guy Davis
Paul Cavanaugh (2nd of 3) Dr. Merrivale
David Clyde (2nd of 2) Alex MacGregor
Sally Shepherd (1st of 3) Mrs. Montieth

Film Notes:
The faraway image of Drearcliff mansion is the same structure used as the bombed out church in Voice of Terror.

About the only thing in common with this film and the Conan Doyle short story, “The Five Orange Pips” is the use of orange pips in the story.

Concerning The House of Fear, the TV Guide Database states "After attempting to move Holmes and Watson into the modern WWII era, Universal decided to return the pair to Victorian times for this [film]." This statement is incorrect. As you will observe in the film, one of the "good comrades" dies when his car drives over a cliff. There are also references to telephones and other non-Victorian things. The story does not, however, involve Nazis or WWII spies.

Towards the end of the film, as Holmes notices the tobacco urn is empty, the wolf's head cane from The Wolf Man (1941) can be seen leaning against the back wall.

End Quote:
Holmes to Alistair: It was your timely warning that drew our attention to the empty tobacco jar and saved the life of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. John H. Watson. Thereby enabling us to continue our long and happy association together.