Basil Rathbone certainly looked the part and was a fine actor. He even he sings and dances almost unrecognizably as a Cockney song and dance man quite well. Why he'd want to bring attention to himself disguised at Lupino's tea party is a plot hole but does show his talent.
Most of the films prior to this he played a stiff upper lip villain that began with Selznick-Cukor's version of "David Copperfield" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" came before this, his first Holmes movie. The last part of the movie he wears the deerskin cap and cape and become the literary hero brought to life.
Bruce played bumbling Englishmen before and as often noted, his Watson was not true to Conan Doyle's Watson. But if you liked him, his comedy relief played quite well off Rathbone and they were a popular team. In fact, it's really how both are remembered. One of Bruce's funniest moments is here when he lies on the street telling a passerby he's not sick, he's dead.
Ida Lupino made films with even a more famous actor great at playing villains soon to play detective heroes. In fact, she was top billed over Humphrey Bogart in "High Sierra" in which she was love interest to his gangster.
Perhaps that is one of the problems with Holmes. Supposedly, if this film really was based on Gilette's play, Holmes is supposed to end up with a lady instead. Here he just ends up with Watson. The team would have to keep together to the planned series that actually went to another studio.
Very atmospherically done, this moves well and George Zucco does a nice turn as Professor Mortiary, falling to his death as he did in Conan Doyle's short stories.
If you like classic cinema and this one is made in the banner year 1939, this is probably not the best Holmes movie but easily the best Rathbone/Holmes movie.
Most of the films prior to this he played a stiff upper lip villain that began with Selznick-Cukor's version of "David Copperfield" and "The Hound of the Baskervilles" came before this, his first Holmes movie. The last part of the movie he wears the deerskin cap and cape and become the literary hero brought to life.
Bruce played bumbling Englishmen before and as often noted, his Watson was not true to Conan Doyle's Watson. But if you liked him, his comedy relief played quite well off Rathbone and they were a popular team. In fact, it's really how both are remembered. One of Bruce's funniest moments is here when he lies on the street telling a passerby he's not sick, he's dead.
Ida Lupino made films with even a more famous actor great at playing villains soon to play detective heroes. In fact, she was top billed over Humphrey Bogart in "High Sierra" in which she was love interest to his gangster.
Perhaps that is one of the problems with Holmes. Supposedly, if this film really was based on Gilette's play, Holmes is supposed to end up with a lady instead. Here he just ends up with Watson. The team would have to keep together to the planned series that actually went to another studio.
Very atmospherically done, this moves well and George Zucco does a nice turn as Professor Mortiary, falling to his death as he did in Conan Doyle's short stories.
If you like classic cinema and this one is made in the banner year 1939, this is probably not the best Holmes movie but easily the best Rathbone/Holmes movie.