I recently reviewed a "Sherlock Holmes Double Feature" disc from MPI Home Video that included the superb "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and the watchable "Pursuit to Algiers." Don´t you worry, there is more than enough good detective work to go around, evidenced by another double feature release with two different and maybe better Holmes films: "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1939) and "The Scarlet Claw" (1944). In many regards, these two separate DVD releases are similar. Both come from the same studio, blend a late 1930s Holmes release with a mid-1940s release, and feature one film based on a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle title while the other merely borrows the lead characters. Of course, the critical difference is the films included, and thankfully, this disc provides two excellent choices to enjoy.By the time these films debuted on the silver screen, Holmes as a character had been around. Conan Doyle, the average medical practitioner but extremely talented mystery author, had been writing about Holmes and his unique adventures since 1887, and had even tried to kill him off in a short story (the Holmes fan base essentially went nuts, and in response, Conan Doyle devised a clever scheme to resurrect the famously popular sleuth). Himself having died in July 1930, Conan Doyle never lived to see any incarnation of his famous detective by Basil Rathbone, but had he been around, I can´t see how he´d disapprove. Rathbone, confident and ever so appropriately cast in this lead character, performed along side Nigel Bruce, who did a darn fine job personifying the well-meaning but absent minded and often flawed Dr. John Watson, in fourteen different Holmes movies. A handful are based on works Conan Doyle himself wrote and published, while the rest drop his primary characters into another author´s screenplay. At any rate, my guess is the man behind the characters would likely offer compliments toward both "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and "The Scarlet Claw" if given the opportunity. Sure, the films take liberties here and there, but Conan Doyle did the same thing while practicing medicine. To each his own, I suppose.
What´s fascinating is simply how big Holmes got, both as a character and a staple in literature. In fact, if you do some casual Internet research, you´re likely to find more information on Holmes than on Conan Doyle. This either speaks to the quality behind the character (mostly thanks to Conan Doyle) or an international obsession matched only decades later when four guys from Liverpool (ahem, The Beatles) sold a few albums and wrote a couple popular songs. I suppose it´s a bit from column A and column B, but however you try to explain it, there is no denying how popular Holmes is, was and probably ever shall be. Many speak about his stories as if they were their own, and many write about him as though they knew him personally. As a character, he is thorough, direct and enthusiastic. As a man, he is charming, compassionate and always looking out for other people and his nation. Holmes had his flaws during a career that has spanned well over a hundred years (and it isn´t over yet, thanks to an upcoming Guy Ritchie film featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes due to hit theaters Christmas 2009): he smoked like a chimney, was a regular cocaine user and occasionally put a case´s outcome before anyone else´s. But these imperfections cannot hinder a character so famous he has statues, plaques and museums dedicated to his fictitious endeavors throughout London. And he´s been in some down right fun to watch movies, too.
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is widely recognized as the best among the fourteen Rathbone and Bruce films, so it must come as no surprise its indirect source is equally popular. Conan Doyle released "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" as a set in October 1892. Featuring twelve original short stories he´d published over the previous sixteen months, the book is among the best selling Holmes literature collections ever put into print. The 85-minute film is notable for several reasons, among them the famous line "Elementary, my dear Watson" and a really nasty nemesis.
As the evil Professor Moriarty (George Zucco), on trial for murder, is found innocent in a London courtroom, both judges and jury convey unprecedented regret. Shortly after the verdict, Holmes storms in with newfound evidence that will reverse the decision and send Moriarty to the gallows. Alas, it is too late, and the two share a cab ride back to 221B Baker Street. Moriarty tells Holmes he intends to commit a crime so great and shocking it will forever tarnish London, but Holmes quickly shifts gears the next day when, after Watson arrives, he is visited by Sir Ronald Ramsgate (Henry Stephenson) and asked to be present when a beautiful and valuable jewel is delivered to the Tower of London. Moments later, Ann Brandon (Ida Lupino) visits Holmes and Watson with a suspicious note given to her brother Lloyd (Peter Willes) as the anniversary of their father´s death approaches. Holmes agrees to take up Ann´s case, and after sending Watson to shadow Lloyd´s super suspicious lawyer Jerrold Hunter (Alan Marshal), deduces the note is a warning and threat on Lloyd´s life. Meanwhile, with Moriarty plotting to steal the valuable jewel, Lloyd is killed and mysterious men stalk Ann late in the evenings with creepy music. While Holmes sticks by Ann as she copes and watches her in disguise during an evening social, he dispatches Watson to the Tower of London, where a blunder allows Moriarty to access the jewel he desires. It´s up to Holmes and Watson to link the crimes together and stop the Professor from his most diabolical crime yet.
I liked "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" for a few simple reasons. First, it is fast paced and leaves little time for anything but focus on the separate but related stories as they develop. This is a detective tale you need to watch from beginning to end with no interruptions if you really want to feel its characters and messages. Second, as I anticipated, Rathbone is in the zone from start to finish. He took Holmes to a different pedestal in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (which was released just before "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"), and puts his own unique stamp on this film, character and series as a whole. Third, the film looks like a really great mystery/thriller should, with dark hallways, ghostly lighting and multiple suspicious characters. The sets convey many messages about the characters, too. 221B Baker Street is rich with gadgets, books, figures and anal retentively clean, while Moriarty´s mansion is cluttered with plants and hiding spots. The entire film works because its characters give it a foundation to do so, and the many things in films that support characters (cinematography, music, sets, scripts, costumes and countless more) only enriched my viewing experience.
