Basil RathboneBesprekingen

“By now Mr. Holmes has exchanged his violin for a harp!” — Mr. Courtney

“You're assuming heaven is his destination?” — Hilda Courtney

To most of us on the planet, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are the only Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson we can accept in the role. This entry in the “B” series from Universal is a bit unusual, sort of a hybrid between the two “A” pictures made at Fox and the fun “B” franchise which came afterward. It retains some of the humor and fun of the latter, but also has a more straightforward story in the Holmes vein. This is mostly due to it being based on one of Conan Doyle's stories, albeit updated to modern London. Viewers will find it amusing when Holmes teases Watson about his latest story, A Scandal in Bohemia, appearing in The Strand magazine!

This one starts off with the production of music boxes in prison which find their way to auction. Though plain and ordinary looking, the tune is quite unusual, and apparently of great value. When Watson’s old pal Stinky is murdered over the one he purchased, Holmes manages to outwit a formidable foe in the lovely but black hearted Mrs. Courtney (Patricia Morison) and obtains one of the three sold at auction. He discovers a code within the Australian tune and the game is afoot to prevent another murder and financial disaster for England.

Morison was quite lovely and proves a worthy opponent for our favorite Londoner, actually besting him at one point and nearly disposing of him! Directed by Roy William Neill as usual, fans of the “B” films may find this a bit less energetic than some of the others, having more in common in tone with the two made at Fox. It is quite enjoyable, however, and has a terrific line from Watson at its conclusion fans will relish. A fine entry in the Universal franchise, and one fans must have.

Basil Rathbone recalls his life starting from his first few years in South Africa, then on to his upbringing in England, and his career on stage and in film, most notably as what some today still regard as the best Sherlock Holmes. (I must admit, my favorite has shifted to Benedict Cummerbatch, but Rathbone is a close second.) In his account, Rathbone disposes of much of his movie career in one chapter and Sherlock Holmes gets another chapter. Throughout he manages to relate interesting anecdotes, including a couple extended stories he folds into the mix, including one about a perfect butler who worked for him until arrested over his sideline as a holdup artist - the butler served his time, went straight, and died in the Battle of Britain. Rathbone also shares his observations on acting as well as modern entertainment media. One wonders what he would think of the flood of (non) reality TV. At the end, he accepts his idleness in later years as something that happens to actors and begins making the rounds with a one-man show which he reveals was pioneered by Charles Laughton. His hobby was fencing and a friend of mine who attended one of Rathbone's presentations said Rathbone claimed he could've cut Errol Flynn to pieces in Captain Blood or Robin Hood. Although he doesn't mention that here, I've heard it elsewhere, also. Another tidbit he doesn't mention, but fencing hobbyist Rathbone crossed swords with Tyrone Power, son of the female fencing champion of Ohio, in The Mark of Zorro, another favorite A quick read, quite enjoyable, with a nice selection of black and white photos.