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DVD The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
One of the most engaging features from 20th Century Fox's Holmes series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is also of historical interest as it based on a hugely popular, early 20th century stage play written by and starring William Gillette. Basil Rathbone cuts a fine figure as the lean, hawkish Great Detective, drawn into a complicated conspiracy by fiendish Dr. Moriarty (George Zucco) to distract Holmes while quietly preparing to steal the Crown Jewels. Nigel Bruce is on board as a buffoonish Dr. Watson, and British-born Ida Lupino is very good, and quite gorgeous, as a young woman who may be the target of a family curse. True-blue Sherlockians know that very little of Gillette's tale, and next to nothing about Zucco's or Bruce's performances, have anything to do with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's sacred canon. Still, this is a handsome production to enjoy on its own terms. --Tom Keogh
The best place to get started with film's Sherlock Holmes.
OK. What was in the water back in 1939? Was there a conspiracy to make, like, a HUNDRED movies that would last for all time?
Gone With The Wind, Gunga Din, Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington...there's like two dozen more that you'd know by name...
...and THIS was made then TOO?
Inconceivable!
Anyways, this film is a great place to get to know Sherlock Holmes by way of Basil Rathbone. I can't imagine anyone else in the role (although others honestly have done a fine job) and when I read the novels, I 'see' him.
I love the interplay between Holmes and Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson...they simply have the parts nailed. Nailed, nailed, nailed.
The breathless story involves, among other things, Professor Moriarty (of course), a diabolical nefarious "crime of the century", a mysterious woman, men of dubious intentions, a smattering of murders, and trying to find a fiddle note that irritates houseflies.
This is one of those movies that will have you saying, after it's over, "they sure don't make 'em like they used to!"
After seeing this, I went out and bought ALL of the remaining, lovingly remastered Rathbone/Bruce films, and plan on spending a few lazy Sunday afternoons with Mr. Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes Never Looked Better on DVD
Fans of the Basil Rathbone-Nigel Bruce "Sherlock Holmes" series have a particular fondness for this 1939 Fox release -- the last period adventure before Holmes and Dr. Watson re-emerged in a World War II setting at Universal Studios. Fox's high production values make this particular Holmes caper a standout, with classic performances from Rathbone, Bruce and George Zucco (as Professor Moriarty). Thanks to an excellent 35mm print from the UCLA Film and Television Archive, the newly remastered DVD is a definite keeper for devotees of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Great discovery
I grew up with this version of Sherlock Holmes - every Sunday afternoon I was glued to the TV as the masterful Mr Holmes solved yet another mystery. OK, for Sherlock Holmes purists, the Basil Rathbone version of Sherlock may be loathsome, but I found them to be wonderful film noir. This movie, like Hound of the Baskervilles is set in the original Victorian time period, unlike the later Rathbone version movies. Growing up seeing Holmes take on the Nazis, I guess gave me a comofortable vision of Holmes that Baskervilles and this movie lacks - I guess I'm not all that interested in Vicotrian England setting, so for me Baskervilles and this movie were someone disappointing. Nevertheless, the fact that it was Rathbone and Bruce made up for that short comming. I love Bruce's Dr. Watson. Bungling - perhaps, but still never more loyal a servent could Holmes hope to have.
For me, a must to add to my collection of wonderful Sunday Afternoon Mysteries memories.
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce star in this 1939 adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's frequently filmed novel, and the result is one of the most atmospheric and purely enjoyable versions of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Except for minor changes, the script is true to Doyle's enthralling mystery about a centuries-long curse against heirs to the Baskerville estate, situated within the haunting and deadly Dartmoor in the southwest of England. With the arrival of a new master, Canadian Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene), Sherlock Holmes (Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Bruce) are called upon to solve the strange case of the "gigantic hound" that may be readying to savage the poor fellow. Wonderful sets, crisp performances, and Rathbone's accessible but no-nonsense take on the Great... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce Director(s): Sidney Lanfield DVD Release Date: Released the 27 April 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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After having spent years watching all 14 of the videos from Key, I recently purchased volume 3 of the Sherlock Holmes Collection. Everything they've said about the enhanced picture/sound quality is true, however, the DVD extras are missing. Am I the only one? The DVD extras promoted on the back of the case include: audio commentary with Stuart Davies, footage of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, production notes by Richard Valley and Photo Gallery/Original Movie Posters. I don't have any of the extras. It's still worth the buy and a five star gem. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Basil Rathbone DVD Release Date: Released the 27 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Here are four strong entries (each beautifully restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive) from the peak of Basil Rathbone's prolific, seven-year run as a definitive Sherlock Holmes for the big screen. Three of these films were released in 1944 alone, beginning with the gripping Pearl of Death, a then-contemporary update (set in the World War II years, as with most of the Rathbone-Holmes features) of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Six Napoleons."
A reluctant Holmes agrees to help a London museum recover a stolen, rare pearl. But the investigation takes a strange turn when the great detective and his sidekick, Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), find their mystery linked to a series of odd murders involving the destruction of porcelain china. Typically, "Pearl of Death" has its... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Basil Rathbone DVD Release Date: Released the 25 November 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I very much enjoyed this offering. Anyone who is familiar with this series of movies knows that the content is excellent, so I won't go into that.
As to the collection,it's excellent also. The audio and video qualities are top notch. The picture quality is actually better than the originals as seen on tv. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce Director(s): John Rawlins DVD Release Date: Released the 28 October 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Another entertaining Sherlock Holmes movie. Rathbone and Bruce are by far and away the best Holmes and Watson there is. Thoroughly enjoyed the movie and it completed the series for me. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Roy William Neill DVD Release Date: Released the 27 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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