THE
ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ($20) is the second and last of the of
the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films to be produced by
20th Century Fox. This movie also marked the last time that Rathbone/Bruce
team would be depicted in the proper Victorian settings of the Sherlock
Holmes stories. Of course, unlike THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES,
which was based upon the Arthur Conan Doyle story, THE ADVENTURES OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES uses the popular William Gillette play as inspiration
for its otherwise original scenario. Despite not coming directly from
Conan Doyle, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is a thoroughly
entertaining motion picture that afforded both Rathbone and Bruce the
opportunity to do some of their best work as the characters of Holmes and
Watson. Additionally, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is
strengthen as a film thanks to the presence of George Zucco, whose
underrated talents bring to vivid life Sherlock Holmes’ arch nemesis
Professor Moriarty.
THE
ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES opens with the late arrival of Sherlock
Holmes at a trial, where he is unable to prevent the acquittal Professor
Moriarty for his latest rash of crimes. A free man once again, Moriarty
knows that Holmes will continually be on his tail, yet the "Napoleon
of Crime" still vows to pull off the crime of the century, right
under the nose of the worlds greatest consulting detective. Using Holmes
strengths against him, Moriarty sets in motion a complex plot that will
attract and hold the attention of Sherlock Holmes, while at the same time
taking a subtler tact towards a more elaborate crime, which is guaranteed
a place in the history of the British Empire. THE ADVENTURES OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES also features Ida Lupino as Ann Brandon, a young woman
who comes to 221b Baker Street, seeking the detective’s help, when the
life of her brother is threatened. Additionally, the cast also includes
Alan Marshal, Terry Kilburn, Henry Stephenson, E.E. Clive, Arthur Hohl,
May Beatty, Peter Willes and Mary Gordon.
MPI
Home Video has made THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES available on
DVD in a terrific black and white presentation that frames the film in its
proper 1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. Like THE HOUND OF THE
BASKERVILLES, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES didn’t
require the extensive restorative efforts applied to the Universal
produced films starring Rathbone and Bruce. The film elements appear to be
in marvelous shape and produce an image that is sharp and beautifully
defined. Blacks are deep and velvety, while the whites appear clean and
stable. Contrast is excellent, as the picture produces a rich and varied
grayscale. Blemishes are very minor, which isn’t bad at all for a film
that is sixty-five years old. At times, there is a slightly noticeable
grain structure, which helps give the presentation a nicely film-like
appearance. Digital compression artifacts are generally well concealed.
For
its age, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES comes with a good
quality Dolby Digital monaural soundtrack. Most traces of background hiss
and audible distortions have been cleaned up, leaving a fairly crisp
sounding track. There are the expected limitations in fidelity; however,
the film’s music always manages to come across in a rather pleasant
fashion. Voices are well recorded, with the dialogue always being
completely intelligible. No other language tracks are included on the
DVDs; however, English subtitles have been provided. Music underscores the
basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the standard scene
selection and set up features, as well as a few choice supplements.
Scarlet Street publisher Richard Valley is on hand with an entertaining
and rather informative running audio commentary. A still gallery of
publicity photos and poster art, plus selected Holmes theatrical trailers
completes the supplements.
In
addition to being the last time that Rathbone and Bruce would appear in a
Victorian setting, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is also one of
the most entertaining films to feature them as Holmes and Watson. MPI’s
DVD looks and sounds great, making it something that will certainly please
movie buffs and, in particular, devotees of this classic Sherlock Holmes
movie. If you are a Rathbone/Bruce fan, then THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK
HOLMES is a must have. Absolutely recommended.
THE
ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES ($20) is the second and last of the of
the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films to be produced by
20th Century Fox. This movie also marked the last time that Rathbone/Bruce
team would be depicted in the proper Victorian settings of the Sherlock
Holmes stories. Of course, unlike THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES,
which was based upon the Arthur Conan Doyle story, THE ADVENTURES OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES uses the popular William Gillette play as inspiration
for its otherwise original scenario. Despite not coming directly from
Conan Doyle, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is a thoroughly
entertaining motion picture that afforded both Rathbone and Bruce the
opportunity to do some of their best work as the characters of Holmes and
Watson. Additionally, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is
strengthen as a film thanks to the presence of George Zucco, whose
underrated talents bring to vivid life Sherlock Holmes’ arch nemesis
Professor Moriarty.
THE
ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES opens with the late arrival of Sherlock
Holmes at a trial, where he is unable to prevent the acquittal Professor
Moriarty for his latest rash of crimes. A free man once again, Moriarty
knows that Holmes will continually be on his tail, yet the "Napoleon
of Crime" still vows to pull off the crime of the century, right
under the nose of the worlds greatest consulting detective. Using Holmes
strengths against him, Moriarty sets in motion a complex plot that will
attract and hold the attention of Sherlock Holmes, while at the same time
taking a subtler tact towards a more elaborate crime, which is guaranteed
a place in the history of the British Empire. THE ADVENTURES OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES also features Ida Lupino as Ann Brandon, a young woman
who comes to 221b Baker Street, seeking the detective’s help, when the
life of her brother is threatened. Additionally, the cast also includes
Alan Marshal, Terry Kilburn, Henry Stephenson, E.E. Clive, Arthur Hohl,
May Beatty, Peter Willes and Mary Gordon.
MPI
Home Video has made THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES available on
DVD in a terrific black and white presentation that frames the film in its
proper 1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. Like THE HOUND OF THE
BASKERVILLES, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES didn’t
require the extensive restorative efforts applied to the Universal
produced films starring Rathbone and Bruce. The film elements appear to be
in marvelous shape and produce an image that is sharp and beautifully
defined. Blacks are deep and velvety, while the whites appear clean and
stable. Contrast is excellent, as the picture produces a rich and varied
grayscale. Blemishes are very minor, which isn’t bad at all for a film
that is sixty-five years old. At times, there is a slightly noticeable
grain structure, which helps give the presentation a nicely film-like
appearance. Digital compression artifacts are generally well concealed.
For
its age, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES comes with a good
quality Dolby Digital monaural soundtrack. Most traces of background hiss
and audible distortions have been cleaned up, leaving a fairly crisp
sounding track. There are the expected limitations in fidelity; however,
the film’s music always manages to come across in a rather pleasant
fashion. Voices are well recorded, with the dialogue always being
completely intelligible. No other language tracks are included on the
DVDs; however, English subtitles have been provided. Music underscores the
basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the standard scene
selection and set up features, as well as a few choice supplements.
Scarlet Street publisher Richard Valley is on hand with an entertaining
and rather informative running audio commentary. A still gallery of
publicity photos and poster art, plus selected Holmes theatrical trailers
completes the supplements.
In
addition to being the last time that Rathbone and Bruce would appear in a
Victorian setting, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is also one of
the most entertaining films to feature them as Holmes and Watson. MPI’s
DVD looks and sounds great, making it something that will certainly please
movie buffs and, in particular, devotees of this classic Sherlock Holmes
movie. If you are a Rathbone/Bruce fan, then THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK
HOLMES is a must have. Absolutely recommended.