THE SIGN OF FOUR: SHERLOCK HOLMES’ GREATEST CASE

UK, 1932, 71 minutes, Black and white.
Arthur Wontner, Isla Bevan, Ian Hunter, Graham Soutten, Miles Malleson.
Directed by Graham Cutts.

During the 1930s, six films were made of Sherlock Holmes stories, prior to the Basil Rathbone -Nigel Bruce era. Sherlock Holmes was played by Arthur Wontner (who continued in films until 1960). Ian Hunter was Doctor Watson in this film whereas Ian Fleming (Melbourne -born) was Doctor Watson in Murder at the Baskervilles.

The films were very brief, produced with a small budget. They were also updated to the 1930s and have a contemporary look. They keep the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Sherlock Holmes and his comments – and the overuse of ‘elementary’ in Murder at the Baskervilles. Doctor Watson is less fuddy-duddy than Nigel Bruce but Sherlock Holmes plays with his straightforward naivety.

The villain in The Sign of Four is played by Graham Soutten, Jonathan Small who terrorises people, including Mary Morstan, in order to recover jewels. In Murder at the Baskervilles, Holmes’ nemesis, Professor Moriarty and his associates, appear and are bested.

The dialogue is crisp, giving Holmes some mordant remarks as well as an opportunity to solve the cases in his straightforward and elementary manner.

There had been silent films of Holmes stories since 1913. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce appeared from the late 30s to the late 40s in a series of films which were updated and had a context of World War Two. Many Sherlock Holmes have succeeded him including Stewart Granger, Peter Cushing, Jeremy Brett in a celebrated series, Robert Stevens, Ian Richardson (a very strong Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Sign of Four).

1.The popularity of Sherlock Holmes stories? In their time? In later generations? The 1930s version?

2.The small budget, black and white photography? Musical score? The cast? The sets?

3.The Sign of Four as a famous novel? Many times filmed? This version keeping close to the text?

4.The focus on Holmes, his personality, his appearance, at Baker Street, his pipe, his hat? With Doctor Watson? Explaining where Watson had walked on his way to Baker Street? The elementary attention to detail?

5.The prologue, Jonathan Small in prison in the Andamon Islands, Major Sholto and his associate, their talking with Jonathan Small, the jewels, finding them in the wall, the fight, Sholto killing Morstan? Small and his escape from prison and coming to London? Sholto in his old age, with his sons, the family fortune based on the robbery? His wanting a third of the money to go to Mary Morstan? His fear of Small, hearing the beat of the wooden leg? His death?

6.Mary Morstan, her uncertainty, the pearls, going to Sherlock Holmes, the attention of Doctor Watson throughout the film – and a final proposal?

7.Sherlock Holmes, his investigations around the docks, finding information about Small? His disguise, drinking at the bars, getting the information, the return to Baker Street and the surprise of Lestrade and his housekeeper?

8.Small, the tattoos, his associates? Threatening the Sholto brothers? Thaddeus Sholto and his fears, wanting to elaborate(*?) with Sherlock Holmes?

9.The abduction of Mary Morstan, the wharves, the circus, Small and the tattooed man hiding themselves in the circus? The escape, the boat, the fight, Holmes’ recovery of the bag, of the pearls?

10.Inspector Jones, his obtuseness, his not seeing through Holmes’ sardonic remarks?

11.A satisfying version of a Sherlock Holmes story?