MURDER AT THE BASKERVILLES (SILVER BLAZE)

UK, 1937, 71 minutes, Black and white.
Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Lyn Harding, John Turnbull, Ronald Shiner.
Directed by Thomas Bentley.

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 link with The Hound of the Baskervilles? Sir Henry Baskerville twenty years later? His daughter and her fiancé?

2.Sherlock Holmes and Watson going on holidays, the investigation of Sir Henry Baskerville? The background of Moriarty’s activity, the races, the involvement of Holmes and Watson?

3.The racing fraternity, Colonel Ross and his horse, the favourite? The rivals? The abduction of the horse? Its recovery by Holmes? Its participation in the race, the mistake with the numbers, the jockey being shot? Colonel Ross under suspicion because of his gruff manner?

4.Inspector Lestrade, his friendship with Holmes, his naivety and obtuseness, taking the credit, not perceiving Holmes’ sardonic remarks?

5.The introduction to Professor Moriarty, the arch enemy of Holmes? His associates? His setting up an office in the abandoned tube station? The empty lift shaft? The bookmaker and his being brought blindfolded? His proposition about the horse, his loss of winnings? The return to the tube station? Watson following, his being taken, the threat of the lift shaft? The opening of the door – and Holmes and Lestrade present? The capture of Moriarty?

6.Sir Henry Baskerville at home, the hospitality, Diana, Jack Trevor – and his wanting to borrow money from Colonel Ross, the refusal? His riding over to the stables, his meeting Straker? His being under suspicion when the stable hand was found dead? Straker’s death?

7.Straker, at home with his wife, the curry meal, the stable boy and his death? Straker and his abducting the horse? Holmes and the horseshoe, going out into the moors, finding Straker’s body? Tracking down the horse? Mrs Straker and her reaction?

8.Jack Trevor and his being cleared? Diana and her reaction to Inspector Lestrade?

9.The solving of the mystery of the horse? The solving of the mystery of the murders? Holmes putting Watson in danger and then rescuing him?

10.A satisfying example of a Sherlock Holmes story?