Before we get wrapped up in Robert Downey Jr’s new interpretation of Sherlock Holmes as a barechested bisexual boxer, let’s return to the time when Holmes was a polite and proper sleuth. This pair of Sherlock Holmes Double Feature DVDs returns us to a Holmes that poked around the fog in a black and white universe. Hollywood felt no need to sensationalize the most sensational of English detectives as played by Basil Rathbone in 14 films. At the time of his being cast, Rathbone was one of the great weasel actors in Hollywood. He wasn’t menacing enough to be the heavy, but wicked enough to screw the hero in a heartbeat. He was a great foil for Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood. As a villain, he was cold and calculating. As Holmes, these two traits made him the good guy who knew how to pursue a hunch. But his journey into Holmes wasn’t complete without Nigel Bruce’s Dr. Watson. He was a bit of a bumbler yet not completely inept. When this duo arrived on the crime scene, you knew there would be plenty of elementary deducing. They weren’t going to strip down and lotion each other up as rumored in the new Robert Downey Jr. version.
Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Hound of the Baskervilles and Pursuit to Algiers gives us an adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel and a World War 2 espionage adventure. The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939 – 80 minutes) was Rathbone and Bruce’s first time as Holmes and Watson. The duo are called up to moors of Baskerville Hall to break a family curse by Lionell Atwill (House of Dracula). He doesn’t want the new heir to fall victim to the mysterious menace that killed the last owner. Holmes claims he’s got other business and merely sends Dr. Watson into the cursed land. The house features an extraordinarily creepy John Carradine as the butler. Where is Holmes? Don’t worry, he’s gone deep cover. It’s a good ripping tale involving a true hell hound roaming the moors. But where does it live and who feeds the beast? Holmes has to solve that part before his paying client falls victim. This print features the infamous “needle” ending.
Pursuit to Algiers (1945 – 65 minutes) takes Holmes into the future. He’s no longer in 1899. This is a World War II era tale involving Holmes being hired to escort a foreign heir to the throne in his home country. There’s many enemies looking to stop this recent college student from taking the crown. There’s danger at every turn including a plane that crashes while reportedly carrying Holmes and the heir. Dr. Watson is on a cruise ship when he gets the tragic news. He doesn’t have to mourn too long when Holmes’ subterfuge is exposed. Watson and company must pull the veil from the real enemy agents before they get tossed overboard. It’s a tight shipboard mystery.
Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Claw gives us his most diabolical enemy and a supernatural foe. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (81 minutes) was the second film in the series and the last to stick with the turn of the century setting. Professor Moriarty (George Zucco) beats a crime rap when Holmes arrives too late in court to get the verdict overturned. But this second chance at freedom doesn’t turn the Professor into a nice guy. He wants to destroy Holmes with the crime of the century. He plots a major heist and a homicidal distraction involving Ida Lupino. Which plot gets Holmes’ attention? It’s a clever thriller which is even more exciting than The Hound of the Baskerville.
The Scarlet Claw (1944 – 73 minutes) brings Holmes and Watson to Canada. The small town of La Mort Rouge is haunted by a phantom that slashes the victims throats. Lady Penrose is the latest victim. The duo investigate after receiving a letter from Lady Penrose begging for protection. The victim knew what was coming. Something non-supernatural is up. They discover strange connections between various townspeople that add up to an excuse to murder. There’s moors and fog for fans of that classic element.
The four movies collected on these Double Feature DVDs are the prime cuts of Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes series. The earliest give us the original version of Holmes and Watson at the turn of the century with their most famous case and nemesis. The more modern films have enough cunning and disguises to keep you guessing until the end of the film. Even if you catch onto the villain early, the chemistry between Rathbone and Bruce. They were made to creep around in the fog.
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The black and white transfers were from prints restored at UCLA. Characters don’t get lost in the fog with the amount of detail on the screen. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. The levels are perfect for when Holmes breaks out his violin. All four movies are subtitled.
On The Hound of the Baskervilles and Pursuit to Algiers
Audio Commentary from David Stuart Davies on The Hound of the Baskervilles. He’s the editor of Sherlock magazine.
Hound of the Baskervilles Photo Gallery (2:35) is a montage of pictures and promotional material from the film.
On The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Claw
Audio Commentaries include Richard Valley on The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He’s the publisher of Scarlet Street magazine. He’s got all the details and shares them. David Stuart Davies speaks over The Scarlet Claw.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Photo Gallery (2:35) is a montage of the various promotional photos and publicity materials.
The Scarlet Claw Trailer (1:06) warns us that “The Bell Tolls For Death…In A Village of the Doomed.”
Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Hound of the Baskervilles and Pursuit to Algiers is a fine introduction to Basil Rathbone’s portrayal of the world’s most famous sleuth. The Hound doesn’t disappoint with when the beast arrives on screen. Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Claw will entertain any fan of black and white mysteries. Holmes versus the Professor is the battle of the century. The Scarlet Claw has enough twists and tricks to keep it from becoming a standard mystery. These are four films that would be a mystery if they weren’t in your DVD collection.
MPI Home Video presents Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Hound of the Baskervilles and Pursuit to Algiers. Starring: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and John Carradine. DVD Content: 2 movies on 1 DVD. Released on DVD: September 15, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
MPI Home Video presents Sherlock Holmes Double Feature The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Claw. Starring: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Ida Lupino. DVD Content: 2 movies on 1 DVD. Released on DVD: September 15, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
