When you need to get away from the pressures of real life, there is nothing better or more effective than spending some time with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. If you are a Holmes fan you understand the lure of watching the same films again and again. These movies will not fail you when you need a couple of hours to escape from chores and duties.
The Woman in Green (1945) stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. While some Sherlock Holmes fans feel that THE WOMAN IN GREEN is not up to snuff with some of the other Holmes films. I just love this movie. Four women are murdered and each has a finger severed. At Scotland Yard the murders are being called 'the finger murders.' Is there another Jack the Ripper running loose? The Ripper killed prostitutes but these four women seem to have no such leanings. Is Professor Moriarty involved? Would even he commit such fiendish murders of innocent women? The WOMAN IN GREEN in Green has it all, murder, blackmail, a beautiful woman, even hypnotism.
Terror by Night (1946) takes place on the Scotland Express. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson head out of London to Edinburgh, Scotland. On the way they run into the theft of the 'Star of Rhodesia', a priceless 423 karat diamond and murder. The stone belongs to Lady Margaret, and her son fearing for his mother's safety and theft of the diamond, hires the famous team to protect both. Soon the son is found murdered and the famous stone is missing. It's up to Holmes, Watson and Inspector Lestrade find out 'whodunit.' Also on board is an old friend of Dr. Watson's, Major Duncan-Bleek played spendidly by Alan Mowbray. TERROR BY NIGHT shows glamorous train travel, real china, waiters, cocktails.
Dressed to Kill (1946) The film starts with a voice-over of "Dartmoor Prison." An inmate builds three identical music boxes. They end up at an exclusive shop and become the object of everyone's desire. When Dr. Watson's old friend, Stinky, stops by one night he tells Holmes (and Watson) an odd story about the 'musical' box he has acquired. It seems his lady friend was most interested in the plain little music box. Holmes curiosity is piqued and they return to Stinky's house to look at the box. The next evening Stinky is found murdered. It is up to Holmes and Watson to find the killer.
I have all of these films on DVD. They are a little grainy, but I would not part with them.
Legendary Sherlock Holmes Movies (Dressed to Kill/The Woman in Green/Terror By Night)
Be sure to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum at the Related Link.
