bigverybadtom Everything went right with this version of the famous Sherlock Holmes story. The stars as well as the other performers fit their roles perfectly, the atmosphere was convincing, the story was well-paced, and there was humor, but not overdone. The mystery in the story was not too difficult to figure out, but there were still some unexpected twists.The story itself: the wealthy lord of a country estate dies, evidently of heart failure, some sort of wild man finds him but is scared off, and the man's nephew comes from Canada to claim the title and property. Trouble is, there is the story of how heirs to the estate have all died violently, so as a safety measure, Sherlock Holmes and Watson are brought in by an old friend of the family.The movie isn't perfect; the romance subplot seems rather contrived and there are characters who have nothing to do with the actual storyline. But overall the movie is both scary and entertaining.

Python Hyena The Hound of Baskerville s (1939): Dir: Sidney Lanfield / Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene, Wendy Barrie, Lionel Atwill: Haunting detective story about ancestry. Holmes is called to investigate attacks by apparent hounds on an estate. To protect the estate's last heir he goes undercover while partner Watson acts as an overseer. Directed by Sidney Lanfield with lighting that captures the eerie tone as ominous shadows creep about the moors. Basil Rathbone plays off the humorous intellect of Holmes who at first laughs off the report as folklore but he secretly oversees the situation from afar while donning disguises to get in closer. He proves to be an inspector of great intellect when the mystery pieces together. Nigel Bruce plays the loyal and dedicated Watson who is sent on ahead as protection while periodically reporting to Holmes. Richard Greene plays Sir Henry heir of the estate whom is the target for protection. As the film opens he tells of the curse and the hound that targets his namesake. Wendy Barrie is fun as Henry's fiancée but the relationship is too fast and corny. This relationship is predictable and without challenge while the plot is entertaining thanks to Rathbone's confidence and insight. Lionel Atwill plays the consultant who first approaches Holmes and Watson with regards to the case. The result is an entertaining suspense caper. Score: 8 / 10

Rainey Dawn This is a very dark, mysterious version of the story - almost a horror film but not quite. Very eerie sets - especially in the Moors. The story is quite captivating and Ernest Pascal's screenplay for this film is quite good.Basil Rathbone is perfect for the role of Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce is outstanding as Dr. Watson. Both play their roles believably well.This is the type of film I enjoy watching on a dark night with the lights off - it creates a "creepy" atmosphere just like in the film.8.5/10

ma-cortes This is the best version that still can be called a classic filmed in 1939 by Sidney Landfield with all-star-cast such as Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , John Carradine and Richard Greene ; in which Holmes and Watson are called to save Sir Baskerville from a curse that has plagued his family for centuries . The first of fourteen films based on Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional consulting detective Sherlock Holmes starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson .Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Basil Rathbone as Sherlock and fairly faithful to the source material . Basil Rathbone as Holmes plays in a clever , broody and impetuous manner .Nigel Bruce plays as Watson with humor, goofy and joy , he's the perfect counterpoint to Holmes. 1889 , in all England there is no district more dismal than that vast expense of primitive wasteland , the moor of Dartmoor in Devonshire . Holmes (Basil Rathbone)and Watson(Nigel Bruce) are contracted by Doctor Mortimer (Lionel Atwill , later played Professor Moriarty) for the investigation of killing Sr. Baskerville who is now inherited by his niece Sir Henry . Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene), who has returned to England to take his place at the family seat following the death of his uncle, Sir Charles Baskerville. As Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural , devilish hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate . Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and Dr. Mortimer believes he was frightened to death . There appears to be a curse on the family dating back nearly 200 years to when Sir Hugo Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound. Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest. As Holmes investigates the mystery of a supernatural hound threatening the life of a Dartmoor baronet. Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Watson goes to the mansion ,there are the servants(John Carradine) and he meets Stapleton and his sister (Wendy Barrie). Meanwhile an inmate has escaped and on the haunted moor sound the barking of a savage , vicious beast.This is an excellent and thrilling film with dark elements in classic style based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle . It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense and moody intrigue . It's distinguished by its cast with Basil's Sherlock and Nigel's Watson ably playing off each other . The film gets mystery , tension , thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be a known story . Basil Rathbone's magnificent interpretation , he plays as Holmes as an intelligent, obstinate , broody, pipesmoking sleuth . Basil takes on the character emphasizing the role's cynical humor as well as his sometimes insufferable intelligence . His acting is the best and similarly to Jeremy Brett for TV or Nicol Williamson (Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer (Murder by decree) . Rathbone ably backs him up as Sherlock in this version closely follows the Conan Doyle story . While not entirely passive, Watson's original role was mostly as an observer of Holmes and the chronicler of his cases. With this film a new tradition began where Watson enjoyed equal billing with Holmes , in Nigel Bruce's hands the character became a comedic foil and a bit of a bumbler . After being out of circulation for many years, partly because of the 1959 Hammer remake in Technicolor starring Peter Cushing, this film was restored and re-released to theaters in 1975 with great fanfare, to the point of having the national evening news do a story on it. The movie has a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on the moors where lives the fearful giant beast ; besides the 221 Baker Street's house is well designed . Dark and murky cinematography full of shades and lights by Peverel Marley . Thrilling and intriguing musical score by Mockridge and David Buttolph . This atmospheric motion picture was well directed by Sidney Landfield . Other versions about this story are the following : ¨Hammer House of Horror¨ rendition (1959) by the great Terence Fisher with Peter Cushing , Andre Morell and Christopher Lee ; 1977 spoof adaptation by Paul Morrissey with Dudley Moore , Peter Cooke and Denholm Elliott ; 1983 recounting by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson , Donald Churchill and Martin Shaw ; 2000 unpteeth rendition by Rodney Gibbons with Matt Frewer , Kenneth Welsh and Jason London , English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke directed by Peter Hammond and BBC take on with Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock .