I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere: David Lee Andrews

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Saturday Matinee: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case - The Sign of Four (1932)

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"for the fourth time" [BRUC] </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzATV5AAWJdxwW7R9cHE5f30pB1Pssx9_W6Do5nqQ5AmM6R4B9WN7-VXCfTSp9HwONLjKn5upb3_oYolhYAcFOkpLgPIn_YSzcMJcyEbL2b5kYAwIF8iY5fPR7ei207Mw9qTnWILJ4_p7/s1600/The+Sign+of+Four+lobby+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of Four" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzATV5AAWJdxwW7R9cHE5f30pB1Pssx9_W6Do5nqQ5AmM6R4B9WN7-VXCfTSp9HwONLjKn5upb3_oYolhYAcFOkpLgPIn_YSzcMJcyEbL2b5kYAwIF8iY5fPR7ei207Mw9qTnWILJ4_p7/s1600/The+Sign+of+Four+lobby+card.jpg" title="Lobby card for Arthur Wontner's The Sign of Four" width="640" /></a></div>
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[<i>Editor's note: this is the fourth in <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/search/label/Arthur%20Wontner#.VNZp7_nF_14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a series of four posts</a> on the Arthur Wontner Sherlock Holmes series, as reviewed by David Lee Andrews of <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/2015/01/sherlock-holmes-greatest-case-sign-of.html#.VNWObfnF_14" target="_blank">Comic Book and Movie Reviews</a></i>]<br />
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After closer inspection I've deduced that the following 75 minute movie made in 1932 was directed by Graham Cutts; and starred Arthur Wontner, Isla Bevan, with Ian Hunter. And how did I know such a thing? Well, I purchased a copy and watched it of course. And so should you, too.<br />
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<b>The Story</b></h4>
Now calm down, Ms. Morstan (Isla Bevan). Please. There's no need for you to cry anymore. You're safe now, and completely out of harm's way. Although I wish I could have said exactly the same thing about some of your relatives.<br />
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Well, quite time ago your father partnered up with a Major from the British army called Sholto (Herbert Lomas), so they could both steal a box of treasure from a known felon named Small (Graham Soutten). However, during this arduous encounter Sholto murdered your father in cold blood and spent the reminder of his days over here in London.<br />
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Yet, the strange thing about this, my dear, is that as the years passed by he eventually came to the realization that his life of luxury was built on very fragile ground. And so, when it finally came time for Sholto to take his final breath, he told his two sons about what he had done, and they in turn hastily decided to send you some of his loot - in the form of a diamond necklace - for fear of Small''s return. <br />
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Of course, Small did return, didn't he? And that's why you're here to see me today. Indeed, earlier one of his tattooed henchmen approached you at your florist's.<br />
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But please, don't concern yourself, Ms. Morstan. I will now leave you in Doctor Watson's (Ian Hunter) more than capable hands, because what next transpires all begins anew when I say to myself those immortal words, "Come Sherlock (Arthur Wontner). The game is afoot." As an inept policeman makes a wrong arrest - a drunken Sherlock becomes a damn right pest - Watson and Mary take a trip to the fun-fair - and at the end of the day, a kiss from a fair lady, spells that love is in the air.<br />
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<b>The Review</b></h4>
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I'm afraid to say that this will be my last <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/search?q=Arthur+Wontner">Arthur Wontner</a> Sherlock Holmes movie review because there aren't any more for me to see. It's a shame really, isn't it? Because on the whole most of them conveyed somewhat intriguing story lines that lavished us with pathos, mystery, plus an authentic vibe spearheaded by Arthur's portrayal of the Sherlock Holmes character.  <br />
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Take this film for instance. In it, you will see him doing everything Holmes does in the books. You will see him poking fun at Watson and the police without a care in the world. You will hear him making one of his many articulate yet engrossing summations that'll make anyone think, "Wow!" And you'll even see him in disguise mixing in with the locals.<br />
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But having said that, dear reader, do you know what impressed me the most about this mystery? It was that the camera work on show was very innovative for its time. Every now and then a scene was shot from a high perspective looking down to give it a sinister edge. Other times the film was sped-up to give it a more kinetic flow. And here and there you could see Holmes - or one of the other characters - through an object which was placed in the foreground, as if to give this scene a more artistic flourish!<br />
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Also, something else I best mention about this movie was how Doctor Watson kept flirting with the Mary Morstan character. Honestly, my friends. When I saw what he was doing I couldn't help but cheer him on and applaud his more debonair antics. And without giving anything away, at the very end of it a friendship was sealed in a very 'to be continued' sort of manner.  <br />
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Now on the flip side of things there were two aspects about this adventure I wasn't too keen on. Firstly, on occasion the sound quality was rather mumbled in note, and difficult for me to hear what was being said. And secondly, I had to wait for over twenty minutes before I could see Sherlock in front of the camera.<br />
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Apart from that though -- hey! -- this was one marvelous movie. And these are its cinematic facts. </div>
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<ol>
<li>Associated Talking Pictures first released this production in London, England on the exact same month Al Capone entered Atlanta Penitentiary convicted of income tax evasion. It was in May, 1932.</li>
<li>This film was loosely based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes story, <i>The Sign of the Four</i>, which was published by Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, in February, 1890.</li>
<li>The majority of this movie was shot at Ealing Studios, situated within the city of London.</li>
<li>I'm afraid to say that this adventure made one grievous factual error. Sherlock Holmes' residence isn't located at 22A Baker Street; it's located at 221B Baker Street.</li>
<li>To follow on from my previous fact, you might like to know that this movie makes three slight departures from its original source material. Firstly, Sholto doesn't murder Morstan. Secondly, "The Tattooed Man" doesn't make an appearance. And thirdly, it was set in 1887 and not the 1930s.</li>
<li>From 1914 to 2001 this story was re-made ten times in total.</li>
<li>This was the first feature length film to star the Shakespearian actor, Roy Emerton.</li>
<li>After this adventure saluted King and country, Arthur Wontner starred in the next <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/search/label/SHERLOCK%20HOLMES">Sherlock Holmes film</a>, <i>The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes</i>; Isla Bevan starred in the filmic-short, <i>The Star Reporter</i>; and Ian Hunter starred in the romantic comedy <i>Marry Me</i>.</li>
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Overall I'd say <i>The Sign Of Four</i> was a great way for me to end my reviews on the Arthur Wontner series of Sherlock Holmes films. It had a great story line that was dynamic in places and authentic in attitude. And if you can look past some of its cosmetic flaws, all in all this is a must watch movie for any of you Sherlockian cinephiles out there<br />
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<b>The Rating: A-</b></h4>
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Saturday Matinee: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case - The Sign of Four (1932)

"for the fourth time" [BRUC] [ Editor's note: this is the fourth in a series of four posts on the Arthur Wontner Sherl...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Saturday Matinee: Silver Blaze / Murder at the Baskervilles

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"You can go to blazes!" [3STU]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vEGvyV4u1tv8OrNGP6XwhDbfSEZcjgBFARImuPNDWF5CGPcjYbNh-R0h7SqBYJ_dJBsGJbhyphenhyphenkR7Noi-Mtsg_cyD-t0fx_YPPXNN4UpYCa8LSZpYOPoEwtRSWH5HcGKMvQEs7UcNBG4hc/s1600/Wontner-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Still from a poster for Arthur Wontner in Silver Blaze / Murder at the Baskervilles" border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vEGvyV4u1tv8OrNGP6XwhDbfSEZcjgBFARImuPNDWF5CGPcjYbNh-R0h7SqBYJ_dJBsGJbhyphenhyphenkR7Noi-Mtsg_cyD-t0fx_YPPXNN4UpYCa8LSZpYOPoEwtRSWH5HcGKMvQEs7UcNBG4hc/s1600/Wontner-color.jpg" title="Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes - in color" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">[</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">Editor's note: this is the third in <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/search/label/Arthur%20Wontner#.VNZp7_nF_14" rel="nofollow" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">a series of four posts</a> on the Arthur Wontner Sherlock Holmes series, as reviewed by David Lee Andrews of <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/2014/07/sherlock-holmes-and-silver-blaze-1937.html#.VOi_hfldWSo" style="color: #006f85; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Comic Book and Movie Reviews</a>.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;">]</span><br />
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</span> I say, old chap. Have you ever noticed that in days of old British people used to speak with a rather pious accent? Yes. I can assure you this fact is true, my friend. As I heard this in the following 71-minute movie made in 1937. It was Directed by: Thomas Bentley; and Starred: Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Lyn Harding, with Lawrence Grossmith.<br />
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<b>The Story</b></h4>
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Why thank you very much for inviting us to your grand abode, Sir Henry Baskerville (Lawrence Grossmith). I'm sure Dr. Watson (Ian Fleming) and myself will have a most enjoyably stay here. Especially since Inspector Lestrade (John Turnbull) gave us a tip on an up and coming horse race within the vicinity. <br />
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Well, just between the two of us, of course, only the other day the good Inspector recommended that we should place a bet on a horse to win this completion. Your horse, my friend. Your horse called the 'Silver Blaze'. Nigh on guaranteeing us that your grand stallion should be the first....<br />
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BOOOM! AGGGGHHHHhhhh!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqDDsItP9_JsAy310ycVLQqXiu1xlr-3qMqr_saauQjFwwXwpTgsxqD1-8aZ9M5Akcq-DDzh3jIEAKepcsUUGbOwiYt8eum8TRilcJRAgILJu2s9fmvAuybAWRJ91DljMIvmPi9Pkek-E/s1600/Wontner-SILV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arthur Explains it All" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqDDsItP9_JsAy310ycVLQqXiu1xlr-3qMqr_saauQjFwwXwpTgsxqD1-8aZ9M5Akcq-DDzh3jIEAKepcsUUGbOwiYt8eum8TRilcJRAgILJu2s9fmvAuybAWRJ91DljMIvmPi9Pkek-E/s1600/Wontner-SILV.jpg" title="Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes in Silver Blaze" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eh? What in damnations was that infernal racket? Oh no! Don't tell me someone has killed your stable hand and stolen the horse in question? Oh, dear, Sir Henry! That's a damn nuisance, isn't it?<br />
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But please don't concern yourself with this matter, old bean. As the game is a foot. My game that is! My game of sussing out who committed this heinous crime by prowling through the moors, whilst asking a lot of question's in the process.<br />
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Then again, that's most probably why what transpires all takes a run and jump when I say to myself, 'Sherlock (Arthur Wontner) old chap. You don't think Professor Moriarty (Lyn Harding) is behind this, do you?'. As a horse is hidden from prying eyes - a stable hand is found out for telling lies - a race comes down with a tremendous cough - and at the end of the day, a vile villain it finally told to pi** off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxrD_GV50iwFhtK6S-miPQwVu9XDdZHCFjQFs1WGTzthWbAP20Yq67ryPC1dw1W78UcVTIDFSiQy53GN2zpXl4GBPoyZYdHEQ3ufxicC2-wu76i711ntaTl4PNN2ZVzx0xFxERIZbjzW/s1600/Wontner-BASK2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The jig is up" border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxrD_GV50iwFhtK6S-miPQwVu9XDdZHCFjQFs1WGTzthWbAP20Yq67ryPC1dw1W78UcVTIDFSiQy53GN2zpXl4GBPoyZYdHEQ3ufxicC2-wu76i711ntaTl4PNN2ZVzx0xFxERIZbjzW/s1600/Wontner-BASK2.PNG" title="Holmes beats Moriarty - again" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Review</b></h4>
I must confess, dear reader, <i>Silver Blaze</i> was one of those black and white movies I liked for its story-line, yet didn't like for its execution.<br />
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Well, I think it best if I mention that the quality of the print I saw was rather mumbled in places. Both visually and acoustically they appeared slightly garbled and opaque on screen. And sometimes -- and only sometimes mind you -- it was quite difficult to ascertain what was happening from one moment to the next.<br />
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Having said that, though, this is a very old slice of antiquated cinema, and it does date back to 1937. Plus more or less, I got used to this cosmetic pit-fall the longer it played out. Particularly since some of the actors were able to tell the actual tale in a very straight-laced fashion.  <br />
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Honestly, folks. For yours truly I thought Arthur's portrayal of Sherlock was right on the money. Not only because he looked and sounded the part, yet he also had that meticulous manner of deducing and sleuthing like some sort of Victorian doctor. And as for the Doctor -- yeah -- he did a pretty good job too. In his own humble manner Ian appeared very comfortable and self-assured in his role of Doctor Watson, whilst Lyn scared the living sh*t out of me playing Moriarty, mainly because of his very imposing stature and gruff demeanor.<br />
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As for the rest of the cast on the other hand, well, nah! They were too stiff or prim-and-proper, so to speak. And most of them came across as a mixture of one-dimensional stereotypes and secondary players that couldn't really cut the mustard.<br />
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Oh! Wait a minute! While I'm on the topic of mustard, funnily enough, I'd say this said-same garnish is how I would perceive this tale. It's not to everybody's tastes, unless you enjoy something that is peppery and spicy and is able to confuse your taste buds.<br />
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Confused -- in a good way of course -- as this flick managed to do two things where the central narrative was concerned. Firstly, unlike some more modern day thrillers, it told a murder mystery that unfolded the longer it progressed, and didn't just set-up a pretext for the characters to play off of. And secondly, the three principal characters took charge of this film by staking their ground. Sherlock was the hero. Watson and Lestrade were his side-kicks. Plus Moriarty was the bad-guy. Simply put. And simply defined.<br />
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Anyway, by now I'm sure you know how I feel about this up and down movie. Parts of it were good. Parts of it were bad. And parts of it were fairly mediocre. So for the time being let us all sit back, relax, and check out the following film facts.</div>
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<li>'Twickenham Film Distributors' first screened this production in England on the very same month as the first alleged sighting of the elusive, 'White River Monster' -- July, 1937.</li>
<li>Loosely translated, this project was entitled 'The Missing Horse' in Brazil, and when it was re-issued in America four years later, 1941, it was given the alternate title, <i>Murder at the Baskervilles</i>.</li>
<li>The majority of this movie was shot at London's 'Twickenham Film Studios', located in the English county of Middlesex.</li>
<li>This adventure was limply based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1892 short story of the same name.</li>
<li>Unfortunately this was the last time Arthur Wontner would play Sherlock Holmes on screen. In 1961 he died at the tender age of 86.</li>
<li>Even though the actor who played Watson in this film shares the same name as the popular James Bond novelist, Ian Fleming, he is not a writer. Instead, he is an actor whose claim to fame is being one of two Watson's who played opposite Arthur's Holmes. The other one being Ian Hunter, who also starred opposite Errol Flynn in his swashbuckling series, 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'.</li>
<li>Its a little known fact that Arthur's eldest son, Hugh Wontner, became the Lord Mayor ofLondon in 1973.</li>
<li>This story wasn't the inadvertent sequel to the now classic <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i>, because it was written ten years earlier.</li>
<li>After this flick turned out the lights, Arthur Wontner starred in the comedy, <i>The Live Wire</i>; Ian Fleming starred in the drama, <i>The Reverse Be My Lot</i>; and Lyn Harding starred in the adventure, <i>Mutiny on the Elsinore</i>. </li>
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Overall I'd say <i>Silver Blaze</i> was a pretty nifty movie to sit down and watch. Even though cosmetically it looked rather mundane, the story told a rather good story, and it is well worth seeing if you haven't seen Arthur's version of Holmes yet.<br />
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<b>The Rating: B-</b></h4>
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Saturday Matinee: Silver Blaze / Murder at the Baskervilles

"You can go to blazes!" [3STU] [ Editor's note: this is the third in a series of four posts on the Arthur Wontner Sh...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Saturday Matinee: The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935)

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"with triumph in his eyes" [SIXN]</h4>
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[<i>Editor's note: this is the second in <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/search/label/Arthur%20Wontner#.VNZp7_nF_14" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a series of four posts</a> on the Arthur Wontner Sherlock Holmes series, as reviewed by David Lee Andrews of <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/2014/09/the-triumph-of-sherlock-holmes-1935.html#.VNWzV_nF_14" target="_blank">Comic Book and Movie Reviews</a>.</i>]<br />
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Did you know that Sherlock Holmes has been depicted in the movies more than any other fictional character throughout cinematic history? Yeah. It's fairly elementary, don't you know. You just ask any of those nice chaps seen in the following 75-minute flick made in 1935. It was directed by Leslie S. Hiscott; and starred Arthur Wontner, Lyn Harding, with Leslie Perrins.<br />
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<b>The Story</b></h4>
Why thank you very much for coming out of retirement to investigate the death of my husband, Mr. Holmes (Arthur Wontner). Yet, to be completely honest with you, I had a sneaking suspicion something like this was going to happen sooner or later.<br />
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You see, many years ago, while we were living in America, my late husband John (Leslie Perrins) joined a gang of crooks who frequented a nearby tavern. And I'll tell you something for nothing, Mr. Holmes, this motley crew were really up to no good. Extortion. Thievery. The works. They did everything in their power to make a fast buck in spite of the local authority's best efforts.<br />
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However, as time past John finally decided to show his true colors. And this in turn resulted in some of the gang being pinched, while me and my other half made it all the way back to England for safe keeping.<br />
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Well. We thought we were, anyway.<br />
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But then again, that's most probably why what happens next goes all old-school when Doctor Watson (Ian Fleming) catches me laughing in the garden. As the game is afoot - a string of lies goes kaput - a dead man eventually join's the party - and at the end of the day, look out Holmes, for here comes Professor Moriarty (Lyn Harding)! <br />
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<b>The Review</b></h4>
From a narrative point of view I'd say <i>The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes</i> was a story of two unequal halves. Whilst one part concentrated on Holmes trying to figure out who murdered a man, the other part concentrated on the man's back-story and eventual fate.<br />
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Now I know that this may sound fairly straight forward and pedestrian on the surface, dear reader. But as I just said, the two halves presented were very unequal. Essentially it favored the 'back-story' part of the narrative more than the 'Holmes' part of the narrative, and this inadvertently made the 'Holmes element' act as a book-end to the overall murder mystery.<br />
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I also noticed that the exposition came across somewhat top-heavy on occasion. And even though I did like the way the actors acted - all upper-crust, working class, or prim and proper - in the same breath some of them weren't able to give their words any form of gravitas or depth.<br />
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Of course I'm not referring to Arthur Wontner's or Ian Fleming's performances. Generally speaking their portrayal of Holmes and Watson was very warming on the screen. As a matter of fact, not only was it warming, my friends, I'd even go so far as to say their on screen chemistry felt more authentic than some of the other actors who have attempted to play these parts.  <br />
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Well. Let's face it. Doesn't Wontner look like Sherlock Holmes to you? Furthermore, if you ever get around to watching any of his movies, I bet you anything you'd think he sounds like him as well! Especially when he does one of his summations to explain why x did y to z!<br />
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Also, something else about this movie I thoroughly enjoyed, where those scenes where Sherlock encouraged Watson to 'chip in' on the investigation. In my eyes these sequences show what's at the very heart of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. A partnership and a common bond that illustrates they're very much two halves of the very same coin. A coin, I might add, that outshone the wise-guy 'back-story' component even though it had a lot less time in the spotlight<br />
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Anyway. I'm sure you know by now my feelings towards this fairly good murder mystery. So I tell you what. Why don't you now sit back, relax, and check out the following cinematic facts.<br />
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<ol>
<li>Gaumont British first released this production in England on the exact same month the Monopoly board game was first sold in the shops - February, 1935. </li>
<li>Loosely translated, this project was entitled <i>The Valley of Fear</i> in Spain. </li>
<li>Funnily enough, you might like to know this adventure was limply based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's final novel-length Sherlock story - also entitled <i>The Valley of Fear</i> - which was published in 1914. </li>
<li>One of the taglines used to promote this picture, was, "Sherlock Holmes solves his greatest problem of his spectacular career." </li>
<li>That nice English chap who directed this film, Leslie S. Hiscott, was one of the original co-founders of the legendary Twickenham Film Studios.</li>
<li>This was the last time Cyril Twyford ever adapted a flick for the silver screen. Previously he adapted two other Sherlock Holmes mysteries starring Arthur Wontner, most notably <i>The Missing Rembrandt</i> and <i>Sherlock Holmes's Fatal Hour</i>. </li>
<li>In stark contrast to Twyford, this was the first time Lyn Harding ever portrayed Professor Moriarty. Afterwards he would play him one more time in <i>Silver Blaze</i>. </li>
<li>After this mystery gulped its last sip of tea, Arthur Wontner starred in the drama, <i>Line Engaged</i>; Lyn Harding starred in the adventure, <i>Escape Me Never</i>; and Leslie Perrins starred in the romance, <i>D'Ye Ken John Peel?</i>.</li>
</ol>
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Overall I'd say <i>The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes</i> was a rather pithy little footnote on the whole Sherlock Holmes mythos. Even though the back-story overpowered Holmes's presence, as push comes to shove, Holmes and Watson still made it through despite its bi-polar tone.<br />
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A timely tone. <br />
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<h4>
<b>The Rating: B-</b></h4>
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Saturday Matinee: The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935)

"with triumph in his eyes" [SIXN] [ Editor's note: this is the second in a series of four posts on the Arthur Wontner S...

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by Scott Monty

Saturday Matinee: Sherlock Holmes and the Sleeping Cardinal (1931)

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"the cardinal points" [MUSG]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHAyGEql7o4mHB850ZsV3tZjnXNSVLyXGUHII-VU49aia15QI32S-yhwI_zHZ-8gkdx0q-7dSk30jx5gWI1hM5l8nREyhR8VhKPs7KrzvFQKqhBlGX_aJYXGeL5zXwrFUn_oqBkXGTWVy/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes+Fatal+Hour+lobby+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour aka Sherlock Holmes and the Sleeping Cardinal" border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHAyGEql7o4mHB850ZsV3tZjnXNSVLyXGUHII-VU49aia15QI32S-yhwI_zHZ-8gkdx0q-7dSk30jx5gWI1hM5l8nREyhR8VhKPs7KrzvFQKqhBlGX_aJYXGeL5zXwrFUn_oqBkXGTWVy/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes+Fatal+Hour+lobby+card.jpg" title="Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour" width="640" /></a></div>
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[<i>Editor's note: This is a first in a series of reviews by David Lee Andrews, cross-posted from <a href="http://www.comicbookandmoviereviews.com/2014/11/sherlock-holmes-and-sleeping-cardinal.html#.VMHQo_ldWSr" target="_blank">Comic Book and Movie Reviews</a></i>]<br />
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Before Rathbone and Bruce donned the mantel of Sherlock and Watson, Wontner and Fleming thought they'd have a go. And they did, in the following 81-minute movie made in 1931. It was Directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starred Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Jane Welsh, with Norman McKinnel.<br />
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<h3>
The Story</h3>
I know this may sound rather far-fetched, Doctor Watson (Ian Fleming). Yet for quite some time now I've had a hunch that one solitary figure is behind most of the crimes in our city.<br />
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Yes. I'm not pulling your leg, old bean. I'd say a good example of this would have to be that bank robbery reported to me earlier in the day by Inspector Lestrade (Philip Hewland). You know. That one where the perpetrators got away with a printing press whilst one of the security guards perished in the act.<br />
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And as for another of these crimes, well, do you remember telling me about Kathleen Adair's (Jane Welsh) older brother, Watson? What's his name again? Yes. That's the chap. That unscrupulous card-shark called Ronald (Leslie Perrins). Well, somehow, somewhere, and sometime, I have a sneaking suspicion he will meet the mastermind behind this bank robbery, and when he does, he will also get himself into a lot of trouble.<br />
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That's most probably why what transpires next gets rather deductive when a shrouded figure enters the room and says to me, "Hello, Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner). My name is Professor Moriarty (Norman McKinnel). Pleased to meet you." As Mrs. Hudson (Minnie Rayner) has something to say - it's never easy keeping crime at bay - a card-shark takes a disastrous shuffle - and at the end of the day, a bad man looses out in the eventful kerfuffle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n3AaYy0iosjfsOR6K_8qtxxFOIIUKwA0yFLe3IS2148tvQGyfPw64dEbhWTxjOeKaZjKT9ZvWenapD2o6H9quezPT7_axu3ejATvxXB8gvWoKe4GsfeedilW0r_Rda-L8mq7OEE6IKeq/s1600/Arthur+Wontner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arthur Wontner starring as Sherlock Holmes in The Sleeping Cardinal" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n3AaYy0iosjfsOR6K_8qtxxFOIIUKwA0yFLe3IS2148tvQGyfPw64dEbhWTxjOeKaZjKT9ZvWenapD2o6H9quezPT7_axu3ejATvxXB8gvWoKe4GsfeedilW0r_Rda-L8mq7OEE6IKeq/s1600/Arthur+Wontner.png" title="Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
The Review:</h3>
If you're the type of Sherlock Holmes fan who has no qualms about watching a great mystery that appears rather dated upon the screen, then look no further, my friends, because <i>The Sleeping Cardinal</i> is definitely a film for you.<br />
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Essentially it is one of those adventures that has it all, and it has it all in spades. It has an air of genuine authenticity about it that I'm sure Conan Doyle would be proud of. It has a great story-line that unfolds itself in a gradual manner, without making anything seem either too convenient or too staged by proxy. And on top of all that, every single one of the main players has some time to shine, including the mostly forgotten bit-player, Mrs Hudson.<br />
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In fact, one of my most favorite scenes was the one where she was cleaning up after Sherlock and Watson, and starts moaning to them both as to why they don't tidy up after themselves. I also loved that sequence where she argued with her next door neighbour's daughter, plus how she was utilized at the very end of this piece. And the reason why I say this, my friends, is because I felt her inclusion added a very down to earth quality to these proceedings. Almost rooting the entire story-line into some sort of natural pretext.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDpBwaqfebHM3tXQsbZPrk4o9xE77ibi-J1Qqic4CFavro6jMu5sHDyIEaGfzPx2R5gjGVXYn3X7N-nRgp7jem_2p6X3NEkuBQy50FrerfMjlaC0BL3kdbavLQghyzgOh1YCKaLLrVb6P/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes+Fatal+Hour+Mrs+Hudson.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mrs. Hudson giving Holmes and Watson a scolding" border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDpBwaqfebHM3tXQsbZPrk4o9xE77ibi-J1Qqic4CFavro6jMu5sHDyIEaGfzPx2R5gjGVXYn3X7N-nRgp7jem_2p6X3NEkuBQy50FrerfMjlaC0BL3kdbavLQghyzgOh1YCKaLLrVb6P/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes+Fatal+Hour+Mrs+Hudson.PNG" title="Mrs. Hudson cleans up in Sherlock Holmes Fatal Hour" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now please don't get me wrong. Mrs Hudson isn't at the very heart of this movie. If anything, what's at the heart of this movie is Sherlock's introduction to Moriarty, as well as illustrating -- once again -- how he and Watson are a brilliant-brilliant double act. A double act, I might add, that is one part logical, one part warm, and one part incrementally challenged.<br />
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A good illustration of this can be found nearing the end of this film, when Sherlock Holmes starts blathering on about one thing or another, seemingly making himself comes across like a blithering old fool. But of course, Holmes being Holmes, nothing he does throughout the duration of this movie is done in a foolish capacity. And this is highlighted at the very end of it, when he eventually explains to Watson why he acted in the way he did before.<br />
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As a matter of fact I thought this particular nuance was very commendable on Arthur's portrayal of Holmes, because it does make sense within the confines of this tale, whilst making me wonder why he isn't mentioned more often when a Sherlock Holmes project is stated in the press.<br />
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Anyway. That's a subject for another day, dear reader. As I'm sure by now you got the basic gist of what I thought about this marvelous murder mystery. The tale was a solid one. The actors were on point. And even though the production values weren't the best I've ever seen, still, it could've been worse.<br />
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Just look at the following cinematic facts, Ha!<br />
<ol>
<li>'Julius Hagen Productions' first released this adventure in England on the exact same month the first Bela Lugosi <i>Dracula</i> movie was released. It was in February, 1931. </li>
<li>Loosely translated, this project was entitled <i>The King Of The Shadows</i> in Italy, and when it was shown in America four months later, is was given the alternate title, <i>The Fatal Hour</i>, as seen in the visuals above. </li>
<li>The majority of this movie was shot at Twickenham Film Studios, situated within the English county of Middlesex. </li>
<li>One of the taglines used to promote this picture was: 'Read by millions: The World Greatest Detective'. </li>
<li>This flick was limply based on two Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: "The Adventure of the Empty House," published in 1903 and "The Final Problem," published in 1893. </li>
<li>For many years it was believed that this production was lost in the archives, yet it was eventually discovered in an unnamed location situated somewhere within the United States. </li>
<li>While I'm on the subject of lost films, according to legend, this one is an adaptation of one of the very first Sherlock Holmes films ever made. It was developed in 1905 and called <i>Adventures of Sherlock Holmes</i>, starring 'Bronco Billy' Anderson as the title character. And yes, it is still presumed lost. </li>
<li>After this mystery murdered a monkey, Arthur Wontner starred in the crime-drama, <i>A Gentleman of Paris</i>; Ian Fleming starred in the next Sherlock Holmes movie, <i>The Missing Rembrandt</i>; and Jane Welsh starred in the film short <i>Two Crowded Hours</i>.</li>
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Overall I'd say <i>The Sleeping Cardinal</i> was one hell of a great murder mystery for any Sherlock Holmes fan. The style seemed very authentic for its time, and in a roundabout way, it does tell of Holmes's first meeting with Moriarty. What's more, the characterizations were spot on, and as push comes to shove, I say, old chap, this is one splendid slice of Sherlockian cinema.<br />
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<h3>
The Rating: A-</h3>
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