Love every Rathbone Sherlock film. Even Voice of Terror. He's just so good. He was the definitive Holmes. Jeremy Brett was a def close second. He was very good.
What a great thématique to explore 🔍 The hound of the Baskerville, misty moorlands, ancient Baskerville Hall, the supernatural hound creating a sense of isolation and omnipresent danger. What a gem ❤️ Definitely support the suggestion for a “it was a dark and stormy night” list. Thank you for your epic content 🌒
My husband's great aunt was dear friends with Basil Rathbone, and I have a framed letter from him to her in my art studio. We treasure it! Big fan, thanks so much for this vid :)
Yes! 12 hours of Rathbone and Bruce! If you can get through Petri Wine pitches - the Gallo Wine TV ads of their day (wink, wink... okay, save you the search = same grapes!)
Great channel! I’ve seen all these several times. I agree with your list mostly except I’d shuffle the top 5 around a bit with Scarlet Claw on top. Cheers.
Hi Daniel. My earliest memories are of me taping these on vhs! Rathbone is the definitive Holmes. Always loved the atmosphere of these, it always seemed like it was foggy 24/7 in London. I do have the bluray collection but haven't watched it yet. After watching this, I'll have to get on it! Thanks, great video as usual.
These are some of my favourite films...have seen all of them more than once. Daniel I really enjoy your channel, you are a very talented and enthusiastic reviewer. Hell I even enjoy your reviews of films that I don't like and would ever watch. Keep up the good work!
My favorite Holmes and Watson duo ever. Black and white. Gothic thriller. I have the same collection just on regular dvd and I still find myself watching these movies so many times over and over again. It got to a point were I found the old 40s radio broadcast starring Nigel Bruce giving these awesome introductions and telling the stories of Sherlock holmes. (Played by Basil Rathbone in some roles) The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
I was a teen in the early to mid 80's when my parents rented these films on Key Video so I love them as well. I recently found the out of print complete Blu Ray set and love it. My favorite is "Dressed to Kill" with the Bank of England plates. Such great stuff. I don't remember which film in which Holmes gets irritated with the domestic in the rocking chair...it always cracks me up.
x Your intros are the best! This one with the moon and the bat in the background is my favorite. x Weird History does a lot of Victorian Era history. x Sherlock Holmes (the world's greatest detective) vs. Jack The Ripper (the world's most famous Whodunit) = PERFECT x 28:36 I bought a typewriter and do a joke where I write a "brilliant" story...when all I write is "It was a dark and stormy night.." o It is a reference to that Peanuts bit. x The Hounds of the Baskervilles is my favorite gothic mystery novel. o My paternal grandmother has the family name of Moore, which is from the word moors. o This was a little before your time, but there was an excellent Ducktales episode about that novel (and my introduction to the series).
Another well-done ranking, Daniel! (You are rapidly becoming one of my favorite youtubers.) I can't argue with your choices. Having grown up with this series in the 1970's, I purchased the DVD box set when released, and then the Blu-Ray box upon its release. Some years ago I re-watched the entire series back-to-back and came to many of the same conclusions as yourself. On another note, and IMHO, the British series Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994), starring Jeremy Brett, is a much more literate and enjoyable take on the detective. I hesitate to pick who played Sherlock better, Brett or Rathbone, but overall, and again IMHO, as much as I love the Fox/Universal run of films, the British series is the gold standard by which all others must be judged.
Good video and a quality ranking! Love these movies, and I agree with you for the most part. Glad you noted Lionel Atwill as Moriarty in Secret Weapon since everyone overlooks his performance in a subpar movie. Also wanted to highlight Gerald Hamer, who appeared in 5 of these movies and was always delightfully weird (his apex being Mr. Potts in Scarlet Claw). For what it’s worth, below is my top 5: Claw Hound Fear Faces Death Pearl of Death
Love these movies. For me, Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes was the best and most true to the original intent. I think people who think others who like the more recently made movies as better are conflating production level with the actor's quality of portrayal.
Very well done! I've been watching these lately. Basil Rathbone was my Mom's favorite Holmes. Jeremy Brett is my personal favorite Holmes but I also like Peter Cushing's portrayal. Regardless of who is youe favorite you can't go wrong with a Holmes movie. 🕵️♀️
Love these movies but Robert Stevens in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Plummer in Murder By Decree (and their Doctor Watson’s) are excellent in brilliant and genuinely touching films ☺️☺️☺️☺️
@@cobwebschannel Also check out "The 7% Solution" and "They Might Be Giants". That last one has George C. Scott as a guy who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes.
I kept listening for The Hound on this list. I watched a lot of these when I was little and the hound was the one that stuck with me throughout my life and I immediately recognized it when Ducktales And Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers referenced it and when "Black Butler" did a rendition. I was happy to hear where it landed on your list it's definitely my #1.
I watched The Hound of the Baskervilles earlier this month and I really enjoyed it. I need to pickup the blu ray set at some point but there's so much I want to get right now it's very hard to prioritize what to get next with my blu ray budget. Are you planning a favorite discoveries video at the end of the year? I usually add a lot to my watch lists from other film fans discovery lists.
@@cobwebschannel Nice! I've got a list of 22 movies at the moment. Looking forward to seeing both of your lists! Second Sight's Texas Chainsaw Massacre might be my favorite release of the year.
Great video! I too have loved the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes series since childhood and resonated with your general description of it. Furthermore I agree with you, contrary to many others, that Basil Rathbone is my definitive Holmes (yes, above even Jeremy Brett) and is simply superb. Here is where our opinions slightly diverge: I rank Hound of the Baskervilles (my favorite in written form) and Adventures of SH considerably lower than do you, Pursuit to Algiers slightly lower, and Woman in Green higher. Scarlet Claw might take the cake for me (so atmospheric), though House of Fear is wild and great stuff as well. Cheers!
I think I’ve only seen one of these films awhile ago, I had no idea how many there were. I will be definitely be picking this collection up! Thanks for the video and Great channel!
Came to your video late but really enjoyed it, i have this boxset on dvd but have only watched a couple, will Definity find the time to watch them all, thanks for the video and looking forward to more.
I find this version of The Hound better than the 1959 version for one major reason. I find it hard to believe that Christopher Lee would need to be protected by Peter Cushing. It's so silly that they had to give Lee a heart condition in order to make him look vulnerable Oh, no. He's clutching his chest! LOL!
Love these films, they may not have the flair and intrigue of later versions but just for passing a few hours and watching the greatest detective ever then go for it.
Love your exuberance! Makes me want to blow through most of these...especially your top 5. Have only seen the Hound of the Baskervilles, which was phenomenal! Maybe I will just buy the Holmes bluray collection.
Yours is the best old film analysis channels I've seen. I thought your list was great. I prefer Sherlock in period with London fog and carriages on cobblestones. One aside, it might have been worth mentioning the radio series with Rathbone and Bruce that rand during roughly the same time, though it lasted a bit longer. Finally, Nigel Bruce plays a very similar duckish sidekick character in the Hitchcock film Suspicion. If you enjoy Nigel's Watson you will enjoy Suspicion.
That is so kind of you to say, thank you! I have seen Suspicion, but I forgot that Nigel Bruce was in it! Not one of my favorite Hitchcocks because the ending bummed me out.
Great list,I thought I had seen all of these but I actually don't think I ever saw the Adventures of Sherlock,and one or two of the others like Pursuit,and pearl of death sounded strangely unfamiliar, But I like this channel for all the cool older movies we have forgotten and also a lot of these movies are still out there for free and easy to find,
Henry Daniell was a stock co. performer of Director George Cukor, making an appearance in almost all of his films. A guilty pleasure aside, Daniell plays the villain in a 1959 cheapie "The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake", by no means a good movie but it is fun, IMO.
Great review I’ve seen most of these but not the ww2 based Sherlock Holmes movies, however yes basil rathbone is the quintessential Sherlock and Nigel Bruce as Watson is a good counterpart to Sherlock’s serious nature. I agree with your list I really however enjoyed the woman in green because of Holmes’s nemesis of course
I've watched all of these movies and loved them I agree with the order but the movie Dressed to Kill always sticks out for me because of the music boxes when I was little I loved to go around humming the music box tune because of the movie. Basil Rathbone is my favorite.
I have been thinking about watching the Basil Rathbone Sherlock films. Consider my interest piqued. I was going to check out a couple rankings to see which I should start with (perhaps I should just start with the first haha). Thank you for the list! On top of the ranking, I enjoyed the small history of the films and their companies.
I really enjoy the Basil Holmes, but I absolutely love Nigel as Watson. I generally enjoy the films that are closest to the Universal horror, but The Spider Woman is absolutely delightful. Now time for an unpopular opinion: I never really cared that much for The Hounds of the Baskervilles. Nothing wrong with this adaptation, but that particular Doyle story never quite tickled my fancy for some reason or another. 🤷🏻♂️
I guess that I like The Voice Of Movie, Terror By Night, Faces Death & others because they were Great Mysteries & The Ones That Were Logically The Best To Solve The Mystery.
Thank you for the video Love the Holmes series of the 40s Rathbone is gorgeous and Nigel Bruce does a good job too. Watson in these is a little too dumb for my opinion but that's not his fault Have not watched the whole video, my no.1 would be ,The scarlet claw' it's got such a spooky atmosphere no.2 'Pearl of death', ,voice of terror' and ,the secret wapon' would be last on my list Greetings from Germany 🖐
My 2 Favorite, with Quality Of The Movies, were The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939) & The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (1939) (although this was made before, it, for some reason, was released after). I think that they should have been released in order made, especially since the latter is more of an Introduction To The Characters & George Zucco was The Best Moriarty in these movies.
I may be in the minority, but Peter Cushing is my favorite Holmes. The Hound of the Baskervilles, with Cushing as Holmes and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry is amazing.
You did a pretty good job ranking (i.e. I agree!) But, a few compounds, challenges, and enhancements.. Film #1, just as a factoid(s) = Rathbone as SECOND BILLING, the bravest Watson - with dyed hair! - and a year younger than Rathbone! I should have made notes as I went. Scarlet Claw as my number 1, with series regular in his finest role!
I rewatched all of these recently and they maintain a fantastic high standard. Hard to pick a best but the B Movies are better as they had really got into the characters. I wouldn't put Baskerville 1st as the shorter films are tighter and have the Universal atmosphere, character actors and sets
Grew up with the VHS collection of this series. Scarlet Claw is my favorite. It scared me so much when I was younger. I liked House of Fear really until the end, where I feel it takes the wind out of all that build up. I do remember the ending to Terror By Night just being a MOVIE OVER kinda moment. Great ranking!
*Terror By Night* is probably my favorite of the series. The contained setting keeps the script very tight, the mystery is intriguing, the characters are fun, there are a couple of neat twists in the tale, and who doesn't enjoy a good steamtrain? OTOH, I don't know why people praise *The Scarlet Claw.* It's very meandering, and the tone feels off, more like a slasher horror than a Sherlock Holmes story. Maybe Americans just like the fact that it's set nearer to home.
House of Fear is my top cozy mystery for a stormy night. Superb! And I love all the characters. The drunk Scotsman at the bar, the sourpuss servant, the captain smoking his seaweed, and the adorable little guy who says, "Dear me, I have no nerves." The Hound of the Baskervilles is great too, but the superior version is the one with Jeremy Brett.
Sorry, you made a lot of mistakes. What you call last (#14) is actually #1 -- Voice of Terror. You place too much emphasis on the "mystery" aspect of the plot. These films are so great that they must be watched repeatedly. Thus reducing the mystery and plot to a minor consideration. Whereas the acting and theme take the forefront. This is precisely why "Voice of Terror" is best. Because the stakes are highest -- the outcome of WW-2. Worldwide impact, not just solving the murder of one insignificant member of an obscure family. Bringing the stories into the "present" day (1940's) is Brilliant !!! It allows the concept of Holmes as a timeless character. A universal metaphor for anyone and everyone using their head. To "solve significant problems". This is clearly explained in a short film segment, at the start of the WW-2 era films. Holmes serves as an inspiration to myself and my employees. We are professional business problem-solvers. Moreover, the attempt to rank the films is misguided and inane. Because they do NOT exist (for us) in individual isolation. Yes, original theatre-going audiences saw them individually. With typically a year in between. But we binge watch them on DVD, as an inseperable series. All interconnected. Synergistically. To rank them is as foolish as asking which of your two vital organs -- brain or heart -- is "more important"? When both are absolutely indispensible. Therefore co-equal.
Although I love all the Basil Rathbone films, I think that Jeremy Brett is greatest Holmes and I don't think its really close. If you watch the entire series with him and compare him to the Holmes in the novels, he is Holmes. As far as your ratings go, I definitely agree with you on the top three films, and Hound is definitely my favorite, and you are correct, you can see towards the end of the series that Basil Rathbone was starting to tire of playing the character.
You know, I wasn’t really familiar with Jeremy Brett before people started commenting on my posts about him, so I checked out part of an episode with him on TH-cam yesterday. I was VERY intrigued by his performance, and I can definitely see the appeal. I need to check out more of those episodes.
Thanks so much for doing this, Daniel. I grew up with the Rathbone Holmes films and love them to this day. IMO, the two best are The Scarlet Claw and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Although I understand why some people don't care for the WWII-era films, I've always had a fondness for Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon. And Colonel Sebastian Moran of Terror by Night actually was a character in the Conan Doyle books. By the way, you might be interested to know that Patricia Morison of Dressed to Kill was a Broadway musical star, performing in more than 1,000 productions of Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate. And finally, you really do need to watch some episodes of Jeremy Brett's Holmes series. However, please don't start with The Hound of the Baskervilles as it's one of the show's lesser efforts and will give you a wrong impression of the overall series. Brett is fantastic as Holmes, and the series is very true to the original stories.
In the Voice of Terror Sherlock Holmes is more like James Bond minus the womanising! Although I do believe that Roger Moore did play Holmes at some point in a 1970's film.
Good list. Holmes is my fave fictional character...My number one Rathbone-Bruce Holmes film is "The Scarlet Claw." Also "The Adventures of..." is among the top three on my list.
While I think that the 1939 version of The Hound Of The Baskervilles is the better of the movies, in quality, I think that The Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee version is a Better Mystery to figure out. I'd love to know the real reason why Richard Greene was given Top Billing over Basil Rathbone, but for the facts the He's Sir Henry Baskerville & He has More Of Screen Time than Rathbone. I have to mention that this is one of Those Rare Movies & TV Shows, in which there's A Character that is The Real Life Name of A Fellow Actor in the same Movie/Show. Such as The Original Starsky & Hutch, in which Paul Michael Glaser - David Starsky has the Same First Name as Hutch Actor, David Soul, Beryl, Sir Henry's Love interest, is The Real Life Name Of The Seance Lady & Doctor Mortimer's Wife. Let me know what you think
I never tried to rank them, but I think The Scarlet Claw is my favorite. I used to watch these movies in the 1980s (yes I’m old lol) and Rathbone is who I picture when I think of Sherlock Holmes.
x I am going to watch the #1 Sherlock Holmes film from this list - Hound of The Baskervilles (1939) - on January 6th (Sherlock Holmes "birthday" - really just the traditional date his birthday is celebrated) x I am going to do a Mystery Weekend, where I watch Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022- Never seen before) on Friday Night, Hound of the Baskervilles (never seen this version before) on Saturday, and the first episode of Scooby Doo: Where Are You? ("What a Night For a Knight") on Sunday Night
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are absolutely my favorite Sherlock/Watson duo! Big part of my childhood. Well done, my dear Daniel!
Thank you!!
Yes, the Hound of the Baskervilles is my favorite, too. Good Job!
Love every Rathbone Sherlock film. Even Voice of Terror. He's just so good. He was the definitive Holmes. Jeremy Brett was a def close second. He was very good.
What a great thématique to explore 🔍
The hound of the Baskerville, misty moorlands, ancient Baskerville Hall, the supernatural hound creating a sense of isolation and omnipresent danger. What a gem ❤️
Definitely support the suggestion for a “it was a dark and stormy night” list.
Thank you for your epic content 🌒
My husband's great aunt was dear friends with Basil Rathbone, and I have a framed letter from him to her in my art studio. We treasure it!
Big fan, thanks so much for this vid :)
Highlighting Rathbone’s acting while in disguise was a splendid analysis, old chap.
A+ video!
Awesome overview and review, so awesome to get some background on them!
The Sherlock Holmes radio show is worth a listen if you like the old movies
Yes! 12 hours of Rathbone and Bruce! If you can get through Petri Wine pitches - the Gallo Wine TV ads of their day (wink, wink... okay, save you the search = same grapes!)
Great channel!
I’ve seen all these several times. I agree with your list mostly except I’d shuffle the top 5 around a bit with Scarlet Claw on top.
Cheers.
Hi Daniel.
My earliest memories are of me taping these on vhs! Rathbone is the definitive Holmes. Always loved the atmosphere of these, it always seemed like it was foggy 24/7 in London. I do have the bluray collection but haven't watched it yet. After watching this, I'll have to get on it!
Thanks, great video as usual.
Thank you! That’s so cool that you also have childhood memories of these movies.
I honestly think this is your best video ever, congratulations you're getting better and the channel is growing
Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me. 🙏🏼
Great reviews of one of my favorite series of movies. Love Rathbone and Bruce in the roles, and a flashback to Saturday afternoons during my youth.
Basil Rathbone to me is the definitive Sherlock Holmes. The others are great. But Rathbone is just like Holmes in the books.
I never get bored of the hound of baskervilles no matter how many times i watch it 😊
These are some of my favourite films...have seen all of them more than once. Daniel I really enjoy your channel, you are a very talented and enthusiastic reviewer. Hell I even enjoy your reviews of films that I don't like and would ever watch. Keep up the good work!
My favorite Holmes and Watson duo ever. Black and white. Gothic thriller. I have the same collection just on regular dvd and I still find myself watching these movies so many times over and over again. It got to a point were I found the old 40s radio broadcast starring Nigel Bruce giving these awesome introductions and telling the stories of Sherlock holmes. (Played by Basil Rathbone in some roles) The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Brilliant, I've been a fan since I first watched them over 40 years ago. Kudos to you!
Great list! I had no idea there were this many of these. I am gonna get to work on them!
Awesome, thank you!
I was a teen in the early to mid 80's when my parents rented these films on Key Video so I love them as well. I recently found the out of print complete Blu Ray set and love it. My favorite is "Dressed to Kill" with the Bank of England plates. Such great stuff. I don't remember which film in which Holmes gets irritated with the domestic in the rocking chair...it always cracks me up.
x Your intros are the best! This one with the moon and the bat in the background is my favorite.
x Weird History does a lot of Victorian Era history.
x Sherlock Holmes (the world's greatest detective) vs. Jack The Ripper (the world's most famous Whodunit) = PERFECT
x 28:36 I bought a typewriter and do a joke where I write a "brilliant" story...when all I write is "It was a dark and stormy night.."
o It is a reference to that Peanuts bit.
x The Hounds of the Baskervilles is my favorite gothic mystery novel.
o My paternal grandmother has the family name of Moore, which is from the word moors.
o This was a little before your time, but there was an excellent Ducktales episode about that novel (and my introduction to the series).
Thank you! I’ve been having fun experimenting with intros, and this one of my favorite so far as well.
Another well-done ranking, Daniel! (You are rapidly becoming one of my favorite youtubers.) I can't argue with your choices. Having grown up with this series in the 1970's, I purchased the DVD box set when released, and then the Blu-Ray box upon its release. Some years ago I re-watched the entire series back-to-back and came to many of the same conclusions as yourself. On another note, and IMHO, the British series Sherlock Holmes (1984-1994), starring Jeremy Brett, is a much more literate and enjoyable take on the detective. I hesitate to pick who played Sherlock better, Brett or Rathbone, but overall, and again IMHO, as much as I love the Fox/Universal run of films, the British series is the gold standard by which all others must be judged.
I really need to watch that Jeremy Brett series. And thank you for the kind words!
Good video and a quality ranking! Love these movies, and I agree with you for the most part. Glad you noted Lionel Atwill as Moriarty in Secret Weapon since everyone overlooks his performance in a subpar movie. Also wanted to highlight Gerald Hamer, who appeared in 5 of these movies and was always delightfully weird (his apex being Mr. Potts in Scarlet Claw). For what it’s worth, below is my top 5:
Claw
Hound
Fear
Faces Death
Pearl of Death
Love these movies. For me, Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes was the best and most true to the original intent. I think people who think others who like the more recently made movies as better are conflating production level with the actor's quality of portrayal.
I love Basil as well. When I listen to audio Stephen fry is my ultimate audiobook Holmes 😊
By the way: love to see the posters for every movie Thanks 👍
Awesome, glad you enjoyed! They are very cool posters.
Nicely done! I have all these films on dvd but haven’t watched them in ages. I’m gonna start revisiting them tonight, and with your rankings in mind!
Awesome, I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks, I know I will!
Very well done! I've been watching these lately. Basil Rathbone was my Mom's favorite Holmes. Jeremy Brett is my personal favorite Holmes but I also like Peter Cushing's portrayal. Regardless of who is youe favorite you can't go wrong with a Holmes movie. 🕵️♀️
Thank you so much!
Frederick Worlock/Nigel Bruce interactions are priceless.
Really enjoyed your presentation. Carry on the good work! Best wishes
Love these movies but Robert Stevens in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Plummer in Murder By Decree (and their Doctor Watson’s) are excellent in brilliant and genuinely touching films ☺️☺️☺️☺️
Robert Stephens, rather 😮
I gotta seek those out!
@@cobwebschannel Also check out "The 7% Solution" and "They Might Be Giants". That last one has George C. Scott as
a guy who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes.
I kept listening for The Hound on this list. I watched a lot of these when I was little and the hound was the one that stuck with me throughout my life and I immediately recognized it when Ducktales And Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers referenced it and when "Black Butler" did a rendition. I was happy to hear where it landed on your list it's definitely my #1.
My favorite Sherlock Holmes video is the Hammer version with Peter Cushing. I’ve seen all these, and enjoyed your commentary! Thanks!
A wonderful series of movies I watch over and over again. 100% agree on your line up, even your shout out to the Hammer version of Baskerville.
I watched The Hound of the Baskervilles earlier this month and I really enjoyed it. I need to pickup the blu ray set at some point but there's so much I want to get right now it's very hard to prioritize what to get next with my blu ray budget.
Are you planning a favorite discoveries video at the end of the year? I usually add a lot to my watch lists from other film fans discovery lists.
Yes, I am planning that! As well as my top 10 blu-ray releases of the year. Should be fun!
@@cobwebschannel Nice! I've got a list of 22 movies at the moment. Looking forward to seeing both of your lists! Second Sight's Texas Chainsaw Massacre might be my favorite release of the year.
Great video! I too have loved the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes series since childhood and resonated with your general description of it. Furthermore I agree with you, contrary to many others, that Basil Rathbone is my definitive Holmes (yes, above even Jeremy Brett) and is simply superb. Here is where our opinions slightly diverge: I rank Hound of the Baskervilles (my favorite in written form) and Adventures of SH considerably lower than do you, Pursuit to Algiers slightly lower, and Woman in Green higher. Scarlet Claw might take the cake for me (so atmospheric), though House of Fear is wild and great stuff as well. Cheers!
Yes please, do a Dark and Stormy Night video 😄
I think I’ve only seen one of these films awhile ago, I had no idea how many there were. I will be definitely be picking this collection up! Thanks for the video and Great channel!
Thank you!!
Came to your video late but really enjoyed it, i have this boxset on dvd but have only watched a couple, will Definity find the time to watch them all, thanks for the video and looking forward to more.
Thanks very much!
I find this version of The Hound better than the 1959 version for one major reason. I find it hard to believe that Christopher Lee would need to be protected by Peter Cushing. It's so silly that they had to give Lee a heart condition in order to make him look vulnerable Oh, no. He's clutching his chest! LOL!
Love these films, they may not have the flair and intrigue of later versions but just for passing a few hours and watching the greatest detective ever then go for it.
Love your exuberance! Makes me want to blow through most of these...especially your top 5. Have only seen the Hound of the Baskervilles, which was phenomenal! Maybe I will just buy the Holmes bluray collection.
Thanks!!
Great Video. I can't believe it that everybody ranks Sherlock Holmes & The Voice Of Terror as Last. It's My Favorite Film. LOL
Yours is the best old film analysis channels I've seen. I thought your list was great. I prefer Sherlock in period with London fog and carriages on cobblestones. One aside, it might have been worth mentioning the radio series with Rathbone and Bruce that rand during roughly the same time, though it lasted a bit longer. Finally, Nigel Bruce plays a very similar duckish sidekick character in the Hitchcock film Suspicion. If you enjoy Nigel's Watson you will enjoy Suspicion.
That is so kind of you to say, thank you! I have seen Suspicion, but I forgot that Nigel Bruce was in it! Not one of my favorite Hitchcocks because the ending bummed me out.
Great list,I thought I had seen all of these but I actually don't think I ever saw the Adventures of Sherlock,and one or two of the others like Pursuit,and pearl of death sounded strangely unfamiliar, But I like this channel for all the cool older movies we have forgotten and also a lot of these movies are still out there for free and easy to find,
Really appreciate that 🙏🏼
I have that box set. Love these movies.
I adore Nigel Bruce, but it does seem that he played the same character in every film he appeared in! See Rebecca and Suspicion.
Hi Daniel, did you ever see the 1945 film The Body Snatcher with Boris Karloff? You like the Universal Monsters and Holmes, I think you’d like it
Yeah, Val Lewton! I am a fan. Speaking of Henry Daniell, that movie is probably my favorite use of him.
@@cobwebschannel yeah he’s great in that movie
Henry Daniell was a stock co. performer of Director George Cukor, making an appearance in almost all of his films. A guilty pleasure aside, Daniell plays the villain in a 1959 cheapie "The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake", by no means a good movie but it is fun, IMO.
Yes indeed, Basil Rathbone is the best Sherlock Holmes. The House of Fear is my favorite of the series.
He's probably the best movie version. Is he better than Jeremy Brett, a man arguably born to play Sherlock Holmes? That's a video unto itself.
House of Fear is a great choice.
Great list. Even when they are bad .
They are better than what we have now.
I think.
These films were all available on TV in my youth and I got to watch them around the same time that I read the entire collection of Doyle writings.
Great review I’ve seen most of these but not the ww2 based Sherlock Holmes movies, however yes basil rathbone is the quintessential Sherlock and Nigel Bruce as Watson is a good counterpart to Sherlock’s serious nature. I agree with your list I really however enjoyed the woman in green because of Holmes’s nemesis of course
OH, one more thing about Sherlock on film... I cannot believe just how many times The Hound of the Baskervilles has been filmed.
I've watched all of these movies and loved them I agree with the order but the movie Dressed to Kill always sticks out for me because of the music boxes when I was little I loved to go around humming the music box tune because of the movie. Basil Rathbone is my favorite.
I have been thinking about watching the Basil Rathbone Sherlock films. Consider my interest piqued. I was going to check out a couple rankings to see which I should start with (perhaps I should just start with the first haha).
Thank you for the list! On top of the ranking, I enjoyed the small history of the films and their companies.
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
I really enjoy the Basil Holmes, but I absolutely love Nigel as Watson.
I generally enjoy the films that are closest to the Universal horror, but The Spider Woman is absolutely delightful.
Now time for an unpopular opinion: I never really cared that much for The Hounds of the Baskervilles. Nothing wrong with this adaptation, but that particular Doyle story never quite tickled my fancy for some reason or another. 🤷🏻♂️
This time our rank is really similar. haha I love these movies so much! Basil is my favorite Sherlock.
Awesome!!
It's called a "deerstalker" hat! I have one I bought at the Sherlock Holmes museum in London!
Great video!
Thank you!
That dog with the big fangs scared me as a kid.
I disagree about the killer in 'The Scarlet Claw' not being a monster, as the killer is probably the most evil killer in all the films.
Close, but Potts is not close to the monsters known as the nazis
I guess that I like The Voice Of Movie, Terror By Night, Faces Death & others because they were Great Mysteries & The Ones That Were Logically The Best To Solve The Mystery.
Great job - very entertaining review. Wathed it twice. thank u. #new subscriber.
Hey, I appreciate that!
Totally agreed with the list
Thanks, Daniel!🔍📺
Thank YOU!
@@cobwebschannel “The Hound” is my favorite, too!🐶
Thank you for the video
Love the Holmes series of the 40s
Rathbone is gorgeous and Nigel Bruce does a good job too. Watson in these is a little too dumb for my opinion but that's not his fault
Have not watched the whole video, my no.1 would be ,The scarlet claw' it's got such a spooky atmosphere no.2 'Pearl of death', ,voice of terror' and ,the secret wapon' would be last on my list
Greetings from Germany 🖐
Thank you Thomas! Sounds like we have similar thoughts on these movies.
@@cobwebschannel
Not just on these movies I would say 😀
My 2 Favorite, with Quality Of The Movies, were The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939) & The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (1939) (although this was made before, it, for some reason, was released after). I think that they should have been released in order made, especially since the latter is more of an Introduction To The Characters & George Zucco was The Best Moriarty in these movies.
2 suggestions for sherlock-ian horror books. 'Sherlock Holmes and The Servants Of Hell' and 'Dust and Shadow'
must have been a fun one to research!
It was!!
Did you do a video ranking all of the Charlie Chan movies? How about all of The Thin Man movies? I love these series.
I may be in the minority, but Peter Cushing is my favorite Holmes. The Hound of the Baskervilles, with Cushing as Holmes and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry is amazing.
FYI. The Voice Of Terror was The Only Universal Sherlock Holmes Movies not to be Directed by Roy William Neill, but, by John Rawlings.
You did a pretty good job ranking (i.e. I agree!) But, a few compounds, challenges, and enhancements.. Film #1, just as a factoid(s) = Rathbone as SECOND BILLING, the bravest Watson - with dyed hair! - and a year younger than Rathbone! I should have made notes as I went. Scarlet Claw as my number 1, with series regular in his finest role!
Holmes liked the entrance hall to his home painted yellow.Why? Lemon Entry!
I rewatched all of these recently and they maintain a fantastic high standard. Hard to pick a best but the B Movies are better as they had really got into the characters. I wouldn't put Baskerville 1st as the shorter films are tighter and have the Universal atmosphere, character actors and sets
Grew up with the VHS collection of this series. Scarlet Claw is my favorite. It scared me so much when I was younger. I liked House of Fear really until the end, where I feel it takes the wind out of all that build up. I do remember the ending to Terror By Night just being a MOVIE OVER kinda moment. Great ranking!
Jeremy Brett will always be the ultimate Sherlock Holmes to me 😊
*Terror By Night* is probably my favorite of the series. The contained setting keeps the script very tight, the mystery is intriguing, the characters are fun, there are a couple of neat twists in the tale, and who doesn't enjoy a good steamtrain? OTOH, I don't know why people praise *The Scarlet Claw.* It's very meandering, and the tone feels off, more like a slasher horror than a Sherlock Holmes story. Maybe Americans just like the fact that it's set nearer to home.
Are you gonna rank any oo the other Sherlock movies or just these 14?
I may do another Sherlock video at some point, but I don’t know right now.
House of Fear is my top cozy mystery for a stormy night. Superb! And I love all the characters. The drunk Scotsman at the bar, the sourpuss servant, the captain smoking his seaweed, and the adorable little guy who says, "Dear me, I have no nerves." The Hound of the Baskervilles is great too, but the superior version is the one with Jeremy Brett.
My favorite stormy night mystery is usually Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, but I also like this one!
Scarlet Claw is my all time favourite movie. It is an absolute masterpiece.
That’s awesome!
Can’t believe basil rathbone is in my family
Sorry, you made a lot of mistakes.
What you call last (#14) is actually #1 -- Voice of Terror.
You place too much emphasis on the "mystery" aspect of the plot. These films are so great that they must be watched repeatedly. Thus reducing the mystery and plot to a minor consideration. Whereas the acting and theme take the forefront. This is precisely why "Voice of Terror" is best. Because the stakes are highest -- the outcome of WW-2. Worldwide impact, not just solving the murder of one insignificant member of an obscure family.
Bringing the stories into the "present" day (1940's) is Brilliant !!! It allows the concept of Holmes as a timeless character. A universal metaphor for anyone and everyone using their head. To "solve significant problems". This is clearly explained in a short film segment, at the start of the WW-2 era films. Holmes serves as an inspiration to myself and my employees. We are professional business problem-solvers.
Moreover, the attempt to rank the films is misguided and inane. Because they do NOT exist (for us) in individual isolation. Yes, original theatre-going audiences saw them individually. With typically a year in between. But we binge watch them on DVD, as an inseperable series. All interconnected. Synergistically. To rank them is as foolish as asking which of your two vital organs -- brain or heart -- is "more important"? When both are absolutely indispensible. Therefore co-equal.
I LIKED THEM ALL .
I beg to differ about The Voice Of Terror. It's my favorite. It's A Mystery, because you have to guess who is The Voice Of Terror
LIKED ALL THE ORIGINAL ONES..
Also have you ever watched any of the 1940s serials? I love em. Well most of em.
I like Sherlock Holmes
Although I love all the Basil Rathbone films, I think that Jeremy Brett is greatest Holmes and I don't think its really close. If you watch the entire series with him and compare him to the Holmes in the novels, he is Holmes. As far as your ratings go, I definitely agree with you on the top three films, and Hound is definitely my favorite, and you are correct, you can see towards the end of the series that Basil Rathbone was starting to tire of playing the character.
You know, I wasn’t really familiar with Jeremy Brett before people started commenting on my posts about him, so I checked out part of an episode with him on TH-cam yesterday. I was VERY intrigued by his performance, and I can definitely see the appeal. I need to check out more of those episodes.
They're both great. Enjoy them both!
@@cobwebschannel
I wonder now, one year later, if you have seen episodes of jeremy brett Holmes and made up your mind about him
I came here to say this! Jeremy Brett just IS Holmes ❤
@@alanbeesby2220 You are so right.
WRITERS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE MOVIE. MAKES THE MOVIE
watson gives holmes what he needs ; a friend . due to holmes superior mind he cannot connect to people . he knows watson doesn't mind his weirdness
Thanks so much for doing this, Daniel. I grew up with the Rathbone Holmes films and love them to this day. IMO, the two best are The Scarlet Claw and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Although I understand why some people don't care for the WWII-era films, I've always had a fondness for Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon. And Colonel Sebastian Moran of Terror by Night actually was a character in the Conan Doyle books. By the way, you might be interested to know that Patricia Morison of Dressed to Kill was a Broadway musical star, performing in more than 1,000 productions of Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate. And finally, you really do need to watch some episodes of Jeremy Brett's Holmes series. However, please don't start with The Hound of the Baskervilles as it's one of the show's lesser efforts and will give you a wrong impression of the overall series. Brett is fantastic as Holmes, and the series is very true to the original stories.
Basil is also my favorite SH. Not a fan of the non Victorian Holmes. Guess I just associate SH with the late 1800s lpl.
I also prefer to see Holmes in the Victorian period.
In the Voice of Terror Sherlock Holmes is more like James Bond minus the womanising! Although I do believe that Roger Moore did play Holmes at some point in a 1970's film.
Like you, for me Basil Rathbone is the only Holmes.
Good list. Holmes is my fave fictional character...My number one Rathbone-Bruce Holmes film is "The Scarlet Claw." Also "The Adventures of..." is among the top three on my list.
While I think that the 1939 version of The Hound Of The Baskervilles is the better of the movies, in quality, I think that The Peter Cushing/Christopher Lee version is a Better Mystery to figure out. I'd love to know the real reason why Richard Greene was given Top Billing over Basil Rathbone, but for the facts the He's Sir Henry Baskerville & He has More Of Screen Time than Rathbone. I have to mention that this is one of Those Rare Movies & TV Shows, in which there's A Character that is The Real Life Name of A Fellow Actor in the same Movie/Show. Such as The Original Starsky & Hutch, in which Paul Michael Glaser - David Starsky has the Same First Name as Hutch Actor, David Soul, Beryl, Sir Henry's Love interest, is The Real Life Name Of The Seance Lady & Doctor Mortimer's Wife. Let me know what you think
These are all on you tube!! Jeremy Brett was a great Sherlock Holmes too. Watson in this is the best - love him
They are fun. To me, "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is the best, with "Scarlet Claw" as # 2, but it was good to see you enjoying these films so much.
I never tried to rank them, but I think The Scarlet Claw is my favorite. I used to watch these movies in the 1980s (yes I’m old lol) and Rathbone is who I picture when I think of Sherlock Holmes.
His look is so perfect for the character!
x I am going to watch the #1 Sherlock Holmes film from this list - Hound of The Baskervilles (1939) - on January 6th (Sherlock Holmes "birthday" - really just the traditional date his birthday is celebrated)
x I am going to do a Mystery Weekend, where I watch Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022- Never seen before) on Friday Night, Hound of the Baskervilles (never seen this version before) on Saturday, and the first episode of Scooby Doo: Where Are You? ("What a Night For a Knight") on Sunday Night