Sherlock Holmes Movie Review - The House of Fear
With Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson
Sep 23, 2009
In 1939, 20th Century Fox released two Holmes movies, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes featuring Basil Rathbone (1892-1967) as Holmes and Nigel Bruce (1895-1953) as Watson. Both films were generally well received by audiences and critics, in part due to the chemistry between the two lead actors.
Basil Rathbone as Holmes
In the 1930s Rathbone was often cast as a sophisticated villain in costume dramas and swashbucklers such as David Copperfield and Captain Blood. The decision to cast him against type as Sherlock Holmes was a brilliant one. Physically, his height of 6-1 and facial features, particularly his aquiline nose and high forehead, nearly matched the literary Holmes as described by Doyle.
It was also a nice choice acting-wise. Trained on the Shakespearean stage, Rathbone was able to bring a grave, dignified sophistication, and often seemingly cold-hearted edge, to the role. This combination of physical looks and acting skills has made the actor the definitive Holmes in the eyes of many.
Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson
Bruce had built his movie career playing good natured and loyal, but often slow-witted, characters. He would bring these same traits to the role of Watson and, in so doing, would alienate Holmes purists who point out that Doyle’s Watson was actually younger, more intelligent, and quite capable of making his own decisions.
It was on Rathbone’s recommendation that his good friend Bruce landed the role and he always defended the choice. To Rathbone, Bruce’s amiable, loveable and sometimes dull-minded characterizations were the perfect complement to the often coldly, calculating persona of Holmes.
Universal Studios and Sherlock Holmes
In 1942 Universal Studios bought the rights to the Doyle stories and signed the two men to recreate their roles in a series of 12 Holmes movies, the last released in 1946. The eighth in the series was The House of Fear (1945) and was loosely based on Doyle’s The Five Orange Pips although the plot more closely resembles Agatha Christie‘s Ten Little Indians.
Synopsis of The House of Fear
- Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey, Aubrey Mather, and Paul Cavanagh Director: Roy William Neill
- Length: 69 minutes
- Color: B&W
The seven members of the Good Comrades Club, all elderly and without kin, live in the remote Scottish castle of Drearcliffe, a place “where no man goes whole to his grave.” When individual members begin to die by horrific means (mutilation or dismemberment), Holmes is called upon for help by Mr. Chalmers (Gavin Muir), an underwriter who suspects an insurance scam.
Despite Holmes’ arrival at Drearcliffe, four more men die, each one’s features left unrecognizable. The last of these deaths also leaves the pompous Bruce Alistair (Aubrey Mather) as the sole survivor. Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey), who also has arrived at the castle, jumps to the obvious conclusion that Alistair murdered the others.
However, Holmes is unconvinced and eventually discovers the truth when he discovers a secret room where the six "dead men," all quite alive, are hiding. Holmes then explains to Lestrade and Watson that the “victims” were actually corpses taken from a nearby cemetery and that Alistair was the victim of a plot by the others to frame him for murder and collect the insurance money each was due.
Analysis of The House of Fear
There are some flaws in the storyline, the most notable being the question of how do the conspirators plan to collect on their life insurance when they are presumed dead and have no kin? However, if the viewer is willing to suspend belief on this and other smaller imperfections, what is left is an enjoyable little mystery story.
The overall acting is good, particularly by Rathbone and Bruce, the previously mentioned Mather, and dependable series regular Paul Cavanagh as one of the “victims.” And, despite Watson being shown as a buffoon in several scenes, it is nice to note that, for once, it is he that discovers the vital clue that leads Holmes to solve the crime.
Cinematographer Virgil Miller creates a strange, dark atmosphere by his use of unusual camera angles, deep focus photography, and lighting. These techniques also help to give a Victorian feel to the movie despite its 1945 setting. This was not by accident but was the result of a decision made by director Roy William Neill who felt that the earlier use of Nazi-themed “modern” stories had hindered the series.
The House of Fear DVD
Once seen frequently on PBS and late night movies, The House of Fear is now rarely appears on television. There are several versions on DVD, including a new one to be released in December, 2009. These versions vary in quality, particularly the older ones, so buyers would do well to read reviews on them first.
Other Basil Rathbone-as-Holmes Movies: The Scarlet Claw, The Woman in Green
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