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This initial entry in the Rathbone-Bruce series is often considered the best Holmes film ever made. For the first time in movie history, the Holmes narrative is not only kept correctly in period, but follows Doyle's original novel meticulously. Admittedly, there are minor changes and condensations, but some of these might well be considered improvements (such as the inclusion of a séance in order to introduce further suspects. As séance after all was a pretty popular pastime in the early 20th century, while Doyle himself dedicated the best part of his life to promoting Spiritism). We experts can spot some of the sets as miniatures, but the English period atmosphere is superbly judged and created all the same. Peverell Marley's absolutely brilliant cinematography (why wasn't he nominated for a prestigious Hollywood award?) is a major asset-as are the sets, costumes, special effects and music score.Best of all, of course, are the players. Basil Rathbone glides through his lines with wonderful celerity and is able to surprise us all with one of his delicious impersonations. As we might expect, he is truly more animated and fresh in this first study of what would become his most memorable role. Yes, oddly enough, Nigel Bruce has more footage than Rathbone and is in fact the real star of the movie. He makes the most of his opportunities too!With the exception of hero, Richard Greene, the subsidiary cast also rates as a total delight. Greene is a bit wet, but Wendy Barrie, Lionel Atwill, John Carradine and company lend Rathbone and Bruce some lively, appealing support. It's not usually remarked, but Mary Gordon repeated her deftly endearing characterization of Mrs Hudson (Holmes' landlady at 221B Baker Street) in all subsequent entries in the Rathbone series in which the good woman appeared. In short, this Hound of the Baskervilles is a triumph that loses nothing in atmosphere and dramatic intensity no matter how many times it is seen. Available on an excellent double DVD from Optimum with The Voice of Terror.

When the picture opened with that great, spooky, fog enshrouded scene, it immediately brought to mind the 1941 film "The Wolf Man". As I was thinking about that, who should appear out of the darkness but a man who rather resembled a wolf man who we later find out is an escapee from Nottingham Prison. I had a pretty good chuckle over that one.Watching these old Rathbone/Bruce team-ups well out of chronological order, I never gave a thought to the idea that the Dr. Watson character was anything more than a somewhat bumbling sidekick. In this first film of the franchise however, still at Fox studios, Nigel Bruce's Watson is considerably more reserved and professional in his manner with the legendary detective. It was an interesting take on the character, though the comedic approach seemed to work as well in the later stories to relieve some of the tension of Holmes' cases.With a minimal number of characters, the mystery behind the murder on the moor, (say, that would have been a cool title, too) is given away a bit too handily and the viewer winds up knowing who it is even before Holmes, though it will take his logical explanation in the final scene to explain Stapleton's (Morton Lowry) motive. The build up to the finale is made more intriguing with the presence of Lionel Atwill's Dr. Mortimer, a dabbler in the occult, and his wife (Beryl Mercer) who has the psychic abilities of a medium and actually conducts a séance in the story.Without ever mentioning it, the strange rock formations on the moor where some of the action takes place have a strong resemblance to Stonehenge, and just the name 'Great Grimpen Mire' heralds a formidably dangerous mystery about to unfold. Indeed, the picture treads ominously close to a horror story whenever Dr. Frankland (Barlowe Borland) expounds on his theories about John Stapleton, who has no reservation about claiming the man is a body snatcher.

Here it is. The Classic Conan-Doyle Tale that has been Filmed so Many Times that Film Historians Lose Count (24 says Wikipedia). But this Eerie Film will Always be Most Remembered for the Initial Teaming of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. There would be 14 Movies in the Series.Most Folks know that the First Two were done by 20th Century Fox and were set in Period (Victorian London) and the Next Twelve were Updated to Modern Times by Universal Studios. Also, this is the Only Film where Watson is a Credibly Straight Portrayal. In the Next Film the Holme's Put-Downs Start and a bit of Stumbling, Bumbling, and Mumbling Begin.The Movie is Incredibly Filled with Suspense, Action, and Intrigue for a Short Running Time of 80 Minutes. There is so Much Going On. The Atmosphere is Gloomy, Foggy and Detailed, but is an Obvious Studio Set, and it does Add a bit of Surrealism. There is a Fine Cast on Hand Featuring Lionel Atwill, John Carradine, and a Stiff but Acceptable Richard Greene as the Romantic Interest with a Scent that the Hound Sniffs Out. There is Mysticism and the Supernatural at Play and Holmes is Perfectly Fleshed Out with an Iconic Look, Straight Out of the Strand Magazine's Illustrations and a Demeanor that Recalled the Literary Favorite. The Ending is a Terrifying Confrontation with the Hound on the Moor Strikingly Violent. Holmes Final Line, Once Removed for Obvious Reasons, is now the Stuff of Legend.

Sidney Lanfield directed this film adaptation of the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel that stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Doctor John Watson. Here, the plot involves a murder plot being planned against the heir(played by Richard Greene) of the Baskerville estate, an American hoping to come into his inheritance, but someone else has plans to usurp his title, involving a local legend about a huge hound that has cursed the family for generations. Is the supernatural at work, or is it of human origin? Good cast, especially Basil Rathbone, though muddled story and lack of a music score hurt it. The novel was much superior, but this version is acceptable.