Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942)

Not the best Holmes' film, but still worth a watch, 20 June 2006

I haven't seen all of Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes films, but of the ones I have been able to check-out, Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror is easily my least favorite. But the problems I have with the film have nothing to do with the modern day setting that so many seem to complain about. In fact, The Scarlet Claw , another modern day Holmes' film, is my favorite. Instead, I've got a problem with the plot. Holmes chasing Nazis around England just seems a little ridiculous. When I think of Sherlock Holmes I picture him going after clever killers or super-villains like Moriarty - not battling the Third Reich. The film gives Holmes too few opportunities to use his superior intellect or deductive reasoning other than in scenes that don't figure prominently into the outcome of the movie. Instead, he catches the bad guys in this movie the same way any old inferior detective would. There's not much special in the methods he uses to solve the case.

But as my rating (6/10) indicates, Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror isn't a total waste. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are as excellent and entertaining as usual. I could watch the pair do just about anything and find some degree of entertainment. The supporting cast is good with Evelyn Ankers being the highlight for me. She never looked lovelier. Even with a reduced budget, the black & white photography and direction are solid. The film has a look to it that I find pleasing. And regardless of my problems with the plot, it moves at a good pace. Finally, even though the mystery elements are weaker than I would have liked, there was enough mystery keep me at least interested in the movie's outcome.

Even though the good outweighs the bad in my mind when it comes to Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror, it's still a weak Holmes' film. And I would not recommend it to someone just getting into the series. Check out The Scarlet Claw or The Hound of the Baskervilles instead.

6/10