The Scarlet Claw (1944) - Retrospective
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- In this even more glowing than usual episode of Glow in the Dark Cinema, Mr. Sterling takes a look at the Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes film - The Scarlet Claw.
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I rarely need an actual reason to tear off my clothes and run through a marsh.......but an awesome new Atomic Snackbar vid about "The Scarlet Claw" definitely qualifies! You do great work, Man.
That's one of the best things I've ever heard said about the Snack Bar. You win the comments section for the weekend. Thank you much, David.
Be careful out there in those marshes. The bogs will pull you in with no mercy.😊
@@henryeason9572 Occupational hazard.
@@AtomicSnackBar -- As its baseball season, one can always Wade Boggs! Babe Warren!
What if one has no access to a Marsh?
What then?
Not all of us grew up Marsh adjacent, you know.
The Scarlet Claw & Hound of the Baskervilles are favourites!!
I've been wanting to do a full top list episode of my favorite Rathbone/Bruce films. So if this one does well, I may just do that. I managed to narrow my ranking down.
I love the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies. I also like the Peter Cushing Hammer film as well. Thanks as always for the video, cheers 🍻
Cushing is my favorite Holmes and that's my favorite Adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles. Basil is a very close second, though.
Thanks, Kid. Always great to hear from you.
Forgot about Cushing! He, or Brett... I just loved them.
"Glow in the dark cinema" 😄😄😄👍
Greatest Sherlock Holmes? Jeremy Brett, I think. Though Rathbone was excellent, too.
Boris Karloff sticking out his tongue is a lovely image.
We are offering extra glow this weekend.
I must admit, I'm not familiar with Brett. Do tell.
@@AtomicSnackBar I agree with @euansmith3699 Jeremy Brett is my favorite Sherlock Holmes, he's very close to Conan-Doyle's vision of Sherlock Holmes. I saw the Basil Rathbone series in Afghanistan & enjoyed them very much because I got to see them on a rather large screen
Yes, an enthusiastic vote for Brett; he channeled something fiercely primal under the skin of his Holmes that I truly respect.
@@user-dh2qf5kd8c One of the great things about running the channel is learning about new stuff from Snack Bar patrons. I've gotten many great suggestions over the years. Sounds like I really need to check the Brett series out.
@@AtomicSnackBar Jeremy Brett is to Sherlock Holmes, what David Suchet is to Hercule Poirot. Both are highly skilled actors, kind of obsessed with getting their chosen characters to the screen as authentically as possible. The costumes and locations are all pretty amazing too (especially Poirot).
The mention of Basil reminds of The Magic Sword , scared me poopless back in the day .
That was the thing about Basil, he could rock a villain just as easily, and just as well, as he could a hero. That's a rare talent.
@user-pj1lo1ry2k - The Magic Sword got a restoration from Kino a few years back that made up for the Public Domain and MST3 washed out color versions. It's a lot of Family friendly fun. Jack the Giant Killer got a nice restoration as well. It's clear that the success of Harryhausen's movies opened up the door to style worthy of imitation.
@@tonysantiago255 Ohhhhh SWEET ! I've only seen washed out grainy prints of them so many decades ago , forever etched among fond memories 😊
@user-pj1o1ry2k - Both are done a great service by the restorations. And they have a sweet, simplistic charm that will transport you back to the inner child within. Pure nostalgia. They might be on UA-cam since they have been allowing TONS of older classic movies they previously blocked. They're definitely out to tap that streaming money.
@@tonysantiago255 Thanks for the heads up ! I'm going to look now 😃
I first saw this on Creature Features with Bob Wilkins way back in the early 70's. It was just so creepy. I loved it. I've been a Sherlock Holmes fan ever since. (Rathbone / Bruce are my favorite cinematic SH duo). I Loved the radio series as well. Mr. Sterling, you are a man of culture. My compliments, Thank you!
That's really neat and a great way to discover the film. It feels very much like a creature feature and I think many genre fans would dig it if they just gave it a shot.
And overall, Rathbone/Bruce is my favorite SH duo as well. Peter Cushing is my favorite Holmes, but his Watson didn't even come close to Bruce or that Rathbone/Bruce chemistry.
Some of the great DeWolfe library of creepy music is used in one of my favourite Kung Fu movies, “The Five Deadly Venoms “.
@@trappenweisseguy27 I don't recall if you've seen my Top Martial Arts Movies episode, but The Five Deadly Venoms is on the list. One of my absolute favorites.
No, I didn’t know you were into martial arts movies. The music in question is the creepy cello music used in the beginning in the hidden room where the master explains it all to the pupil.
WILKINS! OMG!
I grew up in Sonoma; KBHK 44 was the bay area station he was on (I think!)... what an incubator of future film people he was. Not only did he show great films, but he had guests on like Harryhausen, Doug Trumbull, and Forrest J. Ackerman. I learned more about filmmaking/effects/ and monsters from that man than any other single source.
Mr. Rodgers may have taught me to eat my vegetables, but Bob Wilkins taught me about matte lines... ;)
And when I wrote him, he wrote back; I saw GODZILLA VS. HEDORA for the first time on his show, wrote him a lengthy letter (for a 9 year old)... and he sent me an honest-to-god movie poster for it. Signed.
Thanks for the memory!
I need to watch my copy of this one. You've convinced me. You magnificent bastard.
Flattery will get you ... very far. But you are running out of time to watch this one. I will send ninjas. Don't think I won't.
Basil Rathbone was also a great swashbuckler villain, opposite Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power, and accomplished at fencing, which made his fencing scenes more memorable.
Most definitely. When editing the episode, I considered using some footage of him taking part in a bit of swordplay. Not totally sure why I didn't. Science reasons, I'm sure.
@ AtomicSnackbar - well, if you would have taken my suggestions about Zorro and some Pirate related movies, you might have become a Basil expert by now.
@@tonysantiago255 Is anyone truly a Basil expert? He is too powerful for just one mind to fully comprehend.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Ha! I just bought a bluray of The Mad Doctor from 1940, which I caught on UA-cam. It's near the top of 'the List'. It's a very different Basil as I recall and it's been long enough since I watched it that I don't remember much. The story of my life at this point. But that's part of the impetus for buying hard media. I know I won't be disappointed and might even enjoy it more the second time through.
A pre atomic age movie, nice! Those snacks are every bit as tasty!
I've tested the water a few times with the pre-atomic age, but not since I switched over to the Atomic Snack Bar. So tentacles crossed. It's definitely something I would like to dig into more.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Well, your namesake was created and first used in the 40s, so you're still within the parameters of your nom' de plume. But only if it's French Canadian.
@@tonysantiago255 Of course ... only if.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Have you ever seen The Giant Claw? One of the characters is a French Canadian farmer with a really over the top accent, who answers his phone with; "Al-oh. This iz thee Farmer Broo-schard." 😐😆 Wonderfully bad.
I enjoyed this retrospective so much that I think I'll pull this one out of my Holmes set and give it a late-night screening today. It's been quite a while since I've watched it, so have a nice evening everyone - cheers!
Most excellent. I think that would be the best thing to do. Never know when you might have glowing apparition problems of your own to deal with. Always best to be prepared.
@TheVid54 - I think I'll second that emotion. And they're quite short without the trailers, newsreel and cartoon.
@ AtomicSnackBar - I did in fact rewatch and it was just as fun and well done as I remembered. Actually, knowing who done it, really made me pick up on some things I had missed the first time through. No spoilers now, Sterling.
@@tonysantiago255 The Snack Bar is always as spoiler free as possible. Other than, of course, Soylent Green being made from monkey mummies.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Man. I really need to watch your videos 3 times before commenting. John P. Fulton and Jack Pierce? Dang! That's some serious pedigree right there. And primo 40s Universal Monsters period sets? This movie was a A lister by any standard. No wonder the make-up angle in the story was so effective. It impressed me right off. And John P. Fulton is credited with the parting of the Red Sea in the 10 Commandments as well as the design work for another personal favorite; The Bamboo Saucer. This movie may be arguably the Best of the series. So much talent both in front of and behind the camera.
My mum (rest her soul) used to read Sherlock Holmes stories to me when I was a kid, my first dog was even called Sherlock! Rathbone is, was, and always shall be the quintessential Holmes
That's pretty great. Did you have a favorite Holmes story as a mini-Haitch?
@@AtomicSnackBar never a favourite, that would change with my moods but I did enjoy the Red Headed League
@@haitch2676 I haven't read any of the actual stories. Just some pastiche stuff.
@@AtomicSnackBar it’s well worth it mate, not at all wacky but fun. Good clean fun
Peter Cushing was a great Holmes...1959 Hound of the Baskervilles
Cushing is actually my favorite Holmes and that's my favorite adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles. Rathbone is a very close second, though.
I love the Rathbone & Bruce "Sherlock Holmes" films. I definitely would watch "Sherlock Holmes Meets Frankenstein." Enjoyed the video!
Being Universal, it surprises me they never did a crossover of some kind during their monster mash phase. How cool that would have been.
Super review of a great movie. I loved the backstories. Of the dozens of actors who have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are the run-away greatest ones.
Hard to argue with that. Though Peter Cushing is my favorite Holmes, Bruce is easily my favorite Watson.
Another great review. Thanks!
I thank you much, good Mr. Witsman.
The entire series was excellent. Rathbone was the definitive Holmes up until Jeremy Brett edging him out slightly. There is an 18-minut bonus track on my Displaced Detective album over on my Bandcamp what features some of the audio from a radio play staring Sir John Gielgud as Holmes & Orson Wells as Moriarty, with sound effects and music by me. --Dan
That sounds awesome. If you would be a pip and send me a link to that on the book of faces, I would quite like to take a listen.
Don't ever go away! I'm going to have to get Fixins for a Manhattan so I can enjoy one of those with you when you talk about your fun stuff
Mighty kind of you, Richard. I will certainly try my best to keep up a weekly schedule. Even in those pesky months with 5 Fridays.
@@AtomicSnackBar I finally found somebody worthy of looking up to again LOL
@@richardkohlhof Even kinder of you. I thank you much.
@ AtomicSnackBar - don't get all full of yourself, Sterling. Half of that's the Manhattans talking. The other half is the 'fixins'.
@@tonysantiago255 hey now I'm fighting off all these terrible thunderstorms here in Iowa don't nobody be mean to my idol well I'm busy doing this
I really wish that more than 14 movies were made starring Mr. Rathbone and Mr. Bruce.
I second that. Had Bruce not died, I think there would have been.
A great retrospective. Thanks for mentioning The Black Cat (1941). At some point a retrospective of that movie with its wackiness would be fun. One of the characters utters the classic line, referring to Rathbone, "Don't mind him, he thinks he's Sherlock Holmes."
You know, I hadn't thought about covering that one. I'm a fan too. One of the first films I ever saw Rathbone in. So I will certainly consider it. Thanks for the suggestion, Mr. Crowley.
Great video as always. While many have done a good job as Holmes and Watson, Rathbone and Bruce will always be my favorites.
Though Cushing is my favorite Holmes, Rathbone and Bruce's chemistry is undeniable and they are easily my favorite pairing of the duo.
Thanks for watching, Kal.
Love love love this !
I thank you much, Mr. Big.
Hi! I love love love!! your reviews. I'm old and I sat thru many Saturday afternoon matinees in the late 1950s and 1960s. Because of you I watched "The Scarlet Claw" and flashed back to a Sunday afternoon visiting relatives , oh so many years ago, and watching this forgotten masterpiece. The film made an impression on me that has lasted to this day.
However, I must take issue with the conventional wisdom that the great Basil Rathbone was the best Sherliock Holmes. In my humble opinion, the definitive Holmes was portrayed by Jeremy Brett Brett in the BBC's productions of Sherlock Holmes, beginning in 1988 and continuing jnto 1994.
Bret's iHolmes s quirky and unpredictable, just the way Conan Doyle portrayed him.
Keep your videos coming, my friend!
Can't agree more on Brett; there was also something dangerous lurking underneath his Holmes... someone who Moriarty couldn't just respect, but ultimately fear.
The way that man could look under a carriage, process the clue, jump to his feet with fire, all without dialogue.
I remember real matinees, too; when we would laugh so hard as an audience that people were literally falling out of their seats. A true communal experience. A great memory.
;)
That's great to hear, Jim. I appreciate it. Inducing nostalgia and helping folks to remember forgotten treasures is one of my main goals with the channel.
It's been interesting. I wasn't at all familiar with Brett until tonight, but several Snack Bar patrons have mentioned he's their favorite. As much as I like Rathbone, easily a close second, my favorite is actually Peter Cushing. I really wish he would have gotten to do more with the character.
Either way, I'm going to have to check out some of Brett's work. Thanks for the suggestion.
Another great video! I always look forward to your analysis of classic monsters and mysteries.
Much appreciated, Dan. I'm glad you dug it. I really dig covering pre-atomic age film as well.
Thanks for watching.
Thank you once again this was one of those episodes that inspired me to watch the film - and I was not disappointed - great film. These films are just on the border of the gothic, they are so good - but just lack something that is hard to pin point. I feel like I should be a huge fan of these films - but I just kind of like them. Pretty much the same as the original stories - I've read a lot of them, and I find them mildly entertaining - not HP Lovecraft good. Maybe I was older when I read them - so they don't have that nostalgia - but Lovecraft still rocks me every time. Incidentally, the original 'jobbing' detective was actually created by Edgar Allan Poe - as was most of Jules Verne's works.
Thanks for another great vid - so glad that you are still there bringing me smiles.
I feel that way about Lovecraft as well. I also like the Derleth stuff I've read. A lot of good pastiche out there too. I've read through the Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos anthology a few times now. The Robert Bloch stuff is particularly good in that one. Those two had a great dynamic back and forth.
Never heard of this but it looks fantastic. Definitely getting those Universal Monster vibes. A ‘Sherlock Holmes Meets….’ movie is a huge missed opportunity. Excellent review and trivia, I’m looking this one up now!
The taste of Lord HorrorHands is a vast, ever expanding mystery ... but I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy this one. And if you don't, they make take your British license away.
I remember listening to The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes radio shows. I remember the recordings had vintage commercials of two sponsors for the show; Petri Wine and Kreml hair pomade. I remember the organ music for every episode. An actress who appeared on the recordings shared her memories of her experiences with Rathbone and Bruce. The announcer/host Antony Boucher was interviewed about how he got to be on the show. Actor Ben H. Wright sometimes contributed a trivia nugget or two.
There were a few live performances recorded at a military base (the organ music was also played on those episodes.
After Nigel Bruce’s death, another actor filled in for Nigel Bruce.
After 16 films of Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone quit playing the famed detective. I had read that his children encouraged him to quit. I may be wrong here.
But seeing him in Tales Of Terror in The Strange Case Of M. Valdemar was creepy (Morella , portrayed by Leona Gage takes the top prize in horror). His portrayal of Dr. Carmichael, who takes advantage of Valdemar’s state showed how menacing he can be when playing a villain.
I believe that Basil Rathbone will always be remembered as Sherlock Holmes. Others will argue that Jeremy Brett is the greatest as Sherlock Holmes. Stewart Grainger played Sherlock Holmes, Peter Cushing played Sherlock Holmes in a noteworthy technicolor adaptation made by Hammer Films and Christopher Lee playing Sir Henry Baskerville. There was a scene where a Tarantula was climbing up the sleeve of Christopher Lee’s coat . The look on Lee’s face was real terror because he was arachnophobic. He did the scene nonetheless.
Sherlock Holmes was fiction’s first martial artist. In one of the radio shows, he explained to Watson that he defeated an enemy with an East Indian martial art(one that is obscure now, but I may be wrong). Robert Downey, Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes utilized Wing Chun Kung Fu, which is RDJ’s martial art discipline.
My rating of The Scarlet Claw, I give it 5 Deerstalker Caps for originality. I wish it had a longer run time. But this was a Universal Studios picture.
A day or night at the movies in the 40’s was an outing that covered all bases. When you can buy a ticket for a quarter and buy popcorn for a dime. Something for everyone.
It's certainly possible Basil's kids wanted to him to give it up. Another Snack Bar Patron mentioned that he just wouldn't go on doing the role without Bruce.
Speaking of Cushing. He is actually my favorite Holmes. Rathbone is a very close second. Bruce is my number 1 Watson, though. I do wish Cushing had gotten a series of films. At least, a few more. That said, no one beats that Rathbone/Bruce chemistry.
In my old age, and with modern movies being soooo long these days, I've grown to really appreciate these shorter films. I can watch two 40s/50s films in the time it takes to do just one modern movie. And other than epic fantasy, very few movies need to be over 2 hours in my book.
Always a pleasure, Gary.
@@AtomicSnackBar I think Peter Cushing was the Perfect Sherlock Holmes because of his voice. Christopher Lee often commented on Peter Cushing’s voice and how perfect it was.
Even while he played Dr. Van Helsing in The Horror Of Dracula, his vocal diction was so distinctive.
I think audiences want too much. Sure make a movie like Gladiator, Titanic or Tombstone. But let’s make a movie like Stargate when a viewer, for the entire run of the movie, forgets everything that they know or think they know about ancient Egypt and let the movie tell the tale.
Better yet, cut the trailers short and don’t show so much.
I avoid the trailers as much as possible. Just a couple of glimpses. No more.
The best film that had a great trailer was the film Island Of Terror with Peter Cushing and Niall MacGinnis(Curse Of The Demon/ Night Of The Demon). That trailer provided enough mystery to get me anxious about it.
@@garyreid2178 I'm a big fan of trailers. Trailer compilations are one of my biggest focused DVD collections. That said, it's another art that has been lost. The trailers of today show too much and often the best stuff.
Basil was incredible in these movies but imo Jeremy Brett was the best Holmes. I liked Basil in Tales of Terror as well.
I think you are the third person that has mentioned Brett. I must say, I'm not familiar at all. I'll have to look into the matter further.
Thanks, Chrono. Nice to hear from you.
I was just about to say it reminded me of the Baskerville movie.
I may be mostly alone, but I stand by The Scarlet Claw as the better of the two.
Don't forget Basil was also the Sherrif of Nottingham. Great review.
Talk about a great casting. I can imagine very few that would rock that role quite like him.
Yes! Robin Hood is one of my favorites
@AtomicSnackbar - AND in Captain Blood again with Errol Flynn and Mark of Zorro with Tyrone Power. Swish- buckling swordfighting at it's best!
@@tonysantiago255 I was watching some of his sword fights earlier, including the aforementioned Zorro. Granted, they are out of context, but it's so hard not to root for Basil.
I grew up watching Basil Rathbone Holmes bought the collection quite a while back. All the movies you mentioned today I have them all in my collection. Rathbone was considered a great swordsman too. Excellent vid Rob just as I'm rereading my sherlock collection now I must watch them too. I like the glowing figure reminds me of Alec Guinness man in the white suit. Must watch that too.
I've been curious about the books, having only read pastiche stuff myself. Is there one in particular you would recommend? And do they need to be read in order?
@fatdog1963rb - I started to hunt down several of Alec Guinness' 1950s comedies after loving The Lady Killers. He was amazingly funny and so talented. Our Man in Havana, Man in the White Suit, the one where he plays 4-5 different characters ( I forget the title at the moment). He deserves much more recognition than just playing Obi-wan Kenobi. Although both he and Peter Cushing brought so much class to their roles. But back in 1977, most of us youngens weren't familiar with their vast resumes. Thank God for home video.
Can confirm, I saw the effects and I ripped my clothes off right before you even mentioned doing so. This sounds right up my alley. Great vidja
It does that. I really should have run a disclaimer first. But I'm sure the folks at the skatepark weren't too shocked by the mysterious, clothesless skater.
@@AtomicSnackBar Nothing they haven’t seen before, I’m sure 😆
I watched all the Rathbone Holmes again recently. They really stand up well especially for Universal fans
Heck yeah, they do. And I forget if I mentioned it in the video, but I actually prefer the Universal films over the Fox films.
GREATEST. TITLE. EVER.
Next Halloween, I promise to recite "featuring Rathbone and Bruce" 5 to 7 times into a mirror by candlelight. Hopefully you will subsequently appear.
Last I checked, you have to say "Donuts and Martinis" 5 to 6 and a half times before I will appear.
I'll keep that in mind... what kind of donuts should I secure? I'm pretty much a maple bar guy, but don't let that limit you.
Also, when passing through the quantum mirror, one should drink a Martini before hand; it helps cushion the blow of re-integration at the other end.
Just speaking from experience.
@@user-dh2qf5kd8c My favorite of all, though I'm not sure they even make it anymore, is the cheesecake donut from Krispy Cream.
My local donut shop makes a maple bar with fine chopped, fresh cooked bacon on top. Still hot off the assembly line.
They run out in about 20 minutes... ;)
@@AtomicSnackBarI’m a simple man with simple tastes. Those KK original plain glazed are my faves. There’s a shop a few minutes walking distance from house and I have “Hot Donuts Now” app that alerts me they light the sign up…..
Sherlock meets Frankenstein jeez what a missed opportunity love your stuff the memories keep at it
It's really surprising they didn't do anything like that. Same company, perfect timeframe, the Holmes films even touched on spookier topics. It seems like a no-brainer, especially when Universal started doing all the monster mash movies.
Thanks, Thomas. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
I concur - defs amongst the better Holmes and Watson delicacies available for our delectation. I have the boxed set release of these movies ( all 14 ) on DVD and re-watch them when the spirit moves me. I'm a bit of a Holmes and Watson nut and have the Hammer version of Hound of the Baskervilles too. ( Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee ) I even have the modern and recent series Sherlock ( Very best Irene Adler by a long shot ) as well as the Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law movies. I've seen most of the Jeremy Brett series but I still come back to Basil and Nigel as the yardstick to measure all the others from. Kudos sir, Kudos.
Cushing just happens to be my favorite Sherlock Holmes. But being a big Cushing fan, I could just be very, very biased. Bruce, though, is easily my favorite Watson. I really dig his whole loveable cartoon walrus curmudgeon vibe.
So of the non-Rathbone/Bruce films and/or shows, who would you say is your favorite?
@@AtomicSnackBar Oh gosh. With Sherlock, it's the supporting cast that really makes that show shine. For the Robert Downey Jr films, I have to suspend so much belief as it's a very modern retelling even to the point of have what amounts to Matrix like "Bullet time" But I have been a Jude Law fan for some time ( Sky Captain was/is a fave movie ) so it's a difficult ask - the Hammer film figures highly though. I think it would be Hammer Hound, Sherlock and Downey/Law in descending order : I really like Basil and Nigel too. ( Yes Brett fans - I didn't rate them. I don't hate them but I do find them seriously pedestrian.
Since the Sherlock Holmes series was shot on the same sets that Universal used for those Frankenstein movies, all the tech crews were probably doing double duty on Scarlet Claw. Very shrewd those line producers. I would agree this one is actually personally preferably to Hound. I wonder if those radio shows are available? And THANKS for explaining that joke from Ghost Breakers! It's part of my Halloween watch tradition and I never have gotten that line until now. Now, that's some mighty fine YouTubin' right there.
I thought that Ghost Breakers line was really neat. I was glad I was able to find the clip to include it in the episode. Speaking of, the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is indeed here on YT. Supposedly, in full. I was listening to a little and it sounded great. I love that old radio sound and hearing Bruce's voice like that is a real treat.
My mom used to have a bunch of OTR shows on record in big box sets, including the Sherlock Holmes series, the Green Hornet, and the Shadow (“brought to you by Blue Coal!” 😄). I think my brother inherited them, but hopefully i’ll get my grubby little hands on them someday 🤓
@@Gappasaurus I can loan you some ninjas, if you needed. They are good workers. Eat a bit too much cheese, but still, perfect for record stealing.
@@AtomicSnackBar Hmmm, was actually hoping for something in a chanbara… any spare samurai looking for work? 🤔
Rob, I must say that I am shocked, yes _shocked_ that you didn’t mention Basil Rathbone’s most influential movie ever, “Hillbillies in a Haunted House” 😳 This egregious oversight alone makes me want to go running naked through the marsh, and trust me, that is a scenario _no one_ will benefit from 😅 The extremely eerie “Scarlet Claw” is definitely my favorite of the Rathbone/Bruce series 😱 I adored watching them all as a kid (we actually had the entire collection on VHS in the ‘90s 😌), but like many comments have mentioned, the UK Granada series (which aired on PBS’s “Mystery!” series here in the US) stole the spotlight as my favorite Holmes adaptation, as the stories stick far closer to the books, the period setting is very well done, and the characterizations are fantastic, not only Jeremy Brett’s portrayal of Holmes, but also Watson (played by David Burke and later Edward Hardwicke (son of the great Sir Cedric Hardwicke), proving to be more than the comedic sidekick role that was imposed upon Nigel Bruce. Highest recommendation! 👍👍👍
Now if you’ll excuse me, that's my bus gentlemen. I just heard it hoot its hooter, distinctly. 😉
@ Gappasaurus - Nice comments, good sir. But I'm afraid that I'm too old and set in my ways to switch my Holmes & Watsons at this point. And I too am not the striking figure running across a fog shrouded marsh I once was. But we still have our memories.
What can I say? This is a shocking channel full of shocking mystery and shocking occurrences of a ... lukewarm kind. But, funnily enough, I did almost mention that one. I went with Invisible Bikini in the end because bikinis beat hillbillies in my book. No offense intended to any hillbillies watching.
Folks do seem to be all about the Granada series. Do you have a recommendation on where to start?
@@tonysantiago255 I definitely still enjoy the Rath-Bruce films for the nostalgia factor and the foggy atmospheres, but when i want to just enjoy the story, i definitely lean towards the Brett series 😊 And if i ever do find myself streaking thru a marsh, i hope someone has the good sense to push me into a bog like Watson 😆
@@AtomicSnackBar How about hillbillies _in_ bikinis? Did Elly May Clampett ever wear a swimsuit? 😄
And where to start? 🤔 At the risk of sounding like a lame answer, i would suggest starting at the beginning, “A Scandal in Bohemia”. Not my favorite story, but it’s good to see the progression of the characters by watching the series in release order, and it shows Holmes being humbled a bit in the very first episode, which makes the character’s traditional quirks a bit more relatable going forward 🙂
Rathbone only quite playing Sherlock Holmes because his friend Nigel Bruce who played Watson passed away.
I wasn't aware of that. Sad about Bruce passing, but commendable that Rathbone would respect his buddy like that and walk away from the role.
@ AtomicSnackBar - the reason that they worked so well together as characters in that series was because they genuinely had an affection for each other. You got the impression that Watson was the only friend Holmes likely had being something of a snoot knowing he had a superior mind. Bruce's bluster and tolerance of Holmes made his character that much more endearing. And as you pointed out, Watson brought the humor to the proceedings.
What I think of is The Pearls of Penelope Pit stop.., love this though... my Dad loved these movies.... to me...I'm not sure if I ever accepted another Holmes and Watson..... thanks ASB.... Peace
I know exactly what you mean. Though Peter Cushing's was my favorite portrayal of Holmes and my favorite adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles, Basil is always who I think of first and foremost for the character. And there isn't another Watson that's even close to Bruce for me.
great choice from the awesome basil rathbone sherlock holmes movies, i have the boxset an i include it with universal monster movies, i also have a monsters series trading card set and they include the spider woman and the pearl of death but dont include the scarlet claw strange that, all these movies are top notch and i agree have that noir and monster movie feel,special mention for the great the great rondo hatton in the pearl of death, basil is the best sherlock for me, you have got me wanting to watch the boxset again, cheers man
I know they aren't technically film noir, and not even all of them have that element, but I keep my Rathbone/Bruce collection in my noir section. I can totally see them being with the Universal monster movies as well. If I had mine lumped together, I may as well.
If this episode does well, I hope to do a full top list episode on the Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes films.
@@AtomicSnackBar that would be cool, fingers crossed
Dr. Curious & I watched this as a appetizer, as we are going to a meeting of our local Baker Street Irregulars group tomorrow -- topic of discussion, the Holmes story "The Norwich Builder!:" You're right Mr. S. in that it looks like a Universal horror film -- but then they are using many of the same sets -- it seems to me that one of your clips showed the grave yard from "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman!" And the whole thing is set up here in Canada! Cheers Warren, who ain't no Scarlet Claw -- more like an Orange Toque!
Now, I won't openly accuse you of being the true mastermind behind the Scarlet Claw ... but I will heavily imply that Dr. Curious is a decedent of both Moriarty and Dr. Frankenstein and built you in a lab with unused night floater pieces. But, like I said, I'll only imply it.
@@AtomicSnackBar -- As Dr. Curious use to teach "Frankenstein" at the University level, your comment gave her a huge guffaw! But as to what she made me from, she didn't use Night Floater parts -- she went to Canadian Tire like everyone else! Cheers Warren, the Orange Claw -- see what I did there!
My favorite Sherlock Holmes movie is The Seven Per Cent Solution. Very good adaptation of the novel by Nicholas Meyer. A very different take on Holmes.
I'm not familiar with that one. Do tell.
Nicole Williamson, right? With Robert Duvall as Watson, and Alan Arkin as Freud. WHAT A CAST!
@@AtomicSnackBar Unfortunately, it's not streaming anywhere at the present. I happen to have a copy I got from somewhere.... Highly recommended, if you can find it.
Hey Rob, this sounds like another great watch, I'm always up for a nice solid mystery especially with supernatural elements. Plus, what a bonus that this also feel like a Universal classic. Wonderful work!
If you can find the collection for a decent price, I notice it's over triple what it was when I got mine a few Christmases ago, I highly recommend you pick it up. I think gentleman of fine taste like yourself would quite enjoy it.
Rath was a world class fencer
It certainly shows. There was a grace to his movements.
@@AtomicSnackBar he was in a 1930s Zorro movie shows how good he was and he gave props to the actor who played Zorro that he learned really fast and well
I had the Scarlett Claw once. Took threw days to get rid of the cough and obnoxious face tentacles.
Face tentacles ... it's a real problem.
I need to pull this one out for a rewatch. It's been too long. 🙂
Yes, I do believe so. But even a week may be too long. Better safe than sorry.
Picked up any new Creature collectables? I'm living vicariously through you.
@@AtomicSnackBar Not much. The first issue of the new comic series came the other day. (Did you know there are 16 different covers for the 1st issue!) Got a '90s carded keychain a while back. If you still have that link to my photos, I'll pop in a few photos of newish stuff.
@@creech54 16 covers? Sounds like modern comics. Jeez.
But no, I don't think I do. Could you e-mail it to me again?
@@AtomicSnackBar Now I can't find yours. Mine is "unifan2001" cowboy yell place.
@@AtomicSnackBar I can't find yours and I got deleted, twice, trying to tell you mine. If you had ONE of those things that blows air on you and add the second year of this century. You know the place where it lives?
Great film. It is probably the best of the Universal made Holmes movies. As you say it is a murder mystery. Holmes is not fighting Nazis, spies, gangsters or helping the war effort. In the 30s to the 60s Universal had a way of making good films on low budgets that were entertaining. And Universal were the masters of making monster movies. And yes, everyone in small villages in Quebec do speak perfect English without any hint of a French-Canadian accent. 🙂🙂🙂🙂
I'm glad you cleared that up. I figured that whole French accent thing was just a giant conspiracy perpetrated by Alaskan yard gnomes seeking vengeance.
But to a less serious topic, a big reason I wanted to shine the spotlight on this one was because of that great Universal monster movie feel. I think many probably write it off or are not aware of it simply because it's a Sherlock Holmes movie.
@@AtomicSnackBar It is a sort of monster movie. A monster with sharp claws. I have most of the Universal Monster movies on DVD. Built all of the Aurora Universal Monster movie model kits.
.
Note there is a slight similarity to the killer and the movie Creature From The Haunted Sea. Killer uses claw like garden tools to kill the victims until the real clawed monster shows up.
@ garfieldsmith332 - Can'yada you say? I would have assumed it was some small Bavarian village in Europe. Apparently in the 40s, they looked pretty similar.
@@garfieldsmith332 Creature from the Haunted Sea is one of those films that just won't stick in my brain box properly. I always get it mixed up with Nightmare Castle from '65. No idea why. Not even sure I've seen Haunted Sea. But whenever anyone mentions it, I have to run check and make sure it's not Nightmare Castle.
@@tonysantiago255 Quebec is mentioned as being where Holmes is at a meeting and he goes to la Mort Rouge a few miles away.
Well, as previously suggested, I did a search on the mighty YT and found this flick. Also happy to report that the 14 movie Rathbone/ Bruce collection is also gathered together in one handy playlist. Except one thing- the second movie ( which I assume is the second Twentieth Century movie that was mentioned in this upload) which is titled The adventures of Sherlock Holme doesn’t play- instead it plays the THIRD movie in the list- The voice of Terror. Curious indeed.
Anyhow, still quite convenient.
To avoid any punitive ninja action I will watch The Scarlet Claw on Saturday night- then work my way through the rest of the collection at my leisure
They are all certainly worth watching, but if you have to miss out on one, better that it's one of the Fox films. And like I said with those, they are almost in a different continuity, being set so far apart.
Anyways, gotta run again. Have another totally unrelated ninja call to make.
@@AtomicSnackBarit’s a solid movie. I actually watched it twice, as I passed out during the first viewing shortly after the apparition appeared in the marsh. The effects were very good, better than some CGI you might see these days, and it was filmed 80 years ago.
These old B/W movies really take me back to the 70’s, when my Mom would watch this kind of stuff on Sunday mornings. Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, The Thin Man, even Abbot and Costello.
Once again, you look good and sound great! Thanx for sharing!
@@chrisbridges4885 Many thanks, my friend. And glad you dug it. You aren't kidding about the effects. Though I guess at this point me complaining about CG is a bit redundant.
Tony and my mom both are into the Charlie Chan movies. I really need to check those out. My watchlist is just so long these days.
@ AtomicSnackBar - The first two of the Thin Man series are TERRIFIC! It's kind of hit and miss after that for me. William Powell and Myrna Loy have an onscreen chemistry that is second to none, including Rathbone &Bruce. Did your Mom enjoy those Michael Shayne movies? I finally was able to get the last one as a bootleg. The quality is so-so, but my completist compulsion is satiated now.
@@tonysantiago255 I'm not sure if she's watched them all yet, but I know she really liked the ones she has. One of them she was already a fan of, but didn't own it.
Another amazing episode look forward to the next one
Thanks, Craig. And I always appreciate you watching. Not to get too spoilery, but next weekend's episode is going to be a doozy.
@@AtomicSnackBar Thanks for the heads up can't wait to see what you have in store for us.
@@AtomicSnackBar A doozy, eh? 🤔 Can’t imagine it’s a retrospective of the failed Gundam US adaptation “Doozy Bots”, so i’m intrigued 😋
@@Gappasaurus No, it's certainly not that. I'll just say it's a nice mixture of Atomic Snack Bar AND Wacky World Lounge.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Hm.🤔 I don't seem to remember anything that was a cross between Earth vs. the Flying Saucers and Black Emmanuel.
I remember Young Sherlock Holmes (1985, aka Sherlock Holmes and The Pyramid of Fear). It's kinda Sherlock Holmes meets Indiana Jones.
I saw that one at the theater as a lad. Haven't seen it since, though. But I remember a scene with a little demon or something. Stop motion perhaps.
@ AtomicSnackBar - very Speilbergian. A fun take of Holmes and Watson's first meeting as school chums at Cambridge... or Oxford. Very traditional British pre-Potter university. The love interest; Sophie Ward was gorgeous but most people didn't sit through the end credits and catch the surprise ending. The mystery deepens.
Fulton did the parting of the Red Sea for DeMille
That's an impressive little item to have on one's resume.
I gotta tell ya... on top of the Double-Plus-Good Retrospect... I can count on 1 hand, the Number of people who can do a tie-in with (Let alone HEARD OF!) 'Creation of the Humanoids' 62!
And bonus points to you, good sir, for also knowing The Creation of the Humanoids. That's one of my favorite sci-fi films and a true hidden gem. Those creepy Pierce androids are fantastic.
@ thrashpondopons8348 - well then, you have stumbled down the right rabbit hole with this channel. Quite a few of the irregulars here have a familiarity with the obscure.
You know Basil will always deliver a great performance, but my favourite S.H. is Jeremy Brett.
Yeah, patrons of the Snack Bar do seem rather found of Brett as Holmes. I'm completely unfamiliar with him, though. Tonight is the first I've heard of him.
You’d enjoy his performances. He did 41 S.H. “films” from 1984-94 for Granada tv in England. Took a toll on his mental and physical health.
@@trappenweisseguy27 41? That's a staggering amount. That's up there with Shintaro Katsu's performances as Zatoichi.
And they are full length movies too. No wonder it took a toll on his health. I believe he felt it difficult to separate Sherlock Holmes from Jeremy Brett. Poor fellow died early around age 60. Very dry, clinical and emotionless S.H. He studied the books very carefully and strived to be as faithful as possible. Marina Sirtis was in one of the episodes before being in Star Trek next generation.
@@trappenweisseguy27 Are these readily available? I'd like to check out a few.
Scarlett Claw is super fun movie, but I was displeased when I first caught it on TV as a kid. I had not yet been introduced to Sherlock Holmes, and I went in to the film thinking the monster was real. So I was rather disgusted when it pulled a Scooby Doo and gave us an all-too-human villain! Back in those days Scooby Doo kind of annoyed me too. I wanted real monsters when I went to TV or Movie Land! 😜
ohhhh man, right there with you. I think that's why, other than The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, I was never a huge fan other than the Batman episode. I wanted real monsters. I remember being disappointed when I found out the Green Goblin was just a guy in a suit as well.
@@AtomicSnackBar Right?!?!?! 🤣
Nice pick. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen this one- but I am most definitely a Sherlock Holmes gan
Oh, then you must track it down asap, my fine feathered friend. If not, I can't be held responsible for any ninja attacks that may occur. And if you like the Universal monster movies, I can't imagine you wouldn't get a kick out of this one. It was here on YT last I checked. I'll tell you, it made a Sherlock Holmes fan out of me.
OK OK OK…. Just call off the ninjas! Looks like a Sherlock Holmes night. I gotta say Nigel Bruce is awesome , and quite comedic. Is Rathbone your fave Holmes?
@@chrisbridges4885 Well, the Rathbone films are my favorites over all. But Peter Cushing is actually my favorite Holmes. Rathbone is a very, very close second.
Anyways, gotta run. I have to make a totally unrelated ninja related phone call.
@@AtomicSnackBarI agree… Basal is an absolute beast but P Cushman is my fave as well..probably because the movies to me work so well.
On a side note- thanks for the help with the ninjas. Still cleaning up after the last ninja party. All good fun but we’re still cleaning poof ball residue from the drapes and finding the occasional shuriken embedded in the woodwork…..
@@chrisbridges4885 And over the years, I've found that most insurance companies won't cover "Acts of Ninja." Really frustrating, considering what an issue it is these days.
Rathbone, imo, should have the rights to the title of "the great profile". John Barrymore originated the title, but Rathbone, because he was in so many movies I know, fit the bill. No nose is more distinctive I think.
I think Rathbone comes more to life in these movies than in any of the swashbuckling villain roles he played. He was never too evil in any of those films. I don't think he had the heart for it. Would have liked to have seen his Sherlock up against Vincent Price's Dr. Phibes or Christopher Lee's Fu Manchu.
One comment I must make is that British actors tend to fit the mind of their characters more than American actors. A more astute Van Helsing than Cushing? Are there more villainous villains than a British villain? American actors fill the role of action hero well. No more debonair a menace, though, than Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter, unless it was Brian Cox's Lecter.
Those actors who embody their characters' mind or derring do are the most memorable. A better nebbish than Woody Allen? A more insane comedy troupe than Monty Python? A better Tarzan than Weismuller? A better Bond than Connery?
More than looks or dialogue there is a sense of mastery to a memorable character. No better Hood than Flynn. But also there are actors whose roles are themselves. Jerry Lewis, Abbot & Costello, The 3 Stooges, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elvis.
Basil Rathbone's Sherlock vs. The Terminator? An A.I. Whodunit?
@@AtomicSnackBar That accent thing with Brits playing Americans surprised the heck out of me. It's like it popped up from out of nowhere. First intro was with Walking Dead. There's some ...tale there that's not natural. Well those Brits do luv their spies.
Now what would give me a heart attack is some Russian actor with a Southern accent. I really can't think of an American actor with a longstanding British accent. Troubling.
The actors of today just aren't of the same caliber as those actors back then.
They certainly aren't. Heck, they aren't even as strong as our generation's stars. Charisma just seems to be non-existent.
@ AtomicSnackBar - Zendaya.
Never saw a Sherlock Holmes story with Basil & Nigel i didn't love. & for myself his role as Dr. Carmichael was mighty fine. A fine sense of humor was always there with him & who didn't love his interplay with Lionel Atwood as the inspector in Son of Frankenstein. Much like Peter Cushing his acting was superb & both could be good guys & bad & when they were bad, they were very evilly bad. I see they have done a colorized version of The Scarlet Claw which is on YT but it's not so well done or it's just the way it's posted & i still prefer the B&W version anyway.
Oh yeah, me too. I'm not a fan of colorized films for the most part, especially something like a Rathbone/Bruce Holmes film that so perfectly fits the vibe that black and white gives it. Several years back I got the full Rathbone/Bruce DVD collection. Not a dud in the lot.
@@AtomicSnackBar I have a handful of the old Holmes & Watson films on DVD & i prefer them as B&W any day. I had to check out the colorized ones just for curiosity's sake & will say what they did on Ray's 20 million Miles to Earth, The Earth Vrs. the Flying Saucers & It Came from Beneath the Sea were done very well as most are not. I'll keep my B&W ones, but it was pretty cool just to see what they would look like on color & they did do a fine job on them. So yea they did not do such a good job on the Holmes flick but on Ray's stuff as a Monster & Sci Fi buff they are worth seeing just as is said for curiosity's sake & it gives the edge to say I've seen them & that's just an edge you have over fans that have not. It cost nothing but your time to watch at least one of Ray's films in color & i see Earth Vrs.The Flying Saucers is on YT & they did a fine job of it . The other two were on but they have been removed but i catch them before they vanished, Stirling they were very well done but still they won't be as fun as the ole B&W ones are. I just had to see the saucers & all the destruction they caused in Washington DC. That was fun!!!
@@paullevine1813 Yeah, I get that for sure. I always find it interesting what color the creatures actually were and what color they end up making them in the colorized versions. The Ymir for example. As a kid, I always imagined he would have been a brown color, much like the Kraken from Clash of the Titans.
@@AtomicSnackBar They made him a greenish color in the color version but it fits & i think because these were basically ray's films, they made sure they did the best job on them they could & they did just that. As a kid i imagined him as a greenish gray but we were kids & what did we know other than they were all B&W . Two creature models i would love to have would have been this one & maybe the creature from It Conquered the World. Not sure but i think that one may have been a toy or collectable but i have not seen one unless you have one .
Howdy!
And a howdy to you with an added "partner" for good measure.
@Minikin1 - Doody.
@@AtomicSnackBar *knowing tip of the hat* (or toque to appeal to my Canadian sensibilities)
@@tonysantiago255 fresh and fruity! Gunther toody time!
Thrash Pondo Pond sent me to say hello
Well, any friend of Pondo's has to go stand outside. No, I kid. Pondo's a real pip.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hm...🤔 I sense a Brits vs. the Yanks debate as to WHO was the best Holmes. Dang it! They're all British! Rathbone for the WIN. Tom Baker for the Who.
When it comes to film, I tend lean to British actors. Except, of course, a certain Professor Quatermass.
Wooooooooooo
Is the Snack Bar being haunted by an excited ghost again?
who is considered to have been miscast/worst as Sherlock Holmes?
You know, I'm really not sure. I only pay attention to Rathbone and Cushing. But I do understand that many fans of the books were very unhappy with Nigel Bruce's Watson being played for comic relief.
@@AtomicSnackBar fair enough. I hadn't seen all incarnations of Sherlock to give my opinion.
@ AtomicSnackbar - That is an interesting question. I cannot abide or even consider watching the Robert Downey, Jr. movies. My brother, whom I rarely agree with saw them and said: "They're for idiots." I took that to mean " Modern audiences.". GenZ M-SHE-U, Disney Star Wars fans. Mouth breathing morons. I apologize for lumping all of that generation together, but... Zendaya? Really? I actually have several actors which were not mentioned by anyone who had played Holmes. Christopher Plummer. John Wood. I forget who was in that Billy Wilder film. Even Sir Christopher Lee took a crack at it. But that Rathbone profile cannot be surpassed.
I keep getting unsubscribed from my channels, including this one.
Thanks, I don't think I watched this one.
Do give it a looksee if it crosses your path. If you dig the Universal monster movies, I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy it.
Thanks, Jerry.
@@AtomicSnackBarThanks again, and I will.
@@AtomicSnackBarI watched it, here, on UA-cam, last night. A really good movie.
@@jerryrichardson2799 Most excellent. Glad to hear you dug it.