SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE WOMAN IN GREEN

US, 1945, 68 minutes, Black and white.
Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Hillary Brook, Henry Daniell.
Directed by Roy William Neill.

Sherlock Holmes and the Woman in Green is a later addition to the Basi1 Rathbone- Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes -Dr Watson series. It shows an older Rathbone and Nigel Bruce is the same as ever. Rathbone is a master Holmes, egotistic, skilful at solving mysteries, impersonations. Bruce is an unflappable but irritating Watson - especially here, where he is made a fool of by being hypnotised after scoffing at it. Hillary Brooke is an attractive villainess. Henry Daniell is excellent as Moriarty, most persuasive. The film is one of many in a very successful series.

1. Enjoyable Sherlock Holmes story? Updated to the '40s? The origins in Conan Doyle's stories?

2. Black and white photography, universal B-budget production, the re-creation of London? Musical score?

3. The title and the focus on the woman, the luring of the victims, hypnosis?

4. Holmes and the murders in London, echoes of Jack the Ripper, Inspector Grayson coming to ask his help? His involvement? Seeing Sir George, his daughter's plea? Involved with the lady in green, the link with Moriarty, Moriarty coming to see him, the confrontation? Going to the mesmerists' club? The hypnosis, becoming Lydia's victim, the possibility of his death, the irony of his taking the drug to protect himself? His final victory?

5. Watson as usual, blustering, obtuse, helping in the case, mocking the hypnosis, being made a fool of?

6. Professor Moriarty, sinister plan, the blackmailing of potential victims, linking them with murders and embarrassing them? The murder plans, the killing of the random prostitutes, Lydia seducing the men, her hypnosis, the music and the drugs, the assistance of the maid? The background information from the doctor and his skills? Moriarty using these, trying to defeat Holmes?

7. The basic plot, echoes of Jack the Ripper, the use of hypnosis, Moriarty as villain, the triumph of Holmes and Watson? The popular Ingredients of this ser,