TERROR BY NIGHT

US, 1946, 60 minutes, Black and white.
Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Alan Mowbray.
Directed by Roy William Neill.

Terror By Night is an enjoyable Sherlock Holmes story, one of the last made by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. It has the advantage of an overnight train setting, reminiscent of so many thrillers.

1.An enjoyable Sherlock Holmes story? Popularity of Holmes and Watson? This particular series?

2.B-budget production? Black and white photography? Studio and sets? Atmosphere of England? Musical score?

3.The basis in Conan Doyle stories? Adaptation and updating?

4.Sherlock Holmes, his reputation? Relationship with Watson? Needing cases? Professor Moriarty and his associates? His involvement in the case? Hired for protection? Travelling to Edinburgh? His self-assurance, clues? Lady Margaret and her son? The death? The interrogations? His suspicions of Watson's friend from India? The resolution of the case? The corpse? The struggle and Holmes outwitting the false police? Inspector Lestrade and his involvement?

5.Dr Watson, his bumbling style, his Indian friend, lack of suspicions, indicating clues? His surprise at the unmasking?

6.The colonel, hail-fellow-well-met? Friendship with Watson? His disguise, his accomplices? The stealing of the jewel? The false police and the struggle?

7.The passengers on the train, their suspicions and upset? Lady Margaret and her haughtiness, the death of her son? The guards van and the coffin?

8.The unmasking of the criminal? The final fight? Holmes's achievement? Watson's support?