SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH

US, 1943, 68 minutes, Black and white.
Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey, Arthur Margetson, Hillary Brooke, Halliwell Hobbes.
Directed by Roy William Neill.

This is one of the 14 films in the series of Sherlock Holmes stories with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Several of them had inspected Lestrade, played by Dennis Hoey, who appears in this film.

The screenplay is based on Conan Doyle’s story, The Musgrave Ritual. The setting is Northumberland, an institution for military personnel and their recovery, the post-traumatic stress of that period. Doctor Watson is on call and asks for Holmes’ assistance when the Lord of the Manor is killed.

The various suspects, including some of the personnel, the alcoholic butler protected by his wife, and the local doctor who helps in the investigations. There are further murders, the discovery of a basement, a document from the time of Henry VIII concerning the property. When her second brother is killed, the only Musgrave survival is the sister, played by Hillary Brooke, who must go through the ritual.

Holmes ingeniously tricks the murderer to reveal himself, homes risking his life – and, therefore, facing death. This is an enjoyable further addition to Holmes exercising his logic and focus on facts, elementary, along with the ever-bumbling Nigel Bruce.

1. The popularity of the series? Basil Rathbone? Nigel Bruce? The mystery? The usual ingredients for these films?

2. The basis in Conan Doyle’s story? The Musgrave family, the age-old ritual?

3. The title, Holmes and his investigation, the confrontation with the murderer, his pretending to be dead, the confrontation and unmasking the villain?

4. Northumberland, the home, the patients, post-traumatic stress, the range of illnesses, the doctor, Dr Watson in attendance?

5. Dr Sexton, his help, collaborating with Holmes? His work in the institution?

6. Geoffrey Musgrave, the Lord, his death, the death of his brother, the reading of the will?

7. Sally, inheritance, performing the ritual?

8. Brunton, the butler, his drinking, the influence of Dr Sexton, his disappearance, death? The concern of his wife?

9. The arrival of Inspector Lestrade, his usual bumbling self, drawing the wrong conclusions, taking some credit?

10. Holmes and the re-enactment of the ritual, the floor as a chessboard, leading to the basement? The members of the staff as the chess pieces, Sexton and his involvement, his making a wrong move? Holmes’ realisation?

11. The basement, the butler and his death, Holmes and his pretence?

12. Sexton, his actions, unmasked, his motivation, planning to marry Sally, the Henry VIII document, his marrying her and becoming wealthy?

13. Sally, the burning of the document, her concern about the tenants?

14. An authentic Conan Doyle’s story and the cinema treatment?