死亡珍珠

One of my personal favourites of the Sherlock Holmes cycle of movies starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. This time Holmes is trying to thwart a gang from stealing a priceless pearl. We get to see Holmes dress up as a befuddled clergyman, outwit a funny Inspector Lestrade, and meet Rondo Hatton's Creeper, a killer that breaks the backs of men with his very hands. Based on the story"The Case of the Six Napoleons," Holmes must locate the pearl that has been embedded in a bust of the French emperor. Rathbone and Bruce are again very affable and turn in their customary good performances. Dennis Hoey as Lestrade, I believe very undervalued in that role, injects a lot of life into this one. And Hatton, of course, just filmed by his shadow until the end, is a convincing film presence. Throw in lovely Evelyn Ankers as a woman out to outwit Holmes, and you have a good mix.