I'm especially fond of this late entry in the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes series of the forties. It's one of the more cheaply made ones, set almost entirely aboard as fast-moving train. The story concerns Holmes' efforts to make sure that a valuable diamond, the Star Of Rhodesia, does not get stolen. There are some awfully suspicious characters around, some of them quite cranky. Holmes is his usual unflappable self, Watson bumbles and enrages people, Inspector LeStrade is his always stupid and yet somehow reassuring self. The supporting cast is, as usual for this series, exceedingly well-chosen. Skelton Knaggs makes the most of his small role. I especially like Alan Mowbray's performance as a fellow who pals around with Watson. Mowbray was smooth as silk as an actor, and in his languid way as sharp as Rathbone. The revelation of the criminal and the circumstances surrounding it are handled in a manner surprisingly baroque even for a Sherlock Holmes film, and are so sudden and jarring,--one doesn't expect the movie to end quite this way--that the ending actually improves on the second and third viewing. How many films can you say that about?
Review of Terror by Night
