The struggle of super-minds in the crime of the century!
Having once again avoided criminal conviction, Professor Moriarity develops a murderous plan to “finish off” his last major nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, by making him fail to prevent the perfect crime. Does it involve a family curse, the crown jewels of England, or something else…
Status
Released
Original Language
EN
Budget
—
Revenue
—
Release Date
September 1, 1939
Popularity
1
Director
Alfred L. Werker
Writer
Edwin Blum
Writer
William Absalom Drake
Producer
Darryl F. Zanuck
Where to Watch
Cast
Basil Rathbone
Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce
Dr. Watson
Ida Lupino
Ann Brandon
Alan Marshal
Jerrold Hunter
Terry Kilburn
Billy
George Zucco
Professor Moriarty
Henry Stephenson
Sir Ronald Ramsgate
E. E. Clive
Inspector Bristol
Arthur Hohl
Henchman Bassick
May Beatty
Mrs. Jameson, Brandon Housekeeper
Peter Willes
Lloyd Brandon
Mary Gordon
Mrs. Hudson
Holmes Herbert
Justice of the Court
George Regas
Henchman Mateo
Mary Forbes
Lady Conyngham
Frank Dawson
Dawes, Moriarty's servant
William Austin
Inquisitive Stranger
Anthony Kemble-Cooper
Tony Conyngham
Leonard Mudie
Barrows - Moriarty's Attorney (uncredited)
Robert Nobel
Foreman of the Jury (uncredited)
Gallery
Reviews
CinemaSerf
My personal favourite of these Rathbone/Bruce combinations. This time, the fiendishly clever Professor Moriarty (George Zucco) intends the crime of the century and so has Holmes and Watson distracted by an ominous series of murders whilst he sets about perpetrating his true desire. Henry Stephenson also chips into this accomplished murder-mystery that keeps you guessing for quite a while. The atmosphere of a foggy London all adds to the dramatic effect of this film and Rathbone and Bruce are clearly now on their way to establishing their own, definitive, characterisations of their fictional alter-egos.
