Undescribable Perfection

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Don't listen to the negative reviews

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The elusive Borgia Pearl, shards of broken china, a string of corpses with broken lumbar vertebra. "The Pearl of Death" brings back Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, Inspector Lestrade, and Mrs. Hudson to retrieve an enormous pearl stolen from the Regent Museum. While Holmes initially saves the valuable piece from intended theft aboard the Dover Ferry, he is unintentionally responsible for its subsequent loss from the museum and becomes intent on rescuing the piece once again. The seventh entry in Universal Studio's Holmes series is not as much a who-dunnit as a where-is-it mystery? A veteran of previous Holmes screenplays, Bertram Millhauser based his script on the Conan Doyle story, "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons," and the results, while not quite as sterling as "The Scarlet Claw," are still clever and entertaining. Millhauser gives Nigel Bruce an amusing scene in which Watson thinks he recognizes a visitor from a prior case; however, the good doctor manages to be wrong on every point about the murder weapon, the victim, and the identity of the visitor, yet blusters on attempting to imitate Holmes's logical reasoning and acute observation.Nigel Bruce shines throughout and grumbles more than usual about being bossed by Holmes. Basil Rathbone is perhaps more authoritative and arrogant than usual; however, the master sleuth has been justly accused of responsibility in the loss of the pearl, owing to his air of superiority and his aim to expose a flaw in the museum's security. In support of Rathbone and Bruce, Miles Mander and Ian Wolfe repeat from "The Scarlet Claw," and Evelyn Ankers returns from "The Voice of Terror" to play a key role. Roy William Neill again produces and directs, and Virgil Miller, veteran cinematographer of numerous Charlie Chan and Mr. Moto movies, shot the film with appropriate atmosphere. The present-day setting has become unobtrusive; despite the use of automobiles, telephones, and electric alarms, the aura of a timeless Victorian era lingers at 221B Baker Street.Certainly among the better entries in the Holmes series, "The Pearl of Death" is entertaining and intelligent. The players are at their best, and Holmes is given the opportunity for a final philosophical comment before fadeout. Although Holmes's superior intellect and self confidence are initially dented, the master sleuth regains his footing and proves himself once again.

Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce return as Sherlock Holmes & Doctor Watson in this fine entry, based on the short story 'The Six Napoleons'. Master criminal Giles Conover robs a museum after Holmes makes an uncharacteristic mistake. Embarrassed, he resolves to retrieve the stolen pearl, but Conover's immense henchman The Creeper(played by Rondo Hatten, who suffered from a disfiguring disease in real life) is smashing sculptures where Conover had hidden it, but was unable to retrieve in time. Evelyn Ankers costars as his accomplice. Another atmospheric and exciting entry with The Creeper being used well, and returning series actress Evelyn Ankers is good in a different role.

Great ingredients for a great Sherlock Holmes mystery, and Pearl of Death was that. Despite the too-short length and the out-of-place patriotic speech, Pearl of Death is one of the better entries of the RKO series(Scarlet Claw being the best, Hound of the Baskervilles and Adventures of Sherlock Holmes are even better but they were 20th Century-Fox distributed). It is crisply and atmospherically shot, with very striking period detail and the fog and shadows make the atmosphere remarkably creepy. The music score is very well-incorporated and haunting, if somewhat similar to the score of The Wolf Man, the film is solidly directed right up to one of the series' scariest climaxes and the dialogue is both funny and intelligent(you have to love Holmes' line to the police in the climax). The story, while only containing elements(the pearl, the Napoleon busts) of the original story, moves very quickly though not feeling too rushed and is always engaging with great suspense and sense of mystery. The acting is strong, the most memorable being Rondo Hatton who is just spine-chilling as the Creeper, having seen this at about 11 years old and having vague memories of that viewing it was Hatton that I remembered the most vividly. Basil Rathbone is spot-on as Holmes as he always was, cunning and very well-read with a touch of humour about him, Pearl of Death also has some of his best deductions of the series. Nigel Bruce is amusing as Watson, and he does bring some loyalty to counterpoint with Rathbone's Holmes, though the character can be too much of an idiot in this series and at times that is true here. His chemistry with Rathbone still convinces, there really is a great dynamic between them. Lestrade is even more so, the character was always inept but this Lestrade really is as thick as a brick, like with Watson the writing of the characters is part of why that is. Dennis Hoey is very funny though and seems to be really enjoying himself. Evelyn Ankers is very attractive with great disguises, she makes for a striking and strongly-acted accomplice. Miles Mander is not quite as good as the rest, he is menacing in a quiet and subtle sense- without falling into total blandness- which is a good approach, if not quite distinguishing himself in the climax especially compared to Hatton, one rare case where the henchman actually eclipses the mastermind. In conclusion, an entertaining and atmospherically effective Sherlock Holmes mystery, Hatton's Creeper makes the film. If you are a purist though and want a more faithful adaptation of the story, watch The Six Napoleons with Jeremy Brett as Holmes as part of the Granada series, even better than this and one of the best of that series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Basil Rathbone's sixth turn as Sherlock Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as his sidekick, Dr. Watson, is as enjoyable as the rest. Holmes says lines that would sound ridiculous coming from another, but they work for Rathbone, as does Bruce as his partner.Another murder mystery involving some Napoleon busts and a creepy killer that breaks backs. He reminds you of Frankenstein. Horror in a murder mystery is a welcome addition.These films are always a pleasure to watch and they retain their charm even after 60 years have past. Direction by Director:Roy William Neill was excellent.