The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Review #721: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Cast
Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes), Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson), Ida Lupino (Ann Brandon), George Zucco (Professor Moriarty), Alan Marshal (Jerrold Hunter), and E. E. Clive (Inspector Bristol) Directed by Alfred L. Werker (#676 - Shock)

Review
It's been a while (#583 - The Hound of the Baskervilles) since I reviewed a Sherlock Holmes film, and it's only fitting that it's the second film of the Rathbone series, which had 14 films in total in seven years. In fact, this was the second Holmes film with Rathbone released in 1939, because in those days, films were made really quickly, with the gap between the two films being only 5 months (and 1 day). It is in this film that the phrase "Elementary, my dear Watson" came into popularity, and while it wasn't a phrase used in the Doyle stories (though it was used in stage adaptations before this film), it has entered into Holmes' lore mainly because of the quality of this movie, which is exceptional. The interactions that Rathbone has with Bruce are well paced and make for a good duo, though his scenes with Zucco are also well done, especially their last scene, which has some good action. It may be a little typical at times, but it at least is a good way to spend 81 minutes while watching Rathbone steal the show (as usual) and see a little mystery play out nicely.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bride of Frankenstein.

Review #394: Bride of Frankenstein.

Cast
Boris Karloff (The Monster), Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein), Ernest Thesiger (Doctor Pretorius), Valerie Hobson (Elizabeth Lavenza), Elsa Lanchester (The Monster's Bride and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley), Una O'Connor (Minnie), E.E. Clive (Burgomaster), O.P. Heggie (The Hermit), Douglas Walton (Percy Bysshe Shelley), and Lucien Prival (The Butler), Directed by James Whale (#069 - The Invisible Man, #072 - Frankenstein)

Review
This is a film I've wanted to review ever since I reviewed the first film 567 days ago. I wanted to review this because this sounded really intriguing, with Whale directing once again, and Karloff back in the role that made him famous. After watching this, there's doubt about it, this is a good film. Better than the first? Possibly. Karloff is given more to do with the character, The Monster gets to have a new level of depth to him, which adds to the film. Clive does well, even if his role is considerably downsized, which is understandable. Ernest Thesiger does a memorable job as Doctor Pretorius, having a level of morbid charm, especially when he dines in a cemetery, and he's a good villain. There are too many memorable scenes to count, but one that I find to be brilliant is the scene involving Karloff and O.P. Heggie, which both develops Karloff's character and is a well made and entertaining scene, with a bit of irony included, as the only person who doesn't scream at the sight of the Monster is the only who can't physically see him. The Bride pops up about...10 minutes before the film ends, played by Elsa Lanchester, who also plays Mary Shelley in the opening scene, which is a somewhat ludicrous scene. The Bride looks memorable, thanks to the effects by Jack Pierce, but honestly I think more time was spent on making the character than the time the character has on screen, which is a bit odd given the film is called Bride of Frankenstein. The supporting cast is alright, even if Una O'Connor is a bit annoying. Not as much as in The Invisible Man, but just a bit. But nevertheless, the film has good moments combined with brilliant directing, which work really well to make a film that arguably could be up to the level of the first film. Countdown to 400 Reviews: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Invisible Man.

Review #069: The Invisible Man.

Cast
Claude Rains (Dr. Jack Griffin / The Invisible Man), Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley), William Harrigan (Dr. Arthur Kemp), Henry Travers (Dr. Cranley), Una O'Connor (Jenny Hall), Forrester Harvey (Herbert Hall), Dudley Digges (Chief Detective), and E. E. Clive (Constable Jaffers) Directed by James Whale.

Review
This is the first film I've covered from the 1930s, and it is a good one to cover. This film is a good adaptation (by H.G Wells) of the book and it entertains the viewer in a 71 minute span. The acting is good (save for Una O'Conner, who screams just a bit too much for my taste) for 1933. Rains is a fine main character. The special effects are great for its time. Actually, they still look great, even for today. The film is dramatic, smart, and a bit cunning. On the whole, this is a fairly capable horror film.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.