Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)

During WWII several murders occur at a convalescent home where Dr. Watson has volunteered his services. He summons Holmes for help and the master detective proceeds to solve the crime from ... See full summary »

Director:

Roy William Neill

Writers:

Bertram Millhauser (screenplay), Arthur Conan Doyle (story)

Stars:

Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Basil Rathbone	...	Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce	...	Doctor Watson
Dennis Hoey	...	Inspector Lestrade
Arthur Margetson	...	Dr. Bob Sexton
Hillary Brooke	...	Sally Musgrave
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Alfred Brunton
Minna Phillips	...	Mrs. Howells aka Mrs. Brunton
Milburn Stone	...	Capt. Pat Vickery
Gavin Muir	...	Phillip Musgrave
Gerald Hamer	...	Maj. Langford
Vernon Downing	...	Lt. Clavering
Olaf Hytten	...	Capt. MacIntosh
Frederick Worlock	...	Geoffrey Musgrave (as Frederic Worlock)
Mary Gordon	...	Mrs. Hudson

Storyline

During WWII several murders occur at a convalescent home where Dr. Watson has volunteered his services. He summons Holmes for help and the master detective proceeds to solve the crime from a long list of suspects including the owners of the home, the staff and the patients recovering there.

---

Plot Keywords:

poem | murder | detective | ritual | sherlock holmes | 

---

Taglines:

THEIR NEWEST AND GREATEST ADVENTURE! (original poster-all caps)

---

Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gespenster im Schloß

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

References Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes story, The Musgrave Ritual.

---

Goofs

The land grant / crown grant that was given to the Musgraves by a King Henry, lists King Henry as being King of "Great Britain, France Scotland and Ireland." This is in error, since there have been only "8" King Henry's in England's history, the last being "Henry VIII" in the 16th century. England didn't become part of "Great Britain" until 1707, with the "Act of Union" passed under Queen Anne. This occurred 160 years after Henry VIII's death. There is also some doubt regarding the use of "France", since France oftentimes either wasn't a united country or existed side-by-side with England, thus making for confusion. The English king in question, would likely have referred not to "France" as part of his kingdom, but to which territories (such as Normandy) he controlled.

---

Quotes

Sherlock Holmes: There's a new spirit abroad in the land. The old days of grab and greed are on their way out. We're beginning to think of what we *owe* the other fellow, not just what we're compelled to give him. The time is coming, Watson, when we cannot fill our bellies in comfort while the other fellow goes hungry, or sleep in warm beds while others shiver in the cold. And we shan't be able to kneel and thank God for blessings before our shining altars while men anywhere are kneeling in either physical or ...
[...]

---

Connections

Followed by Pursuit to Algiers (1945)

User Reviews

One of my favorites

I dearly love all of the Basil Rathbone / Nigel Bruce SHERLOCK HOLMES movies, but this one is one of my favorites. Maybe it's just some fond memories from my youth. A modern comparison can be made between the chess game in this movie and the one in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Even though no one actually died in Potter's game, murder surrounded the Musgrave Ritual -- so which one could be deemed more violent? Both movies arrived at the mysteries' solutions after the completion of the game, so there's another loose comparison.