The Scarlet Claw (1944)

When a gentlewoman is found dead with her throat torn out, the villagers blame a supernatural monster, but Sherlock Holmes, who gets drawn into the case from nearby Quebec, suspects a human murderer.

Director:

Roy William Neill

Writers:

Edmund L. Hartmann (screenplay), Roy William Neill (screenplay),

Stars:

Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Gerald Hamer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Basil Rathbone	...	Sherlock Holmes
Nigel Bruce	...	Doctor Watson
Gerald Hamer	...	Potts / Tanner / Ramson
Paul Cavanagh	...	Lord Penrose
Arthur Hohl	...	Emile Journet
Miles Mander	...	Judge Brisson
Kay Harding	...	Marie Journet
David Clyde	...	Police Sergeant Thompson
Ian Wolfe	...	Drake
Victoria Horne	...	Nora

Storyline

While attending a conference in Quebec City, Sherlock Holmes and his good friend Dr. Watson are drawn into a murder investigation in the nearby village of La Mort Rouge. Holmes had received a letter from Lady Penrose asking for his assistance as she feared for her life. It was too late however as she had already been killed by the time he received it. Her throat was torn out and the local villagers are spreading rumors about monsters and evil spirits as being the cause. Holmes doesn't believe any of that and sets out to find the killer. He believes that Lady Penrose's past as an actress may have something to with her death. As others in the village are attacked, Holmes believes the killer is among them, impersonating a local villager as he goes about his business.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | death | killer | murderer | dead woman | 

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Taglines:

THRILLS! HORROR!...as the mystery wizards tackle a trackless terror! (re-release print ad)

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Claw

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Listed in Journet's inn-register is Tom McKnight of New York. McKnight was an adviser on Universal's Holmes series.

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Goofs

When Holmes and Watson rush to Judge Brisson's house when they learn of his murder, they enter the foyer leaving the front door wide open. Holmes goes to close the door in the next slide and the door is barely cracked open.

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Quotes

Sherlock Holmes: Ramson has undoubtedly established another character for himself - perhaps several others - by now familiar to the people of La Morte Rouge and quite above suspicion. He could be almost anyone...

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Connections

Follows Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942)

User Reviews

Fantastic!

"The Scarlet Claw" is probably the best of these Rathbone/Bruce films. The plot is very cool. I found the movie to be more frightening than "The Hound of the Baskervilles". And of course, Rathbone is always wonderful as Holmes. I would recommend this movie to any Sherlock Holmes fan or to anyone who just likes mystery movies.