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The Hound of the Baskervilles

  • 19391939
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Wendy Barrie and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sidney Lanfield
  • Writers
    • Ernest Pascal(screenplay)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles")
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Nigel Bruce
    • Richard Greene
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sidney Lanfield
  • Writers
    • Ernest Pascal(screenplay)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles")
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Nigel Bruce
    • Richard Greene
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 110User reviews
    • 51Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos49

    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone, Wendy Barrie, Nigel Bruce, Nigel De Brulier, and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Wendy Barrie and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Wendy Barrie and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone, Wendy Barrie, Nigel Bruce, Nigel De Brulier, and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone, Wendy Barrie, and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
    Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, and Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Sherlock Holmesas Sherlock Holmes
    Nigel Bruce
    Nigel Bruce
    • Dr. Watsonas Dr. Watson
    Richard Greene
    Richard Greene
    • Sir Henry Baskervilleas Sir Henry Baskerville
    Wendy Barrie
    Wendy Barrie
    • Beryl Stapletonas Beryl Stapleton
    Lionel Atwill
    Lionel Atwill
    • James Mortimer M.D.as James Mortimer M.D.
    John Carradine
    John Carradine
    • Barrymanas Barryman
    Barlowe Borland
    Barlowe Borland
    • Franklandas Frankland
    Beryl Mercer
    Beryl Mercer
    • Mrs. Jennifer Mortimeras Mrs. Jennifer Mortimer
    Morton Lowry
    Morton Lowry
    • John Stapletonas John Stapleton
    Ralph Forbes
    Ralph Forbes
    • Sir Hugo Baskervilleas Sir Hugo Baskerville
    E.E. Clive
    E.E. Clive
    • Cabbyas Cabby
    Eily Malyon
    Eily Malyon
    • Mrs. Barrymanas Mrs. Barryman
    Lionel Pape
    Lionel Pape
    • Coroneras Coroner
    Nigel De Brulier
    Nigel De Brulier
    • Convictas Convict
    • (as Nigel de Brulier)
    Mary Gordon
    Mary Gordon
    • Mrs. Hudsonas Mrs. Hudson
    Ian Maclaren
    • Sir Charlesas Sir Charles
    • (as Ian MacLaren)
    Brandon Beach
    • Ship Passengeras Ship Passenger
    • (uncredited)
    Leonard Carey
    Leonard Carey
    • Hugo's Servantas Hugo's Servant
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Sidney Lanfield
    • Writers
      • Ernest Pascal(screenplay)
      • Arthur Conan Doyle(novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    On his uncle's death Sir Henry Baskerville returns from abroad and opens up the ancestral hall on the desolate moors of Devonshire. Holmes uncovers a plot to have Sir Henry murdered by a terrible trained hound. —Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
    • sherlock holmes character
    • dr. john watson character
    • death
    • doctor
    • boot
    • 84 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • CURSE...OF THE BASKERVILLES (print ad - Lubbock Evening Journal - Lindsey Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - April 24, 1939 - all caps)
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the original novel, and in all later film versions, the butler is named Barrymore. In this version, the butler was renamed Barryman since the famous Barrymore family - Lionel Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore and John Barrymore - were still acting in films at the time.
    • Goofs
      SPOILER: During the film's denouement, Holmes reveals who the murderer is and offers as proof the murderer's supposed resemblance to the portrait of Sir Hugo Baskerville. Holmes emphasizes this by standing in front of the painting and matting out the hair and beard with his hands, so the audience can appreciate the similarities of the two men. However, the right-sided semi-profile becomes a left-sided close-up when it is framed in order to match the close-up of the killer.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Sherlock Holmes: Oh, Watson... the needle.

    • Connections
      Edited into Cynful Movies: The Hound of the Baskervilles (2019)

    User reviews110

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    "Mr. Holmes, you're the one man in all England who can help me."
    Of the half dozen or so different takes on The Hound of the Baskervilles that I've seen, this one is my favorite - just barely edging out the Hammer film from 1959. Why? There are a number of reasons I could cite.

    1. Acting - The 1939 version of the Hound of the Baskervilles has to have one of the strongest casts ever assembled for a Sherlock Holmes film. It's a veritable Who's Who of 1930s/40s horror/thriller stars. Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, John Carradine, Wendy Barrie, and Eily Malyon all give outstanding performances. Even E.E. Clive appears in a small but enjoyable role. And Nigel Bruce, whose bumbling Watson could really get on my nerves, gives one of his best performances as Holmes' sidekick.

    2. Atmosphere - If there's something that filmmakers from the 1930s knew how to do and were especially adept at, its creating atmosphere. From the fog shrouded moors to the dangerous London streets, there's enough atmosphere in The Hound of the Baskervilles for two or three movies. The cinematography and lighting go along way to helping create this feeling. It's something that seems lost on many of today's filmmakers.

    3. Direction - While nothing outstanding, Sidney Lanfield is nonetheless solid in the director's chair. One key is the pacing he gives to the film. The movie moves along quite nicely with very few moments that slow things down. Sure, this version of The Hound of the Baskervilles may veer away from the original source material, but it's for good reason. The film would have been too slow and, ultimately, quite dull had it stuck too closely to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work. I've read the book, but as much as I enjoy it, I realize changes have to be made for the screen.

    While there are a number of other things I could mention in The Hound of the Baskervilles that appeal to me, I'll stop here before this thing gets out of hand. In the end, I've always found this a solid production and a very enjoyable film. I've got no problems rating it a 9/10.

    Finally, one thing that has always seemed odd to me is the appeal of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Don't misunderstand, it's a good story. But I'm not sure I understand why it has been filmed more often than any other Sherlock Holmes story. Why would a plot that has its main character (Holmes in this case) disappear for about half the movie be the most famous and most often filmed story from the character's casebook? Like I said, it's just always seemed a bit odd to me.
    helpful•22
    2
    • bensonmum2
    • Nov 25, 2008

    FAQ4

    • The Hound---Where Did it Come From?
    • Chicago Opening Happened When?
    • William Shakespeare---Did Rathbone & Bruce Meet Him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 31, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pas Baskervilski
    • Filming locations
      • 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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