The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

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.

Director:

Sidney Lanfield

Writers:

Ernest Pascal (screenplay), Arthur Conan Doyle (novel) (as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Stars:

Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Greene	...	Sir Henry Baskerville
Basil Rathbone	...	Sherlock Holmes
Wendy Barrie	...	Beryl Stapleton
Nigel Bruce	...	Dr. Watson
Lionel Atwill	...	James Mortimer M.D.
John Carradine	...	Barryman
Barlowe Borland	...	Frankland
Beryl Mercer	...	Mrs. Jennifer Mortimer
Morton Lowry	...	John Stapleton
Ralph Forbes	...	Sir Hugo Baskerville
E.E. Clive	...	Cabby
Eily Malyon	...	Mrs. Barryman
Lionel Pape	...	Coroner
Nigel De Brulier	...	Convict (as Nigel de Brulier)
Mary Gordon	...	Mrs. Hudson

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

death | sherlock holmes | doctor | hotel | boot | 

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baskervilles hund

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Publicity materials referred to the dog who played the title character as "Chief". The dog's real name was "Blitzen", but this was thought to sound too German.

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Goofs

The film is set in 1889, but when Holmes searches the moor with his pocket lantern, it is obvious the prop had been retrofitted with an electric light-bulb instead of an alcohol fueled flame.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Barryman: Hello, there! Hello, there! Is something wrong!

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Connections

Featured in Queerama (2017)

User Reviews

Rathbone and Bruce-The Definitive Holmes & Watson

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" was the first movie that paired the great actor Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as his bumbling yet lovable assistant, Dr. Watson. The two actors embody the characters of Holmes and Watson, and it's a delight to see the interaction between the two. This movie is great on all levels, from the creepy atmosphere of the moors where the "hound from hell" roams, to the performances of all the actors involved. Richard Greene, who plays Sir Henry Baskerville, and John Carradine also give solid performances. I remember watching this movie on late night TV with my sister when I was a kid and being genuinely frightened by the scenes on the moor when Richard Greene is being chased by the hound. For me this is the best of the Sherlock Holmes series of movies that was made in the late 1930's and 1940's. A must see!