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	...	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:

vengeance | sherlock holmes character | dr. john watson character | tolling bell | psychotronic film | 

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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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Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the only Sherlock Holmes film with voice-over narration.

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Goofs

Holmes signs the hotel register on February 10, no year given. In mid-February, there would likely be frost (if not snow) on the ground in that part of Canada, and the bog Watson falls into would no doubt be frozen. The vapor of the characters' breath would also be visible.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Potts, Tanner, Ramson: Who could be ringing the church bell at this time? Maybe it ain't a who Father, maybe it's an it. And maybe it's tolling the bell.
Father Pierre: Aw, there's no such things as ghosts and monsters. Haven't I made that clear to you?

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Connections

Followed by Dressed to Kill (1946)

User Reviews

Sherlock in the Swamps!

One of the absolute finest entries in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, along with "The Pearl of Death" which came out immediately after this movie. These two are the best Holmes-films because they're atmospheric and unsettling horror stories rather than simple detective films revolving on an all-knowing hero. The story is worth digging into and the scenery & set pieces are terrific, with fog-machines seemly on every street corner and a mysterious villain hiding out in the marshes of a small Canadian town with a dubious name; La Mort Rouge. Holmes and his loyal assistant Watson (who seems to get dumber every film) are in Canada for a congress about the supernatural and decide to stay when they're facing seemly authentic supernatural murder case! A woman's throat has been brutally torn out and the villagers of La Mort Rouge fear there's a 100-year-old ghost at large. Skeptical Holmes, however, doesn't really believe this and looks for a suspect who's more human. I really appreciated how the screenplay doesn't idolize Sherlock Holmes too much! For example, despite his amazing deduction-talents, Holmes still can't prevent some extra murders from happening and not once but twice he arrives to late in order to stop the murderer. It might be a detail, but for me this makes the character a lot more convincing and realistic. The obligatory WWII references are more camouflaged than usual and Roy William Neill's direction is as solid and professional as ever. "The Scarlet Claw" is a highly enjoyable mystery/horror classic with some fascinating story-twists and engaging performances. Recommended!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

La garra escarlata

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