Terror by Night

19461946
ApprovedApproved
1h

Terror by Night (1946)

Traveling on the overnight train from London to Edinburgh, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are accompanying Roland Carstairs and his mother. They are there to protect the famed Star of Rhodesia, a 400-plus carat diamond that Mrs Carstairs had received on her 25th wedding anniversary many years before. There had been an attempt to steal the diamond while in London but when young Carstairs is killed and the diamond stolen, Holmes realizes that it must be the work of the noted thief and criminal, Colonel Sebastian Moran.

Play trailer1:26

Crime Drama Film-Noir

When the fabled Star of Rhodesia diamond is stolen on a London to Edinburgh train and the son of its owner is murdered, Sherlock Holmes must discover which of his suspicious fellow passenger... Read allWhen the fabled Star of Rhodesia diamond is stolen on a London to Edinburgh train and the son of its owner is murdered, Sherlock Holmes must discover which of his suspicious fellow passengers is responsible.When the fabled Star of Rhodesia diamond is stolen on a London to Edinburgh train and the son of its owner is murdered, Sherlock Holmes must discover which of his suspicious fellow passengers is responsible.

Director
- Roy William Neill
Writers
- Frank Gruber(screenplay)
- Arthur Conan Doyle(adapted from a story by)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

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Trailer

Basil Rathbone in Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Basil Rathbone in Terror by Night (1946)

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Terror by Night (1946)

Basil Rathbone in Terror by Night (1946)

Sherlock Holmesas Sherlock Holmes

Dr. John H. Watsonas Dr. John H. Watson

Maj. Duncan-Bleekas Maj. Duncan-Bleek

Inspector Lestradeas Inspector Lestrade

Vivian Vedderas Vivian Vedder

Frederick Worlock

Prof. William Kilbaneas Prof. William Kilbane
(as Frederic Worlock)

Lady Margaret Carstairsas Lady Margaret Carstairs

Sandsas Sands

Train Attendantas Train Attendant

Geoffrey Steele

Roland Carstairsas Roland Carstairs

Dining Car Stewardas Dining Car Steward
(uncredited)

Mockas Mock
(uncredited)

Inspector MacDonaldas Inspector MacDonald
(uncredited)

Alfred Shallcrossas Alfred Shallcross
(uncredited)

Leyland Hodgson

Train Conductoras Train Conductor
(uncredited)

Man on Train Platformas Man on Train Platform
(uncredited)

Constableas Constable
(uncredited)

Guardas Guard
(uncredited)

Director
- Roy William Neill
Writers
- Frank Gruber(screenplay)
- Arthur Conan Doyle(adapted from a story by)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Holmes is hired by Roland Carstairs to prevent the theft of the Star of Rhodesia, a 423 carat diamond owned by Carstairs' mother, Lady Margaret. Suspecting the diamond will be stolen on a train trip from London to Edinburgh in Scotland, Holmes deftly switches diamonds with Lady Margaret while in her compartment admiring the jewel. Soon after, Roland is murdered and the fake diamond is stolen. Red herrings abound as Holmes, aided by Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade, discover the murderer's hiding place and deduce that long-time nemesis Professor Moriarty's henchman, Colonel Sebastian Moran, is somehow involved in the crime. —Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>

sherlock holmes character dr. john watson character three word title psychotronic film stolen jewelry 141 more

Taglines
- One Way Ticket to DEATH..!
Genres
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide

Trivia
The final Sherlock Holmes film with Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade.

Goofs
At the station where the police get on the train, there is a sign in the background with the German word "Bahnsteig" on it, which is "platform" in English. There are no German stations on the way from London to Edinburgh. (Loco change to German, as well!)

Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: The young lady is taking her mother to Scotland for burial.
Inspector Lestrade: In a coffin?
Sherlock Holmes: That is the customary method, I believe.

Alternate versions
Also available in a colorized version from Hal Roach Studios, that runs 63 minutes.

Connections
Edited into Who Dunit Theater: Terror by Night (2016)

Top review

8/10

A train trip to entertainment

This is not the best of the Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce pairings but nonetheless this is one of the most fun mystery movies to watch. Terror by Night is one of those I put on late at night to watch curled up on the sofa with a cat by my side. The rhythm of the train and the steadfast bond between Holmes, Watson and Lestrade creates one of the most relaxing murder mysteries ever put on film. The deliberate pace may not please all, but to those with a taste for it this is the mystery equivalent of a good house wine.

helpful•8

0

Cthulhu-7
May 20, 2000

Midwest Premiere Happened When & Where?

Release date
- February 1, 1946 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night
Filming locations
- Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
Production company
- Universal Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1

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