ksf-2 Another chapter with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson. Lionel Atwill is the evil Moriarty. Holmes and Watson are protecting the valuable Swiss scientist Dr. Tobel ( William Post), but he is a difficult person to protect. Not only is Tobel snatched, but Holmes walks into a trap himself. Twice! This claims to be a U.S. film (Universal), but since Scotland Yard is involved, clearly the story takes place in England. It's a little complicated, but Dr. Watson is less bumbling than usual in this one, and comes to the rescue several times. and this COULD be the one where they finally catch Moriarty. Some WW II intrigue. It's quite good! I hadn't found this one before. On the Roku Classics channel. Moves right along.

one-nine-eighty This portrayal of Holmes and Watson by Rathbone and Bruce is one shot by Universal Studios, what some fans consider to be a period of decline for Sherlock Holmes films. This film is the first time that Roy Williams Neill takes the helm as director, he would later direct all the other Universal/Sherlock projects. Based loosely on Conan Doyle's "Dancing Men" Sherlock has to uncover the truth about the 'secret weapon' and make sure England and it's populous are safe. Naughty Holmes nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Lionel Atwill), is working with the Nazi's, by devious means they are about to build a machine which would control the seas of the world. Will they build their machine and take a step towards global domination, can Holmes stop them?This isn't the best Sherlock film I've seen with Rathbone/Bruce/Atwill but it's still entertaining and harmless. Another decent watch for a lazy Sunday afternoon, just don't watch it with a critical mind because there are holes to poke at. You'll still get witty dialogue from the stars with strong individual performances, silly disguises from Holmes, a little tension and some mystery. There is no way I can rate this as high as "Hound of the Baskerville" but still it's not offensive to the senses.

alexanderdavies-99382 "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon" is the first truly effective Holmes film from "Universal" studios. Lionel Atwill makes for a brilliant Professor Moriarty and his is the best interpretation by far. The confrontation between Holmes and Moriarty is great. The plot has a fair degree of intrigue and atmosphere, the low lighting accounting for this. I have always been entertained by this 1942 film, its running time of 65 minutes whizzes by. The story of "The Dancing Men" is slightly borrowed for this film but that was the beauty of the Basil Rathbone films. The scriptwriters knew how to create a film around an Arthur Conan Doyle story. Dennis Hoey is on hand as the bumbling Inspector Lestrade. Although there is rivalry between he and Holmes, they do realise that they can depend on each other when there is danger afoot. One of the best of the modern run.

victorsunstar Tonight I am watching ( for genre ) Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon. 1943 colorized version. It stars "Razzle Backbone" as Sherlock Holmes and he rescues a supposed bomb sight expert professor from Austria and during the British test flight and use of his bomb sight in the bomber... They have him cranking a Bessler photo enlarger up and down with cuts to a view screen of the cross hairs of the sight on the bombing test target below....Guess that they was hard up for a bomb sight prop so someone ran down to the Universal studios photo lab and uh, borrowed an enlarger. This ranks right up there with plumes of smoke floating upwards from Buck Rogers loudly buzzing rocket ship... fun...