one-nine-eighty
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are back as the detecting duo Holmes and Watson, in Terror by Night, the 13th of 14 films starring the pairing. Hired by Roland Carstairs to prevent the theft of the Star of Rhodesia on a train between London and Edinburgh Holmes and Watson have their hands full with lots of potential suspects. This is generally a good film and romantically portrays the duo due to it's limited set and enclosed surroundings. Dialogue and acting performances definitely drive this film forward and as ever Rathbone and Watson are brilliant, the supporting cast which includes Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade and Alan Mowbray as Maj. Duncan-Bleek are decent too (if not occasionally bumbling). Even though Renee Godfrey's acting and accents are awful it's still forgivable as she adds some beauty to the picture. Despite being shot by Universal Studios, by Roy William Neill, even the die hard Holmes fans seem to not mind this instalment. While it's not the strongest Holmes film it's still enjoyable for 60 minuets. As with other Rathbone/Bruce Holmes/Watson films this is a none offensive film ready to be enjoyed on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Enjoy.
Brendan Carroll
Along with "Rome Express" (1932) and "The Lady Vanishes" (1938), this
late entry in the famous Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes series is a
remarkable achievement, given its tiny budget and short running time.A classic example of 'less is more', director Roy William Neill keeps
the tension cranked high and the pace taut, with a splendid cast of
character actors and an admirable special effects team that creates the
illusion of the action really being on a British express train of the
mid 1940s.The use of back projection, especially in the brilliantly staged
sequence where Holmes is kicked outside of the speeding train by the
killer, is truly admirable. Bravo!Moreover the adroit borrowing of clips of speeding trains and staff
loading goods from "Rome Express" a British thriller from 1932, add to
the illusion, especially in the early scenes of the train departing
London Euston.We British love this film particularly, because compartment trains like
this were still in use well into the 1990s, on regional routes, long
after the Pullmman express trains on intercity routes had been replaced
by the soulless, modern Pendolino coaches. Rathbone is, as ever, superb in this iconic role. I love the moment in
the dining car when, shown the menu, he ponders the choices as Nigel
Bruce suggests he try the curry; "Steak and Kidney Pudding" he snaps,
preferring a typically British dish. Dining cars? Ha! Nowadays, you'd
be lucky to get a toasted sandwich!The film last barely an hour but it never flags or disappoints. I must
have seen this little movie about 100 times in my life and I always
find something new to admire. I recommend it unreservedly.
TheLittleSongbird
Terror by Night is an entry in the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes series that is neither among the best or worst of the series. It's not Hound of the Baskervilles, Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Scarlet Claw but it's superior to Voice of Terror and Pursuit to Algiers. It is too short and can feel rushed, but aside from the length the only other things that let it down were the pretty awful performance of Rene Godfrey(as gorgeous as she is) and the identity of the killer being revealed too early, I personally would have done it five-ten minutes later. While not as beautifully made as the likes of Hound of the Baskervilles and Scarlet Claw, Terror by Night is certainly better made than the hurried-looking production values of Pursuit to Algiers. It does evoke a very claustrophobic atmosphere, for a murder mystery set on a train that was actually appropriate and well done. The train is a great setting for a murder mystery as well. The music has haunting and jaunty touches that are used fittingly, while the dialogue is intelligent, with a good mix of comedy and suspense. The mystery elements to the story are clever and suspenseful with lots of nice twists and turns, the final solution itself is pretty ingenious and the climatic fight is exciting, and the comedy is funny and doesn't feel out of place. The film is solidly directed and very well played on the whole with a suave and authoritative Basil Rathbone and an amusing Nigel Bruce leading. Dennis Hoey has always been a mixed bag in effectiveness as Lestrade, not his fault usually it's his placement and how's he written, the good news is that it is one of his better performances of the series and Lestrade is not quite as idiotic as he was before(at his most idiotic he veers on annoying). The supporting acting is not as strong but still good, Alan Mowbrey being the standout, though Skelton Knaggs is relatively creepy too. To conclude, a solid Sherlock Holmes mystery. 7/10 Bethany Cox
mark.waltz
Mysterys set on trains are always thrilling because of the claustrophobic feeling of all the suspects, investigators and usual red herrings being placed so close together and unable to get away. In this case, the mystery surrounds a precious diamond, the Star of Rhodesia, stolen from a wealthy British dowager. It just so happens that Sherlock Holmes has been hired to guard the stone so the occurrence of a murder to get possession of the jewel is perfect timing. While the movie gets a little slow at times, there's still a lot of thrills to be had, particularly Rathbone's desperate fight with the unseen killer that almost knocks Holmes off the side of the train. The identity of the killer and their relation to a previous Holmes villain is ingenious.
AD
