The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

7/10

Starring

Basil Rathbone

Nigel Bruce

Richard Greene

Wendy Barrie

Directed by Sidney Lanfield

Basil Rathbone’s portrayal of the great detective Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular, and this adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles is the closest to the book in terms of accuracy that I’ve seen. I’ve also watched the modern British Sherlock series’ version of The Hound of the Baskervilles, which took a lot of liberties, like using drugs to heighten the intensity of the hound’s presence.

There are many differences in this 1939 movie adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, from the role of Beryl Stapleton (played here by Wendy Barrie) to other changes in the screenplay. That said, this film is captivating from start to finish. It begins on a high note, introducing us to the characters and the case at hand, then smoothly transitions into the investigation and how Holmes plans to solve it. The suspense mirrors the book, as we, the viewers—along with Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce)—have to wait for Holmes to reveal his deductions.

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. John Watson (Nigel Bruce) receive a visit from Dr. Mortimer (Lionel Atwill), who wishes to consult them before the arrival of Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene). Sir Henry is the last of the Baskervilles and heir to the Baskerville estate in Devonshire.

Dr. Mortimer tells Holmes about the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles—a demonic dog that killed Sir Hugo Baskerville hundreds of years ago and is believed to haunt and kill any Baskerville who stays in Devonshire, where Sir Henry is set to live. The eerie atmosphere of the moors and the tension surrounding the legend are captured perfectly, adding to the film’s charm.

The screenplay of any book adaptation needs to be judged carefully. Even after reading the book, you have to keep in mind that not everything written can or should be adapted to the screen. In this case, the screenplay is well-constructed, tying up loose ends and giving a satisfying sense of closure by the movie’s end.

Not many of Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes films are easy to find, but if you search hard enough online, you might come across some at a good price. Some are even said to be in the public domain. I, too, will continue my search to see if I can find all fourteen of the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce collaborations. It’s a treasure hunt worth undertaking for any fan of classic detective stories.