A Study in Scarlet

Released May 14, 1933

1h 10m

Mystery & Thriller

List

93%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

19%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

While investigating a secretive group of aristocrats, Sherlock Holmes (Reginald Owen) and Dr. Watson (Warburton Gamble) must contend with a number of murders related to the elite society. Suspects involved in the case include lawyer and socialite Thaddeus Merrydew (Allan Dinehart) and Mrs. Pyke (Anna May Wong), the widow of a deceased group member. The stakes become higher when the lovely Eileen Forrester (June Clyde) is targeted by the killer and seeks the protection of Holmes and Watson.

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Jack S

A well made, moderately suspenseful and generally entertaining antique. Owen is really quite good as a mostly untraditional version of the famous detective.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

ashley h

A Study in Scarlet is a disappointing film. It is about a secret society who collects the assets of any of its deceased members and divides them among the remaining members. Reginald Owen and Anna May Wong give horrible performances. The screenplay is badly written. Edwin L. Marin did a terrible job directing this movie. I was not impressed with this motion picture.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The only thing that this movie has to do with Doyle's novel of the same name, is the finding of a dead body wearing a ring. Nothing else. The performances of Reginald Owen as Holmes, and Warburton Gamble as Watson, are very good. But let's be honest: they are not Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

another sherlock entry

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very good early Sherlock Holmes film. Reginald Owen is a bit boring in the lead role, but Anna May Wong makes up for his blandness. Solid mystery, clever writing. Any classic Sherlock Holmes film is worth watching. Fine supporting cast.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A STUDY IN SCARLET (1932)

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Edwin L. Marin

Director

Reginald Owen

Sherlock Holmes

Warburton Gamble

Dr. Watson

Anna May Wong

Mrs. Pyke

June Clyde

Eileen Forrester

Alan Dinehart

Merrydew

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Roy Chartier

Variety

Warburton Gamble, doing Watson, Allan Dihehart and Anna May Wong are particularly up to their assignments.

Oct 22, 2022

Full Review

Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

Anna May Wong does well in her part.

Oct 21, 2022

Full Review

Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

The picture has been atmospherically photographed and directed well.

Oct 21, 2022

Full Review

E.H. Gooding

Buffalo News

Reginald Owen has captured the spirit of Sherlock Holmes without resorting to the trick hat and curled pipe that used to characterize the famed sleuth as we remember him some 20 years ago on the stage

Oct 22, 2022

Full Review

Film Daily Staff

The Film Daily

This well-known mystery story has been brought to the screen with an excellent cast, each player giving a convincing characterization.

Oct 22, 2022

Full Review

Star Staff

Washington Star

[A] well-directed and most modern of Sherlock revivals. Mystery film fans will like it.

Oct 22, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

While investigating a secretive group of aristocrats, Sherlock Holmes (Reginald Owen) and Dr. Watson (Warburton Gamble) must contend with a number of murders related to the elite society. Suspects involved in the case include lawyer and socialite Thaddeus Merrydew (Allan Dinehart) and Mrs. Pyke (Anna May Wong), the widow of a deceased group member. The stakes become higher when the lovely Eileen Forrester (June Clyde) is targeted by the killer and seeks the protection of Holmes and Watson.

Director: Edwin L. Marin
Distributor: Fox Film Corporation, World Wide Pictures
Production Co: K.B.S. Productions Inc.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 14, 1933, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2016
Runtime: 1h 10m

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