Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

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Audience Member A rather weak outing for Rathbone and Bruce here; instead of a Doyle-esque mystery we get a quite implausible wartime espionage caper. At the conclusion we're left wondering why the D-Day invasion was even necessary as at least half the Nazi war machine has been destroyed attempting something akin to Operation Sealion. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/20/24 Full Review Jelisije J Considering that England was at war with one of the greatest evil in human history when this movie was filmed, it really adds inspirational layers to this decent Sherlock Holmes film. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/21/23 Full Review Frances H Although purists might look down their noses at these wartime propaganda outings for Doyle's great detective, putting Sherlock in other times and places has been successfully done in our own century with Benedict Cumberbatch. Although the 40s films with Rathbone and Bruce are not quite so well done as their films in the original time period of Doyle, they are still full of plot twists enough to keep the audience puzzling. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/22 Full Review matthew d Wartime espionage in this dark mystery thriller! John Rawlins' mystery crime drama Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942) is a very solid World War II era piece of propaganda. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes writing is peerless with complex narratives and keen observations. John Bright and Lynn Riggs' screenplay is neat with a disturbing story about Nazis announcing terror attacks against London before they happen right on the radio. The dialogue is sharp with careful phrasing about the evil of German Nazis and patriotic appeals to the English viewers in order to sell war bonds. The story creates intrigue with some darker implications as to what we must sacrifice for our country. I liked Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror more than ever after this viewing. Basil Rathbone is stellar as Sherlock once again with his stalwart dedication to portraying an accurate Holmes character for the silver screen. Rathbone is calm and cautious with ever diligent powers of deduction. Nigel Bruce continues to be a source inspired comedy about the foolish and fastidious Dr. Watson. Evelyn Ankers is very sweet and gripping as Kitty. Her dramatic speeches and tearful worry on her face are captivating. It's very cool to see Hillary Brooke as a taxi cab driver before she was later the villainess in The Woman in Green. Henry Daniell is a fun Red Herring as Sir Anthony Lloyd. Russell F. Schoengarth's editing is swift and makes The Voice of Terror's 65 minutes feel even briefer. Elwood Bredell's cinematography is full of dark, foggy wide shots that feel spooky. I love the look of these old noirs. In short, Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror is a startlingly fast picture with plenty to say. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member good mystery suspenser Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce battle Nazis in the first of the "modern day" Sherlock Holmes adventures. Director John Rawlins lends the typical formula (many suspects, but one true and surprising villain) a distinct noir look with lots of shadows and some down-and-out London locales. Fortunately, the comedy is downplayed - but its absence is filled by patriotic fervor, designed to rally the troops in support of embattled Britain (at the end there is an ad for war bonds). For those who like these kind of genre pics, this is a good 'un. Plot: a radio announcement from the Nazis is delivered at the very moment that acts of sabotage occur but no one can figure out the source or stop the next terrorizing attack. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

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