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      The Pearl of Death

      Released Aug 1, 1944 1h 9m Mystery & Thriller List
      Reviews 77% Audience Score 2,500+ Ratings A jewel is missing from a museum, and Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) tries to find the thief as bodies pile up across the city. Holmes is sure that the crime is the work of Giles Conover (Miles Mander), and the recent string of murders suggests that the criminal, having stashed the pearl alongside the belongings of an unsuspecting Londonite, has ordered a henchman to find it. With Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) at his side, Holmes finds himself in mortal danger as he closes in on his man. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Aug 29 Buy Now

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      Critics Reviews

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      Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The suspenseful film was entertaining. Rated: B Dec 30, 2009 Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies It's certainly not the worst film in the series, but it's pretty weak. Rated: 2.5/5 May 2, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Rob D This movie is very enjoyable with great dialogue and a very nice interplay between all the characters. What's interesting though is the creeper breaking the third lumbar vertebrae which is impossible to do. I don't know who research the anatomy for this film but if you are going to break someone's back it would have to be at T12 L1. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Eric E My least favorite thus far of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes run. Just felt very uninspired and by the numbers. The deductions felt far too elementary indeed!! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/23/23 Full Review Jelisije J Sherlock Holmes must recover a stolen pearl that has invaluable worth. A solid, but forgettable case for our favorite detective. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/22/23 Full Review Frances H This was a good fun old mastery. I like these flicks except for them making Watson and the Inspector to be such fumbling bumpkins. Otherwise a fun watch, even if far more predictable than any Sherlock mystery by Conan Doyle. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/07/22 Full Review robert p Another great adventure by Sherlock Holes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review matthew d A riveting and scary Sherlock Holmes thriller! Roy William Neill's horror mystery film noir The Pearl of Death (1944) is one of his finest Sherlock Holmes features. It's honestly quite scary and intense with a dazzling series of suspense sequences and curiosity inducing clues. Neill's delivers an atmospheric mood with dark direction. His fearsome use of black silhouettes, fading in shadows, foggy nights, trick weapons, and broken china sets a gripping display of creative direction. I hope more viewers give The Pearl of Death a chance as it's easily a classic film noir, daring Sherlock Holmes adaptation, and unnerving horror picture. Basil Rathbone gives a humorous, intellectual, stunned, and serious depiction of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. He is charming, observant, cunning, worried, and brave as Holmes in a fierce showing of Rathbone's versatility. Nigel Bruce is downright hilarious as Holmes' best friend, confidant, and private detective partner Dr. John Watson. Bruce bumbles, stumbles, and fusses his way into your heart with his equally sterling portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character of Dr. Watson. Dennis Hoey's Inspector Lestrade is very funny and just as dumb as Dr. Watson, perhaps even more so. Evelyn Anders is excellent as the clever jewel thief Naomi Drake with her fun disguises and Vera West costumes. She plays so many roles that she's like a female Sherlock Holmes this time around, except evil. Miles Mander is pretty entertaining as the villain Giles Conover with his sly plans to snatch the pricey pearl. I must mention horror icon Rondo Hatton appears as The Creeper with his hulking stature and strong jawline. He's quite terrifying and interesting here in The Pearl of Death. I was surprised to hear he was the inspiration for Lothar from Joe Johnston's The Rocketeer. It makes sense, but I'm grateful we got to see Hatton as The Creeper in The Pearl of Death as he is genuinely unsettling. Ray Snyder's sharp editing has cool quick cuts that keep you on edge during The Pearl of Death. His security montage at the museum is excellently edited. The Pearl of Death is only 69 sweet minutes of fear. Virgil Miller's cinematography has killer black and white shots, odd angles, forced perspectives, dreary mood, and stunning silhouettes. Paul Sawtell's score is spooky with a Gothic feel to it. Vera West's gorgeous outfits are full of sleek suits and eye catching dresses that look period accurate. John B. Goodman and Martin Obinza's art direction is striking alongside Roy William Neill's film noir direction focusing on the heavy crime, hopeless nature of murder, and inventive styling of London's gritty streets and cozy homes. In all, The Pearl of Death is a pristine piece of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce's Holmes films. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Pearl of Death

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis A jewel is missing from a museum, and Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) tries to find the thief as bodies pile up across the city. Holmes is sure that the crime is the work of Giles Conover (Miles Mander), and the recent string of murders suggests that the criminal, having stashed the pearl alongside the belongings of an unsuspecting Londonite, has ordered a henchman to find it. With Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) at his side, Holmes finds himself in mortal danger as he closes in on his man.
      Director
      Roy William Neill
      Distributor
      Universal Pictures
      Production Co
      Universal/Universal Int
      Genre
      Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 1, 1944, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 30, 2021
      Runtime
      1h 9m
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