OneofmypersonalfavouritesoftheSherlockHolmescycleofmoviesstarringBasilRathboneandNigelBruce.ThistimeHolmesistryingtothwartagangfromstealingapricelesspearl.WegettoseeHolmesdressupasabefuddledclergyman,outwitafunnyInspectorLestrade,andmeetRondoHatton’sCreeper,akillerthatbreaksthebacksofmenwithhisveryhands.Basedonthestory"TheCaseoftheSixNapoleons,"HolmesmustlocatethepearlthathasbeenembeddedinabustoftheFrenchemperor.RathboneandBruceareagainveryaffableandturnintheircustomarygoodperformances.DennisHoeyasLestrade,Ibelieveveryundervaluedinthatrole,injectsalotoflifeintothisone.AndHatton,ofcourse,justfilmedbyhisshadowuntiltheend,isaconvincingfilmpresence.ThrowinlovelyEvelynAnkersasawomanouttooutwitHolmes,andyouhaveagoodmix.
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