Horror Movie Reviews

Title: Sherlock Holmes - The Woman in Green (2004)
Format: DVD
Score:
Starring: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Hillary Brooke, Henry Daniell, and Paul Cavanagh
Director: Roy William Neill
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Runtime: 68
Hits: 54
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Review of Sherlock Holmes - The Woman in Green

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Comments for Sherlock Holmes - The Woman in Green

• Posted on 2010-07-31
  Hypothetical Holmes
  
  This package is something of a "what if?" presentation. "Woman in Green" was the ninth entry in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series (and number 11 for Rathbone & Bruce), and there seems to be a conscious effort to move the series not only from its wartime paces but also from B-movie corner-cutting. By now, Basil Rathbone was all but phoning-in his performance, and Nigel Bruce was almost 100% comedy relief, particularly when playing against Dennis Hoey's Inspector Lestrade. "Woman in Green" replaces Lestrade with a business-like Inspector Gregson (Matthew Boulton) who enlists Holmes' aid to pursue what appears to be a serial killer who marks his work by severing fingers. The movie frequently pauses to allow actors to build scenes and milk reactions, something that would have been unheard of in the Holmes vs. the Nazis entries. Paul Cavanaugh as the taunted Sir George gives one of the best supporting performances in the series, but the movie is stolen by Henry Daniell as Prof. Moriarty, whose underplayed scenes with Rathbone fairly crackle with sinister intent and brooding evil. Even Moriarty's little gang is impressive, particularly the icy Sally Shepherd as the housemaid and the unbilled actor who plays the homicidal little doctor who simpers over "dollies" when he isn't fingering his knives. Alas, poor Hillary Brooke tries to exude purring menace but is completely upstaged by the other evildoers.
  
  What if this movie had been a major turnaround from the previous Holmes movies? We'll never know because, in the end, the movie returns to B-movie conventions, but it remains a lively diversion, as are most of the Rathbone & Bruce Sherlock Holmes movies, however much they diverge from Holmesian authenticity. The other "what if?" posed by this release is the obvious "What if the series had been made in color?" The package claims that this is this title's "first time in color," which I don't think is the case. It is, however, the first time the color has been applied by people cognizant of cinematography as well as the role of color in set design and costuming to establish ambience and mood. I have yet to see a careless colorization job from Legend Films.
  
  That said, the colorization neither detracts nor enhances from anything that was already in the movie. It is interesting, but only superficially so, particularly in a movie dominated by so many outstanding character performances and painstaking scenic design. The restored image is a tremendous improvement over previous releases, maybe even a little too good: in the climactic scene atop the building, it is easy to spy a seam in the London skyline backdrop.
  
  The back of the case advertises that the original trailer is included. There is an original trailer, but it's for "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon."
  
  Overall, this is a nicely packaged reminder of how good the Rathbone & Bruce Sherlock Holmes movies could be when Fox and Universal gave them enough attention.
  
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• Posted on 2010-03-25
  Murder for Blackmail
  
  The Woman in Green, 1945 film
  
  The film begins at "Scotland Yard". The CID is on an important case. The Police Commissioner complains about a series of unsolved murders. No clues found! They call on Sherlock Holmes. Who cut off the right forefinger on those young women? What was the motive? Gregson and Holmes see somebody in the bar. Who is that lady? Holmes wonders what the four victims had in common? Gregson tells of another victim. Sir George Fenwick returns to Miss Morrow, he has forgotten things from last night! A man shows up, he claims to be a witness to Sir George's activities. Holmes observes a young woman arrive outside; she is the daughter of Sir George. She tells Holmes what she found in the garden. When they return Sir George will not answer any questions. He has a match book in his hand. Sir George withdrew £10,000 before he died. Holmes suspects a clever criminal is behind these deaths.
  
  Dr. Watson gets a call for his services. Was this a trick? Holmes has figures out the scheme, he just needs evidence. Watson goes out to close the window on the house across the street. They catch a sniper! Holmes figures out what caused his: hypnotism. "Anything is possible." Holmes and Watson visit the Mesmer House. Hypnotism is used in place of a local or general anesthetic. Dr. Watson doesn't believe in hypnotism. [A comic interlude.] Holmes meets that young woman [as he planned]. Lydia offers him a sedative at her home, and tries to hypnotize him. Will Moriarity trick Holmes into a suicide? Will Watson and Gregson arrive in time? Will there be a sequel? Is Holmes a "difficult subject"? Yes, of course.
  
  Those who read the short stories about Sherlock Holmes will recognize parts of this story. What was the name of that sedative? This story is like a stage-play in its static locations. Yes, it had a low budget.
  
  
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• Posted on 2010-02-04
  The Woman In Green
  
  The story in "The Woman In Green" revolves around a series of murders in which the victim is missing the right thumb. Sherlock Holmes' old nemesis Professor Moriarty is once again behind the murders.
  
  While some reviewers did not particularly like the title compared to other movies, I thought the movie was okay. The tandem of Holmes and dear Dr. Watson never cease to charm me.
  
  As usual, Holmes and Watson win, but not without some challenges, the main one being the Woman in Green played by Hillary Brooke.
  
  As with other movies, this title ends with a philosophical saying by Holmes on some particular topic, this one is about looking over and protecting London.
  
  A good movie. Watch and enjoy. Recommended.
  
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• Posted on 2010-01-05
  A nail biter
  
  Dead women are missing fingers all over London. Inspector Gregson of Scotland Yard (Matthew Boulton) is baffled, as there is no pattern to the madness. Sherlock Holms (Basil Rathbone) on the other hand knows that it is the alleged to be dead Professor Moriarty (Henry Daniell) and the fingers point to a more sinister crime.
  
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• Posted on 2009-06-06
  Watson Saves The Story
  
  Thank heaven for Nigel Bruce as "Dr. Watson." Sometimes I think if it wasn't for his humor, some of these Holmes movies - some - would be too boring to give them a second look. These UCLA "restoration discs" also help. The transfers in this film, and the whole set, are fantastic.
  
  Most of the Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes movies have at least one interesting villainous character or two, here being the famous Dr. Moriarity (Henry Daniell) and "the woman in green" (Hilary Brooke). Of the two, Brooke does a far better job of acting in this movie.
  
  Overall, however, this particular Holmes' movie was just too monotonous with the only entertainment provided when Dr. Watson was mumbling and bumbling around, which included being hypnotized. Bruce really was an underrated star feature in these Holmes movies even though I enjoy Rathbone best as the great sleuth.
  
  
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