Terror By Night

Hey Folks I am back! Yeah you missed me. Oh, don't be bashful. First off, thank you so many of you for the birthday wishes yesterday. It was very uplifting and kind of put a spring in my step. So today we do NOT have the following: Women in Prison, Rape Revenge, Monsters devouring everything in sight. Nope, today we are going a bit old school and look in the far past of the 1946. Back to a time of revival for England's Greatest Detective of Victorian Era brought to the then modern 20^th century. This is Terror By Night.

Hapless and helpless or Femme Fatale?

With a matter of great importance, Holmes (Basil Rathbone of The Adventures of Robin Hood, Romeo and Juliet, The Pursuit to Algiers, Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, Tales of Terror and Queen of Blood) has been contracted by Roland Carstairs (Geoffrey Steele of Love Letters, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Terror by Night, Marigold, My Fair Lady, Doctor Dolittle and Funny Girl) to guard the safe passage of a substantial diamond, The Star of Rhodesia belonging to Carstairs' mother the Lady Margret. The idea of having the famous Holmes and Watson as a deterrent to stealing it would present a bit of security.

Or so one would think. This one constantly thinks. Perhaps too damn much. Moving on, our diamond has to be transported via train from London to Edinburgh. With a stroke of genius, Holmes swaps the diamond for a convincing fake to better insure the true diamond's safety. With real diamond in hand, Holmes pays close attention to all aboard the train, every minute detail will not escape this keen mind.

A quick side note. Really loathed Nigel Bruce's portrayal of Watson. They make him this babbling ninny that couldn't see through Holmes' disguises EVEN THOUGH he has known the man for ages. Coupled with the fact his is a licensed physician, would require a fair amount of mental and physical memory, now add he has managed many a forensic staple and well this butter head routine is demeaning to the character. Watson may not be Holmes equal in the same levels of thinking but by no means, a moron.

I say, porter. Watson is locked the water closet again.

Back to the film, set aboard this speeding train, you can get an almost claustrophobic vibe as the journey continues as a murder is well on its way. Seriously, if you knew Holmes you would just stay away. You are either wrongfully accused, the murderer or the victim. All in all, a crappy day awaits you. With the murder of Roland and the fake diamond missing, Holmes with the aid of Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey of The Pearl of Death, National Velvet, Kitty, Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Terror by Night, She-Wolf of London, Annan and the King of Siam and The Crimson Key) and Watson they must investigate and question every potential suspect of their fellow passengers before the train makes it to Scotland to hide among the moors. Or something to that effect. Oh right, Lestrade won't be able to arrest them if they are out of his jurisdiction. With several red herrings in the works, it will be difficult to dicpher who is lying, for what reason and why is almost everyone on this train so damn touchy.

But who could ultimately be the murderer/jewel thief? Who is to blame? Will Watson stop blithering?

This Universal Pictures duo has starred over 13 Sherlock films, did 220 radio show episodes for NBC and through Mutual Broadcasting System, these shows were broadcast during the front lines overseas during World War II through the Armed Forces Radio Service.

Rathbone felt the while the character gave him fame and recognition, he was tired of portraying Holmes as often as he did and was afraid of being typecast as his childhood hero.

Understandable. I loved Spidey, Batman and Dr. Who but I wouldn't want to have figure in the ridiculous physical and mental shape of any of these heroes. My mimicry is decent but I cannot image the workout regiment to pull some of that off.

Aside from the murder, the pudding was excellent.