The Hound of the Baskervilles Week: The Hound of the Baskervilles 1959

Hello again to Day 2 of The Hound of the Baskervilles Week and what could be cooler than a Sherlock Holmes story given life to the screen? How about a Hammer Films Production of it??   That’s right kiddies I just finished enjoying the hell out of this oh so impressive cast, location and period piece so this should be a slippery slope for Rathbone’s inception.  The year is 1959, filmed in the UK as it should be and our intrepid twosome about to receive a visitor in the night urging their assistance in a family endeavor.  This is The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Sharp dressed Sith.

Sherlock Holmes: I must insist upon one thing. Under no circumstances are you to go out onto the spoilers at night.

However would you find a man that could fit the physical and mental aptitudes that make up a wiry man with a hawkish nose and a cunning intellect that few could rival?   Well with Basil Rathbone setting a pretty high bar how about Peter Cushing?   Yes, I thought that would grab your attention.

Holmes (Peter Cushing of Horror of Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein, Doctor Who and the Daleks, The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, Shock Waves and Star Wars) and Watson (Andre Morell of The Bridge on the River Kwai, Ben-Hur, The Message and The Great Train Robbery) have tucked in for the night when Mrs. Hudson informs the gents a Doctor Mortimer would like a word with them on a matter of most urgency.  Holmes relaxed in his smoking dressing gown (robe for the Yanks) greets Mortimer (Francis De Wolff of A Christmas Carol, Ivanhoe, Moby Dick and From Russia with Love) exclaims that his best friend’s nephew is the target of a family curse where he to set foot in his inherited estate.  Holmes takes this concern in with leisure but ever a sound mind as Mortimer tells the story of his dearest departed friend Sir Charles Baskerville dying under the guise of a heart attack. Claiming a curse was placed on the house of Baskerville due to the actions of Charles’ ancestor Sir Hugo that a large horrendous beast from the pits of Hell is known to roam the lands of Baskerville in search of Hugo’s descendants for only their blood will slake its thirst.

Daleks are a tricky adversary, you know. 

Sir Henry (Sir Christopher Lee of Horror of Dracula, The City of the Dead, Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, The Man with the Golden Gun and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) meets with the gentlemen only after an attempt on his life with a deadly tarantula and Holmes is certain this was foul play.  Telling Watson to go ahead with Sir Henry, Holmes proceeds to the region hours behind them to better snoop about.

I have many reasons to have enjoyed this movie.  One, this is my favorite Holmes story.  Two, this Hammer film spared no expense from the elegant costuming, sets and location to the amazing score of music that captures the scenes from moment to moment. Three, Peter Cushing is Holmes and embodies all the requirements for such a iconic character with style and grace.   Lastly, Hammer Film legendary director Terrance Fisher (Horror of Dracula, The Mummy, The Brides of Dracula, The Curse of the Werewolf, Island of Terror and Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed) is helming this project with the same gravitas that was seen in his earliest movies.   This is also the first adaptation of this story seen in color. An 

imaginative twist on the theme will keep Hammer fans and new onlookers riveted.  

Sir Henry, why do you gaze at my neck so?

The Hound of the Baskervilles Week: The Hound of the Baskervilles 1939

Hello and welcome to the very first day of The Hound of the Baskervilles Week.  As I previously mentioned, I will not be reviewing the silent film because…frankly it is a bit difficult and we will leave it at that.  That being said I thought we would toddle down to 1939 and tackle the Basil Rathbone manifestation instead.  In this version Holmes is the butler and maid’s last name was altered to Barryman rather than Barrymore (due to John Barrymore’s acting streak and not to confuse audience members).  Some reason or another that is an issue of debate and hopefully cleared up.  This is The Hound of Baskervilles.

So, what do you think of the smoking jacket?

Sherlock Holmes: There is no doubt of it in my mind. Or perhaps I should say, my imagination. For that is where spoilers are conceived and they’re solved- in the imagination.

Brought to us by director Sidney Lanfield (Cheer Up and Smile, Three Girls Lost, Hush Money, Red Salute, My Favorite Blond and Where There’s Life) and produced by 20^th Century Fox this was the first of the fourteen movies based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes.    

Holmes (Basil Rathbone of The Last Days of Pompeii, Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sun Never Sets and The House of Fear) and Watson (Nigel Bruce of Escape!, I Was a Spy, Murder in Trinidad, The Lady is Willing, The Spider Woman and The Woman in Green) are in for the evening when they receive a visit from Dr. Mortimer (Lionel Atwill of Night Monster, Captain America: The Serial, House of Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, Fog Island and House of Dracula) who warns the duo of the impending arrival of Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the line and heir to the estate in Devonshire. He begins to explain that Baskerville Hall is cursed by a demonic beast, a veritable hellhound that killed Sir Hugo Baskerville hundreds of years ago and believes in his heart that this creature roams the moors to kill all Baskervilles. 

BAD DOG!!! DOWN!!!

Naturally Holmes views it as tittle-tattle or poppycock if you will, then Mortimer tells the events leading to his best friend Sir Charles Baskerville’s ghastly death.   Found dead in his garden without so much as a mark on his body but his face was contorted into sheer terror.   The official inquisition did not make the village aware that around his body some distance away was gigantic paw prints.  Mortimer failed to mention this because no one would have believed him in the slightest. 

Holmes sends Watson to Baskerville Hall along with young Sir Henry, stating he is far too busy to attend them at this time and Watson is to keep a wary eye of the goings on there.

I had just a few comments to make at this time.  I have heard constant complaints of the lack of Victorian times rather than the contemporary settings of Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes movies and I am proud to say this actually holds to that time period but it is the only of the series that does. During the latter 1930s to 1940s Rathbone’s Holmes was a war hero thwarting the Nazi regime and while it did detract from its original beginnings it brought hope and strength to the fighting boys overseas to see a classic English hero as a spy buster across the pond.  Not to be too fan boy but this is one of my favorite versions of this classic chilling tale.   FYI, be on the lookout for character actor John Carradine in this film.

Doctor, please remove your hand from my knee.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Week

Howdy boys and girls and welcome to what I hope to be an amusing week.  This week we will review the same movie 5 times… yeah I did not goof there.  I speak of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation that most of us are vividly aware of: Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskerville.  Printed in 1902 this singular story of murder, mystery and mythos has been captured onto the big and small screen  no less than 22 times including 45 minute episodes since 1921. 

Up for raising a little cane, Watson?

 

I would review our first incarnation but alas it is a silent film.  It is quite difficult to critique the actors, lighting and director’s vision with announcements like, “Wow that cue card really captured the moment!”  Lacks punch as you can imagine and so we will go over the later movies and some of the TV movies instead.   For those of you that have always had a captivation for the World’s Greatest Detective, this should be fun to look back.   For those that have never enjoyed the like, then this should be informative.

So join me in ushering in The Hound of the Baskerville in its many incarnations.

A&E Mysteries: Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime

Greetings to the remainder of A&E Mysteries this week and again I do apologize for being gone for the first three days.  Today I thought we would look into some more colorful and flamboyant characters of Agatha Christie, a married couple of the names of Tommy and Tuppence.   This couple hails from the 1920’s as Tommy is a veteran of WWI vibrant in his 20’s enjoying the Jazz Age.  To relieve the boredom of a well to do life our heroes buy out a defunct international detective agency to help those in need.  This is Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime

Excellent Title Card

Phyllis Betts: Tell me, just how spoiler are you, Mr. Blunt?

Our series follows the adventures of the Beresfords, a husband and wife sleuth team sink their money in a failing detective agency for something to do but they find out they have a knack for this line of work from anything from missing jewels, femme fatales and even a few murders as well.  

House Atreides shall never relinquish the spice!

Tommy (James Warwick of The Terracotta Horse, Rock Follies, The Bell, Doctor Who, Iron Man and Star Wars: Obi-Wan) and Tuppence (Francesca Annis of Run with the Wind, Great Expectations, Madame Bovary, Krull, Dune, Headhunters and Reckless) muse over each unique case and the repercussions that could or more likely will occur.   Unlike most Christie characters and themes this is a lot more lighthearted and whimsical in this era.  Our flatfoots enjoy a bit of cosplay in their various disguises to fool their prey allowing them that much closer to the truth. 

Of course what well oiled machine would operate without their faithful confidant?  Enter young Albert (Reese Dinsdale of A Private Function, The Storyteller, Home to Roost, Haggard, Full Stretch, Hamlet and Coronation Street) their gopher and all around assistant juggling bills, dry-cleaning and clients in the registry.   And no Christie benevolent bloodhounds would be complete without interaction with John Law or in this case Inspector Marriott (Arthur Cox of A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery, The Zero Option, Agatha Christie: Poirot, The House of Eliott, Girl from Rio and Christmas Carol: The Movie) and his fine chain of low cost high quality hotels.

Now I had a few critiques about the show itself.   I was most vexed finding out it was two seasons totaling 10 episodes.   As you know, the British do not rob your life with 14 to 22 episodes a season and while that is time saving you are also left wanting more.  Go figure, the audience demands more entertainment yet again.  Coupled with the fact that three of the anthology DID not get to see the light of the small screen I was a bit sadden that they were not given a chance.  They were “The Man that was No. 16, The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger and Blindman’s Bluff.  

Again, this is a highly captivating series with the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humor and for all ages to revel in.   Besides, any parent not bringing kids up on a wonderful writer the likes of Agatha Christie needs a proper thumping.

I deduce this champer is divine!

A&E Mysteries: Inspector Morse

Welcome back my little foragers of forensics to the continuation of A&E Mysteries.  Thought we might take a look in at Thames Valley as I hear they have a gruff but brilliant CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Detective Inspector by the name of Morse.   Fueled by cynicism, a pint of bitter and a love for classical composure, this Inspector ruffles feathers, beats down doors and goes out of his way to find the truth no matter who it may hurt.   So fetch us a cup of tea, don’t skimp on the biccies and for God’s sake mind the traffic.  This is Inspector Morse.

I am smiling, sir. Truly I am.

Morse: Drink that, Spoiler, and loosen some brain cells.

A working class man that developed more than a few connection at Oxford, Inspector Morse (John Thaw of Redcap, Dr. Phibes Rises Again, Thick as Thieves, The Sweeny and The Glass) brings a different investigator far retracted from Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot.  A thinking man in his own right you get the feeling as though solving these mysteries is almost beneath him.  Exhibiting a keen intellect and a flawed soul our good inspector had arrested the wrong suspect or arrived at the wrong conclusion giving an honest human that is fallible but in no way or shape a fool.  

Can't wait to have a DS to torment meself.

Saddled with a young, bright eyed police sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately of Auf Weidersehen, Pet, The Return of the Soldier, Look and Read, Peak Practice and Inspector Lewis) who is a family man striving to do right by his inspector and community.  Morse is ill-natured and sullen towards Lewis trying desperately to beat some of that police training out of his head and getting the lad to think and conclude for himself.    In the middle of a case Morse is known for dragging Lewis to a pub for a few pints allowing Morse to review the case in his head and give the crime scene another go but this would be seen as a derelict of duty by most eyes.  

As you peruse this particular series you will notice that Morse is not a people person, his attempts at a love life are comical and he is a acrid fellow with a love of fine wines, literature, chess and Wagner (the composer not the paints).  These elements give him a true vulnerable human quality not found in most of the detective characters and I for one am glad to see a genuine person rather than the proximity of one.

For some of you BBC fans you will note more than a few guest stars grace the Morse series such as: Gemma Jones (Rainbow City, The Devils, The Duchess of Duke Street, Devices and Desires, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and Patrick Troughton (Smuggler’s Bay, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Doctor Who, Scars of Dracula, Blake 7, Crown Court and The Omen) for example and others let’s just say you have seen more than your fair share of them even if their names do not immediately jump in your head.  This is an intense series showing pain, joy and some unrivaled acting.

Bloody hell, is that Elizabeth Hurley??!

A&E Mysteries: Mrs. Bradley Mysteries

Howdy everyone and I apologize for not writing the last couple of days and hopefully you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me on this.  This time around we are reviewing a 1920s period of the thrice-divorced Mrs. Bradley.  A forceful, opinionated, brilliant and lovely upper class lady sleuth to the excellence of Ms Marple but actually far more fun by comparison.   So dust off your magnifying glass, follow those clues and spare no suspect.  This is The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries.

Oh why must I beset of fools?

Bertie Philipson: This is spoiler!

Mrs. Adela Bradley:  Only if it’s untrue.

Set in 1920s England with lavish costumes idealic locale with well groomed lawns, opulate manors and in general the upper crust of society our Mrs. Bradley (Diana Riggs of The Avengers, The Hospital, Three Piece Suite, The Great Muppet Caper and The Last King) is a jewel throughout society who is well-traveled, appointed highly in her sect and dabbles in everything from detail psychoanalysis to toxicology.  This would be flapper gal is Batman in a slinky cocktail dress and heels.   Which now I cannot help but see Bruce Wayne in drag now.  

Well hello sailor!

With her always is her chauffeur and crime fighting sidekick, George Moody (Neil Dudgeon of Sorted, Roman’s Empire, Life of Riley and Midsomer Murders).  This confidant fellow has been through thick and thin with the good lady and finds her uncanny ability to be around a mystery in the lurch to be apt for her deductive reasoning is as vast as Ms. Marple only a bit glib.    Amazingly enough this delightful character is NOT brought to us by Agatha Christie but novelist Gladys Mitchell (Speedy Death, The Mystery of a Butcher’s Shop, The Saltmarsh Murders, Death at the Opera, The Devil’s Elbow and Watson’s Choice) who brought 66 novels to light Beatrice Adela Lestrange Bradley a brilliant psychoanalyst and author of criminology.

Mrs. Bradley is a sharp witted, sassy and clever lady that breaks the fourth wall every so often to address the audience in reasoning and conclusions or simply to pontificate some theories before harassing a potential suspect.  Her judgement is sound and she is not one for speculations.   Alas this is one of those short lived series that only managed five episodes but worry not my fans of whodunit, there are some easily recognizable guest stars.  One fellow in particular is Inspector Henry Christmas (Peter Davison of Dr. Who, The Complete Guide to Parenting, Mystery!: Campion  and Law and Order: UK) a cunning fellow who is enchanted by Mrs. Bradley’s writing and amazing attributes.   Personally I believe he is just remembering how well she fits in a skin tight vinyl spy suit but I could be mistaken. 

 Also keep your eyes peeled for a younger “Doctor” gracing the small screen with Diana Rigg that may have had an impact on BBC later on.  If it isn’t Ms Rigg’s style and grace stealing the scene it is one of her many elaborate hats at the ready.

Women allowed to make opinions? What is the world coming to?

The props, costumes and period cars are simply to die drooling from but don’t simply take my word for it and grab a copy off Netflix or Amazon to enjoy.  

A&E Mysteries

We all have seen one or two during the 1980s and 1990s.  They cropped up around dinner time and we may have very causally glanced at them only to be ensorceled to watching more and more.  I speak of the awesome power of the time period murder mysteries.   From more modern series like Inspector Lewis to the astounding yet snarky Ms. Marple, these shows have been clever, witty, dramatic and even bone chilling in its execution of the darker side of humanity.   It is this very concept that I have chosen this week to speak of.  As for my not being here for the past three days.  Sinus headaches have been positively divine in putting an unwanted stop gap in my writing.

I swear the trout was this big, sir!