Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles" was originally serialised in the Strand Magazine in 1901 and 1902. The setting is largely on Dartmoor in 1889. When researching the novel, Doyle was a medical doctor in Plymouth and explored the moor to capture its atmosphere. The marsh around Fox Tor Mires was definitely the inspiration for the book's "Grimpen Mire" and Baskerville Hall is either Hayford Hall or Brook Manor, both near Buckfastleigh. However, Baskerville Hall in Clyro claims to be the inspiration for the building.
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES marks the debut of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John H. Watson. They made 14 Sherlock Holmes movies, all in Hollywood. THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (1939) is considered to be the best. After these two gems at Twentieth Century Fox, Sherlock Holmes moved to Universal Studios and the 12 films produced there are inferior with the setting changed from Victorian England to the present.
Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Green) returns from Canada and opens up his ancestral mansion on the desolate moors of Devonshire. He is the sole heir to the Baskerville fortune. Henry's uncle Sir Charles Baskerville (Ian Maclaren) is murdered and at 221b Baker Street in London he asks Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) to save him from a family curse. A huge supernatural Hound on the moor has supposedly existed since 1650 and kills because of the misdeeds of a Baskerville. Holmes uncovers a plot to steal Sir Henry's inheritance that dates back generations.
Holmes: "There are still some gaps to be filled, but all in all, things are becoming a little clearer."
Watson: "Not to me, I assure you; it's all a hopeless jumble. Stapleton, Franklin, the Barrymans - put it all together and what have you got?"
Holmes: "Murder, my dear Watson. Refined, cold blooded murder."
Watson: "Murder?"
Holmes: "There's no doubt of it in my mind. Or perhaps I should say, my imagination. For that's where crimes are conceived and they're solved - in the imagination."
Watson: "Then, why are we rushing up to London, leaving Sir Henry entirely alone and unprotected?"
Holmes: "We're not, my dear Watson. We're just giving the impression of rushing up to London."
Holmes dons several clever disguises to investigate. He appears as a pedlar to Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), Sir Henry, and Miss Beryl Stapleton (Wendy Barrie). After removing his disguise, Holmes and Watson return to Baskerville Hall to figure out the identity of the murderer. Dr. James Mortimer (Lionel Atwill) says, "Mr. Holmes, we've admired you in the past as does every Englishman. Your record as our greatest detective is known throughout the world. But this--seeing how you work--knowing that there is in England such a man as you gives us all a sense of safety and security. God bless you." Holmes knows who is the murderer but needs evidence. He tells Watson, "The only way is to catch him red-handed, to catch him in such a way that there's no escape, no alibi. And that means gambling with Sir Henry's life...But we've got to take that chance."
(a portrait that Holmes has just seen fascinates him)
Holmes: "You must - you must dine with us before you sail."
Sir Henry: "Well, there's the old boy himself - Sir Hugo, the Beast of the Baskervilles."
Watson: "Done by Ransome, one of the minor painters."
Sir Henry: "I don't imagine it's very valuable."
Holmes: "I can't quite agree with you, Sir Henry. One day, it might prove to be of the greatest value."
Young Sir Henry falls in love with Miss Stapleton, sister of the overly friendly John Stapleton (Morton Lowry). Holmes reassures Sir Henry of his safety, takes a train to London, but quickly returns to the moor to save Sir Henry by shooting the Hound dead. When Sherlock Holmes explains the mystery, John Stapleton pulls out a gun, then runs out of the house. Holmes says that the police are waiting outside and the only means of escape is through the deadly Grimpen Mire. Ever faithful to the novel, as the film ends Sherlock Holmes asks for an injection of cocaine: "Oh, Watson, the needle!"
This film is perhaps the definitive version of the novel, although it does take liberties with the source. Basil Rathbone is certainly the definitive Sherlock Holmes, unmistakable in his deerstalker hat with a Calabash Meerschaum pipe and magnifying glass. "Hound of the Baskervilles" is the only novel-length Sherlock Holmes story by Doyle and the film's dialogue is almost word-for-word the same as the book. The detective duo are perfect for their roles with perfect chemistry. Holmes is brilliant at deductions and disguises, and Dr. Watson is the bumbling but faithful assistant. The cinematography emphasizes the foggy locales and shadowy interiors. It's a fascinating mystery/thriller/horror film scripted by Ernest Pascal with music composed by David Buttolph, Charles Maxwell, Cyril J. Mockridge, and David Raksin. Sidney Lanfield directed.
Also in the cast are: John Carradine (Barryman), Barlowe Borland (Mr. Frankland), Berly Mercer (Jenifer Mortimer), Eily Malyon (Mrs. Barryman), E. E. Clive (John Clayton), Ralph Forbes (Sir Hugo Baskerville), Lionel Pape (Coroner), Nigel De Brulier (Nottinghill Murderer), Mary Gordon (Mrs. Hudson), John Burton (Bruce), Dennis Green (Jon), Ivan F. Simpson (shepherd), Evan Thomas (Edwin), Peter Willes (Roderick), Harry Cording, Leonard Carey, Kenneth Hunter, Vesey O'Davoren, Rita Page, John Graham Spacey, Ruth Terry, David Thursby, and Mary Young. The Hound (a 140 pound Great Dane) is played by "Chief" in the credits, although his actual name is "Blitzen".
There are at least 24 movie versions of HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. In 1959 Hammer Films released its adaptation with Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, and Christopher Lee. It is very good, atmospheric, dark and moody, with more supernatural terror. Sherlock Holmes says, "The powers of Evil can take many forms. Remember that, Sir Henry, when you're at Baskerville Hall. Do as the legend tells and avoid the moor when the forces of darkness are exalted." Some reviewers think it is the best version. Mostly because of this film, the original was out of circulation until 1975.
1972 brought a TV movie version with Stewart Granger as Sherlock Holmes and Bernard Fox as Dr. Watson. William Shatner has a small part as George Stapleton. It's miscast, cheap, cheesy, shoddy, weak, ludicrous and not very good. The sets steal the show. Music is taken from CAPE FEAR (1962) and NIGHT WALKER (1964). Most viewers think it's very bad, but a few think it's funny.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1978) stars Peter Cook as Holmes and Dudley Moore as Watson and also as Holmes' mother. It is a terrible parody. This spoof, poorly directed by Paul Morrissey, is a flat waste of talent. Some viewers find it amusing, and it appeals to some fans of British gross-out humour, perhaps Monty Python fans. One admirer of this turkey wrote, "It is surreal, absurd, and profoundly silly."
The 1983 TV version with Ian Richardson and Donald Churchill is excellent. It has very good sets and production values with a good supporting cast. This version is dark, suspenseful, scary, and faithful to its source. Holmes says, "But without the imagination Watson, there would be no horror." Some consider it to be the best interpretation, and it certainly deserved theatrical release. It is now available on DVD.
