Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes: The Woman in Green

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This spiffy little entry in the Sherlock Holmes franchise starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, who will forever be Holmes and Watson to moviegoers the world over, has a good cast and story and loads of atmosphere that make it one of the best in the series.

London is being terrorized by a Jack the Ripper type killer preying upon young women; murdering then mutilating them by severing the right forefinger from each victim. Scotland Yard is at a loss to find the killer or prevent the murders from continuing. It is time to call in the one man who may be able to put an end to the terror, Sherlock Holmes.

A chance encounter at Pembroke House where Holmes sees an attractive woman named Lydia (Hillary Brooke) will be the key to what's really behind the slayings, which as Holmes explains to his old pal Watson, may involve something far more sinister than plain old murder. Every Holmes devotee knows only one mind could devise something more sinister than murder, but wasn't Moriarity hanged in Montividio?

This fast paced and exciting entry is a lot of fun for Rathbone and Bruce fans as the two have some fine moments together. The story is full of dark alleys and London fog. The morgue, hypnotism, and a deadly confrontation between Holmes and his long-time "acquaintance," Professor Moriarity, on a dangerously narrow ledge overlooking London, make this one a fine Holmes' tale well-told.

Henry Daniel is the definitive Moriarity and Hillary Brooke adds flavor in this story of blackmail and murder, all tied to hypnotism. Paul Cavanagh is good as Sir George Fenwick, who awakes one morning after a date with Lydia with no memory of where he's been. His only clue is a bloody finger in his pocket and the newsboy's chant outside his window about the latest victim.

Eve Amber has a small but nice role as Sir George's daughter Maude, who comes to Holmes worried about her father. Holmes suspects she has reason to worry and those suspicions are proven valid when her father's body is discovered by Holmes and Watson, clutching a matchbook from Pembrose House.

There are two confrontations between Holmes and Moriarity in this one for us to enjoy. Also included in the jam-packed 68 minutes is a niftily, and quite humorously thwarted, assination attempt on Holmes' life. Watson and an army sniper named Williams may be easy fodder for hypnotism, but is Holmes impervious to Lydia's charms?

This one is great fun and gets the highest rating for being a fine and entertaining "B" entry for Holmes' fans to enjoy.

Rathbone and Bruce made 14 Holmes and Watson films; it's a real shame that four of the weakest are in the public domain and keep turning up while the rest are out of print. This one, from late in the series, at least has the virtue of a script by Bertram Millhauser, who wrote the best of them and was most responsible for the distinctive tone of the series: sly humor mixed with slightly horrific mystery. Two of his most memorable creations, the Spider Woman and the Creeper, went on to lives of their own in other Universal horror movies. As for The Woman in Green, it's a blend of Jack the Ripper and Conan Doyle's "The Empty House," with a nice film noir ambience and some clever twists. Unfortunately, the ending is lame and one senses the fact that, after seven years, 10 films, and hundreds of radio broadcasts, Rathbone has begun to weary of playing Holmes. Film trivia note: someone colorized this a few years ago, and didn't even bother to put Hillary Brooke in a green dress. Go figure.

Many people here have covered the actual film content, I just wanted to mention that I have seen many colorized films over the years and have not been very pleased with the results until I saw this new version of Woman in Green, it's The Best Colorized film I have ever seen, stunning natural color that I feel really adds to the viewing pleasure of the film, I watched this on my 7ft screen projected from a dlp projector, and it was fantastic quality, I hope there will be more of these classic old movies released in both original black and white for the purists, but also in these wonderful colorized versions, well done to all the technicians involved in this disk.

Some purists insists these old classics be kept black and white as filmed. I can understand that, and, in theory, agree, but I found the quality of this colorized version of The Woman in Green remarkable! If I wasn't already aware of the movie I would think it had been filmed in color! I think it adds to the viewing experience, making the characters more life-like and believeable. It helps bring the menance of the mutilated London murder victims, oddly missing a finger, seem even more subtle, yet immediately menacing and you can still enjoy the original version also on this disk if your prefer. Highly recommended.

While The Woman in Green is not based on any of the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it does manage to place Sherlock Holmes in his element, trying to figure out the diabolical plot behind a series of gruesome murders. Scotland Yard, despite investigators' best efforts, is clueless, so Inspector Gregson sucks up his pride and seeks the help of the inhabitant of 221B Baker Street when a fourth young lady falls victim to the gruesome killer. Each of the victims has had her right forefinger removed, and there seems to be nothing else linking the victims. Holmes just so happened to see Sir George Fenwick in the company of a young lady when he first spoke with Gregson. When Fenwick becomes a related victim in the murder spree, Holmes' mental gears begin turning, and he soon comes to believe that none other than Professor Moriarty, his arch nemesis (who was supposedly hanged the previous year) is behind the murders. Blackmail and hypnotism lie at the heart of the plot, and Holmes is determined to bring Moriarty to justice - to succeed, he will have to parry the wiles of a femme fatale (who is certainly no Irene Adler, I must say).

While this story lacks the inner complexity and authentic aura of a Conan Doyle original, it is a satisfying, enjoyable adventure. Basil Rathbone carries the air of Holmes throughout the film, Hillary Brooke makes a formidable female challenger in the form of Lydia Marlowe, and Henry Daniell turns in an impressive performance as Professor Moriarty. I can't help but have mixed feelings about Nigel Bruce's performance as John Watson here. One hates to see Dr. Watson portrayed as such a bumbling old dodder, but at the same time one can't help but be entertained by his comical demeanor in this film. He is constantly mumbling underneath his breath, and his continued disparagement of the science of hypnosis earns him a moment of public embarrassment. The comical element culminates in a truly classic exchange with the great detective in the film's final moments.

The Sherlock Holmes films of the 1940s starring Basil Rathbone are essentially a Holmesian subgenre of their own. The Woman in Green's story doesn't have the bite of an actual Conan Doyle creation, but this is a pretty appealing substitute for the real thing. Likewise, it showcases Basil Rathbone's performance as the great detective - until the advent of Jeremy Brett, Rathbone was the face of Sherlock Holmes to many.

With all due respect to Jeremy Brett and others who have taken on the role of Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone was simply the best. He seemed to really BE Holmes. He not only looked like the character as Conan Doyle described him, he also had the mannerisms and demeanor cold. What I have never really understood was the decision to have Nigel Bruce play Watson as something of a buffoon. I don't mind a little humor in a story, but Doyle's written tales got on fine without it, and injecting it into these movies added a light touch that, while pleasant, wasn't necessary. And Doyle's Watson was capable of his vulnerabilities and lovable moments without being so foolish.

Rathbone and Bruce made a whole series of Holmes movies together. "The Woman In Green" is not the best of these by any means, but it is not the worst, either. During WW II there was an unfortunate (though understandable) move to bring Holmes forward in time and make a Nazi fighter out of him. That was unfortunate. The best of the series are those that were closest to actual Doyle stories. "The Hound of The Baskervilles", for example.

This one has Holmes out of his milieu, but not fighting Nazis. Hilary Brooke is fine as the mysterious and seductive "woman in green" and the fingers missing from the series of victims add to the suspense, but there is never much mystery as to who the killers are. The real issue is how Holmes will succeed against them.

As a Holmes story, this is only mediocre. There is suspense, but not much mystery, and Holmes is out of his proper context. Rathbone's portrayal of Holmes gets it four stars. If you're into Sherlock Holmes, or you just like vintage suspense movies, "The Woman In Green" is fun. Add it to your collection, but only if you've got "Hound Of The Baskervilles" already.

I don't know why they had the title- "Prelude To Murder" on the box of the disc I obtained, seeing that the films actual title is THE WOMAN IN GREEN. But, I guess they have since remedied this. I know that some people actually detest Colorization of old black and white films. Now, that they offer the option (like on this disc), of watching this fine Sherlock Holmes movie, with "THE" representation of the great fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone, either in Black and White, or Colorized; it should satisfy everyone who enjoys these movies and this series.

Yes, after having seen Lionel Atwill and George Zucco step up to the plate as the nefarious master criminal Moriarty, I can safely say that Henry Daniell brings the most to the role. ....

As slight as the story line may be (hypnotized men of means/rank are made to believe they committed murder and then are blackmailed), I must recommend you study the acting very carefully. Rathbone (Holmes), Bruce (Watson) and Daniell (Moriarty) are really doing an awful lot in the way of characterization. I love how Rathbone just hides a smile when he looks at the dunderheadings of Bruce.... These men are real pros, imbuing the scene with real tension. Daniell is particularly good, when his mouth drawn up grimly as he spars verbally with Rathbone. ...

I enjoyed "The Woman in Green" much more than I had expected to, thanks to the first-rate acting. Nice to know that some childhood favorites still hold up when you see them years later!

With the revival of interest in Sherlock Holmes, it is interesting to see one of the great Holmes, even though the film was produced in 1945. Holmes needs to find out why someone is killing people and cutting off their fingers. There is little in the way of deduction in this film. Holmes discovers the perpetrator by a chance observation at a restaurant. The most exiting episode is where Holmes is apparently hypnotized and told by Professor Moriarty to commit suicide. The later versions of Holmes are much more exiting.

The Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films were moved from Victorian England to current England (1945). Also, like the James Bond films, the only thing similar to the books is the title. If you are looking for faithful adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books then get the Jeremy Brett Mystery series. If you are looking for some great acting and good period mysteries, the Rathbone - Bruce series is great.

London has a serial killer. He is killing women and mutilating them. The police are baffled so enter Sherlock Holmes. Quickly they realize that this is not a serial murderer but blackmail plot using murder to control their victims. Holmes quickly deduces what is happening and that his old archenemy, Moriarity, is behind it. The title character is the woman who seduces the men.

The transfer quality is fairly poor but not awful. These are the kind of films that are not usually subject to restoration and the deteriorated status is that of wear and age. I have seen a new collection but they are quite expensive. So if you just want to have a copy of the films just to enjoy these mysteries, these are fine.

Of course, for most Basil was Sherlock Holmes, this was probably the first films that he had a chance to a role that he could use his substantial talent. Before these, he was usually the bad guy or a minor supporting player. He was an accomplished swordsman and the joke was he constantly had to lose to actors that he could beat blindfolded. So Basil made these quickie films much more depth than they would otherwise have.