Many people consider this to be the very best of the Universal Sherlock Holmes series, although personally I prefer others. However, there's no denying how particularly well-made and atmospheric it is, even if the studio's recreation of a Canadian village is a little far-fetched and just looks like a British location instead. This is a film where the actors and the director are at the peak of their game. By now, Rathbone and Bruce had settled comfortably into their roles and weren't displaying any of the boredom that turned up in the latter adventures. The regular supporting cast go through the paces with ease and the crisp black and white photography makes things interesting to watch.
Although propaganda does pop up in it, thankfully this isn't one of the films concerning Nazi plots or the like. Instead, it's a traditional murder mystery yarn which has plenty of horror elements in it. At first a supernatural villain is blamed for the murders, even a werewolf perhaps, so Universal were obviously cashing in on the craze for THE WOLF MAN at the time. The good old dry-ice machine is utilised for a number of creepy moments set on some spooky moorland, and the film reaches its high point when a strange, glowing figure (not unlike the one in AIP's DIE, MONSTER, DIE!) appears to frighten Holmes. This is a simple special effect, yet it works due to its unexpected nature.
Rathbone is fine as Holmes, athletic and quick-thinking to boot, and he brings an authority to the role here so that nobody ever questions his resources or methods. Bruce is also very good as Watson, helping the plot when necessary and also providing his exceptional comic relief when its needed (I loved the scenes where he falls into the bogs). There are all manner of eccentric characters in the village to be entertained by, from the chirpy postman to the paranoid, hermit-like judge who lives in a barred house with his gun at the ready. The locations are varied and the murders are sufficiently gruesome. There are various scenes of action, including a cool moment when a villain jumps through a window to escape and is shot falling into the river. In all, this makes THE SCARLET CLAW one of the most enjoyable of the series and a must for Holmes fans.
Although propaganda does pop up in it, thankfully this isn't one of the films concerning Nazi plots or the like. Instead, it's a traditional murder mystery yarn which has plenty of horror elements in it. At first a supernatural villain is blamed for the murders, even a werewolf perhaps, so Universal were obviously cashing in on the craze for THE WOLF MAN at the time. The good old dry-ice machine is utilised for a number of creepy moments set on some spooky moorland, and the film reaches its high point when a strange, glowing figure (not unlike the one in AIP's DIE, MONSTER, DIE!) appears to frighten Holmes. This is a simple special effect, yet it works due to its unexpected nature.
Rathbone is fine as Holmes, athletic and quick-thinking to boot, and he brings an authority to the role here so that nobody ever questions his resources or methods. Bruce is also very good as Watson, helping the plot when necessary and also providing his exceptional comic relief when its needed (I loved the scenes where he falls into the bogs). There are all manner of eccentric characters in the village to be entertained by, from the chirpy postman to the paranoid, hermit-like judge who lives in a barred house with his gun at the ready. The locations are varied and the murders are sufficiently gruesome. There are various scenes of action, including a cool moment when a villain jumps through a window to escape and is shot falling into the river. In all, this makes THE SCARLET CLAW one of the most enjoyable of the series and a must for Holmes fans.