The Speckled Band

I just watched this as the last Holmes movie in a CD set I bought-it's really quite interesting to see Holmes evolve over the different eras and actors. I'd like to rate this particular Holmes movie higher except for the fact that like most packaged movies of this era the sound quality is relatively poor which makes viewing difficult. In the end, it's fun to watch period films like this and for one hour take a stroll back in time to the 1930's.

Raymond Massey has a fine 1930's take on Holmes, including partiality to lounging around in a houserobe while making numerous deductions along with some light-hearted needling of Dr. Watson. The essence is here, much to appreciate but again just a tad bit lacking on the sound quality for total enjoyment.

It is clear to see why Sherlock Holmes has been popular in film, with the care and quality given to this early film as an example. When this was produced, all the stories had been written, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was dead. Audiences of the day had perhaps seen a few screen versions--most likely the awful John Barrymore vehicle--but Holmes was already known all over the English-speaking world. So here, before the B movies of the '40's, we have a really fine production that is beautifully true to Sir Arthur's creation. Raymond Massey, a young Canadian actor in his first film outing, interprets the part solidly, and imaginatively. The pace is a little slow for modern tastes, but perhaps that is respect. An admirable effort.

Had I seen the director's cut of The Speckled Band I might have given it a higher rating. But the version I saw was one released in Canada and only ran 50 minutes. Still the basic idea of the famous Sherlock Holmes mystery came through and Raymond Massey was a fine Holmes.

A slight change in the plot that Arthur Conan Doyle wrote has Dr. Watson played here by Athole Stewart called in on the inquest on the death of Joyce Moore. That was a mistake because Watson being a doctor and also having served in the Afghan War would have known exactly what the cause of death was and Holmes would never have to be called in.

In any event her sister Angela Baddely is fearful for her own life and fearful of a coarse and brutal stepfather Lyn Harding. Harding is also a blusterer and he dares Massey to pin anything on him.

Harding also served in India and that's the key to what happened to Moore and almost to Baddely.

I would like to have seen the full version of The Speckled Band as it is considered one of Arthur Conan Doyle's best Holmes stories. Still as an introduction to Holmes it's not a bad one and Massey's portrayal stands up well. In fact it was his first real cinema role of note.

The only print I've seen of this is pretty badly chopped up. They didn't make much of an effort to preserve these "b-movie" mysteries back then.

The film is directed in much the same manner as Browning directed the Lugosi "Dracula" around the same time - slow, stagy, with emphasis on atmosphere, and with all the young women given over to hysterics.

The film unnecessarily violates the Holmes canon when it shows us the bevy of young starlet secretaries Holmes has hired to aid in his investigations (?!), But most of the story, and its characterizations, are faithful to the original story.

The real surprise here is Raymond Massey - he is an absolute magnificent Holmes, every bit as good as the great Jeremy Brett of the Granada TV series; and, given the stodginess of the rest of the film, I suspect that he essentially directed himself - he moves quickly, easily, and directly, while the rest of the cast stands around waiting for their cues.

I can only recommend this to Holmes completists; but Massey's performance is not to be missed by anyone who admires the master sleuth of Baker Street.

Before saying anything about the film I must point out that the version I saw was fairly drastically shortened; judging by other reviews this is now the only available version. Sometimes it is fairly obvious where material has been lost, others less so.

The story opens in the house of Dr Grimesby Rylott where one of his two step daughters, Violet, comes out of her room and dies in her sister Helen's arms. Dr Watson, who was a friend of the sisters' family in India, gives evidence at the inquiry and it is determined that no crime has been committed. A year passes and Helen plans to marry and move to India with her fiancé... soon she fears for her safety and seeks the help of Dr Watson and his friend Sherlock Holmes. She explains how her sister died just after getting engaged and how she is now being treated just how her sister was prior to her death. Even being moved into her sister's old room to facilitate building work in hers.

It is a pity that so much of this film has been lost as it means what remains is a bit choppy at times; however that doesn't mean it isn't worth watching. The story is solid with a good central mystery; it was a pity the murder weapon used was spoilt by the DVD box picture as that is probably the best part of the mystery. Early on it becomes clear Rylott is a wrong 'un and there is no doubt that he intends to kill Helen for the inheritance. There is some nice misdirection before the full details of the plot are exposed. Raymond Massey does a fine job as Holmes and Athole Stewart provides solid support as Watson; however it is Angela Baddeley who stands out as Helen; she does a great job depicting her growing fear. Lyn Harding is suitably menacing as Rylott even if the character veers towards being a pantomime villain; if he had a moustache he would have twirled it! The sets were good with a traditional large country pile where Rylott lived contrasting with Holmes ultra-modern, for the time, office. Overall this might not be a must see if you're not a Holmes fan but despite the missing sections it is still a decent way to pass fifty minutes if you like older films.