The Speckled Band

The IMDb has it at 90 minutes long, 66 in the US the same as it states on the back of the budget DVD box I've just watched, but timed at a mere 50. For this has been slashed to ribbons over the years, Persistance Of Vision is sorely tried as well as guessing what scenes were deleted between frame slippages and leaps. Puzzling gaps in the plot are easy in comparison!

There are many bits to enjoy however through gritted teeth - Massey did all right as Holmes, although Athole Stewart as a bald headed and vibrant Watson took me some getting used to. Lyn Harding as Dr. Rylott was splendidly OTT - almost made me wish for Tod Slaughter to make an appearance! Favourite bits: Holmes' bustling outer office at Baker Street, an intriguing development but one I'm glad to report unique; the romantic clinches in the garden between Helen and her boyfriend (straight from getting shot in Elstree Calling) who's not heard of again; Holmes solving the mystery in her darkened bedroom. Where it allows, a beautiful misty gleaming nitrate atmosphere pervades.

I hope there's a decent print out there somewhere, because ultra-creaky as it is this film probably deserves a little more attention than I fear this copy will ever get!

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.

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.

The Speckled Band (1931)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

After the mysterious death of her sister, Helen Stonor (Angela Baddeley) asks Sherlock Holmes (Raymond Massey) and Dr. Watson (Athole Stewart) to investigate her stepfather (Lyn Harding) who at times can have a mean streak and might have a reason for the sisters to be dead.

Sir Author Conan Doyle always stated that "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" was his favorite Holmes story and it's easy to see why, although it's pretty hard to judge this film. I say that because it was originally at least 66-minutes and possibly 90-minutes but the only thing that survives is a print running 49-minutes. Obviously that's a lot of footage to be missing and it's clear as you watch the film because there are some rough edits at times. With so much footage missing it's hard to fully judge the movie but there's still a fairly complete story here to follow.

I think one of the most interesting aspects was the casting of Massey as Holmes. The actor was still very much unknown when he took on the role but would eventually gain fame playing Abraham Lincoln. In this film, I found him to be a pretty entertaining Holmes and especially with some of the wit and humor that he displayed. He certainly had the look for the character and it's really too bad that he's not on screen more. Stewart, perhaps the only bald Watson, is decent in his role but doesn't stand out too much. Baddeley is charming in her role as the stressed sister but it's Harding who steals the film and not in a good way. His over-dramatic, theatrics like performance is so over-the-top that you can't help but laugh at times. Let's just say he leave to doubt at what type of person the character is.

Again, with so much missing it's hard to judge the film. There's a subplot involving gypsies that might have played out more in the longer version and I'm also curious if Holmes had a bigger role. The film was obviously shot on a small budget and it shows at times but there's still a mildly entertaining movie here. Fans of Holmes will certainly want to check it out.