rarekey

The location and photography were excellent but it ends there. Watson did not look like he had retired because of health after a long hitch in India. Holmes did not have aquiline features. But those are minor distractions. Why oh why do these makers always have to rewrite the story. No one yet has equalled the story as written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I really had hopes that Masterpiece Theatre would do it right. Not a chance! This version is a disappointing dud. I sort of thought I was in for disappointment when they completely left out the analysis of Dr Mortimer's cane. They could easily have left out the seance. Too bad! They could have had something good with the same effort.

This movie had some really impressive names associated with it so maybe I expected too much from it. What I got was something very close to the worst movie I've ever seen. The only thing that would help this movie would be to see it from backseat of a '49 Buick at the local Drive-In theater. And even then a little more help would be required.

The only way currently to see an old Boston Blackie movie is to buy a copy that has been copied off television somewhere, sometime. I think they are priceless. I bought this one off eBay. You can't use them to study law or police procedures and usually they have a spot or two that defies chemistry or physics or even common sense. But they are always fun. Just fun. No reality. I think this one was great. I especially like the scene where the radio was reporting on Boston Blackie's escape. And the newspaper headlines. I really wish the studios would release these on tape or DVD.