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Third in the Universal series of Sherlock Holmes films is another strong one with a WWII plot. A British secret agent carrying important documents is kidnapped en route to Washington, D.C. The British government turns to Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) to find the agent and the documents. Together with Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), Holmes journeys to America to investigate.

Rathbone and Bruce are terrific, as usual. This is the last entry in the series where Rathbone sports that silly hairstyle. George Zucco and Henry Daniell are great villains, which should surprise no one. They both played Holmes' nemesis Prof. Moriarty in other films. Holmes Herbert, Thurston Hall, Gavin Muir, and Edmund Macdonald are among the fine actors in the wonderful supporting cast. Marjorie Lord provides the pretty. Strong direction from Roy William Neill.

It's a very entertaining movie. No backhanded compliments here. No "best of the propaganda Holmes films" or "thankfully not as much flag-waving as the previous two films" or any of that stuff. Unlike some other reviewers I don't respond to patriotism (especially during WWII) like the Wicked Witch responds to water. After this entry, Holmes would return to murder mysteries although still taking place in the (then) present day rather than the Victorian era, much to the consternation of Holmes purists. I have my thoughts on that but I'll just quote John Archer, the actor who played Lt. Pete Merriam in this film: "Those Sherlock Holmes fans -- by God, they are rabid. They want everything to be just the way it was."

An entertaining film about Holmes going to the USA, to recover an important diplomatic document. Reflects the wartime need to stress the democratic desires that were shared by the UK and the USA. Also needed by the increasing US involvement in the war against Germany. Serves as a good example of the attitudes of the day, together with an interesting plot.

This is one of the most tense and exciting of the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes movies, quickly establishing an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty, and maintaining it to the end. There is more than enough suspense and action to make up for a couple of minor holes in the story, and the setting in Washington generally works rather well as a change of pace from the usual British settings.

The story follows the fate of a secret courier and the vital documents that he is carrying, with a gang of villains that targets several innocent bystanders in their desperate desire to get hold of the documents. It's an interesting story that is developed at an effective pace by Roy William Neill, and in particular, the way that the matchbook is used is almost worthy of Hitchcock.

George Zucco has only a few scenes, but he does a fine job as Holmes's adversary. Rathbone and Bruce work smoothly together as usual, and Bruce gets several good moments with his reactions to American culture. It's not the kind of Watson that Arthur Conan Doyle would have recognized, but it works well in its own right, and it makes good use of Bruce's talents. Overall, it's one of the better movies in the enjoyable series.

I can only rouse myself to comment on films I like: this is another old favourite. "Washington" is one of weaker entries in the series, but still enjoyable on its own merits as a B picture. The DVD I've just watched is of pristine quality - it really helps to see these potboilers as clean as they were meant to be seen, even if they can't be seen at cinema screen size.

Rathbone and Bruce are in Washington searching for a McGuffin - an American match folder with a chunk of important Allied microfilm wedged inside. It luckily slips by both Nazi villains, Daniell and Zucco, and eventually alls well that ends well. On the way there's some ace detecting - the wood splinter in the blanket (mentioned in a previous post) not only instantly ID'ed by Holmes but the shop and even the chair it came from instantly ID'ed too! For some reason Watson was portrayed as even more bumbling than usual, so it's much better to forget about the original in Conan Doyle while the film's on!

All these years and I'd not spotted Rathbone saying something to the American detective about "his blodgings" back at Baker Street!

It is a bit of a flag waver, but not so fervent as Voice or Weapon, and a worthwhile oldie to watch as a non-purist.

I'm a big fan of Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, and Sherlock Holmes in Washington is definitely one of the better entries. The best Sherlock Holmes films tend to be the ones with a horror element (such as The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Scarlet Claw), but even though this one offers nothing in the way of horror; it still manages to present an excellent mystery for Holmes to unravel. He has been sent to Washington on the trail of some stolen microfilm containing important government information. This mystery is set apart from the rest of the series because of the fact that it is set in Washington DC, as opposed to Holmes' native London. The film is conscious of it's surroundings as it spends a lot of time talking about the difference in convention between Britain and America, which is shown best in a sequence involving the hilarious Doctor Watson. As usual with Holmes films, this one features two great performances from the leads; Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, and it's obvious that these two have worked together on many occasions, as their chemistry is flawless. The mystery itself is well plotted and plays out in a way that is both exciting and full of tension. The film's standout moment is draped in irony, and takes place during a dinner party in which the guests take it in turns to handle the microfilm. On the whole, if you like Holmes films; you'll like this one!

I've seen Sherlock Holmes In Washington a couple of times and although not the best of the series, I found it enjoyable.

During the Second World War, Holmes and Dr Watson head to Washington to investigate a missing document on a microfilm which is hidden in a matchbox. After getting the clues, they retrieve it at the end and head back to London.

As always, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce play Holmes and Watson brilliantly and are joined in this one by George Zucco (The Flying Serpent, House of Frankenstein), Marjorie Lord, Holmes Herbert (The Pearl of Death, Ghost of Frankenstein) and Henry Daniell.

Though not the best of the Rathbone/Bruce movies, Sherlock Holmes in Washington is certainly worth a look. Enjoyable.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Once again Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce deliver the goods in "Sherlock Holmes in Washington." I like this film from 1943.... A great cast that includes Henry Daniell, George Zucco and some other fine actors of note......

If I have any gripe at all about the series of 'Holmes' films that Rathbone and Bruce made is, they are all between 60 to 75 minutes long.... To me, that means rather short... I'd prefer longer scripts and films that run at least 80 to 90 minutes long.... For the 1940s, that is a normal run......

I love these old-time co-stars like "Henry Daniell, George Zucco, Lionel Atwill & Dennis Hoey." All them guys were pluses for the series of 'Holmes' films produced from 1939 to 1946...... Good quality there...

MR.BILL

Searching for an invaluable microfilm, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON encounters as much danger as ever he did in old London.

Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce return as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in this unpretentious but enjoyable film. Although not based on any particular tale from the Canon, there is still enough mystery and intrigue to keep detective fans well satisfied. Of course, with Rathbone all cerebral intellect and Bruce ever the good-natured bumbler, the viewer knows that God's in His Heaven and all's right with the world.

Henry Daniell & George Zucco, two of the series' finest villains, appear in this entry. They both specialized in making menace delightfully subtle and sophisticated. This time they portray German agents intent on retrieving an enormously important British document.

Others in the cast include the lovely Marjorie Lord (who's quite grotesque with a cigarette dangling from her lips) as a young socialite pulled into the nefarious scheme; Holmes Herbert as a senior civil servant in London; and Thurston Hall as a blustery United Stated senator.

Movie mavens will spot several fine actors in uncredited roles: Gerald Hamer as a hapless British agent; elderly Margaret Seddon as a train traveler with mice; dear Mary Gordon as Holmes' landlady, Mrs. Hudson; Mary Forbes as a spy's loving mother; and Ian Wolfe as a slightly sinister antiques store clerk. Especially notable is the always entertaining Clarence Muse, appearing as a club car porter, who does the almost impossible by stealing a scene from Rathbone.

This film followed SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON (1942) and preceded SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943).

It seems to me that which ever Sherlock Holmes {Rathbone} film I watch there is always comments on the site stating it's one of the weaker in the series !!, it really just goes to show how we are all different as regards our love of the series because to me this entry is far from being weak. It has a very tidy plot that takes our delightful duo to America and contains one of my favourite sequences as we watch a (critical to the plot) book of matches go from person to person at a social gathering. Holmes gets to act up as an eccentric art collector and Watson does what he does best, comedy relief. The ending perhaps could of packed a bigger punch for me personally, but all in all it's yer above average detective drama acted out with the usual style from the regulars, 7/10.

It is neat to share in Holmes' American adventure and Watson's observations of American life. A historic view of Washington buildings is also interesting. Can watch several times.

I particularly enjoy the scenes on the train in the US where Holmes determines the location of the various people while Watson acts out who they are.

I also enjoy the way the story deals with the aspects of the British courier/ secret agent, Alfred Pettibone, of Parlow, Nash, Parlow. The scenes at his apartment where Holmes figures out why they need to go to America, the scene where Pettibone is getting on the plane and when abducted on the train are well done and entertaining. I thought the story moves along better than most of the others in this series.

SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON (Universal, 1943), directed by Roy William Neil, marks the fifth entry of the popular series and third installment in the newly updated format starring Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes) and Nigel Bruce (Doctor Watson). Once again there's assurance for its movie going audience this is the Holmes and Watson of modern times by lifting the original titled opening from SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE VOICE OF TERROR (1942) to read, "Sherlock Holmes, the immortal character of fiction created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is ageless, invincible and unchanging. In solving significant problems of the present day, he remains - as ever - the supreme master of deductive reasoning." Since Tarzan can go to New York (TARZAN'S NEW YORK ADVENTURE (MGM, 1942)) and/or every other movie sleuth venture around the world solving individual murder cases, why not Sherlock Holmes leaving his natural surroundings of England? This is what Holmes and Watson get to do for their next assignment, coming to America and visiting our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Though Holmes doesn't get to have tea with the president in the White House lawn, he does, however, have opportunities getting a glimpse of many of its landmarks while doing what he does best, deductive reasoning.

The 12 minute prologue opens at the London Terminal Transatlantic Airport where an assortment of passengers come on board an airplane bound for New York City, one of them being Sir Henry Marchmont (Gilbert Emery), a British diplomat who, unknowingly, is being carefully observed by William Easter (Henry Daniell). Arriving at the last moment before the plane's departure is the seemingly drunken, accident prone John Grayson (Gerald Hamer) who seats himself across from Easter. While on the Washington Express bound for Washington, D.C., Grayson, senses great danger as he notices Easter and his spies, Cady (Bradley Page) and Howe (Don Terry), keeping close eye contact on him. While conversing with other passengers, Grayson permits himself by lighting a cigarette for Nancy Patridge (Marjorie Lord) before placing a match folder with well concealed microfilmed documents inside her purse. Moments after a sudden blackout, Grayson is abducted. Because Grayson has never reached his destination, Mr. Ahrens (Holmes Herbert) of the British Empire, assigns Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his associate, Doctor Watson (Nigel Bruce) to Washington, D.C. Aside from being in constant danger themselves, Holmes and Watson attempt to solve Grayson's disappearance, some murders, and locate the now missing Nancy Partridge, believed to be connected with Grayson's missing document by Richard Stanley (George Zucco), a local antique shop owner.

For the first time in the series, the story reportedly doesn't use any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" stories as its sources, but borrows in areas from its previous installment, SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON (1942). Though the opening titles credit Bertram Milhauser for its original story, the screen treatment repeats the idea of subject matter, this time a London lawyer turned secret agent, falling victim of enemy spies, and Holmes called to locate a secret document before reaching enemy hands. While Holmes in SECRET WEAPON finds its ringleader to be his arch rival, Professor Moriarty (Lionel Atwill), he matches wits here with the an earlier Moriarty, portrayed by George Zucco (THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (20th-Fox, 1939)) and future Moriarty, Henry Daniell (THE WOMAN IN GREEN, 1945). Such a missed opportunity by not having Zucco reprise his most memorable role, considering how his new character, using the frequent saying of "Permit me!" to contain enough ingredients of the sinister Moriarty. For classic moments, be on the lookout for Rathbone's most amusing guise of an eccentric art collector and Zucco's method of introducing the captured Holmes to his hostage Nancy: "Allow me to present Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the world's famous detective. He's here to rescue you."

SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON, the most Americanized of the Rathbone-Bruce installments, contains familiar American types including Thurston Hall (Senator Henry Babcock); Edmund MacDonald (Detective Grogan); Clarence Muse (George, the train waiter); and John Archer, Nancy's fiancé, Peter Merriam, lieutenant in the United States Navy. There's also some fine insight centering upon Doctor Watson's interest in America customs as drinking milk shakes, chewing gum and reading the comics and sports pages from newspapers. Though Sherlock Holmes smokes a cigarette or two, which he's done before in prior modern day London installments, he does get to recite a then current speech by Sir Winston Churchill. Overall, how that match cover passes in and out of enemy agents' hands without them knowing about it, should rank this another winning entry. And yes, Mary Gordon returns briefly as Holmes' landlady, Mrs. Hudson, for one brief scene.

Distributed to video cassette by Key Video (1988) and two decades later onto DVD, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON, along with other Rathbone/ Bruce installments, premiered December 26, 2009, on Turner Classic Movies as part of the cable channel's tribute to the legendary detective. Permit me in concluding the next installment being SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) by adding to the pun, "When didn't he?" (**1/2)

Nothing that special in this Holmes story, except a few nice comments at the very end by our detective hero about America and Washington, D.C. Otherwise, it's just a so-so espionage story about a clip of microfilm that is hidden in some matchbook, with nobody but Holmes aware of that. The man who put it there was killed. The good guys want to make sure the bad guys don't get a hold of it.

We follow the matchbook as it goes from one person to the next. Most of the suspects are those who were on the train carrying the man who had the microfilm in the first place.

The problem with the film is there isn't enough suspense and the ending scenes are so hokey it's almost embarrassing to watch. And - by the way - what was with that hairdo on Basil Rathbone (Holmes). That was really strange-looking, so much so it was distracting. Thankfully, he found a new barber for his other films.

A British spy carrying important diplomatic papers from Great Britain to the United States is kidnapped. Sherlock Holmes is needed to find the man, and more importantly the papers that would ruin world peace. This is a fine entry into the Sherlock Holmes cycle, albeit a bit thin in the area of plot. Notwithstanding this, Basil Rathbone and the lovable Nigel Bruce make the most of the material and turn the mundane into the sublime. Rathbone is his usual self, however, in this picture he sports a fairly unique hairstyle. Bruce is as ever a fun man to watch, uttering completely comic absurd remarks with the greatest conviction. The supporting cast is first-rate with the indeliable George Zucco as(who else?) the villain. Aiding Zucco is Henry Daniell. Throw in some great character acting by the likes of Gerald Hamer and Clarence Muse. The scene shared by Rathbone and Muse is particularly enjoyable to watch. At the end the film has its wartime message about the importance of democracy. A good mystery!

Sherlock Holmes is deployed to Washington, in an attempt to get hold of an incredibly important and sensitive microfilm.

It's very thinly based it seems on The Adventure of The Second Stain, but only very loosely, the thread of Holmes needing to return an important document, one with huge political significance.

It's Rathbone, so of course it's good, but it doesn't compare so well with other films featuring his Holmes. It starts off well, the scenes on the train are rather good, I thought it went off the boil a little at the end.

The accents were curious, we had some American, and mainly British, was an odd mix.

It's good, others are just so much better, 6/10.

A foreign top-secret agent is taken down , seems it's those blasted enemy against Sherlock and Watson rush off to Washington D. C. to solve a kidnap . As they set out to save some vitally essential microfilm in order to prevent this secret document from falling into Nazi hands .

Heavily patriotism Holmes/Rathbone and Watson/Bruce episode freely based on Arthur Conan Doyle novels , including thrills , suspense , unanswered mysteries and plot twists . This is the second in which we are asked to believe the Victorian sleuth and his hairdo could have lived in this century and during WWII . One of the best and more suspenseful of the long Sherlock Holmes series , though extremely jingoist . As always , Basil Rathbone gives a magnificent acting , accompanied by Nigel Bruce who is fun as his bumbling , dumb colleague . The detecting duo are well supported by two first-range villains : George Zucco and Henry Daniell , the latter played Doctor Moriarty in previous episodes. Along with other secondaries , some of them uncredited , such as : John Archer , Marjorie Lord , Don Terry , Mary Forbes, all of them delivering agreeable interpretations .

It contains an atmospheric and thrilling musical score by Frank Skinner . As well as evocative cinematography with plenty of lights and shades by Lester White , though there's available a horrible colorized version . The motion picture was competently directed by Roy William Neill in his usual style , in fact he was regular filmmaker - along with John Rawlins- of the stunning series , such as : Scarlet Claw, Dressed to Kill, Terror by Night , Pursuit to Algiers, The Woman in Green , The House of Fear , Spider Woman , Sherlock and the Secret Weapon , among others . Rating : 7/10 . Notable outing in the Sherlock/Watson saga. The picture will appeal to Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce fans , being essential and fundamental watching for series enthusiasts .

There was nothing better in the eyes of Universal Pictures executives then placing the legendary Victorian era detective into the capital of the United States during World War Two to solve a major international crime. Producing April 1943's "Sherlock Holmes in Washington," the studio made this the first Holmes' detective movie not based on one of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories. In addition, this was the first Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce-starring feature not located in London, England, with the pair traveling to Washington, D. C. for an investigation.

Universal bought the Sherlock Holmes movie rights from the Doyle estate in early 1942 after 20th Century Fox decided not to renew the franchise after producing the first two English detective films. Part of the agreement gave Universal permission to revise, create and modernize the Holmes' stories. The studio's first, 1942's 'Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror,' was based on a Doyle short story but set in London with a WW2 background. Rathbone and Bruce initially hated the idea of updating their characters. But their new studio insisted, justifying the change in the opening credits of "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" by stating in its prologue Holmes is "ageless, invincible and unchanging, solving significant problems of the present day." Roy William Neill took over producing and directing the remaining Holmes movies for Universal, starting with 1942's 'Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon.' In the meantime Universal looked to produce more Sherlock movies by cutting their budgets to B-listed status.

"Sherlock Holmes in Washington" opens with a British secret agent hand-carrying to the United States government a document on microfilm vital to England's interests. The so-called McGuffin (a Hitchcockian term for an item viewers are focused on) is a matchbook the microfilm is secretly inserted into reading "V for victory." Just before the agent is captured by the enemy on a train bound for D. C. from New York City, he surreptitiously lends the matches to an unsuspecting passenger, Nancy Partridge (Marjorie Lord), who uses them to light her cigarette. Once the English government discovers its agent had disappeared, Holmes is called in on the case, sending he and Dr. Watson to America. Viewers are aware of the importance of the match book, but the Nazi agents aren't. Their scenes with Nancy are reminiscent of Hitchcock's 1942 "Saboteur," where its main character, actress Priscilla Lane, stuck in a similar situation, coincidentally wearing the same dress as Marjorie Lord does on the train before she's kidnapped. Perceptive viewers will notice the famous "V" matchbook has its strike plate in the front, the same side as where the matches are exposed. In 1973 the government mandated the strike plate be placed in back of the book opposite the matches for safety.

Critics were impressed by Rathbone's quick detective mind, with the reviewer from the New York Post writing, "What a public thinker, that Rathbone is! You can practically see the mighty muscles of his mind tense, grab, and get to the heart of the toughest mystery."

Among the pluses in this movie:

We get two top English character actors, George Zucco and Henry Daniell, who both appeared in other Rathbone-Bruce Holmes films.

The script offers Holmes some witty rejoinders to the lovable but slightly dim Watson, which Rathbone delivers with wonderful dryness.

Fans of the films will notice British actor Gerald Hamer among the cast. Hamer appeared in no less than five of these Holmes films!

The plot is fast moving, and there are no "slow" moments.

The chemistry between Holmes and Watson is superb, as always.

Serviceable third entry in the Universal series takes Sherlock (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) to America where Holmes attempts to secure valuable documents being kept on microfilm after the man carrying them is murdered. Among the bad guys who'd like to get their hands on it are the reliable George Zucco (sporting an unusual head of hair for a change) and Henry Daniell. One rather tedious element involves the coincidental passing around of a mysterious matchbook, which always rather conveniently just manages to change hands. This film reportedly did not fare very well at the time and so from the next feature onward it was decided to drop the early formula Universal had employed; instead of featuring Sherlock Holmes as some sort of superhero who battles Nazi spies, they got him down to more traditional sleuthing. This approach was deemed more preferable by most fans of the legendary detective. **1/2 out of ****