ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES 1939 (MPI)

The second entry in the Sherlock Holmes series. I love all of these films, and I am sure this will show as I review all of these in the coming weeks.

The first was "Hound Of The Baskervilles" which I reviewed here a few years ago, and it still stands as one of the best films ever made.

This excellent film centers around Professor Moriarty (George Zucco) and his plan to commit the crime of the century, as well as murder anyone who stands in his way.

Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is determined to not let his arch enemy win. Of course Holmes is accompanied by Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) and both men work to stop Moriarty. To make sure Holmes and Watson get involved, Moriarty plans to have a beautiful woman, Ann Brandon (Ida Lupino) murdered.

Holmes really gets taxed in this film as he has a woman to protect as well as the Crown Jewels of England, which is what Moriarty is planning to steal.

Zucco portrays Moriarty with plenty of aplomb and is excellent playing off of Rathbone and Bruce. Ida Lupino makes for a lovely heroine and turns in her typical great performance. The rest of the cast includes Terence Kilburn, Alan Marshal, E.E. Clive and Mary Gordon.

This is the second entry as I said above and it is also the last of the series to be produced at 20th Century Fox. The series was picked up by Universal, moved to modern times because of World War 2 and both Rathbone and Bruce went with the series,,,,thank God.

If you haven't seen this film yet all I can say is you're missing something special.