Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
by Roy William Neill
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Basil Rathbone, Kaaren Verne, Lionel Atwill, Nigel Bruce, William Post Jr.Director: Roy William Neill
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 68 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-28
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Mpi Home Video
Movie Reviews of Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Movie Review: For England
Summary: 5 Stars
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are forever Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in the minds of filmgoers the world over. Based on a Conan Doyle story, The Dancing Men, yet updated to modern England during wartime, Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon is fun to watch. While it doesn't sparkle to the degree of some entries in the series, a dash of patriotism and Kaaren Verne's lovely presence make it worthwhile.
It begins with Holmes sneaking top scientist Franz Tobler out of Switzerland. His design for a new bomb delivery device has been offered to England and must not fall into German hands. Back in London, Tobler unwisely ditches Watson while he's asleep in favor of his love, Charlotte Eberly. Since beautiful and down to earth Karren Verne portrays her, it's easy to see his reasoning. Yet it is a mistake, putting Holmes' old nemesis, Moriarity, onto the little bugger, and the device.
Lionel Atwill has a turn in this outing as Moriarity, and while he does a nice job, it must be said that Henry Daniel is sorely missed in this one. Dennis Hoey is Lestrade this time and also performs admirably. It isn't long before Tobler is in the hands of Moriarity, but a secret code given to Charlotte holds the key to the device. Holmes has it but, unfortunately, so does Morarity! Three men will die before Holmes breaks the code of the fourth man and sets a trap for Moriarity, who is setting a trap for Holmes.
Rathbone dons many disguises in this one and Roy William Neill's direction keeps it moving along nicely. A secret exit and a trap door of death will decide who is the superior mind in this one. A nice bit about England Holmes steals from the Bard wraps things up nicely as R.A.F. planes leave for Germany equipped with the new device. All in all, though not quite the gem of some episodes in the "B" series, a fun entry for fans.
Summary of Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
BASIL RATHBONE NIGEL BRUCEIn SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON
Digitally Restored in 35mm
The master detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his faithful cohort Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are back, preserved and digitally restored in 35mm to original condition by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This newly restored version of the classic film includes the period war bond tag, studio logo and credits from its original theatrical release. Filled with ominous shadows and interesting camera angles, the visual beauty of the film in 35mm is stunning.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" inspired THE SECRET WEAPON. The wartime plot pits Sherlock Holmes once more against his nemesis, the villainously brilliant Professor Moriarty, who was believed dead but is now working for the Nazis. The Nazis have assigned Moriarty to kidnap Dr. Franz Tobel, the inventor of a new super bombsight. Sherlock Holmes outwits the enemy agents and escapes with Tobel and his precious invention. But despite elaborate precautions, the inventor later disappears before the process of manufacturing the bombsight is perfected.
Holmes and Watson must stop the Nazis from getting their hands on the new bombsight, wrapped in a code of dancing men. Using a variety of disguises - a Swiss inventor, the Lascar sailor Ram Singh, and an old German bookseller, Holmes puts his own life on the line in a race against the clock to prevent Moriarty from carrying out his evil plans. THE SECRET WEAPON is also the first of the films to introduce Dennis Hoey as Scotland Yard detective Inspector Lestrade. Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
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