Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

JohnHowardReid This initial entry in the Rathbone-Bruce series is often considered the best Holmes film ever made. For the first time in movie history, the Holmes narrative is not only kept correctly in period, but follows Doyle's original novel meticulously. Admittedly, there are minor changes and condensations, but some of these might well be considered improvements (such as the inclusion of a séance in order to introduce further suspects. As séance after all was a pretty popular pastime in the early 20th century, while Doyle himself dedicated the best part of his life to promoting Spiritism). We experts can spot some of the sets as miniatures, but the English period atmosphere is superbly judged and created all the same. Peverell Marley's absolutely brilliant cinematography (why wasn't he nominated for a prestigious Hollywood award?) is a major asset-as are the sets, costumes, special effects and music score.Best of all, of course, are the players. Basil Rathbone glides through his lines with wonderful celerity and is able to surprise us all with one of his delicious impersonations. As we might expect, he is truly more animated and fresh in this first study of what would become his most memorable role. Yes, oddly enough, Nigel Bruce has more footage than Rathbone and is in fact the real star of the movie. He makes the most of his opportunities too!With the exception of hero, Richard Greene, the subsidiary cast also rates as a total delight. Greene is a bit wet, but Wendy Barrie, Lionel Atwill, John Carradine and company lend Rathbone and Bruce some lively, appealing support. It's not usually remarked, but Mary Gordon repeated her deftly endearing characterization of Mrs Hudson (Holmes' landlady at 221B Baker Street) in all subsequent entries in the Rathbone series in which the good woman appeared. In short, this Hound of the Baskervilles is a triumph that loses nothing in atmosphere and dramatic intensity no matter how many times it is seen. Available on an excellent double DVD from Optimum with The Voice of Terror.

Paul Evans Made way back in 1939, since then many incarnations of the great detective have taken on the famous hound and won. I can't say I find this the quintessential version, but it does have many favourable qualities, the actual hound itself brings true fear, the scenes involving it with Sir Henry are incredibly realistic, and even now look very effective. There is a great sense of atmosphere, the moors look decidedly spooky. The performances all round are very good from the supporting cast, Lionel Atwill and Richard Greene I thought were particularly good in their respective roles. Rathbone's 'goods pedlar' is a treat to behold, the master of disguise at work! The fashions look great too, they managed to capture the Victorian era beautifully.I understand that for a few plot changes are unforgivable, but I can understand why, and on occasion changes can help, for pacing, timescale etc. Rathbone and Bruce combined wonderfully well in this earlier outing, they seemingly had an easy working relationship, it all looks so easy. The Universal movies would became bolder and more dramatic, with greater fiddling to the plot lines.A quality suspense mystery 8/10

Python Hyena The Hound of Baskerville s (1939): Dir: Sidney Lanfield / Cast: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene, Wendy Barrie, Lionel Atwill: Haunting detective story about ancestry. Holmes is called to investigate attacks by apparent hounds on an estate. To protect the estate's last heir he goes undercover while partner Watson acts as an overseer. Directed by Sidney Lanfield with lighting that captures the eerie tone as ominous shadows creep about the moors. Basil Rathbone plays off the humorous intellect of Holmes who at first laughs off the report as folklore but he secretly oversees the situation from afar while donning disguises to get in closer. He proves to be an inspector of great intellect when the mystery pieces together. Nigel Bruce plays the loyal and dedicated Watson who is sent on ahead as protection while periodically reporting to Holmes. Richard Greene plays Sir Henry heir of the estate whom is the target for protection. As the film opens he tells of the curse and the hound that targets his namesake. Wendy Barrie is fun as Henry's fiancée but the relationship is too fast and corny. This relationship is predictable and without challenge while the plot is entertaining thanks to Rathbone's confidence and insight. Lionel Atwill plays the consultant who first approaches Holmes and Watson with regards to the case. The result is an entertaining suspense caper. Score: 8 / 10

jonfrum2000 I'm a huge Holmes fan, having read all the stories decades ago, seen this movie, watched the Jeremey Brett series multiple times and listened to every radio episode available, whether part of the canon or pastiche. It's been years since i watched this version, and i looked forward to it when I saw it available on youtube. Unfotunately, I was quite disappointed.I'm actually in favor of dramatizations being changed somewhat from their literary sources, but in this case I can't think of a single change that was neutral, much less an improvement. The change of the Barrymores to Barryman was silly - the most famous story from probably the English speaking world's most famous character is already locked in our minds. To change a character's name - for any reason - just serves to take us out of the suspension of disbelief. The role of the Barrymores to Selden is a fundamental part of the story - minimizing it took away from the drama.Apparently, Hollywood didn't think audiences could deal with Beryl Stapleton having any part whatsoever in the plot, so she's no longer the wife. And Sir Henry asking her to marry him after we've seen them meet just once again follows an unfortunate Hollywood convention and destroys the suspension of disbelief.And of course how it was that Stapleton lived in the district all his life and no one knew he was related to the Baskervilles is one of those jarring puzzles that Hollywood would typically drop on people just before the film ended and the lights went on. It works until they get outside and start thinking about it.Nigel Bruce certainly wasn't the bumbling clown he later played in this series, but he's no Watson if you've read the stories. As likable as he was in this role, he was never asked to play Watson and he never did. Bruce was more Jimmie Chan than Dr Watson.At least this was better than the later Hammer version, which went even further re-writing the story. It was a failure at the box office, with good reason.