ThiefHott Too much of everything

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.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

binapiraeus In contrast to most of the other 'Sherlock Holmes' movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, where we know almost from the beginning who's the 'villain', "The House of Fear" is a REAL, classic whodunit; and a real complicated one, almost Agatha Christie style... And besides that, it's also got many of the features of the good old 'dark old house' mysteries - alright, the house isn't dark, but there's no telephone, and not a soul around for miles, because it's built on top of a cliff in Northern Scotland; the IDEAL surroundings for mysterious murders...And that's just what happens: the members of the 'Good Comrades' club, consisting of seven men, are being 'reduced' one by one by horrible accidents - and every time, the next victim receives a mysterious envelope with orange pips (an old Asian symbol for death) in it, each time one less... Reminds us of the 'Ten Little Indians', doesn't it? But let's not jump to conclusions. The case is VERY twisted, and VERY interesting to follow, and requires the full attention of our 'little gray cells' throughout the whole duration of the movie.The cast is supreme, the directing extraordinary, the settings creepy and old-fashioned, the plot is simply fascinating - and yet, there's also room for some humor in between, mainly thanks to Dr. Watson, grumpy but helpful as always, and of course Inspector Lestrade, slow-witted as always...IMO, except for the two 'classic' adaptations made at 20th Century-Fox, this is probably the very best of the Rathbone/Bruce 'Sherlock Holmes' movies - enjoy the masterful crime entertainment, but don't let the many red herrings deceit you; will you find out the solution??

TheLittleSongbird Of the RKO Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films series, The House of Fear not quite as good as Scarlet Claw and Pearl of Death. It is too short which tends to make parts not as developed as one would like and there is a little too much padding to perhaps make up for a story that is thin on structure. Also while Dennis Hoey is still very funny and amusingly inept as Lestrade, there were times when his presence wasn't necessary. These aside, The House of Fear is still one of the series' better entries. It is beautifully shot and efficiently directed, with very atmospheric Gothic scenery and a magnificent house that will genuinely give you the creeps. The music is also appropriate for the setting, it gives the right amount of creepiness without being obvious while also bringing a couple of jaunty moments too. The dialogue is intelligently written, thoughtful with some well-judged amusement to break away slightly from the suspense and creepiness without it being completely distracting. For what the story may lack in structure and development, it more than makes up in evocative atmosphere, suspenseful and engaging mystery and being fun from start to finish. The ending is more than satisfying, and that there is a very Agatha Christie-like feel while still feeling like Sherlock Holmes and Doyle makes it interesting too. The characters are not the most well-developed but they carry the story well and maintain interest. The cast perform reliably with a good mix of suspects that are performed with no major complaint. The perpetrator is convincing, if not as memorable as the likes of Lionel Atwill(Secret Weapon), Gale Sondergaard(The Spider Woman) and Rondo Hatton(Pearl of Death, Hatton's is the scariest of the series). Basil Rathbone naturally does dominate and he is brilliant, clever, cunning, intelligent with a touch of arrogance. Nigel Bruce is a Watson that can be blustery and bumbling too much, a more loyal and composed(like with Edward Hardwicke partnered with Jeremy Brett, the only Holmes that is perhaps even better than Rathbone) Watson is preferable, but he works very well with Rathbone and does provide some funny moments while also proving himself useful. Hoey is fun too, but not as essential to the story as Holmes and Watson. In conclusion, atmospheric and fun, a recommended entry to the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

bkoganbing Sherlock Holmes gets called in on a case by insurance underwriters who have been paying out policies on a couple of deaths that are highly suspicious. The two men were members of a clique of retired gentlemen who have all taken up residence in the Scottish castle of one of the members Aubrey Mather. The place itself has a sinister reputation from back in the middle ages. A reputation that possibly some more modern sinister forces are taking advantage of.This Arthur Conan Doyle Story the Five Orange Pips is one of the best received of his Holmes stories. Even after Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce arrive at the castle and later Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade arrives, the deaths still keep coming. All of the members are mutually insured and whomever might survive is going to be worth some considerable cash. The story bears a lot of resemblance to Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, maybe Christie got her idea from Conan Doyle.Some fine members of the Hollywood British colony like Gavin Muir, Holmes Herbert, Harry Cording, and Paul Cavanaugh are some of the gentlemen in residence. And they have a Mrs. Danvers like housekeeper in Sally Shepherd.One of the best of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes series.

lastliberal The 10th of 12 movies that Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce shared the screen as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.A prime suspect and lots of bizarre deaths indicating something that only Holmes can figure out.Watson is his usual bumbling self providing much hilarity as he stumbles about and chats with owls.The feature was also directed by Roy William Neill, who did several Holmes movies. It was an excellent story told brilliantly at Neill's hands.Mystery, comedy, and cleverness all were hallmarks of these films and make them timeless.