The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)
Basil Rathbone and George Zucco clash in a battle of super-minds as Holmes races to stop Moriarty's most audacious crime.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Alfred L. Werker
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 1, 1939 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Sherlock Holmes The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (US), Sherlock Holmes (UK), Les Aventures de Sherlock Holmes (FR), Пригоди Шерлока Холмса (UA), Las aventuras de Sherlock Holmes (ES), ベイジル・ラスボーン版 シャーロック・ホームズ シャーロック・ホームズの冒険 (JP)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Plot
Having once again avoided criminal conviction, Professor Moriarity develops a murderous plan to "finish off" his last major nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, by making him fail to prevent the perfect crime. Does it involve a family curse, the crown jewels of England, or something else…
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alfred L. Werker
Main Cast
- Basil Rathbone
- Nigel Bruce
- Ida Lupino
- Alan Marshal
- Terry Kilburn
- George Zucco
- Henry Stephenson
- E. E. Clive
- Arthur Hohl
- May Beatty
Writers
- Edwin Blum
- William Absalom Drake
Producers
- Darryl F. Zanuck
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - FAQs
What is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes about?
The film follows Sherlock Holmes as he faces his greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, who hatches an elaborate scheme to distract the detective with a mysterious family curse while executing the theft of England's crown jewels. It's a classic battle of wits wrapped in fog-drenched 1890s London atmosphere.
Does Moriarty finally outsmart Holmes in this film?
Moriarty comes closer than ever, engineering a two-pronged scheme designed to split Holmes's attention between a cursed family and the Tower of London. Whether the world's greatest detective can see through the deception in time is the film's central, nail-biting question.
Where can you watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?
You can rent or buy The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's also available to stream for free on Fawesome, making it easy to revisit this classic detective thriller without spending a penny.
Is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes based on a true story?
Not a true story, but it draws on Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary fictional detective. The screenplay by Edwin Blum and William A. Drake loosely adapts the stage play by William Gillette, blending elements from several Holmes stories into one original plot centered on Moriarty's grandest scheme.
Who are the main actors in this film?
Basil Rathbone leads the cast as the iconic Sherlock Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as the lovably bumbling Dr. Watson. Ida Lupino plays Ann Brandon, a woman fearing a family curse, while George Zucco delivers a memorably cold and calculating Professor Moriarty.
What role do the crown jewels play in the story?
The crown jewels of England are Moriarty's ultimate target, housed in the Tower of London. He engineers a distracting subplot involving a family curse to keep Holmes occupied while his henchmen move on the jewels — a brilliantly layered scheme that gives the film its thriller edge.
Is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes worth watching today?
Absolutely. Rathbone's Holmes remains one of cinema's most definitive portrayals, and the film's brisk 85-minute runtime keeps the intrigue tight. Critics and classic film enthusiasts consistently regard it as one of the finest entries in the Rathbone-Bruce series, sharp and atmospheric even after more than 80 years.
What are some films similar to this one?
If you enjoy this film, try other entries in the Rathbone series like The Scarlet Claw (1944) or Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943). Beyond the series, A Study in Terror (1965) and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) offer fresh takes on the detective, while Mr. Holmes (2015) provides a more reflective angle.
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