Rating: 
Summary: Superb DVD, Which Does Justice To This Atmospheric Gem!
Review: "The Scarlet Claw" (aka: "Sherlock Holmes And The Scarlet Claw") was made in 1944, and represents the 8th Sherlock film in the fourteen-movie series starring the ever-pleasing duo of Basil Rathbone as Mr. Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John H. Watson. This is most certainly one of the better films in the Rathbone/Bruce franchise of Sherlock flicks -- a successful and entertaining franchise that began with the outstanding 1939 version of "The Hound Of The Baskervilles", and ended with "Dressed To Kill" in 1946."The Scarlet Claw" was one of three Sherlock Holmes' entries produced in the calendar year of 1944. Basil Rathbone was one busy Sherlock during this mid-'40s time period, cranking out yet another three Holmes' motion pictures the following year of 1945 as well. "Claw" exudes a feeling of tension and dread right from the very first scene. The viewer is reeled into the mysterious happenings immediately, as we wonder "Who -- or What -- is ringing that church bell at this hour of the night?". A very effective, and eerie, opening to the picture. Our favorite pipe-smoking detective from London's 221B Baker Street is soon called into this baffling case, which features murder victims being found with their throats torn open -- presumably caused by the elusive "Monster of La Morte Rouge". The film conveys a realistic sense of the foggy, damp atmosphere that permeates the marshes surrounding the small village where these gruesome murders are taking place. This "atmosphere" is particularly powerful during the climactic scene at the end of the film. This DVD version of "Claw" comes via MPI Home Video, and displays nicely-restored video quality, thanks to the praise-worthy preservation efforts undertaken by the "UCLA Film and Television Archive". This black-and-white Holmes' classic has most certainly never looked better on any home video format. The DVD's soundtrack is pleasing enough, although not completely free from all background "crackle". It's a Dolby Digital 2-Channel Mono track used here, with no alternate-language track employed. This stand-alone, single-disc edition of "The Scarlet Claw" contains nothing but the film itself. No supplemental bonus features are present whatsoever. There's a simple static Main Menu, with just one lonely Sub-Menu (for the 11 Chapter Selections).
Additional information concerning this DVD ........................... >> Video Aspect Ratio -- Full Frame (1.33:1), which is the original theatrical ratio. >> Audio -- DD 2.0 Mono (English only). >> Subtitles -- English. >> Running Time -- 74 minutes. (Which is actually one of the longest of the 14 Sherlock Holmes' films in this Rathbone-starring series. Generally, Basil's Holmes was required to wrap up the mystery and get his man in just a tad more than 60 minutes.) >> Insert Included? -- Yes. A one-sheet enclosure with Chapter List. ------------------------ In this reviewer's opinion, the immensely-likeable and ingeniously-cast tandem of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce shall forever represent the quintessential "Sherlock Holmes" and "Doctor Watson". "The Scarlet Claw" is a shining example of the twosome's appeal and talent. And these traits have never looked more visually alluring than on this beautifully-restored DVD from MPI Home Video.
Rating:
Summary: Superb DVD, Which Does Justice To This Atmospheric Gem!
Review: "The Scarlet Claw" (aka: "Sherlock Holmes And The Scarlet Claw") was made in 1944, and represents the 8th Sherlock film in the fourteen-movie series starring the ever-pleasing duo of Basil Rathbone as Mr. Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John H. Watson. This is most certainly one of the better films in the Rathbone/Bruce franchise of Sherlock flicks -- a successful and entertaining franchise that began with the outstanding 1939 version of "The Hound Of The Baskervilles", and ended with "Dressed To Kill" in 1946. "The Scarlet Claw" was one of three Sherlock Holmes' entries produced in the calendar year of 1944. Basil Rathbone was one busy Sherlock during this mid-'40s time period, cranking out yet another three Holmes' motion pictures the following year of 1945 as well. "Claw" exudes a feeling of tension and dread right from the very first scene. The viewer is reeled into the mysterious happenings immediately, as we wonder "Who -- or What -- is ringing that church bell at this hour of the night?". A very effective, and eerie, opening to the picture. Our favorite pipe-smoking detective from London's 221B Baker Street is soon called into this baffling case, which features murder victims being found with their throats torn open -- presumably caused by the elusive "Monster of La Morte Rouge". The film conveys a realistic sense of the foggy, damp atmosphere that permeates the marshes surrounding the small village where these gruesome murders are taking place. This "atmosphere" is particularly powerful during the climactic scene at the end of the film. This DVD version of "Claw" comes via MPI Home Video, and displays nicely-restored video quality, thanks to the praise-worthy preservation efforts undertaken by the "UCLA Film and Television Archive". This black-and-white Holmes' classic has most certainly never looked better on any home video format. The DVD's soundtrack is pleasing enough, although not completely free from all background "crackle". It's a Dolby Digital 2-Channel Mono track used here, with no alternate-language track employed. This stand-alone, single-disc edition of "The Scarlet Claw" contains nothing but the film itself. No supplemental bonus features are present whatsoever. There's a simple static Main Menu, with just one lonely Sub-Menu (for the 11 Chapter Selections).
Additional information concerning this DVD ........................... >> Video Aspect Ratio -- Full Frame (1.33:1), which is the original theatrical ratio. >> Audio -- DD 2.0 Mono (English only). >> Subtitles -- English. >> Running Time -- 74 minutes. (Which is actually one of the longest of the 14 Sherlock Holmes' films in this Rathbone-starring series. Generally, Basil's Holmes was required to wrap up the mystery and get his man in just a tad more than 60 minutes.) >> Insert Included? -- Yes. A one-sheet enclosure with Chapter List. ------------------------ In this reviewer's opinion, the immensely-likeable and ingeniously-cast tandem of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce shall forever represent the quintessential "Sherlock Holmes" and "Doctor Watson". "The Scarlet Claw" is a shining example of the twosome's appeal and talent. And these traits have never looked more visually alluring than on this beautifully-restored DVD from MPI Home Video.
Rating:
Summary: Sherlock Holmes - The Scarlet Claw
Review: A plea from a dead noblewoman propels Sherlock Holmes towards a confrontation with a phantom murderer known as THE SCARLET CLAW.
Holmes & Watson are faced with a real thriller in this moody, atmospheric little film set in Québec. The villain is particularly nasty--a glow-in-the-dark fiend who savagely rips out the throats of its victims. This just might be the case which changes Holmes'mind about the reality of the supernatural...
As ever, Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce are perfect in their roles, like two favorite old uncles, eccentric and a bit crotchety, that one still welcomes to one's fireside. Rathbone is ever the cerebral gymnast, making deductions which sometimes lead him straight into danger. Bruce is a bit more lively this time, getting to indulge himself a bit with an extremely humorous inebriated scene.
A sturdy cast of character actors make up the very frightened inhabitants of the bog-girded village of La Morte Rouge: Paul Cavanagh as the occult-studying peer; Ian Wolfe as his alcoholic butler; Arthur Hohl as the brutal innkeeper; Kay Harding as his unfortunate young daughter; Gerald Hamer as a nervous postman; Miles Mander as a terrified old judge and Victoria Horne as his disquieted housekeeper.
With the war against the Axis still continuing at the time of production, the film concludes with Holmes pithy patriotic paean to Canada
Rating: 
Summary: The Scarlet Claw
Review: Although it's not my favorite film in the series, "The Scarlet Claw" is probably the best written and has the best plot (at least of the Universal films). Watson's bumbling isn't very bad in this one but it's still there. Overall, it's a very enjoyable film if you're not a purist. If you are, then I wouldn't really recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the darkest entries in the Rathbone series
Review: For only the second time Rathbone's Holmes and Watson are taken out of the UK (the first was their visit to Washington), this time into the Canadian backwoods.
Some strange apparition appearing in the village, La Morte Rouge (The Red death), kills Lady Penrose. Holmes travels to the village to look into the murder but is met with hostillity from the people. Soon, more murders take place, and the villagers place their blame on the monster of the village.
What follows is one of the darker entries in the series with the worlds most famous consulting detective putting the pieces of the mystery together in an adventure that bares more than a passing resemblence to the earlier "Hound of the Baskervilles".
Definately recommended
Rating:
Summary: The BEST of the "Universals"
Review: Here's the very best of the Rathbone-Bruce Universal pictures. No, it's not set in the proper Sherlockian period (none of the Universal films were), but it seems "timeless," with no contemporary (1940s) references. It's dark, spooky fun...featuring a really well done MYSTERY. Some of the best banter between Rathbone and Bruce is in this film. And the bad guy ranks up there with the best of the non-Moriarty movie Holmes villains. THIS is the Rathbone movie from the Universal series that I return to again and again. The DVD quality is superb. No extras, but it's a treat to have a terrific copy of this little gem.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST of the "Universals"
Review: Here's the very best of the Rathbone-Bruce Universal pictures. No, it's not set in the proper Sherlockian period (none of the Universal films were), but it seems "timeless," with no contemporary (1940s) references. It's dark, spooky fun...featuring a really well done MYSTERY. Some of the best banter between Rathbone and Bruce is in this film. And the bad guy ranks up there with the best of the non-Moriarty movie Holmes villains. THIS is the Rathbone movie from the Universal series that I return to again and again. The DVD quality is superb. No extras, but it's a treat to have a terrific copy of this little gem.
Rating:
Summary: A Goody That's Spooky !!!
Review: Recently seen this one and must say I loved it dearly, so I watched it again, and plan on buying a copy. No one, (at least in my opinion) has ever been able to fill the shoes of the character of Sherlock Holmes as good as Basil Rathbone, and I've seen many versions of Sherlock Holmes. In this one, Sherlock is attending an occult conference in Canada when one of the attendee's wives is found murdered in a nearby village. The village where she was murdered is rumored to be roamed by a ghostly like monster who claws out people's throats. Sherlock doesn't buy the "monster" story, and after getting a letter from a frightened lady asking him to help her, Sherlock heads out with his trusty aide (which is, as always superbly played by Nigel Bruce) to look into the mystery. Lots of twists and turns in this movie. The one thing I've always liked about the Sherlock Holmes character is his courage. In Hound Of The Baskervilles, almost everyone was afraid to venture out at night in fear of the monster like hound, But not Sherlock!!! And in this one, he shows that same raw courage. Almost everyone in the village was afraid to venture out after dark, but Sherlock went out alone looking for the monster (and found him). But did Sherlock run? Heck no!!! That monster didn't know who he was messing with!!! Instead of running from the beast, Sherlock takes out his pistol, fires a few shots and starts chasing IT!!! Sherlock don't take no junk from anybody!!! If you like a spooky story with a great plot, if you like action, drama, comedy, horror, suspense, and courage, you'll love this unique film.I hope to buy copies for my family at Christmas and birthdays.
Rating:
Summary: The best of Sherlock Holmes
Review: The best film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series is also the best Holmes mystery ever put on the screen. I first saw "The Scarlet Claw" in July 1967 when a local TV station aired it at the last minute in honor of Basil Rathbone who had passed away earlier that day. It was the first time I had seen Rathbone in something other than a latter day American International horror film, but sentiment aside, this film is a classic, a macabre thriller perfect in every department. When we first see Holmes and Watson, they are attending an occult convention in Canada where the great detective is the lone dissenter, expressing skepticism and challenging the theory that a supernatural creature is behind a series of grisly murders in a nearby village. The great detective is soon on the case, and the setting is a perfect one for Holmes to ply his trade. Everything about "The Scarlet Claw" works. The director, Roy William Neill, reaches a peak here, providing moments that will make your skin crawl and cloaking the mystery in a rich atmosphere as memorable as the story. The cast is simply perfect. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce have never been better, and they receive fine support from Paul Cavanaugh, Kay Harding, and especially Gerald Hamer, a series regular who almost steals the movie from its stars. It isn't based on a story by Arthur Conan Doyle, and unlike most entries in the series, doesn't claim to be, but "The Scarlet Claw" is the best Sherlock Holmes film made by Universal or any other studio.
Rating:
Summary: The best of Sherlock Holmes
Review: The best film in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series is also the best Holmes mystery ever put on the screen. I first saw "The Scarlet Claw" in July 1967 when a local TV station aired it at the last minute in honor of Basil Rathbone who had passed away earlier that day. It was the first time I had seen Rathbone in something other than a latter day American International horror film, but sentiment aside, this film is a classic, a macabre thriller perfect in every department. When we first see Holmes and Watson, they are attending an occult convention in Canada where the great detective is the lone dissenter, expressing skepticism and challenging the theory that a supernatural creature is behind a series of grisly murders in a nearby village. The great detective is soon on the case, and the setting is a perfect one for Holmes to ply his trade. Everything about "The Scarlet Claw" works. The director, Roy William Neill, reaches a peak here, providing moments that will make your skin crawl and cloaking the mystery in a rich atmosphere as memorable as the story. The cast is simply perfect. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce have never been better, and they receive fine support from Paul Cavanaugh, Kay Harding, and especially Gerald Hamer, a series regular who almost steals the movie from its stars. It isn't based on a story by Arthur Conan Doyle, and unlike most entries in the series, doesn't claim to be, but "The Scarlet Claw" is the best Sherlock Holmes film made by Universal or any other studio.
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