Rating: 
Summary: Rathbone Made A Great Holmes
Review: With all due respect to Jeremy Brett and others who have taken on the role of Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone was simply the best. He seemed to really BE Holmes. He not only looked like the character as Conan Doyle described him, he also had the mannerisms and demeanor cold. What I have never really understood was the decision to have Nigel Bruce play Watson as something of a buffoon. I don't mind a little humor in a story, but Doyle's written tales got on fine without it, and injecting it into these movies added a light touch that, while pleasant, wasn't necessary. And Doyle's Watson was capable of his vulnerabilities and lovable moments without being so foolish.Rathbone and Bruce made a whole series of Holmes movies together. "The Woman In Green" is not the best of these by any means, but it is not the worst, either. During WW II there was an unfortunate (though understandable) move to bring Holmes forward in time and make a Nazi fighter out of him. That was unfortunate. The best of the series are those that were closest to actual Doyle stories. "The Hound of The Baskervilles", for example. This one has Holmes out of his milieu, but not fighting Nazis. Hilary Brooke is fine as the mysterious and seductive "woman in green" and the fingers missing from the series of victims add to the suspense, but there is never much mystery as to who the killers are. The real issue is how Holmes will succeed against them. As a Holmes story, this is only mediocre. There is suspense, but not much mystery, and Holmes is out of his proper context. Rathbone's portrayal of Holmes gets it four stars. If you're into Sherlock Holmes, or you just like vintage suspense movies, "The Woman In Green" is fun. Add it to your collection, but only if you've got "Hound Of The Baskervilles" already.
Rating:
Summary: Holmes Squares Off Against the Best Moriarty
Review: Yes, after having seen Lionel Atwill and George Zucco step up to the plate as the nefarious master criminal Moriarty, I can safely say that Henry Daniell brings the most to the role. .... As slight as the story line may be (hypnotized men of means/rank are made to believe they committed murder and then are blackmailed), I must recommend you study the acting very carefully. Rathbone (Holmes), Bruce (Watson) and Daniell (Moriarty) are really doing an awful lot in the way of characterization. I love how Rathbone just hides a smile when he looks at the dunderheadings of Bruce.... These men are real pros, imbuing the scene with real tension. Daniell is particularly good, when his mouth drawn up grimly as he spars verbally with Rathbone. ... I enjoyed "The Woman in Green" much more than I had expected to, thanks to the first-rate acting. Nice to know that some childhood favorites still hold up when you see them years later!
| 
