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Sherlock
Holmes in Washington
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Well, if you can see past Holmes' ridiculous hairdo and
Watson chewing gum, "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" is not a bad
story, not bad at all. This is the third Rathbone/Bruce film dealing with
spies during World War II, following "The Voice of Terror" and
"The Secret Weapon," and is not based on any Conan Doyle story. This time a German spy ring has kidnapped a
British agent (Pettibone) who was carrying a secret document to Washington
D.C. The British home office appeals to Holmes to recover the document
before it falls into the wrong hands. This means a trip to Washington for
Holmes and Watson. Before leaving England, however, they pay a visit to
Pettibone's home, and there they find evidence that the document has been
transferred to microfilm and hidden in an American matchbook. Holmes now
has an advantage over the Germans, who don't know what form the document
is in, and therefore don't know to look for a matchbook.
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While Watson goes to fetch the police, Holmes attempts to rescue Miss Partridge. He allows himself to be captured by Stanley, whom he recognizes as the "head of the most insidious spy ring that ever existed." Holmes notices that Stanley has the matchbook in hand, unaware that it is anything other than an ordinary matchbook. Holmes says to Stanley that the man who has the document doesn't know it. Stanley mistakenly thinks Holmes is implying that Senator Babcock has the document. Watson and the police arrive to save Holmes and Miss Partridge, and apprehend some of the spies, but in the ensuing fracas Stanley, with the matchbook in his pocket, escapes through a secret passageway.
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Having correctly deduced that Stanley would head for Senator Babcock's office, Holmes meets him there and captures him. Holmes retrieves the matchbook and triumphantly pulls the microfilm out of the cover.
The final scene in the film is of Holmes and Watson
driving down Pennsylvania Avenue, heading back to London. Holmes makes the
usual patriotic speech, this one quoting Winston Churchill, from a speech
he made in the U.S. Capitol.
The role of Nancy Partridge was played by Marjorie Lord, who may be better remembered as Danny Thomas's wife in "Make Room for Daddy." Excellent performances were given by the villains: George Zucco as Stanley and Henry Daniell as Easter. Both of these actors played Moriarty opposite Basil Rathbone: Zucco in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," and Daniell in "The Woman in Green." Rathbone gives his usual inspired performance, and is especially impressive as the eccentric collector in the antique shop.
Promotional photo. Click to see larger image.
See more pictures on Page Two.
Cast |
Credits |
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Rathbone..............Sherlock Holmes Nigel Bruce.............................Dr. Watson Marjorie Lord..................Nancy Partridge Henry Daniell.....................William Easter George Zucco................................Stanley John Archer..................Lt. Peter Merriam Gavin Muir.................................Bart Lang Edmund MacDonald................................ ..................................Detective Lt. Grogan Don Terry..........................................Howe Bradley Page......................................Cady Holmes Herbert......................Mr. Ahrens Thurston Hall..........Sen. Henry Babcock Gilbert Emery.........Sir Henry Marchmont Gerald Hamer.....................John Grayson/ Alfred Pettibone Clarence Muse...............................George Ian Wolfe..................Antique Store Clerk Margaret Seddon.................Miss Pringle Mary Forbes..............Pettibone's mother |
Production
Co. .........................Universal Producer.......................Howard Benedict Director.........................Roy William Neill Screenplay.................Bertram Millhauser and Lynn Riggs Cinematographer.................Lester White Editor.....................................Otto Ludwig Art Director.........................Jack Otterson Music Composer................Frank Skinner Music Director..................Charles Previn |
Images on this page and page 2 are from the film "Sherlock Holmes in Washington," copyright Universal Pictures.
