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Dressed to Kill1946
DRESSED TO KILL awakened memories of the Holmes of literature. Watson refers to the latest edition of The Strand Magazine and its publication of "Scandal in Bohemia." It didn't matter that the original publication of this story took place in 1891, for producer/director Neill always made sure to merge contemporary with the whimsical and decidedly more evocative past, a symbiosis that was part of the allure of the Universal films. This time, Holmes is up against Hilda Courtney, played by the sweetly beautiful Patricia Morison, a New York-born actress who specialized in a mostly B-movie film career. It may seem curious that Holmes faced several "femme fatales" in his Universal days, but beautiful, wicked women who led men to their doom were the rage in Hollywood and pitting them against a man like Holmes seemed quite challenging. DRESSED TO KILL was destined to be the last of the Holmes Universals. Four Holmes films were in the planning stages when Rathbone stunned the film community and the public by refusing to renew his contract. Likewise, he chose not to renew his contract for the Sherlock Holmes radio series, which expired around the same time. Simply put, after portraying the masterful detective more than two hundred times in seven years (primarily on radio), Rathbone was immensely tired of the role. Besides, he craved returning to his real love, the theater, and moved to New York soon after to pursue his goal.
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2 members like this review
Sherlock meets his match, sort of, at least for a time, in this music box murder mystery. These Sherlock Holmes films are super.
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Starring
- Edmund Breon - Julian "Stinky" Emery
- Nigel Bruce - Doctor Watson
- Patricia Cameron - Evelyn Clifford
- Harry Cording - Hamid
- Mary Gordon - Mrs. Hudson
- Carl Harbord - Inspector Hopkins
- Holmes Herbert - Ebenezer Crabtree
- Leyland Hodgson - Tour Guide
- Patricia Morison - Mrs. Hilda Courtney
- Basil Rathbone - Sherlock Holmes
- Ian Wolfe - Commissioner of Scotland Yard
- Frederick Worlock - Colonel Cavanaugh
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Member Reviews (3)
top reviewer
Sherlock meets his match, sort of, at least for a time, in this music box murder mystery. These Sherlock Holmes films are super.
2 members like this review
Excellent example of Sherlock Holmes genre. Humor and suspense. Much to ponder.
1 member likes this review
Really good Sherlock Holmes impossible to watch because of terrible sound