Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Claw (1944)

74% of users liked it
(385 ratings)

Though it is not based on any Conan Doyle story, The Scarlet Claw is regarded by Baker Street aficionados as the best of Universal's Sherlock Holmes series. Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) journey to Canada to investigate a series of mysterious murders. All the victims have been… More Though it is not based on any Conan Doyle story, The Scarlet Claw is regarded by Baker Street aficionados as the best of Universal's Sherlock Holmes series. Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) journey to Canada to investigate a series of mysterious murders. All the victims have been found with their throats ripped out (yecch!). Halfway through the film, Holmes deduces that the culprit is a demented actor, wreaking vengeance on those who've wronged him in some way or other. The actor is a master of disguise, and could be anyone in the village -- from the constable to the postman to the reclusive, violence-prone innkeeper (Arthur Hohl). Alas, the publicity photos sent out with The Scarlet Claw gave away the identity of the killer -- something we have no intention of doing here. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Roy William Neill
Written By: Edmund Hartman, Roy William Neill
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: May 26, 1944 Wide
On DVD: Nov 25, 2003
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The fog machines are kept busy.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Scooby-Doo meets Sherlock Holmes.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Excellent Sherlock Holmes adventure. The mystery actually draws you in and has questions to be answered. Unlike most mysteries of today the film isn't desperate to surprise you with some ridiculous/confusing motive. It is possible to work out who did it, but that's part of… More
Excellent Sherlock Holmes adventure. The mystery actually draws you in and has questions to be answered. Unlike most mysteries of today the film isn't desperate to surprise you with some ridiculous/confusing motive. It is possible to work out who did it, but that's part of the fun. Working it out with Holmes. The art direction is superb, creating gothic scenes on the streets and in the marshes. Rathbone and Bruce's chemistry also plays well, with Rathbone as a fairly pompous but also impressive Holmes and Bruce as sometimes comic but still useful Watson. It concentrates on the mystery and leaves characterisation well alone. Though at not much over an hour it's a fantastic "Who Done It?"
Anthony V

Great atmosphere in one of the better Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films.