Sherlock Holmes in Pearl of Death (1944)

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(2,583 ratings)

This above-average entry in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series is loosely based on the Conan Doyle story The Six Napoleons. On this occasion, Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) are assigned to guard the priceless Borgia Pearl, a "cursed" gem that has inspired scores of murders over the… More This above-average entry in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series is loosely based on the Conan Doyle story The Six Napoleons. On this occasion, Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) are assigned to guard the priceless Borgia Pearl, a "cursed" gem that has inspired scores of murders over the years. Their principal antagonist is master criminal Giles Conover (Miles Mander), who, though he is constantly thwarted in his efforts to pilfer the pearl, manages to discredit Holmes in the eyes of the public. Conover's chief assistant is the beautiful Naomi Drake (Evelyn Ankers), who adopts several clever disguises in the course of the action. Complicating matters is a series of seemingly unrelated murders, in which the victims are found with their backs broken, lying amidst piles of shattered China. Holmes deduces the connection between the murders and the Borgia Pearl, and in so doing nearly becomes the latest victim of The Creeper (Rondo Hatton), a horribly disfigured homicidal maniac. In addition to providing Basil Rathbone and Evelyn Keyes endless opportunities for bravura disguise scenes, The Pearl of Death launched the short starring career of the tragic Rondo Hatton, a real-life victim of the disfiguring disease known as acromegaly. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Roy William Neill
Written By: Bertram Millhauser
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1944 Wide
On DVD: Nov 25, 2003
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The suspenseful film was entertaining.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
It's certainly not the worst film in the series, but it's pretty weak.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

Another one of Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes film's, and ranks at the top with his other movies. This one about a huge pearl that's curse, a lot of blood has been spilt over this pearl, Film opens with it being stole from a man on a passenger ship, only to end up in… More
Another one of Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes film's, and ranks at the top with his other movies. This one about a huge pearl that's curse, a lot of blood has been spilt over this pearl, Film opens with it being stole from a man on a passenger ship, only to end up in the hands of the clever Sherlock Holmes, who returns it to the owners a museum. But is Sherlock really clever as the Pearl is stole when Sherlock disconnects the security alarm system . What does it take to recover it, you will have to watch the film to find out. A 4 star film in Black and White. I want to thank UCLA University for remastering these films.
Anthony V

My favorite of the Sherlock Holmes movies.

Cast

            Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes

            Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson

            Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade

            Evelyn Ankers as Naomi Drake

            Miles Mander as Giles Conover

            Ian Wolfe as Hodder antique shop owner

            Charles Francis as Digby museum curator

            Holmes Herbert as James Goodram Diamond Courier

            Richard Nugent as Bates Museum Guard

            Mary Gordon as Mrs. Hudson Sherlock Holmes' Housekeeper

            Rondo Hatton as The Creeper

            Wilson Benge
            
            Billy Bevan as Constable

            Lillian Bronson as Maj. Harker's Housekeeper

            Harry Cording as George Gelder Plaster Bust Manufacturer

            Leslie Denison as Constable Murdock

            Al Ferguson
            
            Leyland Hodgson as Customs officer

            Colin Kenny as Guard

            Charles Knight as Bearded Man

            Connie Leon as Ellen Carey

            John Merkyl as Dr. Boncourt

            Eric Wilton as Chauffeur

            Harold De Becker as Boss

            Audrey Manners as Teacher

            Arthur Mulliner as Sandeford

            Arthur Stenning as Steward
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