Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night (1946)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(494 ratings)

The penultimate entry in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, Terror by Night takes place almost exclusively on a speeding train, en route from London to Edinburgh. Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is on board to protect a valuable diamond from the clutches of master criminal Colonel Sebastian Moran. The… More The penultimate entry in Universal's Sherlock Holmes series, Terror by Night takes place almost exclusively on a speeding train, en route from London to Edinburgh. Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is on board to protect a valuable diamond from the clutches of master criminal Colonel Sebastian Moran. The trouble is, Moran is a master of disguise, and could be just about any one of the other passengers. Murder and mayhem plague the train excursion before Holmes can successfully complete his mention. Poor old Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) is a bit denser than usual here, though his ingenuousness is cleverly woven into the script. Alan Mowbray, who played Inspector Lestrade in the 1932 Clive Brook adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, is seen in a pivotal supporting role. One of three Holmes entries currently in the public domain, Terror by Night is also available in a computer-colorized version (but stick with the original black-and-white). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr.
Directed By: Roy William Neill
Written By: Frank Gruber
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1946 Wide
On DVD: Mar 2, 2004

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
These production-line pulp yarns -- Hollywood's Bazooka Bubble Gum -- couldn't have given the terrific Rathbone any sense of challenge or growth as an actor. Nor do they ask much of the viewer, but they can be undemandingly entertaining period bric.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
In this very short film ... so much comic relief feels like desperate attempts to pad an already skimpy story.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It can be forgiven for its many flaws.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Penultimate Rathbone Holmes has its moments.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

I for one think Basil Rathbone played the best Sherlock Holmes. This movie has Holmes and Watson on a train en route from London to Edinburgh, They are there to protect The Star Of Rhodesia. A huge Diamond held by the Carstairs family. Of course we are lead to believe the diamond is… More
I for one think Basil Rathbone played the best Sherlock Holmes. This movie has Holmes and Watson on a train en route from London to Edinburgh, They are there to protect The Star Of Rhodesia. A huge Diamond held by the Carstairs family. Of course we are lead to believe the diamond is stolen, and has Holmes bundled the case. There are so many suspects in this 60 minute classic. The ending provides quite a twist. I'm sad to say the film I watched was not a UCLA 35mm "restored" process team edition, but some company taking advantage of this film being in public domain and the film quality showed. You can also watch this film here on Flixster for free. Even though film quality was so poor, it was still worth 4 stars as a Holmes Classic.
Sunil J

Basil Rathbone is as great as ever and Nigel Bruce is as much of a bumbly mess as ever.
Anastasia B

I will have to agree with Henrik Shunk ,another Flixster user. I am not a big fan of the Rathbone versions of Sherlock Holmes. "They are very pulp, render Watson to a doofus and are usually extremely patriotic (Holmes was British !). Anyhoo this is one of the better films… More
I will have to agree with Henrik Shunk ,another Flixster user. I am not a big fan of the Rathbone versions of Sherlock Holmes. "They are very pulp, render Watson to a doofus and are usually extremely patriotic (Holmes was British !). Anyhoo this is one of the better films Rathbone/Bruce made. The usual mix of sleuthing, screwball humour and film noir visuals. Highly recommended if you are a fan of Holmes or the classic whodunnit. The conclusion is a bit obvious though."
Henrik S

Of all mystery cliches, the mystery on a train is my favourite, that and a haunted house maybe, I was never the biggest fan of the Rathbone versions of Sherlock Holmes. They are very pulp, render Watson to a doofus and are usually extremely patriotic (Holmes was British !). Anyway,… More
Of all mystery cliches, the mystery on a train is my favourite, that and a haunted house maybe, I was never the biggest fan of the Rathbone versions of Sherlock Holmes. They are very pulp, render Watson to a doofus and are usually extremely patriotic (Holmes was British !). Anyway, this is one of the better films Rathbone/Bruce made. The usual mix of sleuthing, screwball humour and film noir visuals. Highly recommended if you are a fan of Holmes or the classic whodunnit. The conclusion is a bit obvious though.