Sherlock Holmes: The House of Fear (1945)

80% of users liked it
(317 ratings)

This excellent Sherlock Holmes adventure is based on Conan Doyle's The Five Orange Pips. Most of the action takes place in a remote Scottish mansion, home of "The Good Companions," a group of elderly eccentrics. After taking out insurance policies on one another, the club members begin dropping like… More This excellent Sherlock Holmes adventure is based on Conan Doyle's The Five Orange Pips. Most of the action takes place in a remote Scottish mansion, home of "The Good Companions," a group of elderly eccentrics. After taking out insurance policies on one another, the club members begin dropping like flies, each death preceded by a mailed envelope containing an orange pip. Enter Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), who hope to not only solve the killings but also find out why the corpses mysteriously disappear after each death. For once, the usually ineffectual Watson takes an active part in the deductive process, uncovering the vital evidence that helps Holmes emerge triumphant once more. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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

On DVD: Nov 25, 2003
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This was the tenth time that classic actor Basil Rathbone played the famous detective.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
A middle-of-the-pack entry in the series.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

Who better plays Sherlock Holmes the Basil Rathbone and say what you like but what better way to watch a Sherlock Holmes movie then in black and white on a windy stormy Saturday night. In this one a rich mans club with a membership of 7 are being murdered one by one, who is the killer… More
Who better plays Sherlock Holmes the Basil Rathbone and say what you like but what better way to watch a Sherlock Holmes movie then in black and white on a windy stormy Saturday night. In this one a rich mans club with a membership of 7 are being murdered one by one, who is the killer and why are they being killed for the riches in their estates??? Only Sherlock can solve the crime. An excellent watch 4 stars