"Find the murderer and you'll find the diamond" is uttered by Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) more than once in the early going, however the diamond is in Holmes' possession the entire time. That would be the Star of Rhodesia, a 422 carat diamond, whose ownership over the years has resulted in unfortunate circumstances. The current owner, Margaret Carstairs, has hired Holmes and his bumbling companion Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) to protect the bauble on a train ride from London to Edinburgh. Carstairs' son Roland is the first murder victim, and the hunt for the killer and the diamond is on.
Director Roy Neill uses some deft sleight of hand by introducing a suspicious elderly couple uttering self incriminating remarks and nervous about the presence of a Scotland Yard detective on the train. When their crime is revealed as a stolen teapot from a London hotel, it momentarily breaks the tension, but why one asks would Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) find the need to perform an official follow up.
Come to think of it, everyone on board the train acts rather suspiciously, but then again, that's the point. With a limited cast confined to a handful of compartments on board, Holmes needs to act rather quickly before the train reaches its destination and discharges its passengers.
The brains behind the jewel heist is known to the viewer before Holmes breaks the case. Shades of Moriarty, it's a former ally of the nefarious villain, a self styled math wizard, which coincidentally is the profession of another passenger. It seems to me though that Major Duncan-Bleek, alias Colonel Sebastian Moran (Alan Mowbray) was established in the film as a long time friend of Dr. Watson. How would he not have been recognized by members of the law enforcement community, including Holmes himself? Therein might be cause enough for a re-viewing.
That aspect aside, the film was intriguing enough to keep this viewer entertained. I have often found the dialog in Sherlock Holmes films to be hard to follow due to a tinny sound quality, though this one fared well enough. The coffin ruse was an effective device as well, keeping one guessing until Holmes pieces it all together. Cleverly done and well recommended.
Director Roy Neill uses some deft sleight of hand by introducing a suspicious elderly couple uttering self incriminating remarks and nervous about the presence of a Scotland Yard detective on the train. When their crime is revealed as a stolen teapot from a London hotel, it momentarily breaks the tension, but why one asks would Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) find the need to perform an official follow up.
Come to think of it, everyone on board the train acts rather suspiciously, but then again, that's the point. With a limited cast confined to a handful of compartments on board, Holmes needs to act rather quickly before the train reaches its destination and discharges its passengers.
The brains behind the jewel heist is known to the viewer before Holmes breaks the case. Shades of Moriarty, it's a former ally of the nefarious villain, a self styled math wizard, which coincidentally is the profession of another passenger. It seems to me though that Major Duncan-Bleek, alias Colonel Sebastian Moran (Alan Mowbray) was established in the film as a long time friend of Dr. Watson. How would he not have been recognized by members of the law enforcement community, including Holmes himself? Therein might be cause enough for a re-viewing.
That aspect aside, the film was intriguing enough to keep this viewer entertained. I have often found the dialog in Sherlock Holmes films to be hard to follow due to a tinny sound quality, though this one fared well enough. The coffin ruse was an effective device as well, keeping one guessing until Holmes pieces it all together. Cleverly done and well recommended.