User Reviews

"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.

Serious-minded Sherlock Holmes aficionados has reservations about the Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films. First, they abhor Nigel Bruce's portrayal of Holmes' sidekick as an incompetent idiot designed chiefly for comic relief. Indeed, these fellows had a valid point, but Bruce was a first-rate actor and only a first-rate actor can get away with playing a moron. Nevertheless, if Watson weren't played as a bumbling fool, everything would be terribly dull. Second, they complain that Holmes never used the expression "Elementary, my dear Watson." On the other hand, the Universal Studios franchise wins praise for Basil Rathbone's sterling performance as the amateur sleuth whose deductions are nothing short of miraculous. Director Roy William Neill's "Terror By Night" was one of the later Holmes' cases and this murder-mystery is confined primarily for budgetary purposes to a train speeding through the night. At least, three people are murdered in this outing with a rare diamond as the prize up for grabs. The main complaint about this epic is the revelation about the identity of the villain at about 40 or so minutes into the action. Instead of having somebody unveil the villain, director Neill and scenarist Frank Gruber do it for us. This is unfortunate because it deprives the viewer from doing so at the end. Whatever the case, "Terror By Night" remains brisk and entertaining stuff from fade-in to fade-out with Holmes making his usual brilliant deductions and Watson behaving like a first-class fool.

The film unfolds in London as Vivian Vedder visits coffin makers Mock and Son to obtain a coffin for her mother's body. The vain Miss Vedder plans to transport the body across the border to Scotland that night on the Scotch Express. However, Holmes and Watson travel aboard the train for an entirely different reason. Ron Carstairs (Geoffrey Steele) has asked them to accompany his mother, Lady Margaret Carstairs (Mary Forbes) on the return trip because she owns the Star of Rhodesia, a priceless but infamous diamond. She came to London to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace. While the Carstairs were in London, somebody made an attempt to pinch the bauble, so he engages Holmes' services. One of the passengers boarding the train turns out to be none other than Inspector Lestrade. Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) is masquerading as a fisherman. He doesn't know the difference between trout and salmon. Basically, Lestrade tells Holmes that he is riding aboard the train to relax. Naturally, Holmes knows better. As the train pulls out of the station from Platform number six, Dr. John Watson appears late but manages to catch the train. Accompanying Dr. Watson is a member of his club, Major Duncan Bleek (Alan Mowbray), who served in India. Initially, the idea is that Watson knows Bleek like a friend, but this is not the case as the film shows us later.

No sooner has the train pulled out of the station than not only is Ronald Carstairs murdered in a highly unusual fashion but also the Star of Rhodesia is stolen by parties unknown. Earlier, as the train is on its way to Scotland, Carstairs allowed Holmes and Watson to examine the 423 carat stone. While most of the occupants of the coach are taking supper in the dining car, Lestrade--holed up in his compartment-hears a thud and pokes his head in to find Carstairs dead. Lestrade launches his investigation by questioning everybody. Watson has a low opinion of Lestrade's expertise and sets out to question another traveler in the same coach, Mathmaticals Professor Kilbane (Frederic Worlock), who objects to his impertinence. At one point, an unknown assailant in a cap and coat tries to push Holmes off the train and very nearly succeeds. Happily, our wily protagonist clings to the exterior of the carriage. Holmes recovers, smashes the window of the locked door, and re-enters the train. Eventually, Holmes and Watson examine the coffin the baggage compartment and discover that the casket contains a hidden compartment. Earlier, tried to knock Holmes off the train, but he failed. Later, when Watson complains about playing a game of rummy with Major Bleek, he mentions the word math to Holmes. The word triggers the memory of Professor Moriarty, who was a math genius and Holmes suspects that the culprit may be none other than Moriarty's accomplice Dr. Sebastian Moran. Everything ends in Scotland as Moran is exposed and arrested by a Scottish detective and a fight ensues with both Watson and Lestrade displaying a little more competence than we expect of them.

"Terror by Night" was the second to last entry in the fourteen film franchise.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are on the case assigned to guard a precious jewel(..on a necklace) on a train from London to Edinburgh, when a series of murders occur by those wanting to secure it for it's value is substantial. Of course, a variety of suspects emerge, particularly those who have cabins around the murder scene. The owner of the necklace is Lady Margaret Carstairs(Mary Forbes), and her son is killed while in her cabin by someone in possession of a special gun which injects a poison in the neck like a hypodermic would. Lots of mystery and intrigue as suspicious characters come and go until the major culprit(s)are uncovered. Holmes discovers that the mastermind behind stealing the jewel has a number of accomplices, such as the stunning Vivian Vedder(..the striking Renee Godfrey)who agrees to have a special coffin made presumably carrying a relative with a compartment the size to hold the body of a hidden thug. Scotland Yard detective Inspector Lestrade(Dennis Hoey)is on board also assigned to watch over the safety of Carstairs and her diamond, assisting Holmes as they pursue the ones responsible for the murders as the moving train heads on it's destination to Edinburgh. As the investigation ensues, threats to Holmes' and Lestrade's life, and murders to several train employees prove that someone will go to any means to get the diamond. Other suspects include the curmudgeon math teacher, Professor William Kilbane(Frederick Worlock)who has contempt for the investigators(..particularly Watson, in an amusing exchange of words)barging into his cabin, and Major Duncan-Bleek(Alan Mowdray), a gentleman club chum of Watson's who seems to have gained their trust, even discussing the case with them.

Being a big fan of mysteries and thrillers on board trains, it was especially fun watching a Holmes/Watson installment in such a setting. While the list of suspects is small, there's still some entertainment to be had and seeing Holmes snuff out the mastermind, interfering with the devious schemes of a well orchestrated plot is always a joy to behold. There's certainly one particularly crafty move made towards the end involving a Scottish detective Inspector MacDonald(Boyd Davis)and two policeman that is quite an eye-opener. But, as always, Holmes and Watson solve the case. This one exploits Watson's inefficiencies as an investigator in fine comic fashion..especially when an attempt to interrogate Professor Kilbane falls flat. Renee Godfrey is a mighty delectable dish as a sophisticated partner-in-crime, willing to offer a ride in her relative's coffin for some mongrel in exchange for 100 pounds, knowing who the mastermind is, but keeping mum..even Holmes has to gaze at her beauty. Rathbone and Nigel Bruce excel as you'd imagine, even if their characters are confined to the cable cars of a train(..thrilling scene shows Holmes almost kicked from the train, just hanging on with an inch of his life). The jewel sought after is the Star of Rhodesia.

Mysterys set on trains are always thrilling because of the claustrophobic feeling of all the suspects, investigators and usual red herrings being placed so close together and unable to get away. In this case, the mystery surrounds a precious diamond, the Star of Rhodesia, stolen from a wealthy British dowager. It just so happens that Sherlock Holmes has been hired to guard the stone so the occurrence of a murder to get possession of the jewel is perfect timing. While the movie gets a little slow at times, there's still a lot of thrills to be had, particularly Rathbone's desperate fight with the unseen killer that almost knocks Holmes off the side of the train. The identity of the killer and their relation to a previous Holmes villain is ingenious.

*** Slight Spoilers Ahead ***

Terror By Night is a movie I have seen four times now that I have it on DVD. There is one thing I am learning from my growing DVD collection and it is this: always watch a film twice before you write a review of it!

Terror By Night directed by Roy William Neill is a case in point. This movie is more impressive with each viewing. I look at my comments on Terror By Night after seeing it the first time and I cringe!

Terror By Night did not impress me much the first time I saw it. It seemed to be a predictable and rather boring tale of murder on a train made without much suspense, action or character development. As I said before, watch a film twice before you write a review of it.

Terror By Night is growing on me. It is more interesting each time I watch it and I am glad I have it in my DVD collection. The humor is great. The insight into the behavior and actions of the characters upon subsequent viewings enhances the film. I agree with another reviewer who noted that the film is better upon a second viewing. The conclusion and solving of the crime is surprising which increases the watchability of Terror By Night the more familiar I become with the film. I am beginning to appreciate the performances by the actors and the proficiency of the director

Terror By Night seemed like a movie I would only watch once when I first saw it. Now it has become a movie I look forward to seeing again and I understand the affection other reviewers have for the quality of this Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes entry.

I have alway enjoyed Basil Rathbone; especially in his numerous appearances as "Sherlock Holmes" as in this film. It is a very good mystery. Although only 60 minutes long, it is a good suspense film. As 90% of it is on a train, with murder, the theft of a very valuable (and huge) diamond, along with much speculation of the perpetrators, it is a perfect vehicle for Rathbone's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (as I mentioned at the beginning). Basil Rathbone had very prolific career spanning 5 decades. From the silent era (his first in 1921), working until his death in 1967. He was in numerous large Hollywood and British films; hits with his friend Errol Flynn in "Captain Blood" and "The Adventures Of Robin Hood", etc. "Terror By Night" reminds me of both "Murder on the Orient Express films (1974, and the remake in 2017). Please watch this, as it is quite entertaining for a 1 hour film.

I only bought this DVD because it was cheap... Actually I have seen three other Rathbone- Holmes before and this one is not the best.

Holmes has been asked to prevent the steal of a phenomenal diamond during a trip on a train. Who would think that inspector Clouseau might find his match in Sherlock Holmes ? Naturally the diamond gets stolen, and by the time it's found back three or four people have been murdered... But Sherlock looks proud of himself !

The acting is fine, except maybe for Rathbone who surprisingly looks more flat than unflappable. The pace is fast, maybe too fast since you discover the culprit before you have time to seriously suspect anybody. And obviously the story is full of flaws (*spoiler : who's surprised when Sherlock solemnly announces that the diamond was not stolen ? You actually saw him substituting a fake for the real one at the beginning while pretending to have a look at it*) and clichés (you guess what will happen on that fast running train if Sherlock gets near a door mysteriously wide opened to the dark night outside ? Sherlock didn't guess). So it certainly doesn't compare to The Lady vanishes. But who cares ? Clichés and flaws are exactly what you expect when watching this kind of movie, and it's part of the pleasure.