OneofmypersonalfavouritesoftheSherlockHolmescycleofmoviesstarringBasilRathboneandNigelBruce.ThistimeHolmesistryingtothwartagangfromstealingapricelesspearl.WegettoseeHolmesdressupasabefuddledclergyman,outwitafunnyInspectorLestrade,andmeetRondoHatton’sCreeper,akillerthatbreaksthebacksofmenwithhisveryhands.Basedonthestory"TheCaseoftheSixNapoleons,"HolmesmustlocatethepearlthathasbeenembeddedinabustoftheFrenchemperor.RathboneandBruceareagainveryaffableandturnintheircustomarygoodperformances.DennisHoeyasLestrade,Ibelieveveryundervaluedinthatrole,injectsalotoflifeintothisone.AndHatton,ofcourse,justfilmedbyhisshadowuntiltheend,isaconvincingfilmpresence.ThrowinlovelyEvelynAnkersasawomanouttooutwitHolmes,andyouhaveagoodmix.
