When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.
André Morell
- Doctor Watson
- (as Andre Morell)
Elizabeth Gott
- Mrs. Goodlippe
- (uncredited)
Ian Hewitson
- Lord Kingsblood
- (uncredited)
Christopher Trace
- Sir Hugo's Crony
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOriginally proposed by brief Hammer cohort Kenneth Hyman, this movie was planned to be the first in a series of many Sherlock Holmes movies starring Peter Cushing, produced by Hammer Films. When the audiences disapproved of a Hammer movie without any monsters and failed to turn up in great numbers, the planned series was subsequently dropped.
- GoofsIn their discussion regarding the source of the tarantula used to attack Sir Henry, Watson asks Holmes how he knew the spider had not secreted itself with Sir Henry's luggage from South Africa and instead came from the collection of a local and eminent entomologist, Bishop Frankland. In classic form, Holmes says, "Elementary, my dear Watson, tarantulas are not from South Africa." He is wrong, as tarantulas, such as the baboon spider, are native to South Africa. A bit earlier in the film, Bishop Frankland asks if the tarantula in question had originated from one of the village. Here the expert was mistaken as tarantulas are not native to the countryside or villages of England. (To be fair, the good clergyman may have been trying to avoid admitting that a tarantula loaned to him by the London Zoo had gone missing.)
- Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: This, I think, is a two-pipe problem.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Aweful Movies with Deadly Earnest: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1969)
Featured review
The initial version of HOUND, released in 1939, was the first to introduce Sir Basil Rathbone as the immortal detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, eventually resulting in the actor being the most identified in the role. Twenty years on, his contemporary, Peter Cushing took a stab at it as well, and the results are equally as gratifying.
It's interesting to note as well that Andre Morell's interpretation of Dr. John Watson, Holmes' steadfast companion and confidante, paints a more capable and robust picture of the cultured sidekick than the cloud of befuddlement that always seemed to surround Nigel Bruce in his performance.
Like Old Faithful, Hammer vet Terence Fisher directs HOUND as more of a stunning crime thriller with horror elements than an out-and-out costume romp, much like the others that the studio became famous (or infamous) for. Allegedly the start of a planned series, the idea was scrapped when Holmes didn't catch on with latter audiences, who were more drawn to Hammer's "Monster" movies with werewolves and vampires.
The best treat of all in this case, though, besides seeing British character vets in action like Morrell, John Le Mesurier (Barrymore, the manservant), Francis De Wolff (Doctor Mortimer) and a hysterical turn by Miles Malleson as Bishop Frankland, (worthy of Barry Fitzgerald), is seeing Cushing and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville sharing scenes together, no matter how briefly, in a non-"Dracula"-inspired context.
If you love old-school mysteries, and Hammer films especially, be sure to add this one to your "Must-Rent" list.
It's interesting to note as well that Andre Morell's interpretation of Dr. John Watson, Holmes' steadfast companion and confidante, paints a more capable and robust picture of the cultured sidekick than the cloud of befuddlement that always seemed to surround Nigel Bruce in his performance.
Like Old Faithful, Hammer vet Terence Fisher directs HOUND as more of a stunning crime thriller with horror elements than an out-and-out costume romp, much like the others that the studio became famous (or infamous) for. Allegedly the start of a planned series, the idea was scrapped when Holmes didn't catch on with latter audiences, who were more drawn to Hammer's "Monster" movies with werewolves and vampires.
The best treat of all in this case, though, besides seeing British character vets in action like Morrell, John Le Mesurier (Barrymore, the manservant), Francis De Wolff (Doctor Mortimer) and a hysterical turn by Miles Malleson as Bishop Frankland, (worthy of Barry Fitzgerald), is seeing Cushing and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville sharing scenes together, no matter how briefly, in a non-"Dracula"-inspired context.
If you love old-school mysteries, and Hammer films especially, be sure to add this one to your "Must-Rent" list.
Details
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) officially released in India in English?
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