The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case (1932)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- A young woman turns to Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) for protection when she's menaced by an escaped killer seeking missing treasure. However, when the woman is kidnapped, Holmes and Watson (Ian Hunter) must penetrate the city's criminal underworld to find her.
- Actors:
- Arthur Wontner, Isla Bevan, Ian Hunter, Graham Soutten, Miles Malleson, Herbert Lomas, Gilbert Davis, Margaret Yarde, Roy Emerton, Mr. Burnhett, Charles Farrell, Clare Greet, Moore Marriott, Edgar Norfolk, Kynaston Reeves, Ernest Sefton, Togo
- Directors:
- Graham Cutts
- Producers:
- Basil Dean
- Writers:
- Arthur Conan Doyle, WP Lipscomb
- Aka:
- The Sign of Four
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
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Reviews (1) of The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case
Starter Holmes - The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case review by Steve
Arthur Wontner appeared in a series of five low budget British produced Sherlock Holmes pictures from 1931-1935. They weren't the first sound films to feature the great detective, but his performances are the most celebrated portrayals of the great detective in the early talkies, and this is the best of these.
It's quite startling to realise that Arthur Conan Doyle was still writing the stories only five years before this was released. But the scriptwriter isn't too concerned with being faithful to the novel, as many liberties are taken. Most notably, the long flashback is moved to the beginning. So it's 22 minutes before Holmes makes an appearance.
Sadly, existing prints are terrible. Some of the support cast overact- particularly Isla Bevan as the woman in peril- and production values are creaky. But it's still an entertainment. Wontner remains a fine Holmes and has a good rapport with Ian Hunter as the faithful Watson. Who, thankfully, isn't a bumbling fool. And there is a little visual style.
The changes to the source don't work. Much of the legendary dialogue is parked to make way for some undeniably witless deductions! But as ever, Doyle's great adventures and the Holmes-Watson dynamic are indestructible. Once more, the flotsam of the empire washes up in London to challenge the illustrious consulting detective, and the magic works again.