Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

"Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror"

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go modern with a vengeance in this Universal picture, coping with a Nazi plot of sabotage which leads to an abortive attempt to invade England in the current war. With Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in their familiar roles, the film is highly acceptable entertainment with all the old flavor of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's noted characters.

Supporting the pair are Evelyn Ankers, who does excellently as a Limehouse girl who aids in the roundup of the saboteurs; Reginald Denny, Thomas Gomez, Montague Love, Henry Daniell, Olaf Hytten and Leyland Hodgson.

In the story, Holmes is called upon by the Intelligence Inner council of Britain to ferret out the mysterious "Voice" who, broadcasting from Germany, boasts of sabotage occurring at that minute. Following various deductions, Holmes stops an invasion attempt and uncovers the head of the Nazi agents and his cohorts.

Direction by John Rawlins is a smoothly accomplished job. Screenplay by Lynn Riggs and John Bright and adaptation by Robert D. Andrews work in sufficient action to please all types of melodrama fans.

As Howard Benedict's first Universal production, it is a creditable effort.

Vance King

—Motion Picture Daily, September 9, 1942

"Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror"

Sherlock Holmes and his assistant, Dr. Watson, return to the screen in a series of modern adventures, of which this is the first of three to be released by Universal for the new season. Picture is a well-packaged concoction of sleuthing, with suspense holding to good level throughout. It's a strong programmer of type, and due for plenty of dating in the regular runs as a supporting number.

Story setting is brought right up to the minute, with Holmes and Watson being recruited by the British Inner War Council to smash a Nazi radio broadcast which terrorizes the English populace with reports of mysterious sabotage about the same time that the destruction occurs. Holmes' trail send him into the Limehouse district to enlist aid of the residents to get him the key on which he has based his entire case. From there on, it's typical and well-concocted reasoning and sleuthing carrying through to a rousing finish in which all of the Nazi spies and saboteurs are rounded up.

Basil Rathbone, who's essayed the Sherlock Holmes role in previous pictures for other studios, competently handles the assignment here. Nigel Bruce is the blustering Dr. Watson, and team work together in good style. Evelyn Ankers clicks as the limey girl who trails the Nazi ringleader, Thomas Gomez. Latter capably handles his assignment. Reginald Denny and Henry Daniell are most prominent in short supporting cast.

Adaptation by Robert D. Andrews and script by Lynn Riggs provide tight and crisp unfolding, which adds materially in maintaining audience interest in the proceedings. Direction by John Rawlins develops both pace and excitement.

Walt.

—Variety, September 9, 1942

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

Howard Benedict, producer, John Rawlins, director, and their screen writers have accomplished deftly the transplantation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters, "Sherlock Holmes," and "Dr. Watson," from their bindings to the present day of the war between the United Nations and the Axis. In "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror," first of three modernized versions of the Doyle subjects, Universal has prepared for its 1942-43 season, the famous detective without his customary garb is called upon to solve the mystery of a mysterious broadcast from Germany which tells of sabotage attempts almost as they are happening. By a series of deductions for which he is famous—and also by some physical action, the detective solves the riddle and prevents an invasion of England by the Nazis.

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce appear in their respective roles of "Holmes and "Watson," this, however, being their first such venture for Universal. They are supported ably by Evelyn Ankers, who does well with her role of a Limehouse girl who aids in rounding up the Nazis in England; Reginald Denny, Thomas Gomez, Montagu Love, Henry Daniell, Olaf Hytten and Leyland Hodgson.

Veteran Doyle fans will find the transformation of the period enjoyable; addicts of melodrama will find it more than adequate.

Lynn Riggs and John Bright, who wrote the screenplay, and Robert D. Andrews, who did the adaptation of "His Last Bow," a Doyle story, leavened the conversation neatly with humor and action.

—Motion Picture Herald, September 12, 1942

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

AUDIENCE SLANT: (Adult) Will please the armchair detectives and thrill-seekers.
BOX OFFICE SLANT: Will more than hold its own on a dual program.

Plot: The head of England's Intelligence Inner Council enlists the aid of Basil Rathbone, to help find and destroy the band of German super saboteurs who are scourging England. His investigation takes him into the slum section of London and from there the trail leads right back to the head of the Council, a German actor who had taken the place of the real head, who had been murdered.

Comment: This new picture of a series will please all Sherlock Holmes fans and will more than satisfy the armchair detectives, the thrill-seekers and the mystery lovers. As one of the best of the recent whodunits, it will more than carry its weight on a dual and in the subsequent and neighborhoods, will be a satisfactory leader. The story has been brought up to date, retaining the fine flavor of the Conan Doyle flair for making deductions of obvious facts that escape the ordinary eye. Basil Rathbone is at his best, giving the touches that Holmes fans loves and Nigel Bruce makes his usually fine Dr. Watson. Evelyn Ankers, Reginald Denny and Thomas Gomez lend such support a sis necessary to round out a good job. Howard Benedict has filled the picture with color and sets necessary for the realization of the terror and feeling of the background. John Rawlins' direction moves from step-to-step without a drag or delay of any sort. Sell this one on the Sherlock Holmes style with plugs before an dafter the radio show. Play up its timeliness with the help of newspapers and such book stores as have copies of the "Strategy of Terror" and Sherlock Holmes books. Loudspeaker in lobby with "Voice of Terror " making pronouncements of terroristic acts, will attract attention.

Catchline: While England trembled in the balance, Holmes' genius saved her.

—Showmen's Trade Review, September 12, 1942