SHERLOCK HOLMES | THE SCARLET CLAW (1944) full movie | Basil Rathbone | the best classic movies

After playing Holmes in so many films, Mr. Rathbone came to feel his association with the character had spoilt his acting reputation for anything else. Shortly after the Second World War, he was queued up waiting for a bus in London; a gentleman waiting there recognised him. (Who could not?!) The old gentleman greeted him and began telling Mr. Rathbone how much he had enjoyed his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes over the past decade. The actor--for the only time in his life--expressed to a fan his bitterness about being type-cast as Doyle's detective and that he felt that identification in the public's imagination had kept him from having a broader and more successful career. The old man listened and after some thought told Mr. Rathbone that he was saddened he felt that way. "For all of us, sir," he explained, "Sherlock Holmes represented the best of what it meant to be British. Having your films to see during the war kept all of us going." Humbled to have heard how important a role he considered inconsequential (and even professionally damaging) was to the British populace, Basil Rathbone never again complained about his identification with Sherlock Holmes and went on to perform various radio versions with Nigel Bruce over the next decade.

The chemistry we see on screen between Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce was very real, they were close friends in real life.

The best Sherlock actor, my dads in his 80s and he and I still sit and watch Basil Rathbone together good times thanks Basil.

Those spooky, foggy, moor scenes that Universal was famous for, once again puts a great atmosphere into this movie of Sherlock Holmes.

Its eye opening to watch a murder mystery that doesn't have gratuitous violence, sex scenes, swearing or drugs yet it still a great movie and is a true mystery. A great mystery, without the unnessary theatrics. This film can be seen by any age, as it was with me as I started watching as a kid with my Dad on WGN in Chicago. This started my decades love of mysteries.

They just had to work in a quote by Churchill at the end because WWII was still going on. The look of sadness on Rathbone's face when they find out Marie is dead is exquisite. It really humanizes Holmes. He's generally seen as a very cold, detached, analytical character, but that moment of sorrow as he blames himself for not preventing the death of an innocent girl brings home that he really has a compassionate soul, and does what he does to save lives. A truly masterful bit of acting.

Nothing compares to these two, I never tire of watching Basil and Nigel, in my eyes the best pairing to have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson

There will never be a better Basil Rathbone than Sherlock Holmes.

Basil Rathbone was not only a consummate actor but was also a war hero. He won the MC for bravery during the Great War. This makes his bravery and acting prowess equally compelling.

I just love the old black and white versions of Sherlock Holmes. Misty moors, village inns, creepy mansions.

Basil Rathbone was The Greatest Sherlock Holmes ever! My favorite Actor too.

What I love is that a great story can be done in less than 1.5 hours. No boring crap! Keep the story moving. No 10-minute car chase scenes and other wastes of film and time.

I agree basil rathbone and nigel Bruce are by far the best pairing for sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The movies are great too, very atmospheric

boy do i love love Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes...ive seen each one at least 15 times each and will continue to do so-- God willing...Im so grateful they made these and other wonderful b/w movies back then......instead of the garbage now....

I have ignored these movies for most of the 47 years ive been here but have acquired a great appreciation for them basil rathbone and nigel bruce are top of the line

Rathbone and Bruce owned the characters of Holmes and Watson. These two were the absolute best. All others paled in comparison. God rest their souls.

Basil Rathbone is my all-time favorite portrayer of Holmes. And of course, Nigel Bruce is a wonderful Watson. My favorite of the movies is Pursuit to Algiers, followed by Terror by Night, with Hound of the Baskervilles in a close third. I have seen other portrayals of Holmes but they never seem to do the character justice the way that Basil Rathbone does. The fact that he's remarkably close to what I pictured when I first read the Holmes stories only solidifies that thought.

Great memories of Friday nights in Glasgow in 1977. The BBC showed Sherlock Holmes movies every Friday at 7:30 for about three months. I watched them on our old black and white telly.

The sets camera angles lighting music ..utterly professional..atmospheric..and sheer class...never to be seen again.

I remember listening to Sherlock Holmes mysteries when I was just a kid. There was also “The Shadow” and “Dick Tracy” along with a host of others when listening to the radio was common. Every time I read a Sherlock Holmes book I always envisioned Basil Rathbone as Sherlock and Nigel as Watson. It was usually better than watching. At 82 I still listen to the radio broadcasts when going to sleep.