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The Pearl of Death

  • 19441944
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
1 sheet 27 x 41
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
When a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.When a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.When a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Roy William Neill
  • Writers
    • Bertram Millhauser(screenplay)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(story "The Six Napoleons")
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Nigel Bruce
    • Dennis Hoey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Roy William Neill
  • Writers
    • Bertram Millhauser(screenplay)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(story "The Six Napoleons")
  • Stars
    • Basil Rathbone
    • Nigel Bruce
    • Dennis Hoey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 67User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos127

    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Basil Rathbone, Evelyn Ankers, Nigel Bruce, Rondo Hatton, Dennis Hoey, and Miles Mander in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    The Pearl of Death (1944)
    The Pearl of Death (1944)
    The Pearl of Death (1944)
    The Pearl of Death (1944)
    The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Arthur Stenning in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Holmes Herbert in The Pearl of Death (1944)
    Evelyn Ankers in The Pearl of Death (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Sherlock Holmesas Sherlock Holmes
    Nigel Bruce
    Nigel Bruce
    • Doctor Watsonas Doctor Watson
    Dennis Hoey
    Dennis Hoey
    • Lestradeas Lestrade
    Evelyn Ankers
    Evelyn Ankers
    • Naomi Drakeas Naomi Drake
    Miles Mander
    Miles Mander
    • Giles Conoveras Giles Conover
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Amos Hodderas Amos Hodder
    Charles Francis
    • Digbyas Digby
    Holmes Herbert
    Holmes Herbert
    • James Goodramas James Goodram
    Richard Aherne
    • Batesas Bates
    • (as Richard Nugent)
    Mary Gordon
    Mary Gordon
    • Mrs. Hudsonas Mrs. Hudson
    Rondo Hatton
    Rondo Hatton
    • The Creeperas The Creeper
    J.W. Austin
    • Police Sergeant Bleekeras Police Sergeant Bleeker
    • (uncredited)
    Wilson Benge
    Wilson Benge
    • Second Ship's Stewardas Second Ship's Steward
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Bevan
    Billy Bevan
    • Constableas Constable
    • (uncredited)
    Lillian Bronson
    Lillian Bronson
    • Harker's Housekeeperas Harker's Housekeeper
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Cording
    Harry Cording
    • George Gelderas George Gelder
    • (uncredited)
    Harold De Becker
    • Bossas Boss
    • (uncredited)
    Leslie Denison
    • Police Sergeant Murdockas Police Sergeant Murdock
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roy William Neill
    • Writers
      • Bertram Millhauser(screenplay)
      • Arthur Conan Doyle(story "The Six Napoleons")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    When a pearl with a sinister reputation for causing misfortune to its owners is stolen from a museum by a master criminal because of Sherlock Holmes' show-boating, he is naturally obliged to find it. Soon, he learns of a series of brutal murders that seemed to have been commited by a malevolent man mountain known only as the Creeper. Now, Holmes must deal with the seemingly overwhelming menace of this man and his boss in order to retrieve the pearl. —Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
    • sherlock holmes character
    • dr. john watson character
    • climbing out a window
    • psychotronic film
    • death in title
    • 60 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • THE SECRET OF THE GEM OF DOOM! (original print ad - all caps)
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Holmes tells Watson that if he's wrong about the pearl's hiding place, "I shall retire to Sussex and keep bees." In the original Holmes stories, this is exactly what he does upon retirement.
    • Goofs
      At around 44 minutes, the newspaper says "srriking" instead of "striking".
    • Quotes

      Dr. John H. Watson: Amazing. And the Borgia Pearl's inside that?

      Sherlock Holmes: If it isn't, I shall retire to Sussex and keep bees.

    • Crazy credits
      US War Bonds promo tagged onto the end of the film reads: "You're not giving-just lending-when you buy war savings stamps and bonds-on sale here."
    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Jarvis Collection: Scotland Yard (1971)

    User reviews67

    Review
    Top review
    Classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.
    Expertly directed by R. William Neill, who was responsible for the film noir classic "Black Angel", "The Pearl Of Death" is based on the Arthur Conan Doyle story "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons". This film has it all: mystery, action, comedy, horror, even a half-assed patriotic message tacked on to the end (it was made as WWII was coming to a close). I was impressed by Basil Rathbone's characterization of Holmes: he consistently utters lines that, coming from an inferior actor, would probably sound ridiculous, yet he manages (probably because this was his sixth turn at the character) to impress me with his believability and sheer presence on the screen. Until I saw this film I was always irritated by Nigel Bruce's bumbling Dr. Watson, whose character is miles away from the Watson portrayed in the books, but I now realize that he was the perfect foil for Rathbone's Holmes. The updating of Holmes into the modern era also troubles me, but the film manages to maintain a kind of 'timeless' quality by avoiding too many 'modern' references. Virgil Miller's cinematography is beautiful: I would hate to see it "Colorized" by Turner and his evil band. Miller, who shot another one of my favorite films, "Mr. Moto Takes A Chance" is the perfect compliment for Neill's great direction: together they make every shot interesting, and provide many unforgettable images.
    helpful•17
    3
    • gavmaster
    • Aug 16, 2000

    FAQ1

    • Chicago Opening Happened When?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sherlock Holmes in Pearl of Death
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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