The Scarlet Claw

This mystery film from the Universal Sherlock Holmes series is by far the best of the series, benefiting from an intelligent script, good acting, and fine camera work. In it, Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) find themselves in a remote French-Canadian village investigating a series of mysterious murders, all allegedly the work of a supernatural entity. Atmospheric and dark, with most of the scenes taking place at night, this film leaves the viewer guessing until the very end.

Many Holmes purists do not like the twelve Universal movies since the stories take place in the 1940s and not Victorian England. Although they may have a point, an exception can be made with this movie. It’s a fine thriller, no matter the time period.