A Disappointing Continuation

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Arthur Wontner was for many years considered 'the critics choice' as Sherlock Holmes, in England at least. Although Basil Rathbone et al had not yet appeared this claim was not unchallenged, as previous nominees for the top position in this part had also been considered pretty weighty; in the silent era Eille Norwood had made over forty films as the great detective in Britain, John Barrymore followed, Clive Brooke and Raymond Massey appeared in early talkie versions of the character and William Gillete was wowing audiences with his stage version, personally OK'd by Sir Arthur himself. Being a Londoner I could understand the cockney accents,unlike some of the reviewers though these were seldom portrayed correctly even in British films; in those days characters were either 'posh' or 'common', with little in between. I like the quiet scenes in 221b Baker street rather more than the action sequences in 'Holmes' films, though the chase across the Thames was good in this film, and the fight a little less inspiring as it had been sped up in the manner of some films of the time. Yes, there were some brilliant portrayals of Holmes in later years but I still have a soft spot for Arthur Wontner, who incidentally probably looked more like the original Sidney Paget drawings in the Strand magazine than anyone else. It's a pity that this particular series of films is so badly represented in these dire copies, several generations away from the original. I can assure the manufacturers of the 'Wontner' DVD's that there are decent prints of these films out there if you can be bothered to look.

Graham Cutts' 'The Sign of Four' is one of five Sherlock Holmes films starring Arthur Wontner in the main role. Of Wontner's portrayal, Vincent Starrett (author of 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes') declared, "No better Sherlock Holmes than Arthur Wontner is likely to be seen and heard in pictures, in our time... The keen worn, kindly face and quiet prescient smile are out of the very pages of the book". Indeed, Wontner beautifully captures the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed character, enjoyably depicting his quirky brilliance and almost omniscient deciphering of crime scene puzzles, frequently waving off Dr. Watson's (Ian Hunter) stunned admiration with a dismissive, "Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary."After an amputee prisoner serving a life sentence, Jonathon Small (Graham Soutten), reveals the whereabouts of his stolen treasure to two prison warders in exchange for his freedom, he is furious when they betray him. Driven mad by the sight of so many riches, one man, Major John Sholto (Herbert Lomas), murders his acquaintance, and flees with the wealth. Many years later, Small escapes from prison, seeking his revenge and his treasure. Shortly before his death, Sholto bequeaths the valuable pearl necklace from the treasure hoard to Mary Morstan (Isla Bevla), the daughter of the man he murdered. However, when Small comes after Morstan as well, she quite intelligently seeks the aid of the great Sherlock Holmes.'The Sign of Four' is a surprisingly engrossing mystery. Whilst there isn't really much of a classic whodunit, I was most certainly interested in how the story played out. Throughout the film's prologue, the clunking of Small's wooden leg against the floor was used quite effectively to develop suspense, and the ambitious high-speed boat race and dock brawl at the end of the film was suitably climactic. The professional police detective, Det. Insp. Atherly Jones (Gilbert Davis), was characteristically smug and incompetent, often referring to Holmes as an "amateur," whilst himself reaching completely the wrong conclusion about a mystery.Though the production values are undoubtedly low-budget, 'The Sign of Four' is a solid Sherlock Holmes film with some good performances and an engaging mystery. Worth a look.

I always go into a Sherlock Holmes film expecting the best, but fearing the worst. With "The Sign of Four", my fears for the worst were unfortunately realized. Poor production values and a largely unintelligible sound quality contributed to my difficulty in following the story. But where I really lost it was when Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) was able to determine that a note sent to florist Mary Morstan (Isla Bevan) was written by an amputee, because the letters STAND UP on their own legs! With that line, the film immediately made it to my Top Ten Worst list without Passing Go, with the dubious distinction of joining my previously worst ever film - "The Beast of Yucca Flats". At least with The Beast, there's a lot to ridicule. Here, one doesn't know what's to be taken seriously and what's to be taken in good clean fun.With "The Sign of Four", nothing is "Elementary My Dear Watson", especially in Ian Hunter's portrayal of the acclaimed detective's accomplice. Watson fancies himself a romantic, and quite literally gets the girl at the end of the film. By that time my interest in the movie was gone, although I was jolted at inopportune moments by the appearance of a tattooed man and a black man with a snake around his neck. By the time they got to the speedboat chase, I was glad I had a bottle of brandy beside me.I'll admit the mystery started reasonably enough before getting bogged down in unbearable boredom. To be fair, I probably should give the film a second viewing, but it will be a long while before it comes to that. Until then, "The Sign of Four" doesn't even hit that numerical equivalent on my radar screen, and they don't allow negatives here. So for now, it's just a +.

(Some Spoilers) Feeling guilty and having an attack of the shakes with the knowledge of one-legged master criminal Johathan Small,Graham Sutten, breaking out of prison old and infirmed. Major john Sholto,Herbert Lomas, calls his two sons Thaddeus and Bartholomew, Miles Malleson & Kynaston Reeves, into his study and tells them a story about his dark past that he kept from them all these years.The Major is a both thief and murderer who killed his fellow British officer Captain Monstan, Edger Norfolk, back in India when they discover a buried treasure chest of jewels and pearls in an empty and abandoned ancient castle.Given instructions to the buried treasure by interned British solider Small Major Sholto not only murdered his partner Captain Monstan but left Small out in the cold and behind bars, whom he promised to left go free, taking all the loot for himself. Now feeling that the end is near and wanting to clear his conscience Major Sholto instructs his sons to return the treasure to the deceased Captain Monsta's daughter Mary, Isla Beuan. A florist in London's Weat End district. The end comes sooner then Major Sholto thought when Small pops up in his window which causes him to suddenly die of a heart attack. Small getting together with a gang of weirdos that he recruited out of the local circus the Tattoed and Tonga the Snake Man, Roy Emerton & Toga, plan to get Major Sholto's treasure by first finding out when he hid it from his sons Thaddeus & Bartholomew. Then get Mary to give him the pearl necklace that the deceased major mailed to her just before he died. After a close call from The Tattoed Man, who came to her store to buy flowers, Mary goes to private detective Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Wontner, for help and protection which she gets but also falls in love with his friend and assistant the dashing and dynamic Dr. Watson,Ian Hunter, as an extra bonus.Early Sherlock Holmes movie with a witty and super observant Holmes, the guy can tell if someone is missing a limb or not just by studying his handwriting, using both his brains and his boxing skills, Sherlock throws a really wicked left hook, to solve the case and save the girl from a bunch of murderous villains. The Small gang take out brother Bartholomew with a blow gun, curiosity of the Snake Man Tonga, after getting the information from him where the treasure was hidden by his late dad Major John Sholto. But Small is still not satisfied and wants the pearl necklace that's with Mary who's being protected by Sherlock Holmes and the London PD. Kidnapping Mary the trio of criminals, Small The Tattoed and Snake Man, make it to the London docks. There together with their contact to get them out of the country warehouse and speedboat driver Mordecai Smith, Moor Marriott,race up and down down the Thames ending in a free for all at Smith's warehouse. With the one-legged Small disappearing under the waves. In the end Shurlock Holmes as usual ends up solving the case and getting his man, or men, but it's the usually bumbling and fumbling Dr. Watson who end up getting the girl.