Pretty Good

People are voting emotionally.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

I enjoy films from a series in which casual references are made to stories that went before. The Charlie Chan flicks of the same era used to do it all the time. In this one, Dr. Watson compares the current mystery to the one encountered in "The Hound of the Baskervilles", all the more interesting because that film was made at competing studio Twentieth Century Fox. There was also that reference to author G.K. Chesterton's mystery stories and his fascination with the occult.Of the post-Fox movies (there were only two), this is by far the best I've encountered, certainly more entertaining than the first three Universal films which had Holmes (Basil Rathbone) dealing with Nazi agents. The atmosphere is established right from the beginning with a great image of a fog enshrouded landscape, the location of the drama taking place in the small Canadian town of La Morte Rouge, ominously translated as 'The Red Death'. Holmes and his assistant Watson (Nigel Bruce) are drawn into a murder investigation by virtue of a letter he receives from a woman who's found dead after it was posted.The plot intriguingly involves the use of disguises not only by Holmes, but the resourceful murderer who is revealed via some clever writing and the film director's sleight of hand. On the way to solving the mystery, Watson's role as an 'inconspicuous' guest at the Journet Café Hotel adds just the right comedic counterbalance to the story, but it's probably best not to try to follow that whole 'hoots and honks' conversation with butler Drake (Ian Wolfe). Once was enough for me.There's one scene I did question though. Why would Holmes immediately begin shooting at the phosphorescent 'ghost' on his midnight stroll through the swamp? Granted, there was a logical connection to be made regarding similar sightings preceding the murders of livestock and Lady Penrose, but what if there was some other explanation? Holmes could have shot an innocent person. I thought he quite literally jumped the gun on that one.Otherwise, Holmes' brilliant deductive reasoning is played out quite credibly in a fairly tense finale. The picture closes in similar fashion to those I've seen from the earlier Universal stories, whereby Holmes invokes Winston Churchill's admiration of the bond between Canada, America and the British Empire. A half century later some may find it a bit heavy handed, but at the same time it's a constructive reminder that tradition has some value in a current world turned upside down.

As well as one of the best of all the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films, alongside Hound of the Baskervilles and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes(from 20th Century Fox). The only thing that didn't quite work was Holmes' ending speech, which felt really tacky. Any fans of Sherlock Holmes however will be enthralled by The Scarlet Claw. The black and white photography and Gothic, foggy setting give off a very creepy atmosphere, and The Scarlet Claw is literally rich in it. The music is jaunty and haunting without making it too obvious, while the script is one of the most intelligent of the series. It is thoughtful but brings in some funny lines from Watson that are funny and well-timed. The story is full of creepiness and suspense, some of the images and touches are some of the most memorable of the series, especially with a dead woman's hand clutching a bell-rope and a luminous "monster" stalking Holmes across a marsh. It is always solidly directed, and the acting is very good. Basil Rathbone proves with his cunning, intelligent and clinical approach to the role that he is the best Holmes on film(Jeremy Brett for me is the best overall but only just), and while bumbling Nigel Bruce brings some loyalty and brings some fine comic moments without being irritating. Paul Cavanaugh and Gerald Hammer stand out in support, the former especially stuffy and foreboding. Overall, great entertainment and of the Universal Sherlock Holmes films stands out as the best(Pearl of Death from memory was also excellent). 9/10 Bethany Cox

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are attending a conference on the occult when a murder to a former actress in a nearby village of Quebec prompts the sleuthing team to investigate. La Morte Rouge is the Canadian village containing foggy boggy marshes where a "monster", which glows like a phantom, seems to be ripping into the throats of sheep, attacking the wife of Lord Penrose(..a snooty Paul Cavanagh), a wealthy aristocrat who shows disfavor towards the Baker Street detective for his forward skepticism of the supernatural. As Holmes and Watson dispel the idea of some monster roaming the grounds, proving that it's actually someone quite human, using a five pronged garden weeder, they find that it revolves around a maniac who escaped(..and was supposedly shot)from Talon prison, targeting those associated with his conviction of murder. Those involved include an innkeeper and a retired judge, with Holmes soon figuring out how they tie to Lady Penrose's vicious demise. A talented actor, quite astute in his array of disguises, certainly a successful chameleon, will pose a threat to not only those Holmes and Watson wish to protect, but the detectives themselves.Superb entry in the Universal series has oodles of atmosphere, an absorbing mystery, terrific setting, and plenty of fascinating characters as Holmes and Watson get to the truth, each in their own way. This entry has a very slippery murderer and how he moves about, using a cunning thanks to his abilities to hide himself within a variety of disguises, really forces Holmes to work extra hard not only to catch him, but protect those he threatens. And, this entry has a tragedy towards a complete innocent which proves just how fiendish the killer really is. And, the delightful marshes are a Gothic horror fan's dream come true. Really nifty explanation for how the killer is able to make himself glow like a ghost and one particular murder, echoing Psycho, displaying how he was able to sneak into a house, is quite clever. I can't imagine how any other Holmes & Watson entry could be as marvelous as this one. As always, Rathbone and Bruce's chemistry is delightful, and their being injected into this little village in Canada is thrilling to experience. I'm so thankful for the UCLA restoration of these Holmes / Watson films, for they have been a pleasure to watch, each and every one.

"The Scarlet Claw" is an unusual Sherlock Holmes mystery in that it takes place in Canada. Holmes and Watson are in Quebec at an occult society meeting when they hear about a village legend involving a phantom that killed three villagers. There are fears that the phantom has returned - some sheep killed, some strange sightings, and then a woman, Lady Penrose, is found murdered. Lord Penrose (Paul Cavanagh) is at the same meeting as Holmes and Watson. Holmes in fact later receives a letter from the woman asking for his help. The detective and his doctor friend then go to investigate, and find a lot more than anyone bargained for - no phantom, but a flesh and blood killer.Good ensemble work, rich atmosphere, and a supernatural story that will remind one of Hound of the Baskervilles. While Holmes and Watson have a great adventure in "La Morte Rouge," the name of the town, it's not quite The Hound of the Baskervilles. It is, however, an excellent - maybe the best - entry into the Universal series, and audiences won't be disappointed.