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Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The "Sherlock Holmes" movie series resumes with its tenth installment of THE HOUSE OF FEAR (Universal, 1945), produced and directed by Roy William Neil. Being the only film in this franchise to lift a title from unrelated Holmes movie (Universal's own mystery, "The House of Fear," starring William Gargan), this entry, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventures of the Five Orange Pips," attempts on being different and most stylish from the previous entries, especially when formula tends to mix with that of both Doyle and famed mystery writer, Agatha Christie.Following the traditional opening titles and theme score introducing "Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes" an "Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson" through the lifting fog as the camera captures their footed shadow images walking slowly down the streets of uncertainty, the voice-over narrative reveals what's about to occur: "The events I'm about to relate began a fortnight ago in a grim old house first high on a cliff on the west coast of Scotland. This singular structure is known as Drearcliff House. Gathered there for dinner were the seven members of the most extraordinary club called the Good Comrades ..." The story opens with the gathering of wealthy middle-aged members headed by its jolly old founder, Bruce Alastair (Aubrey Mather), Ralph King (Richard Alexander); Stanley Rayburn (Cyril Develati); Captain John Simpson (Harry Cording); Guy Davies (Wilson Benge); Doctor Simon Merrivale (Paul Cavanaugh); and Alan Cosgrove (Holmes Herbert). Mrs. Monteigh (Sally Shepherd), the melancholy housekeeper who never smiles, passes out an envelope containing orange pips to Ralph King, a retired barrister. The following night, King is killed as his car plunges over a cliff. As the men drink a toast to their dearly departed member, Mrs. Monteigh passes out another envelope, this time to Stanley Rayburn, a distinguished actor in his day. He, too, meets his doom. Because the club members have made each other beneficiaries to their substantial life insurance policies, Mr. Chalmers (Gavin Muir), an insurance underwriter, comes to famed London detective Sherlock Holmes for assistance. When Holmes learns Doctor Merrivale, a famous surgeon acquitted years ago for murder to be one of the members, he immediately takes the case. Assisted by his colleague, Doctor Watson, the two crime solvers come to Scotland via train, The Flying Scotsman. Upon their arrival, more ghastly murders take place, all preceded by a mysteriously slid under- the-door envelope containing orange pips, indicating a symbol of death. Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) and assistant Sergeant Bleeker (Leslie Dennison) of Scotland Yard soon enter the scene, not long after Doctor Watson's life is threatened and soon abducted when coming close to solving the mystery himself during his frightful stay in the house, or better yet, castle of fear.With an abundance of movie mysteries produced at that time, whether individually or part of a continuing series, the best are the ones that succeed even with overly familiar plots. THE HOUSE OF FEAR happens to be one of them. Witnessing club members being killed off one by one as survivors come fear of their lives, suspecting one another, adding to the suspense. Another added treat is the imaginative mid-camera range of subject matters to appear taller than their actual size as well as capturing certain viewpoints through slant camera focus. Aside from well constructed mystery and fine use of witty exchanges between Watson and Lestrade, the plot formulates well-intentioned humor for one noted scene that would do the comedy team of Abbott and Costello proud set during the midnight hours in a cemetery where Watson is shown doing all the work digging up a grave while Holmes sits around to think. As Holmes temporarily steps out of the picture, Watson finds himself conversing and answering questions to the constant sound of "Who?" turning out to be from an observing owl resting on a tree branch above. Notable quote: "No man goes whole to his grave."For some trivia: THE HOUSE OF FEAR turns out to be a rare instance in the series to not include Mary Gordon in her recurring role as Mrs. Hudson. It's also the second time the full name of Holmes' assistant is indicated, that of Doctor John H. Watson. Harry Cording, usually seen in villainous briefs in other Holmes segments, has a sizable role for a change, while Doris Lloyd (Bessie); David Clyde (MacGregor, the blacksmith); and Alec Craig (Angus) turn up in scene or two. Excluding one brief moment of a plunging car, THE HOUSE OF FEAR could easily pass for Doyle's original intent with story setting being the 1890s rather than the 1940s.THE HOUSE OF FEAR, distributed to home video and later DVD format, having been broadcast on numerous public television and cable channels, including Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: December 26, 2009), may not show preference as the best in the entire series, but certainly as enjoyable from start to finish as Holmes mysteries go. Next installment: THE WOMAN IN GREEN (1945) which features Holmes' arch enemy, Professor Moriarty. (***)

This One has the Purist and Retentive Types Squirming and Reaching a bit to Pile on this Updated to Modern Times Movie and Mostly have the Bumbling Watson and Goofy Lestrade to Blame. It is a Genuine Mystery and is Atmospheric. This is a Modern Setting but not Really.The Body Count is Large and the Intrigue is Intense as Holmes and Watson are On Their Game Again. Watson (Nigel Bruce) is more Fumbling and Bumbling with the Mumbling Now Refined to a Consistent Tic. There are Explosions, Poison, Gunplay, Dismemberment, Incineration, Crashing Boulders, and an Old Dark House with a Catatonic Mysterious Housekeeper. There are Warnings to the Next Victims, and an Old Boys Club with Eccentric Characters.In this Film Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) doesn't Abuse Watson Verbally except for Cutting Him Off in Mid-Sentence a Few Times. The Good Doctor is doing Outrageous Things, and Being Wrong Again and Again and Holmes didn't need to Bother. Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) is Once Again His Irritating and Incompetent Self.

Of the RKO Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films series, The House of Fear not quite as good as Scarlet Claw and Pearl of Death. It is too short which tends to make parts not as developed as one would like and there is a little too much padding to perhaps make up for a story that is thin on structure. Also while Dennis Hoey is still very funny and amusingly inept as Lestrade, there were times when his presence wasn't necessary. These aside, The House of Fear is still one of the series' better entries. It is beautifully shot and efficiently directed, with very atmospheric Gothic scenery and a magnificent house that will genuinely give you the creeps. The music is also appropriate for the setting, it gives the right amount of creepiness without being obvious while also bringing a couple of jaunty moments too. The dialogue is intelligently written, thoughtful with some well-judged amusement to break away slightly from the suspense and creepiness without it being completely distracting. For what the story may lack in structure and development, it more than makes up in evocative atmosphere, suspenseful and engaging mystery and being fun from start to finish. The ending is more than satisfying, and that there is a very Agatha Christie-like feel while still feeling like Sherlock Holmes and Doyle makes it interesting too. The characters are not the most well-developed but they carry the story well and maintain interest. The cast perform reliably with a good mix of suspects that are performed with no major complaint. The perpetrator is convincing, if not as memorable as the likes of Lionel Atwill(Secret Weapon), Gale Sondergaard(The Spider Woman) and Rondo Hatton(Pearl of Death, Hatton's is the scariest of the series). Basil Rathbone naturally does dominate and he is brilliant, clever, cunning, intelligent with a touch of arrogance. Nigel Bruce is a Watson that can be blustery and bumbling too much, a more loyal and composed(like with Edward Hardwicke partnered with Jeremy Brett, the only Holmes that is perhaps even better than Rathbone) Watson is preferable, but he works very well with Rathbone and does provide some funny moments while also proving himself useful. Hoey is fun too, but not as essential to the story as Holmes and Watson. In conclusion, atmospheric and fun, a recommended entry to the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Sherlock Holmes gets called in on a case by insurance underwriters who have been paying out policies on a couple of deaths that are highly suspicious. The two men were members of a clique of retired gentlemen who have all taken up residence in the Scottish castle of one of the members Aubrey Mather. The place itself has a sinister reputation from back in the middle ages. A reputation that possibly some more modern sinister forces are taking advantage of.This Arthur Conan Doyle Story the Five Orange Pips is one of the best received of his Holmes stories. Even after Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce arrive at the castle and later Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade arrives, the deaths still keep coming. All of the members are mutually insured and whomever might survive is going to be worth some considerable cash. The story bears a lot of resemblance to Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, maybe Christie got her idea from Conan Doyle.Some fine members of the Hollywood British colony like Gavin Muir, Holmes Herbert, Harry Cording, and Paul Cavanaugh are some of the gentlemen in residence. And they have a Mrs. Danvers like housekeeper in Sally Shepherd.One of the best of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes series.