I don't know how I missed this one over the years, but watching it today on TCM, I don't remember ever seeing it before.

THE SCARLET CLAW was written especially for the screen and not from any novel penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Turns out it's one of the very best entries in the series, up there with THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES as essential Holmes films.

It has all the atmosphere one would want in a Sherlock Holmes story and a mystery that deepens as the plot goes forward but resolved in a very satisfying way by Holmes. The cast includes an excellent performance from PAUL CAVANAGH as Mr. Penrose, whose wife dies a vicious death at the hands of a killer and leads to Holmes' investigation. GERALD HAMER as a nervous postman and VICTORIA HORNE as a frightened housekeeper are also fine, as is MILES MANDER as a judge whose life is in danger from a serial killer.

Although this one takes place in Canada, it might just as well have taken place on the Dartmouth moors in Devonshire--that's the kind of atmosphere it has with plenty of mist and fog to add to the Gothic ambiance of the tale.

Well worth watching for Sherlock fans. Especially good is NIGEL BRUCE as the bumbling Dr. Watson who inadvertently helps BASIL RATHBONE from time to time. His blustery interpretation of the comic sidekick is especially well done in this caper. Rathbone, of course, is beyond reproach.

Of all the Sherlock Holmes movies from Universal from the 1940s, this is among the best. Unlike some of the stories that are VERY, VERY loosely based on actual Conan Doyle stories (thus irritating fans of the books, since they are so unlike the originals),this is an original story written for the movie. And the writers should have been proud of themselves because it is very, very good and intelligently written. One of the reason is that the plot is much more solid--with few of the usual glaring holes. Second, the story is exciting and fun from start to finish. Third, Watson isn't quite as stupid and bumbling as he was usually portrayed in these films (in the books he wasn't so much 'stupid' as he just didn't see the world the same way Holmes did). Nigel Bruce actually got a few good snappy lines here and there throughout the film--indicating he wasn't so dim after all. And fourth, unlike most of the WWII era Holmes films, this one is more timeless and enjoyable because it didn't feature the duo chasing after Nazis and other ridiculous things that bore no relation to the real Sherlock Holmes. Good stuff and a lot of fun to watch.

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