The Speckled Band (1931)

You won't be disappointed!

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and get a lot of enjoyment out of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Also love Basil Rathbone's and especially Jeremy Brett's interpretations to death. So would naturally see any Sherlock Holmes adaptation that comes my way, regardless of its reception.Furthermore, interest in seeing early films based on Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and wanting to see as many adaptations of any Sherlock Holmes stories as possible sparked my interest in seeing 'The Speckled Bamd', especially that it was an early film version, to see Raymond Massey in an early role and with such a great story to work from.'The Speckled Band' is one of Conan Doyle's most famous stories and also one of his best. It has a clever and intriguing mystery, one of Conan Doyle's most colourful antagonists and an ingenious final solution. As said by me many times, there are better Sherlock Holmes-related films/adaptations certainly than 1931's 'The Speckled Band', the best of the Jeremy Brett adaptations and films of Basil Rathone fit under this category. It's not one of the worst either, it is better than all the Matt Frewer films (particularly 'The Sign of Four') and also much better than the abominable Peter Cook 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'.How does 'The Speckled Band' fare? Not too badly, though it could have been much more. Not great, not terrible. More an uneven film, sadly also available via a pretty dreadful print that looks cheap, has a choppy feel and very primitive in sound. 'The Speckled Band' won't be for everybody. As has been said in previous reviews, it has a tendency to drag and can be stagy and talky, almost like a filmed stage play of the time. Not all the acting works. Athole Stewart is a somewhat dull Watson, instead of any loyalty and dignity or blustering and bumbling (much prefer Watson portrayed as the former) he is rather vanilla, although his sensibility, helpfulness and resourcefulness are intact. Angela Baddely is rather histrionic Helen, adopting an acting style that is reminiscent of very early silent melodrama. On the other hand, Raymond Massey is very good as Holmes. Not definitive certainly, but indicative that he should have done more Sherlock Holmes films. Lyn Harding's performance will divide, and has divided, viewers. It is a very theatrical performance yes but also an imposing and menacing one, that Rylott is far from the most subtle of characters in the first place is likely to account for the theatricality. Apart from the print hindering it, there is a real sense of sinister atmosphere to the visuals. They are starkly beautiful and suitably noir-ish, complete with handsome and evocative costume and production design.Dialogue may be talky but it is very literate and thought-provoking too, and has enough of Conan Doyle's style. The film quite faithfully adapts the source material, and keeps the mystery's cleverness and intrigue as well as the denouement's ingenuity. In conclusion, interesting and not bad at all though not mind-blowing. 6/10 Bethany Cox

I watched this movie and was not impressed it was supposed to be a really good film love Sherlock Holmes but this was just not for me

I first watched this crime programme for my media studies lesson and found it wonderful The acting by everyone involved is superb and they really capture the essence of the characters to make it a thrilling exciting crime story full of twists and suspense the TV show is beautifully adapted from one of my favourite crime novels - i especially love the twist at the end The story follows infamous detective Sherlock Holmes who is asked for help by a wealthy woman who is nervous about her upcoming marriage but more importantly the man she lives with, the evil Rylotthaving stereotypes of villains and detectives works wonders as audiences can associate with their personalities The character of Sherlock is wonderful - he is sharp, elegant and an enthusiast - making him a joy for audiences of all ages to watchif you like crime, suspense and mystery then i definitely recommend this!

I saw this film in 1931at a time when most British movies creakedalong. As I recall, this was a cut above most of its contemporaries,with convincing performances b y Massey, Baddeley and Harding.Most impressive was the opening: camera ranged through thedark halls and passages of an old English manor in a sustaineddolly shot to the eerie sound of some kind of Indian windinstrument. The sequence ended with a jump cut to the face of ayoung woman, screaming in her death throes. Most alarming andimpressive. For me it ranks with one of he best shock openingsI've ever seen. Today, they'd probably play such a scene before themain title.An interesting footnote: In later life, Angela Baddeley, the heroine,was to play Mrs. Hudson, the cook, in the unforgettable Britishseries, Upstairs, Downstairs.