Sherlock Holmes (1931 film series)
Arthur Wontner's five-film Sherlock Holmes series, 1931–1937.
The Sherlock Holmes film series (1931–1937) is a British film series starring Arthur Wontner as the detective Sherlock Holmes. Produced by Twickenham Studios and later Associated Radio Pictures, the series consists of five films that were well received in their time and are noted for Wontner's portrayal of Holmes.
- Years active
- 1931–1937
- Number of films
- 5
- Lead actor
- Arthur Wontner
- Studio
- Twickenham Studios, Associated Radio Pictures
- Notable cast
- Ian Fleming (Dr. Watson), Lyn Harding (Professor Moriarty)
Lore & Background
Associated Radio Pictures lured Wontner to make The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case in 1932, replacing Ian Fleming with younger actor Ian Hunter to facilitate Watson's wooing of Mary Morstan. In 1935, Wontner returned for The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, jettisoning the toupée and reuniting with Ian Fleming as Watson. Wontner's age (fifty-nine) was too difficult to hide, so Holmes is portrayed on the verge of retiring. The film, a very accurate adaptation of The Valley of Fear, received rave reviews. Wontner's final film, Silver Blaze (1937), was less faithful, injecting Sir Henry Baskerville into the adaptation. It was not released in the U.S. until 1941 under the title Murder at the Baskervilles.
Reader's Guide
The Wontner series is significant as one of the earliest sustained film portrayals of Sherlock Holmes, spanning five films from 1931 to 1937. Wontner's performances were highly praised by contemporaries: Lionel Collier wrote in Picturegoer, 'Arthur Wontner is a perfect Sherlock Holmes,' and Vincent Starrett, a founder of the Chicago Baker Street Irregulars, said, 'Surely no better Sherlock Holmes than Arthur Wontner is likely to be seen and heard in pictures, in our time.' The series adapted several Doyle stories, often loosely, and featured a rotating cast of supporting actors. The Missing Rembrandt is now considered a lost film. Wontner's final performance as Holmes was in a 1943 BBC radio adaptation of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' with Carleton Hobbs as Watson; Hobbs later played Holmes in the BBC 1952–1969 radio series. The series remains a notable early chapter in Holmes screen history.
Did You Know?
- Arthur Wontner was fifty-six when he began portraying Holmes, older than the novel's retired-at-fifty detective.
- The Missing Rembrandt (1932) is now considered a lost film.
- Silver Blaze was retitled Murder at the Baskervilles for its 1941 U.S. release.
- Wontner's final Holmes performance was in a 1943 BBC radio adaptation of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery.'
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