The Hound of the Baskervilles

11/8/2021

_**There’s a reason you’ve never heard of this Hammer flick with Cushing & Lee**_ Around the turn of the century, Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) and Doctor Watson (André Morell) try to protect the heir of the Baskerville estate (Christopher Lee) in southwest England after the former owner was found dead, rumored to be victim of a curse going back to the time of the English Civil War in the mid-1600s. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1959) is Hammer’s take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s oft-filmed tale. While there are some minor changes to the story, it doesn’t “wildly” deviate as some have criticized. It features the lush colors and Victorian ambiance that Hammer is known for, plus you can’t go wrong with Cushing and Lee. Meanwhile Marla Landi is sharp & spirited in the feminine departmen

11/19/2024

André Morrell takes a more serious approach to his characterisation of "Dr. Watson" than Nigel Bruce did in his series of "Sherlock Holmes" stories with Basil Rathbone, and coupled with Peter Cushing as the fastidious super-sleuth, manages to create quite a solid drama here that mixes the scientific with the superstitious entertainingly. The detecting duo are recruited by the suspicious "Dr. Mortimer" (Francis De Wolff) following the death of the wealthy "Sir Charles Baskerville". His heir has arrived from South Africa and his new neighbour has fears for his safety. "Sir Henry" (Christopher Lee) heads to his remote Dartmoor estate where the creepy mire, dense fog, escaped convicts and lamps flashing in the distance create quite a menacing scene for the new owner of this near £1 million pro