The Original Caped Crusader

'A Study in Terror’ was the first film to feature Sherlock Holmes investigating the horrific crimes of Jack the Ripper, although it wouldn’t be the last (the 1978 film ‘Murder By Decree’ does more or less the same thing, but with more money, more international stars and a more convoluted conspiracy theory).

It’s a good, solid film, made with care, with a great cast of decent and dependable British actors. John Neville delivers all the public expect from Conan-Doyle’s most famous creation, including attitude, a strong nose, piercing eyes and a deer stalker hat. Donald Houston’s Dr. Watson is a bit nondescript, but then I tend to find Donald Houston a bit nondescript, although I’m sure he was a lovely bloke and all that. 

The film also features bubbly, little Barbara Windsor as the ill-fated Annie Chapman. She’s so good at screaming it’s a real shame that she didn’t feature in more horror films.

Interesting 'Batman' cash in poster, as well, presumably from 1966, the year of Adam West.

A Study In Terror

Unleashed

'The Hound Of The Baskervilles' was the perfect Sherlock Holmes story for Hammer to adapt, the most gothic and bloodthirsty of Arthur Conan-Doyle's tales. Even so, the ante was upped with the introduction of deadly tarantulas, a female villain, lots of gunplay and a webbed hand.

Peter Cushing makes for a brilliant Holmes - waspish, good humoured, bright eyed - but perceptive and ready to act at all times. Andre Morell is a pretty good Doctor Watson, too, quiet, reliable, handy with a pistol. The film is directed by the supremely capable Terence Fisher, and moves along briskly and convincingly, and the story is adapted well and slightly sexed up without the need for a load of bullshit about hallucogenic gas and mind palaces that so marred the recent TV adaptation / reinterpretation.

The Hound Of The Baskervilles