“The Woman in Green” (1945)

The Woman in Green 

Brief Description:

When several young women turn up dead, each with a missing finger, the trail leads Holmes to a society of hypnotists and a mysterious temptress.

Date: 1945

Genre: American horror mystery film

Running time: 1 hour 8 minutes 

Cast: 

Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes)

Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson)

Hillary Brooke (Lydia Marlowe)

Henry Daniell (Prof. Moriarty)

Paul Cavanagh (Sir George Fenwick)

Matthew Boulton (Insp. Gregson)

Eve Amber (Maude Fenwick)

Frederick Worlock (Dr. Onslow)

Tom Bryson (Cpl. Williams)

Sally Shepherd (Crandon)

Mary Gordon (Mrs. Hudson)

Percival Vivian (Dr. Simnell)

Fred Aldrich (detective)

Leslie Denison (barman)

Olaf Hytten (butler)

Boyd Irwin  (detective)

Harold De Becker (shoelace seller)

Alec Harford (Commissioner of the CID)

Director: Roy William Neill

Production company: Universal Pictures

Inspired by: The Final Problem & The Adventure of the Cardboard Box by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

I believe this is a pattern with the Basil Rathbone SH films, though I've only seen four; but anyways, these are set in the then-contemporary world of the 1940s—an interesting and enjoyable change. It actually reminded me somewhat of “Lured” (1947) in the setting. 

Characters: 4/5

Basil Rathbone does the cool, efficient, somewhat brusque side of Holmes so well. I'm not a fan of Nigel Bruce as Watson—the doctor isn't stupid, fat, or old. And Henry Daniell is a most un-frightening Moriarty. The Fenwicks, and Lydia Marlowe, are interesting characters, however. I would have liked to see Crandon have a storyline; it almost seemed to me at times as if the dialogue was building up to that. 

Plot: 4/5

It's an intense beginning (once again reminding me of “Lured”) as random girls are found murdered throughout London, minus a digit. The hypnotism angle honestly feels a bit cliché, and I don't like Nigel Bruce's humiliation at the Mesmer Club, but the ending is pretty dramatic, there was some good humour, and I enjoyed the elements from The Final Problem.  Holmes has a spectacular quote at the end, too... 

Holmes: I'm thinking of all the women who can come and go in safety in the streets of London tonight. Stars keep watch in their heavens, and in our own little way, we too, old friend, are privileged to watch over our city. 

Content: 4/5 (low)

Smoking, drinking. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Off-screen murder & death. 

Overall: 4/5

Overall, it's not the best SH film I ever saw, but it's entertaining.