Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Jerrie It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

utgard14 A club of retired rich men called "The Good Comrades" lives at an isolated Scottish castle. One by one the men are being killed off and an insurance agent believes one of them is responsible. Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) investigate but fail to prevent more murders from occurring. Soon they are joined by Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey), who will undoubtedly get to the bottom of things ("Suffering cats! What IS going on here?!?").Fun Sherlock Holmes movie from Universal, the eighth in their series (tenth overall, counting the first two Fox films). It's loosely based on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "Five Orange Pips" story. Really the only similarity is the murder victims receiving envelopes with orange seeds before they're killed. That story is hardly one of Conan Doyle's best, by the way. The series regulars Rathbone, Bruce, and Hoey are all great. The supporting cast is made up of good character actors like Holmes Herbert, Paul Cavanagh, Harry Cording, and Aubrey Mather. Solid direction from Roy William Neill with interesting camera-work from Virgil Miller. Nicely paced with great "old dark house" atmosphere. Not the best of the series but a very entertaining one.

TheLittleSongbird Of the RKO Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films series, The House of Fear not quite as good as Scarlet Claw and Pearl of Death. It is too short which tends to make parts not as developed as one would like and there is a little too much padding to perhaps make up for a story that is thin on structure. Also while Dennis Hoey is still very funny and amusingly inept as Lestrade, there were times when his presence wasn't necessary. These aside, The House of Fear is still one of the series' better entries. It is beautifully shot and efficiently directed, with very atmospheric Gothic scenery and a magnificent house that will genuinely give you the creeps. The music is also appropriate for the setting, it gives the right amount of creepiness without being obvious while also bringing a couple of jaunty moments too. The dialogue is intelligently written, thoughtful with some well-judged amusement to break away slightly from the suspense and creepiness without it being completely distracting. For what the story may lack in structure and development, it more than makes up in evocative atmosphere, suspenseful and engaging mystery and being fun from start to finish. The ending is more than satisfying, and that there is a very Agatha Christie-like feel while still feeling like Sherlock Holmes and Doyle makes it interesting too. The characters are not the most well-developed but they carry the story well and maintain interest. The cast perform reliably with a good mix of suspects that are performed with no major complaint. The perpetrator is convincing, if not as memorable as the likes of Lionel Atwill(Secret Weapon), Gale Sondergaard(The Spider Woman) and Rondo Hatton(Pearl of Death, Hatton's is the scariest of the series). Basil Rathbone naturally does dominate and he is brilliant, clever, cunning, intelligent with a touch of arrogance. Nigel Bruce is a Watson that can be blustery and bumbling too much, a more loyal and composed(like with Edward Hardwicke partnered with Jeremy Brett, the only Holmes that is perhaps even better than Rathbone) Watson is preferable, but he works very well with Rathbone and does provide some funny moments while also proving himself useful. Hoey is fun too, but not as essential to the story as Holmes and Watson. In conclusion, atmospheric and fun, a recommended entry to the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

lastliberal The 10th of 12 movies that Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce shared the screen as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.A prime suspect and lots of bizarre deaths indicating something that only Holmes can figure out.Watson is his usual bumbling self providing much hilarity as he stumbles about and chats with owls.The feature was also directed by Roy William Neill, who did several Holmes movies. It was an excellent story told brilliantly at Neill's hands.Mystery, comedy, and cleverness all were hallmarks of these films and make them timeless.

loydmooney-1 Don't know if anyone else spotted it, but at one point when Holmes tells Watson, come on lets have a ???? the subtitles say pint when its obviously PIPE. Otherwise its standard stuff.In fact I would rate it a little undersome of the other better known films.The best is clearly Scarlet Claw.One thing, a character actor that somemay not have picked up on is the EgnlishCyril Delavanti. He is the second victim.