SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON (1943) ** In which Sherlock Holmes becomes a car thief, hangs out at sailor bars, and expresses a familiarity with opium. Basil Rathbone also indulges a vanity for pageantry and makeup, and engages in numerous stratagems of dubious utility. All of which is to say that they played fast and loose in updating Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Not to worry, Rathbone unquestionably excels in exhibiting Holmes' pompous nature, but only to be upstaged by Nigel Bruce' casual portrayal of a caustic Watson. Watson may even appear to be the brighter one, as he knows that Holmes has things under control anyway, and so expends his energy in the pursuit of a good time and personal amusement. I expected naked and inspirational patriotic propaganda, what with the plot involving Nazis and all, but was sadly disappointed. It's all about Rathbone and Bruce, and Lionel Atwill appearing slightly thick to be the evil mastermind Moriarty. All the easier to explain how Rathbone prevails despite an apparent death-wish though, and Basil does try to do his part by plagiarizing (or is that quoting?, no mind, it's effective) Shakespeare at the conclusion.
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