The Pearl of Death

1944
PG
1h 9m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

5.1K

YOUR RATING

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Watch Sherlock Holmes Double Feature: The House Of Fear, The Pearl Of Death

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Crime Drama Horror Mystery Thriller

After a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.After a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.After a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.

Director
- Roy William Neill
Writers
- Bertram Millhauser
- Arthur Conan Doyle
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

5.1K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Roy William Neill
Writers
- Bertram Millhauser
- Arthur Conan Doyle
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Top cast29

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Basil Rathbone

Sherlock Holmes

Nigel Bruce

Doctor Watson

Dennis Hoey

Lestrade

Evelyn Ankers

Naomi Drake

Miles Mander

Giles Conover

Ian Wolfe

Amos Hodder

Charles Francis

Digby

Holmes Herbert

James Goodram

Richard Aherne

Bates
(as Richard Nugent)

Mary Gordon

Mrs. Hudson

Rondo Hatton

The Creeper

J.W. Austin

Police Sergeant Bleeker
(uncredited)

Wilson Benge

Second Ship's Steward
(uncredited)

Billy Bevan

Constable
(uncredited)

Lillian Bronson

Harker's Housekeeper
(uncredited)

Harry Cording

George Gelder
(uncredited)

Harold De Becker

Boss
(uncredited)

Leslie Denison

Police Sergeant Murdock
(uncredited)

Director
- Roy William Neill
Writers
- Bertram Millhauser
- Arthur Conan Doyle
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews75

Featured review

7/10

The Pearl of Death (1944) ***

Another good Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Holmes film, one of the most entertaining of this series. It features the first appearance of Rondo Hatton as "The Creeper", a killer who snaps people's spines. Hatton was an unfortunate victim of "acromegaly" in real life, a disease which distorts and enlarges the face, hands, and feet. Director Roy William Neill takes special care to photograph him only in the shadows at first until just the right moment occurs.

THE PEARL OF DEATH wraps around an interesting plot of a trio of crooks looking to possess the valued pearl of the title. This includes solid work from Universal's usual scream queen Evelyn Ankers, uncharacteristically used as a baddie this time around in juxtaposition of her usual damsel in distress persona. Regulars Rathbone, Bruce and Dennis Hoey are all in top form, though the comedy factor is played up to the hilt on several occasions. Great fun all around.

JoeKarlosi
Jun 10, 2004
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Trivia
Shooting lasted from April 11-May 1, 1944, released September 22.

Goofs
At around 44 minutes, the newspaper says "srriking" instead of "striking".

Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: This man pervades Europe like a plague, yet no one has heard of him. That's what puts him on the pinnacle in the records of crime.
Dr. John H. Watson: What's he do?
Sherlock Holmes: Everything and nothing. In his whole diabolical career, the police have never been able to pin anything on him. And yet, show me crime without motive, robbery without a clue, murder without a trace and I'll show you Giles Conover.
Dr. John H. Watson: But that's amazing, Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes: Two years ago, he disappeared from his usual haunts and I have every reason to believe that he... Oh, here it is... I've every reason to believe that he's back in England again. If I could free society of this sinister creature, I should feel that my own career had reached it's summit.

Crazy credits
US War Bonds promo tagged onto the end of the film reads: "You're not giving-just lending-when you buy war savings stamps and bonds-on sale here."