SYNOPSIS: Dressed to Kill (1946), directed by Roy William Neill, is a classic mystery film featuring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. The film opens with the story of three music boxes made by inmates at Dartmoor Prison, which are auctioned off to different buyers. Though seemingly ordinary, these boxes hold hidden significance. The plot thickens when Julian Emery, a collector who purchases one of the music boxes, is murdered after a visit from Hilda Courtney, a glamorous criminal mastermind played by Patricia Morison. Holmes and Watson are called to investigate the murder, and Holmes discovers that the music boxes are part of a clever plan to smuggle stolen Bank of England printing plates out of Dartmoor Prison. Each box plays a different tune, and when combined, they reveal the location of the plates.

Holmes realizes that Hilda Courtney and her gang are trying to recover all three music boxes. With sharp deductions and thrilling encounters, Holmes and Watson track down the remaining boxes, which are now with unsuspecting individuals. The film builds to a climactic confrontation as Holmes intercepts the criminals' attempts to steal the remaining boxes. Holmes ultimately deciphers the music code, locates the stolen printing plates, and ensures they are returned to the Bank of England. The film concludes with Holmes and Watson reflecting on their successful collaboration.

Dressed to Kill is filled with intrigue and suspense, featuring clever disguises and intricate puzzles typical of Sherlock Holmes stories. Basil Rathbone's portrayal of Holmes is sharp and charismatic, while Nigel Bruce provides a warm and humorous counterbalance as Dr. Watson. The movie incorporates elements of film noir, with dark, shadowy cinematography and the femme fatale character of Hilda Courtney. As the last of the fourteen Sherlock Holmes movies starring Rathbone and Bruce, Dressed to Kill stands out as an entertaining and well-crafted entry in the series, encapsulating the dynamic between Holmes and Watson, the intellectual challenge of solving a complex case, and the stylish, atmospheric quality of mid-20th century mystery films.

PLOT Spoiler Alert:

Dressed to Kill begins with the release of John Davidson from Dartmoor Prison. Davidson, who is an accomplished criminal, had hidden a stolen fortune before his incarceration. The secret to the treasure's location lies in a series of music boxes he crafted while in prison. These boxes play a unique melody that, when deciphered, reveals the hidden fortune's location.

Davidson’s release triggers a series of murders as various parties seek to obtain the music boxes. The first murder occurs when a woman named Hilda Courtney, posing as a music box enthusiast, kills an elderly music shop owner to acquire one of the boxes. This murder catches the attention of Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. John Watson (Nigel Bruce).

Holmes and Watson visit the shop where they learn about the peculiar popularity of three identical music boxes sold there recently. They discover that the boxes were purchased by three different people. Holmes deduces that these boxes are central to a larger mystery.

Holmes’ investigation leads him to a woman named Evelyn Clifford, who possesses one of the boxes. He saves her from an attack by two thugs attempting to steal the box. Holmes takes the box into his possession, realizing its importance.

Meanwhile, Watson is lured into a trap set by Hilda Courtney, who masquerades as a helpless damsel to get information from him. Watson, unaware of her true intentions, spills vital details about the case. Hilda and her accomplices, including the mastermind Davidson, track down the second music box.

Holmes deciphers the melody of the music boxes and discovers they correspond to a specific numerical sequence. This sequence reveals the location of the stolen fortune. Holmes, accompanied by Watson and Inspector Lestrade, rushes to the final location indicated by the code.

At the climax, Holmes and Watson face off against Hilda Courtney and her gang in an old warehouse where the treasure is hidden. A tense confrontation ensues, with Holmes and Watson outsmarting the criminals and recovering the stolen fortune.

In the end, the criminals are apprehended, and the stolen money is returned to its rightful owner. The film concludes with Holmes and Watson reflecting on the case, with Watson expressing his admiration for Holmes’ unparalleled detective skills.

PRODUCTION: Dressed to Kill was directed by Roy William Neill, a renowned American film director known for his extensive work on the Sherlock Holmes series. Neill directed eleven of the fourteen films starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, contributing significantly to the classic portrayal of the detective on screen. The screenplay for Dressed to Kill was crafted by Frank Gruber, Leonard Lee, and Edmund L. Hartmann. These writers successfully created a story that maintained the essence of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Holmes tales while incorporating unique elements that made the film stand out. The production was handled by Universal Pictures, which was responsible for producing the majority of the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes films. The film's cinematography, characterized by its shadowy and atmospheric style, was done by Maury Gertsman, contributing to the film's film-noir aesthetic. The musical score, composed by Milton Rosen, enhanced the suspenseful and mysterious tone of the film. 

RELEASE: Dressed to Kill was released by Universal Pictures in November 1946. As the final installment in the Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, the film generated significant anticipation among audiences familiar with the duo's previous adventures. Universal Pictures, known for producing the majority of the Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes films, strategically marketed Dressed to Kill to capitalize on the series' established fanbase and the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

The film premiered in theaters across the United States, showcasing the dynamic between Rathbone's sharp and deductive Holmes and Bruce's loyal and comedic Watson. Dressed to Kill benefited from Universal's distribution network, ensuring wide availability and visibility in cinemas nationwide. The film's release coincided with a post-World War II audience eager for escapism and entertainment, further boosting its reception.

Critically, Dressed to Kill received praise for its engaging plot, atmospheric cinematography by Maury Gertsman, and the chemistry between Rathbone and Bruce. Audiences appreciated the film's blend of suspense, mystery, and the trademark wit of Sherlock Holmes stories. 

Overall, Dressed to Kill (1946) concluded the Rathbone-Bruce era of Sherlock Holmes films on a high note, cementing its place in cinematic history as a classic example of mid-20th century mystery filmmaking. The film's release solidified the legacy of Rathbone and Bruce as definitive portrayals of Holmes and Watson, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent adaptations and interpretations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters.

CAST:

• Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes

• Nigel Bruce as Dr. John Watson

• Patricia Morison as Hilda Courtney

• Edmund Breon as Julian ”Stinky” Emery

• Frederick Worlock as Colonel Cavanaugh

• Carl Harbord as Inspector Hopkins

• Patricia Cameron as Evelyn Clifford

• Holmes Herbert as Ebenezer Crabtree

• Harry Cording as Hamid

• Leyland Hodgson as Tour Guide

• Mary Gordon as Mrs. Hudson

• Ian Wolfe as Commissioner of Scotland Yard

CREW:

• Director: Roy William Neill

• Producers: Roy William Neill

• Writers: Leonard Lee (screenplay), Frank Gruber (adaptation), Arthur Conan Doyle (story)

• Cinematographer: Maury Gertsman

• Editor: Saul A. Goodkind

• Music: Milton Rosen

• Art Director: Martin Obzina, Jack Otterson

Production Company: Universal Pictures
Distributor: Universal Pictures

Release Date: June 7, 1946
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 76 minutes
Budget: Approximately N/A
Box Office Return: N/A

IMDB Rating =  6.8 / 10

TRIVIA:

• The last of 14 films released from 1939-46 based on Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional consulting detective Sherlock Holmes starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson.

• Rathbone was reportedly tired of playing the character but continued to portray Holmes on stage, radio, and television intermittently throughout his career.

• During the UCLA Sherlock Holmes Restoration Project (1993-2003), no 35mm elements of the main title for this film were found. The restored version used a blow-up from a used 16mm television syndication print.

• Mention is made by Watson of two stories from the original canon: "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Solitary Cyclist."

• Dressed to Kill is one of four Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes films whose original copyrights were not renewed, placing them in the public domain. Others include Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942), The Woman in Green (1945) and Terror By Night (1946).

• It was the last of four Basil Rathbone's Holmes films to feature Ian Wolfe in a supporting role.

• The rabbit in a cabbage featured in the film was made by Roullet & Decamps, a renowned French toy manufacturing company.

• Holmes plays the song "Danny Boy" on his violin in one scene.

• A quotation attributed to Dr. Samuel Johnson plays a key role in solving the mystery. Dr. Johnson was a prominent English writer and critic.

• Irene Adler, a character from Doyle's stories, is mentioned by Watson but never appears in the plot of the film series.

• The name "John Davison," given to the counterfeiting-convict who built the music boxes, is a reference to J.D. Rockefeller, reflecting social commentary.

• Actress Patricia Morison, while visiting the Universal commissary in character, was directed to dine with extras rather than actors due to her disguise.

• The plot involves a ploy similar to that in "A Scandal in Bohemia," where a fake fire reveals the location of a hidden item.

• The storyline of hiding a valuable article in London bears similarities to Doyle's "The Six Napoleons."

"Dressed to Kill" remains a thrilling mystery film from 1945, noted for its suspenseful plot, stylish direction, and compelling performances, continuing to intrigue audiences with its clever twists and atmospheric storytelling.