Terror by Night

Infobox Film
name = Terror by Night


caption = Promotional movie poster for the film
director = Roy William Neill
producer = Roy William Neill
writer = Frank Gruber
based on characters created by
Arthur Conan Doyle
starring = Basil Rathbone
Nigel Bruce
Alan Mowbray
Dennis Hoey
Renee Godfrey
music = Hans Salter
cinematography = Maury Gertsman
editing =
distributor = Universal Studios
released = February 11946
runtime = 60 min.
country = USA
awards =
language = English
budget =
preceded_by = "Pursuit to Algiers"
followed_by = "Dressed to Kill"
amg_id = 1:49133
imdb_id = 0039017

"Terror by Night" is a 1946 Sherlock Holmes mystery film inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, loosely based on "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax" and "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle". It was directed by Roy William Neill.

Plot

Holmes and Watson meet Inspector Lestrade on a speeding train to Scotland Yard. Lady Margaret Carstairs and her son Roland give Holmes a diamond to guard: The Famous Diamond of Rhodesia. At dinner, Roland is killed, possibly poison, as deduced by Holmes. Watson's friend, Watson, Holmes, and Lestrade question everyone on the train, as it is possible that one of them is the murderer. Holmes then figures out that there is a coffin on the train (Brought in by a woman named Vivian), and that it has a secret compartment. However, there is no diamond. He also deduces that one of the people on the train is his nemesis, Colonel Sebestain Moran. Then, when he goes to inspect an open door, he is nearly pushed out the train to his death! After this incident, one train guard is killed and the other guard knocked unconscious by Moran's henchman, Sands. The colonel is then revealed to be Watson's friend. They knock out Lestrade and steal the diamond. However, Moran double-crosses Sands and kills him with a poison dart (Which is what killed Roland). The police then come on board. They confront him (Vivian, who was also involved is too. She brought Sands in the coffin) as Holmes explains how he solved the crime. The lights are then turned off, and when they come back on, Moran is taken away. However, Holmes reveals that they actually took Lestrade, who arrests the false police. {Holmes had recognized the Impostor Inspector}. He also says that when they arrive at Scotland Yard, the real police will take him away. Holmes then pulls out the real diamond, which he had all along.

Cast

* Basil Rathbone – Sherlock Holmes
* Nigel Bruce – Dr John H. Watson
* Alan Mowbray – Major Duncan Bleek
* Dennis Hoey – Inspector Lestrade
* Renee Godfrey – Vivian Vedeer
* Frederick Worlock – Professor Kilbane
* Mary Forbes – Lady Margaret Carstairs
* Skelton Knaggs – Sands
* Geoffrey Steele – Roland Carstairs

Trivia

*The character of Sebastian Moran is a Sherlock Holmes character, appearing in "The Adventure of the Empty House". Elements from "The Sign of Four" are also part of the story.

*C. Aubrey Smith has a cameo as the man that Watson nearly knocks down in his attempt to catch the train.

*Comic relief is provided by Inspector Lestrade arresting a pair of Hotel thieves who had stolen a teapot-and a mathematics professor who is quite rude to Watson!

Quotes

Watson: I broke 'em down. Gave 'em the old third degree.

External links

*imdb title|id=0039017|title=Terror by Night
*google video|-2154676294443837635|Terror by Night