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Basil Rathbone

1892-1967

Updated 3/16/2007 with more films available on DVD.

biography

Born Philip St. John Basil Rathbone in June 1892 in Johannesburg, South Africa, stage and screen actor Basil Rathbone was raised in England. As a teenager he took an interest in acting, and by the time he was 20 years old he was a prominent actor on the London stage. Service in World War I interrupted his career, but following the war Rathbone made his way to the U.S. and Broadway. By the early 1920s he was working steadily on Broadway and had been cast in a few pictures in small roles. In the late 1920s, with the advent of talkies, Rathbone went west to Hollywood and was put under contract to MGM, where his first feature was the comedy-of-manners The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929; with Norma Shearer and Hedda Hopper). He acted in several more films during this period for MGM and other studios but returned to Broadway in late 1930. After acting in a few plays, all with short runs, he soon returned to Hollywood to resume his film career.

LEFT: Hand-tinted 1930s studio photo of Basil Rathbone. RIGHT: Rathbone is best remembered for his role as Sherlock Holmes to Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson

Rathbone's second stab at Hollywood was most successful; he acted in big-budget swashbucklers such as Captain Blood (1935; with Errol Flynn) and The Mark of Zorro (1940; with Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell); romantic films including The Garden of Allah (1936; with Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer) and Romeo and Juliet (1936; with Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard); a few comedies; and even horror films such as Son of Frankenstein (1939; with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi) and The Black Cat (1941; with Bela Lugosi and Broderick Crawford). However, audiences know him best from his role in the Sherlock Holmes series of films produced between 1939 and 1946. Rathbone's first Holmes film was Hound of the Baskervilles (1939; with Richard Greene and Nigel Bruce) and was a hit for 20th Century-Fox. After a second outing as Holmes in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939; with Ida Lupino and Nigel Bruce), Fox sold the series to Universal in the early 1940s. The Universal productions were engaging but quickly and inexpensively produced; in a little over three years, the studio churned out twelve Holmes films. By the time Dressed to Kill (1946; with Patricia Morison and Nigel Bruce) was in the can, audience identification with the Sherlock Holmes character had typecast Rathbone and sent his film career into a sharp decline.

the films of basil rathbone

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1929)

Rathbone portrays the handsome and debonair Lord Arthur Dilling to Norma Shearer's Fay Cheyney in the early MGM talkie The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

Anna Karenina (1935)

With Freddie Bartholomew in MGM's version of the Tolstoy classic Anna Karenina

Captain Blood (1935)

With Errol Flynn in the exciting Warner Bros. pirate adventure Captain Blood

Romeo and Juliet (1936)

With John Barrymore in MGM's lavish production of Romeo and Juliet

Tovarich (1937)

Renie Riano, Basil Rathbone, and Claudette Colbert

With Renie Riano and Claudette Colbert in the Warner Bros. comedy Tovarich

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Rathbone locks swords with Errol Flynn in the Warner Bros. Technicolor swashbuckler The Adventures of Robin Hood

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)

From Rathbone's second Sherlock Holmes crime thriller The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with Ida Lupino

Son of Frankenstein (1939)

From the excellent Universal stylish horror film Son of Frankenstein with Boris Karloff

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

From 20th Century-Fox's actioner The Mark of Zorro with Tyrone Power as the title character. This film was Rathbone's last swashbuckler

Rhythm on the River (1940)

From Paramount's musical comedy Rhythm on the River with Bing Crosby

Paris Calling (1941)

From Universal's war drama Paris Calling with Elisabeth Bergner

Frenchman's Creek (1944)

Rathbone portrayed Lord Rockingham in the Technicolor pirate adventure Frenchman's Creek, released by Paramount

The Pearl of Death (1944)

Nigel Bruce, Evelyn Ankers, and Basil Rathbone

From Universal's Sherlock Holmes entry The Pearl of Death with Nigel Bruce and Evelyn Ankers

The Black Sleep (1956)

Rathbone as mad scientist Sir Joel Cadman in the effective United Artists horror flick The Black Sleep

The Court Jester (1956)

Rathbone as Sir Ravenhurst in the Danny Kaye comedy The Court Jester, released by Paramount

Tales of Terror (1962)

With Debra Paget in Roger Corman's Poe-inspired Tales of Terror, released by AIP

The Comedy of Terrors (1964)

Rathbone wields an axe in the fun AIP horror/comedy flick The Comedy of Terrors

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966)

Ed Garner, Aron Kincaid, Quinn O'Hara, and Basil Rathbone

From American International's final beach party film The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini With Ed Garner, Aron Kincaid, and Quinn O'Hara

later years

Rathbone left the role of Sherlock Holmes in 1946, fearing that he had been typecast. And he was right; movie audiences had difficulty accepting him in other roles, so he packed up his family and left Hollywood for New York to work in the legitimate theater and the new medium of television. He made fewer films thereafter but did quite a bit of work in early television from the late 1940s on, often acting in episodes of dramatic anthology series. In his final years, Rathbone appeared in a string of low-budget science fiction and horror films, many with a comedic bent, including Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965; with Faith Domergue), Planet of Blood (1966; with John Saxon and Florence Marly), The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966; with Deborah Walley, and Tommy Kirk) and Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967; with Joi Lansing and Lon Chaney Jr.). Rathbone's final film was the comedic horror film Autopsy of a Ghost (1968; with John Carradine and Cameron Mitchell), shot in Mexico in late 1966. He passed away about eight months later, in July 1967 at the age of 75. Rathbone was survived by his second wife Ouida, his son Basil, and daughter Barbara.

basil rathbone films available from movies unlimited

The Sherlock Holmes Collection [DVD] DVD
Two-disc set includes "Dressed to Kill," "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon," "Terror by Night" and "The Woman in Green."
The Sherlock Holmes Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set of Holmes mysteries starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce includes "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon," "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror," "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death," and "Sherlock Holmes in Washington." Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary; photo gallery; poster gallery.
The Sherlock Holmes Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Conan Doyle's famed crime-solving duo includes "The House of Fear," "The Pearl of Death," "The Scarlet Claw," and "The Spider Woman." Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary; photo gallery; poster gallery.
The Sherlock Holmes Collection, Vol. 3 [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set of Sherlock Holmes mysteries starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce includes "The Woman in Green," "Pursuit to Algiers," "Terror by Night," and "Dressed to Kill." 265 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection [DVD] DVD
Five-disc boxed set includes "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1939), "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror," "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon," "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death," "Sherlock Holmes in Washington," "The Pearl of Death," "The Scarlet Claw," "The Spider Woman," "The House of Fear," "Pursuit to Algiers," "The Woman in Green," "Terror by Night" (1946), and "Dressed to Kill" (1946). 14 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary; interview; theatrical trailers; more.
Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection [DVD] DVD
Mary Shelley's man-made monster is the focus of this two-disc boxed set. Boris Karloff is unforgettable as the creature who comes to life, takes a mate (briefly), and terrorizes his master's scion in "Frankenstein" (1931), with Colin Clive and Mae Clarke; "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), co-starring Clive and Elsa Lanchester; and "Son of Frankenstein" (1939), with Basil Rathbone and Bela Lugosi as Ygor. Then, Lon Chaney, Jr. portrays the monster in "Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942), co-starring Lugosi; and mad doctor Karloff must deal with Chaney's Wolf Man, John Carradine's Count Dracula, and Glenn Strange as the monster in "House of Frankenstein" (1945). 6 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Sp
Legendary Knight Movies 3 On 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "King Arthur the Young Warlord," "The Magic Sword" and "Sword of Lancelot."
Sin Takes A Holiday [DVD](1930) DVD
Constance Bennett is the secretary of a suave divorce lawyer who marries her to get out of a legal predicament. The marriage pact gives her $5,000 a year and a chance to travel around the world, but while she's alone on her "honeymoon cruise," Bennett meets and is taken with one of her hubby's pals. Kenneth MacKenna, Basil Rathbone co-star. 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Sin Takes A Holiday [VHS](1930) VHS
Constance Bennett is the secretary of a suave divorce lawyer who marries her to get out of a legal predicament. The marriage pact gives her $5,000 a year and a chance to travel around the world, but while she's alone on her "honeymoon cruise," Bennett meets and is taken with one of her hubby's pals. Kenneth MacKenna, Basil Rathbone co-star. 80 min.
Captain Blood [DVD](1935) DVD
Errol Flynn is the young physician, sentenced to slavery, who's rescued by Olivia de Havilland and begins a life of piracy on the high seas. Superb swordplay, magnetic performances and supporting turns by Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill make this a classic. 119 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurette; radio broadcast; newsreel footage; theatrical trailers; bonus shorts "Johnny Green and His Orchestra" (1935), "All-American Drawback" (1935), "Billboard Frolics" (1935).
Errol Flynn: The Signature Collection [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set includes "Captain Blood," "Dodge City," "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex," "The Sea Hawk," "They Died with Their Boots On," and the exclusive documentary "The Adventures of Errol Flynn."
Anna Karenina [DVD](1935) DVD
After starring in a contemporary silent adaptation in 1927, Greta Garbo gave one of her greatest performances as Tolstoy's tragic heroine in this lavish costume drama. Fredric March is the officer who steals her heart, and Basil Rathbone is her husband. With Maureen O'Sullivan, May Robson, Freddie Bartholomew. 93 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.
The Last Days Of Pompeii [DVD](1935) DVD
Epic costume drama of gladiators and early Christians, set against the devastating volcanic eruption that buried the Roman city in 79 A.D. Preston Foster, John Wood, Louis Calhern, and, as Pontius Pilate, Basil Rathbone star; special effects by Willis O'Brien ("King Kong"). 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
David Copperfield [DVD](1935) DVD
Charles Dickens' plucky boy hero is well-served in this lavish production, featuring what many consider to be the best casting ever for a Hollywood "literary film." Following the death of his mother, David escapes the iron hand of his stepfather and seeks refuge, first with the good-hearted Micawber and then with his Aunt Betsey, eventually falling in love with the beautiful Agnes Wickfield. Basil Rathbone, W.C. Fields, Edna May Oliver, and Freddie Bartholomew and Frank Lawton as David star. AKA: "The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, And Observation of David Copperfield, The Younger." 131 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Portuguese, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer; bonus shorts "Pirate Party on Catalina Isle" (1935), "Two Hearts in Wax Time" (1935), "Poor Little Me" (1935); theatrical trailer.
The Garden Of Allah [DVD](1936) DVD
Lush locales and Oscar-winning early Technicolor camerawork fuel this romantic adventure. After her father's death, socialite Marlene Dietrich seeks solace in the Algerian desert and finds it in the arms of handsome stranger Charles Boyer, who, unbeknownst to her, is a monk who left his monastery home. With Basil Rathbone, Joseph Schildkraut, Alan Marshall. 79 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Make A Wish [VHS](1937) VHS
While at summer camp in the Maine woods, little Bobby Breen befriends composer Basil Rathbone, who left the city to try and break his creative block, and is soon playing matchmaker for his widowed singer mother and Rathbone. Lively family musical also stars Marion Claire, Leon Errol; songs include "Music in My Heart," "Old Man Rip." 75 min.
Love From A Stranger [DVD](1937) DVD
Basil Rathbone is a suave and sinister Bluebeard whose scheme to murder wealthy new bride Ann Harding lurks beneath the surface of a dazzling game of wits in this Agatha Christie thriller. 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Love From A Stranger [VHS](1937) VHS
Basil Rathbone is a suave and sinister Bluebeard whose scheme to murder wealthy new bride Ann Harding lurks beneath the surface of a dazzling game of wits in this Agatha Christie thriller. 86 min.
The Adventures Of Marco Polo [DVD](1938) DVD
Lavish costume drama stars Gary Cooper as the famed medieval explorer who travelled from Italy to China and the court of the fabled Kublai Khan. Along the way, Polo romances a beautiful princess and helps the Khan defeat a scheme to overthrow his rule. With Basil Rathbone, George Barbier, Alan Hale, and Sigrid Curie (the "Norwegian Garbo," who was actually born in Brooklyn). 100 min.
The Dawn Patrol [DVD](1938) DVD
Richly drawn portrayals by Errol Flynn and David Niven as aces in the British Air Corps during World War I accentuate this dynamic decrial of the futility of war. Basil Rathbone co-stars as the reviled squad commander mindlessly sending his men off to die in the skies over Europe. Features stunning aerial footage, some of which was shot for Howard Hawks' version of the story eight years earlier. 103 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Errol Flynn: The Signature Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Five-disc boxed set includes "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1936), "The Dawn Patrol," "Dive Bomber," "Gentleman Jim," and "The Adventures of Don Juan."
The Adventures Of Robin Hood [DVD](1938) DVD
Errol Flynn is in top form as the dashing outlaw of Merrie Olde England, stealing from the rich to give to the poor, romancing Olivia de Havilland and dueling against villainous Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains. Michael Curtiz and William Keighley helmed this colorful classic; with Alan Hale, Eugene Pallette, Ian Hunter, Una O'Connor; score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. 103 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; documentaries; featurettes; outtakes; home movies; audio commentary; isolated music score; bonus cartoons; bonus Flynn short "The Cruise of Zaca" (1952); photo gallery; radio show. Two-disc set.
The Hound Of The Baskervilles [DVD](1939) DVD
The screen debut of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, and the ultimate Sherlockian adventure. Does the demonic dog that has haunted the Baskerville clan really exist, and will the young heir who comes to Holmes for help be the next victim? Classic mystery, loaded with Victorian flavor and English fog, also stars Richard Greene, Wendy Barrie, Lionel Atwill, and John Carradine. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Frankenstein: The Legacy Collection [DVD] DVD
Mary Shelley's man-made monster is the focus of this two-disc boxed set. Boris Karloff is unforgettable as the creature who comes to life, takes a mate (briefly), and terrorizes his master's scion in "Frankenstein" (1931), with Colin Clive and Mae Clarke; "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), co-starring Clive and Elsa Lanchester; and "Son of Frankenstein" (1939), with Basil Rathbone and Bela Lugosi as Ygor. Then, Lon Chaney, Jr. portrays the monster in "Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942), co-starring Lugosi; and mad doctor Karloff must deal with Chaney's Wolf Man, John Carradine's Count Dracula, and Glenn Strange as the monster in "House of Frankenstein" (1945). 6 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; documentaries; theatrical trailers; bonus short; photo gallery.
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes [DVD](1939) DVD
The second Rathbone-Bruce film (and the last one to be set in Victorian London) pits the great detective against arch-enemy Professor Moriarty (George Zucco), whose latest scheme leads to a death duel atop the Tower of London. Ida Lupino, Alan Marshal, and E.E. Clive co-star in this loose adaptation of William Gillette's 1899 play "Sherlock Holmes." 82 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Rhythm On The Range (1936)/Rhythm On The River [DVD](1940) DVD
Singing rodeo cowboy Bing Crosby(!) is shepherding a prize bull from New York to a California dude ranch by freight train when he comes across a stowaway, runaway heiress Frances Farmer, in this lively musical comedy. With Martha Raye, Bob Burns, and The Sons of the Pioneers (with a young Roy Rogers). Then, after his wife leaves him, songwriter Basil Rathbone suffers from a creative block, so he enlists young tunesmiths Bing Crosby and Mary Martin to secretly write new numbers for him. The two meet and decide to take credit for their work, meeting Rathbone's wrath in the process. Oscar Levant and William Frawley co-star. Songs include "That's for Me" and "When the Moon Comes Over Madison Square." 182 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: Englis
Sherlock Holmes And The Voice Of Terror [DVD](1942) DVD
In his first "modern" adventure, the great detective must find the secret Nazi conspirator who's responsible for a reign of espionage and destruction throughout England. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Reginald Denny and Evelyn Ankers star. Based on Conan Doyle's "His Last Bow." 66 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
Sherlock Holmes And The Secret Weapon [DVD](1942) DVD
Holmes and arch enemy Professor Moriarty clash in a race to capture a revolutionary bomb-sight that could help England defeat the Axis powers. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Lionel Atwill star. 68 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer; Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts.
Sherlock Holmes And The Secret Weapon (B&W/Color Versions) [DVD](1942) DVD
Holmes and archenemy Professor Moriarty clash in a race to capture a revolutionary bomb-sight that could help England defeat the Axis powers. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce and Lionel Atwill star. Includes both the original black-and-white and the newly colorized versions. 68 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer.
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death [DVD](1943) DVD
An ancient mansion used to house wounded soldiers becomes the scene of murder, but since the physician in charge is Dr. John Watson, can his famous friend be far behind? Together Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce uncover a dangerous legacy in this whodunit. Hillary Brooke, Milburn Stone co-star. Based on Conan Doyle's "The Musgrave Ritual." 68 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
Sherlock Holmes In Washington [DVD](1943) DVD
Holmes and Watson make the transatlantic trek to recover secret war documents, and find that American criminals are just as deadly as the Continental variety. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Henry Daniell, George Zucco star. Based on Conan Doyle's "The Dancing Men." 71 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Pearl Of Death [DVD](1944) DVD
What is the sinister secret behind a gruesome series of killings and the smashing of several busts of Beethoven? Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce) will find out, but first they must deal with the grotesque Creeper (Rondo Hatton). Miles Mander, Evelyn Ankers co-star. Based on Conan Doyle's "The Six Napoleons." 69 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Scarlet Claw [DVD](1944) DVD
While attending a conference in Canada on the supernatural (a subject dear to their creator's heart), Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn to a series of killings in a small village, killings attributed to a legendary monster. Atmospheric thriller stars Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce. 74 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Spider Woman [DVD](1944) DVD
Have Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce finally met their match in the sultry, sinister presence of Gale Sondergaard, responsible for London's rash of "pyjama suicides?" One of the finest of Universal's Holmes films, with the sleuth facing death by drowning, smoke, arachnids, shooting gallery and pygmy; Dennis Hoey, Angelo Rossitto co-star. 63 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Woman In Green [DVD](1945) DVD
Sherlock Holmes is called to solve the "finger murders," a series of brutal and seemingly unconnected killings of women in London, and finds a beautiful hypnotist and his old enemy, Professor Moriarty, lurking in the shadows. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Henry Daniell and Hillary Brooke star. 68 min. Plays All Regions.
The Woman In Green (B&W/Color Versions) [DVD](1945) DVD
Sherlock Holmes is called to solve the "finger murders," a series of brutal and seemingly unconnected killings of women in London, and finds a beautiful hypnotist and his old enemy, Professor Moriarty, lurking in the shadows. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Henry Daniell and Hillary Brooke star. Includes both the original black-and-white and the newly colorized versions. 68 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer.
The House Of Fear [DVD](1945) DVD
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, as Holmes and Watson, are called in to investigate a strange series of murders among the members of the Good Comrades Club, only to find that one member's intentions are hardly good at all. Dennis Hoey, Paul Cavanaugh star. Based on Conan Doyle's "The Adventures of the Five Orange Pips." 69 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
Terror By Night [DVD](1946) DVD
Train passengers Holmes and Watson are pressed into service when one of their fellow riders, the owner of the cursed Star of Rhodesia diamond, turns up murdered. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Alan Mowbray star. 60 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts.
Terror By Night (B&W/Color Versions) [DVD](1946) DVD
Train passengers Holmes and Watson are pressed into service when one of their fellow riders, the owner of the cursed Star of Rhodesia diamond, turns up murdered. Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Alan Mowbray star. Includes both the original black-and-white and the newly colorized versions. 60 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailers.
Dressed To Kill [DVD](1946) DVD
What is the connection between a collection of music boxes and missing Bank of England printing plates, and will the answer cost Holmes and Watson their lives? Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce make their final appearances as the detective duo; with Patricia Morison. 72 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts.
Heartbeat [DVD](1946) DVD
After escaping from a reform school, young rebel Ginger Rogers joins a school for pickpockets run by sneaky professor Basil Rathbone. While trying to steal a watch, she falls for a wealthy diplomat. Sensing that she is being manipulated by Rathbone and a suave ambassador, Rogers secretly dreams of marrying her affluent obsession. Can she turn her fantasy into reality? Charming and romantic drama co-stars Jean-Pierre Aumont, Adolphe Menjou. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
A Christmas Carol (Shower Of Stars) [VHS](1954) VHS
An annual holiday treat on '50s television was this episode from the "Shower of Stars" variety series. Fredric March starred as Scrooge and Basil Rathbone as Marley's ghost in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Christmas fable; scripted by Maxwell Anderson and scored by Bernard Herrmann. With Ray Middleton, Bob Sweeney; look for a young Bonnie Franklin as Susan Cratchit. 58 min.
Casanova's Big Night [DVD](1954) DVD
Who better to portray history's greatest lover than...Bob Hope? Actually, Bob's a tailor who winds up impersonating Casanova and finds himself running from lonely women and court assassins. Lively farce also stars Joan Fontaine, Basil Rathbone and Lon Chaney, Jr. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
We're No Angels [DVD](1955) DVD
Classic offbeat comedy focuses on a trio of convicts (Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov) who escapes from Devil's Island and seeks refuge with a bumbling French shopkeeper (Leo G. Carroll) and his family. As they get mixed up in a plan to help Carroll get out from under the boot of his domineering cousin and boss (Basil Rathbone), the boys begin to wonder if life was easier on the inside. Joan Bennett, Gloria Talbott also star. 105 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
The Court Jester [DVD](1956) DVD
Laugh-filled costume farce stars Danny Kaye as a valet who impersonates a court jester to overthrow evil baron Basil Rathbone. Features the famous "I've put a pellet of poison in the vessel with the pestle" scene and ace support from Glynis Johns and Angela Lansbury. 101 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer.
The Last Hurrah [DVD](1958) DVD
John Ford directed this dramatic look at political cronyism in a large Eastern city. Spencer Tracy stars as a popular mayor who finds himself at odds with the powerful machine as he runs for re-election. Great supporting cast includes Pat O'Brien, John Carradine, Donald Crisp and Jeffrey Hunter. 121 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai; production notes; theatrical trailers; scene access.
The Magic Sword (Widescreen Version) [DVD](1962) DVD
A young knight is helped by his witch adoptive mother in his quest to rescue a kidnapped princess from the clutches of an evil wizard. Standing in the hero's way are a ruthless rival and some fantastic creatures, including a two-headed dragon. Gary Lockwood, Anne Helm, Estelle Winwood and Basil Rathbone star in this well-done Bert I. Gordon fantasy. 80 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
The Magic Sword [VHS](1962) VHS
A young knight is helped by his witch adoptive mother in his quest to rescue a kidnapped princess from the clutches of an evil wizard. Standing in the hero's way are a ruthless rival and some fantastic creatures, including a two-headed dragon. Gary Lockwood, Anne Helm, Estelle Winwood and Basil Rathbone star in this well-done Bert I. Gordon fantasy. 89 min.
Tales Of Terror (1962)/Twice-Told Tales [DVD](1963) DVD
In "Tales of Terror," three chilling short stories by Edgar Allan Poe come to the screen in grand fashion under director Roger Corman: "Morella," "The Black Cat" and "The Case of M. Valdemar." Scares are served in generous portions by stars Peter Lorre, Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone. And, a chilling trio of the best stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne is adapted in the awesome anthology "Twice-Told Tales." "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "Rappaccini's Daughter" and "The House of the Seven Gables" are brought to full, frightening life by Price, Sebastian Cabot, Mari Blanchard, Brett Halsey. 3 1/2 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish.
Voyage To The Prehistoric Planet [DVD](1965) DVD
Astronauts on Venus encounter many dangers while waiting to be rescued. Basil Rathbone makes one of his final appearances in this Roger Corman creation, resourcefully produced using footage from the Russian sci-fi movie "Planeta Burg." 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access. Plays All Regions.
Voyage To The Prehistoric Planet [VHS](1965) VHS
Astronauts on Venus encounter many dangers while waiting to be rescued. Basil Rathbone makes one of his final appearances in this Roger Corman creation, resourcefully produced using footage from the Russian sci-fi movie "Planeta Burg." 80 min.
Planet Of Blood [DVD](1966) DVD
An outer space rescue mission finds a green-skinned woman in a Martian crash landing and brings her aboard, unaware that she is an extraterrestrial vampire! One of AIP studio's "bargain basement finds," this sci-fi shocker stars Basil Rathbone, Florence Marly, John Saxon, Dennis Hopper. AKA: "Queen of Blood." 81 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Planet Of Blood [VHS](1966) VHS
An outer space rescue mission finds a green-skinned woman in a Martian crash landing and brings her aboard, unaware that she is an extraterrestrial vampire! One of AIP studio's "bargain basement finds," this sci-fi shocker stars Basil Rathbone, Florence Marly, John Saxon, Dennis Hopper. AKA: "Queen of Blood." 81 min.
Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow (1959)/Ghost In The Invisible Bikini (1966) [DVD] DVD
It's hot rods, hot bodies and haunted houses in this double bill of teen horror/comedies. Some rubber-burnin' guys and gals use an old mansion as their racing club's new hangout, but the building is apparently already home to the "Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow." Russ Bender, Jody Fair, and Leon Tyler as Bonzo the Clown star. Next, recently deceased Boris Karloff must perform a good deed to get into Heaven, so he convinces bikini-clad, ghostly ex-girlfriend Susan Hart to return to Earth and stop heir Tommy Kirk from being cheated out of his inheritance by crooked lawyer Basil Rathbone. The final official entry in the "Beach Party" series, "Ghost in the Invisible Bikini" also stars Deborah Walley, Basil Rathbone, Nancy Sinatra, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. 148 min. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Hillbillys In A Haunted House [DVD](1967) DVD
Ghosts meet grits as two country-and-western singers stop at an abandoned mansion filled with spooks. Ferlin Husky, Joi Lansing, John Carradine, Lon Chaney, Basil Rathbone star. 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Hillbillys In A Haunted House [VHS](1967) VHS
Ghosts meet grits as two country-and-western singers stop at an abandoned mansion filled with spooks. Ferlin Husky, Joi Lansing, John Carradine, Lon Chaney, Basil Rathbone star. 88 min.
The Many Faces Of Sherlock Holmes (1985) [DVD] DVD
For over 100 years the Baker Street sleuth has been the world's best-known fictional character. This Holmesian documentary includes clips featuring Sherlockian portrayers like Basil Rathbone and Christopher Plummer, a rare film interview with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a look at the detective's fans, and much more. Christopher Lee narrates. 126 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; trivia; biography; DVD-ROM concert; bonus feature "Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon" (1942).