Terence Fisher’s Hammer-produced The Hound of the Baskervilles is the greatest Sherlock Holmes movie of all time, for two reasons: Peter Cushing as Holmes and Andre Morrel as Dr. Watson. Unfortunately, it was not a hit, so Holmes did not become a Hammer franchise. Happily, Cushing was able to return to the role nine years later for the BBC. That would be the negligent BBC that wiped most of the episode tapes. Seven full episodes survive, six of which are included in the Cushing Curiosities boxset releasing today, including “The Hound of the Baskervilles Parts 1 & 2.”
Cushing is still the perfect Holmes, but sadly Nigel Stock is much closer to Nigel Bruce than Andre Morrel. Unlike so many Watsons, the distinguished Morrel actually inspired confidence in his own right. You could believe he was a practicing medical doctor and a resourceful military veteran, whereas Stock’s Watson is silly old goat. For what its worth, Sir Christopher Lee was probably the best Sir Henry Baskerville in the movie, outshining the snide looking and sounding Gary Raymond. However, David Leland absent-minded portrayal of Dr. Mortimer is more interesting that Francis de Wolff’s pompous film turn.
Regardless, Hugh Leonard’s teleplay scrupulous follows the Conan Doyle source material. Unfortunately, that means Cushing disappears for an extended period, which wasn’t such a problem for Fisher, because he still had Morrel and Lee (and also Ewen Solon from Maigret as Stapleton). Still, it is always fun to watch Cushing deducing with that I’m-smarter-than-you twinkle in his eye.
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes. The film Hound is better than the TV Hound, but both parts are still solidly entertaining. Don’t you wish the BBC preserved more of these episodes? Highly recommended for Holmes and Cushing fans, “Hound of the Baskervilles Pt. 1 & 2” releases today (12/11) on BluRay.
