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Darryl F. Zanuck and Gene Markey served as the producers for the 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The production of the 1939 film *The Hound of the Baskervilles* was overseen by producers Darryl F. Zanuck and Gene Markey.
The 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles* has a running time of approximately two hours.
Answer: False
Explanation: The film's actual running time is 80 minutes, which is considerably less than two hours. This detail pertains to the film's production specifications.
Paramount Pictures served as the distributor for the 1939 adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The distributor for the 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles* was 20th Century Fox, not Paramount Pictures.
The official release date for the 1939 film adaptation was March 31, 1939.
Answer: True
Explanation: March 31, 1939, marks the official release date of the film, signifying its initial public debut.
Identify the specific title of the 1939 American cinematic adaptation derived from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's celebrated Sherlock Holmes novel.
Answer: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Explanation: The 1939 American film, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel, is titled *The Hound of the Baskervilles*. This adaptation is notable for being the earliest known cinematic version set in the Victorian period.
Who directed the 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles*?
Answer: Sidney Lanfield
Explanation: The director of the 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles* was Sidney Lanfield, an American filmmaker known for his work in various genres.
What is the specified running time of the 1939 film *The Hound of the Baskervilles*?
Answer: 80 minutes
Explanation: The film's running time is documented as 80 minutes, a standard duration for feature films of that era.
What is the function of film distributors, such as 20th Century Fox, in the context of movie production and release?
Answer: They are responsible for marketing and releasing the movie to cinemas.
Explanation: Film distributors play a crucial role in the commercial lifecycle of a film, managing its marketing campaigns and ensuring its release and exhibition in cinemas to reach the target audience.
In the 1939 film adaptation, Basil Rathbone portrayed Dr. John Watson, and Nigel Bruce was cast as Sherlock Holmes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The casting for the 1939 film featured Basil Rathbone in the role of Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. John Watson. The question incorrectly reverses these iconic portrayals.
The 1939 film *The Hound of the Baskervilles* was the sole Sherlock Holmes film to feature the acting partnership of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1939 film marked the commencement of a series of fourteen Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, produced between 1939 and 1946.
In the 1939 film adaptation, Miss Stapleton is depicted as Jack Stapleton's wife and is fully cognizant of his criminal machinations.
Answer: False
Explanation: The film portrays Miss Stapleton as Jack Stapleton's stepsister, and she is initially unaware of his criminal plans. Her role and awareness are significantly altered from the novel.
The butler's appellation was modified from Barrymore in the novel to Barryman in the film to preempt potential confusion with the renowned Barrymore acting dynasty.
Answer: True
Explanation: The name change from Barrymore to Barryman for the butler character was likely a deliberate choice to avoid association with the prominent Barrymore family of actors, ensuring clarity for the audience.
Mary Gordon was cast as Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock Holmes' landlady, in the 1939 film adaptation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mary Gordon portrayed Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, in the 1939 film, contributing to the ensemble cast's portrayal of familiar characters.
Ralph Forbes portrayed the character of Sir Henry Baskerville in the 1939 film adaptation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The role of Sir Henry Baskerville in the 1939 film was portrayed by Richard Greene, not Ralph Forbes.
The cinematic series featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson concluded in 1946.
Answer: True
Explanation: The film series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, which began with the 1939 adaptation, concluded its run in 1946.
In the 1939 film adaptation, who embodied the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes?
Answer: Basil Rathbone
Explanation: Basil Rathbone delivered the portrayal of the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes in the 1939 film adaptation.
Who was cast as Dr. John Watson, serving as Sherlock Holmes's companion, in the 1939 film?
Answer: Nigel Bruce
Explanation: Nigel Bruce played the role of Dr. John Watson, Holmes's loyal companion, in the 1939 film adaptation.
How many films constituted the Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, commencing with the 1939 adaptation?
Answer: Fourteen
Explanation: The film series featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, initiated by the 1939 film, comprised a total of fourteen installments.
What was the rationale behind Richard Greene receiving top billing over Basil Rathbone in the 1939 film?
Answer: The studio was unsure of Holmes's audience appeal and promoted Greene as a potential draw.
Explanation: Richard Greene received top billing due to the studio's uncertainty regarding the broad audience appeal of Sherlock Holmes as a central character, opting to promote Greene as a potentially stronger draw.
Which character is depicted as Jack Stapleton's *stepsister* in the 1939 film adaptation, representing a deviation from the novel?
Answer: Beryl Stapleton
Explanation: In the 1939 film, Beryl Stapleton is presented as Jack Stapleton's stepsister, a significant alteration from the novel where she is depicted as his wife.
What alteration does the film introduce regarding Miss Stapleton's relationship to Jack Stapleton and her awareness of his schemes, compared to the novel?
Answer: She is his stepsister and unaware of his plans.
Explanation: The film depicts Miss Stapleton as Jack Stapleton's stepsister and initially unaware of his criminal intentions, a significant departure from the novel where she is his wife.
The film's plot involves Dr. Watson undertaking the investigation of Sir Charles Baskerville's demise while Holmes remains in London.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Dr. Watson is dispatched to Baskerville Hall to accompany Sir Henry and investigate, Sherlock Holmes also conducts his own parallel investigation, often operating covertly.
Dr. James Mortimer seeks assistance from Holmes and Watson due to concerns for the welfare of the heir, Sir Henry Baskerville.
Answer: True
Explanation: Dr. James Mortimer consults Holmes and Watson because he fears for the safety of Sir Henry Baskerville, the new heir to the Baskerville estate, citing a perceived family curse.
The legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles centers on a curse involving a spectral hound implicated in the death of Sir Hugo Baskerville centuries prior.
Answer: True
Explanation: The foundational legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles involves a curse passed down through generations, linked to a supernatural hound believed to have caused the demise of Sir Hugo Baskerville.
Sir Henry Baskerville receives a warning note advising him to proceed to the moor without delay.
Answer: False
Explanation: The warning note received by Sir Henry Baskerville advises him to abandon his journey to the moor and return to London, rather than urging him to proceed.
During their initial night at Baskerville Hall, Watson and Sir Henry observe the butler, Barryman, engaging in clandestine communication via signal from a window facing the moor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The narrative depicts Watson and Sir Henry witnessing Barryman, the butler, signaling with a candle from a window towards the moor on their first night at Baskerville Hall, indicating suspicious activity.
The crippled peddler encountered on the moor is revealed to be an accomplice of Stapleton, tasked with surveilling Sir Henry.
Answer: False
Explanation: The crippled peddler is revealed to be Sherlock Holmes himself, utilizing a disguise to conduct his independent investigation on the moor.
The individual fatally attacked by the hound on the moor was identified as a local farmer who inadvertently trespassed on the Baskerville estate.
Answer: False
Explanation: The victim of the hound attack on the moor was an escaped convict, the brother of Mrs. Barryman, who had been given Sir Henry's clothes by the butler to impersonate him.
Stapleton employs a large canine, trained to target specific Baskerville heirs, utilizing scent to direct its attacks.
Answer: True
Explanation: Stapleton utilizes a formidable dog, conditioned to attack designated Baskerville heirs, guiding its predatory actions through the scent of the intended victims.
Stapleton's primary motivation for his scheme is to exact retribution for a historical grievance against his lineage perpetrated by the Baskervilles.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stapleton's primary motive is avarice; he seeks to inherit the Baskerville fortune by eliminating the rightful heirs.
During the narrative's climax, Holmes and Watson apprehend Stapleton alive subsequent to his surrender.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stapleton does not surrender; he attempts to flee into the Grimpen Mire after his plan is thwarted and the hound is killed. Holmes had alerted constables to intercept him.
Barryman, the butler, is depicted as being unaware of Stapleton's plot and unknowingly facilitates the escaped convict's actions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Barryman, the butler, is shown to be complicit in Stapleton's scheme. He knowingly aids the escaped convict (his brother-in-law) and participates in actions that mislead Sir Henry.
The Grimpen Mire is portrayed within the film as a secure and easily navigable region adjacent to Baskerville Hall.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Grimpen Mire is depicted as a treacherous and dangerous natural hazard, characterized by its treacherous terrain and potential for entrapment, making it far from safe or easily traversable.
Stapleton's criminal enterprise was driven by a desire to preserve the Baskerville family's legacy.
Answer: False
Explanation: Stapleton's scheme was motivated by personal gain, specifically the acquisition of the Baskerville fortune, rather than a desire to protect the family legacy.
Who is Dr. James Mortimer, and what is his role in initiating the narrative?
Answer: He is a local physician concerned about Sir Charles's death and the heir's safety.
Explanation: Dr. James Mortimer is a local medical practitioner who approaches Holmes and Watson with concerns regarding the death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the potential peril faced by the heir, Sir Henry.
Who is ultimately revealed to be the crippled peddler whom Holmes employs as a disguise?
Answer: Sherlock Holmes
Explanation: The character of the crippled peddler is revealed to be Sherlock Holmes himself, who adopted this guise to conduct his clandestine investigation on the moor.
What is Jack Stapleton's ultimate objective in orchestrating his scheme against the Baskerville family?
Answer: To inherit the Baskerville fortune.
Explanation: Stapleton's primary objective is to unlawfully acquire the Baskerville fortune by eliminating the legitimate heirs to the estate.
How does Stapleton condition the hound to attack his intended victims?
Answer: He exposes the dog to the scent of the intended victim.
Explanation: Stapleton trains the hound by exposing it to the specific scent of the intended victim, thereby directing its predatory aggression.
What is the significance of butler Barryman's actions observed on the initial night at Baskerville Hall?
Answer: He is secretly signaling with a candle towards the moor.
Explanation: Barryman's clandestine signaling with a candle from a window towards the moor on the first night at Baskerville Hall is a pivotal moment, raising suspicions about his involvement and the unfolding mystery.
The 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles* is based on a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cinematic adaptation released in 1939 draws its narrative directly from the celebrated 1902 novel of the same title authored by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Ernest Pascal authored the original novel upon which the 1939 film adaptation is based.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ernest Pascal is credited with writing the screenplay for the 1939 film adaptation. The original novel was authored by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The 1939 film adaptation was the first Sherlock Holmes cinematic work to be set in the contemporary era of its release.
Answer: False
Explanation: This 1939 film is historically significant as the earliest known cinematic adaptation of Sherlock Holmes to faithfully adhere to the Victorian period setting of the original stories. Prior adaptations had frequently modernized the narrative's temporal context.
A scene featuring a séance conducted by Mrs. Mortimer is incorporated into the film, an element absent from the original novel.
Answer: True
Explanation: The film includes a scene depicting a séance orchestrated by Mrs. Mortimer, which is an addition not present in Arthur Conan Doyle's original novel.
The film's fidelity to the Victorian setting represented a departure from earlier adaptations that tended to favor contemporary settings.
Answer: True
Explanation: By maintaining the Victorian setting consistent with the original novel, this 1939 adaptation distinguished itself from previous cinematic versions that had updated the narrative's temporal context.
The film deviates from the novel by depicting Miss Stapleton as being aware of Stapleton's illicit intentions from the outset.
Answer: False
Explanation: The film depicts Miss Stapleton as Jack Stapleton's stepsister and initially unaware of his criminal plans, a significant departure from the novel where she is his wife.
What historical significance does the 1939 film adaptation hold concerning its narrative setting?
Answer: It was the first known adaptation set in the Victorian period, matching the original stories.
Explanation: This 1939 film is recognized as the earliest known cinematic adaptation of Sherlock Holmes to faithfully adhere to the Victorian period setting of the original stories. Prior adaptations had frequently modernized the narrative's temporal context.
The *Monthly Film Bulletin* commended the film's suspense and atmospheric qualities but expressed criticism regarding Wendy Barrie's performance.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Monthly Film Bulletin* review acknowledged the film's strengths in suspense and atmosphere while specifically noting a critique of Wendy Barrie's portrayal.
The film has garnered recognition from the American Film Institute for its significant contributions to the mystery genre.
Answer: True
Explanation: The American Film Institute has acknowledged the film through various nominations, underscoring its importance and enduring appeal within the mystery genre.
The primary genre classification for the 1939 film adaptation is gothic mystery.
Answer: True
Explanation: The film is predominantly classified as a gothic mystery, a genre characterized by its suspenseful atmosphere, dark themes, and elements of the supernatural or uncanny.
What was Leslie Halliwell's principal critique of the 1939 film, notwithstanding its careful production?
Answer: A noticeable lack of pace.
Explanation: Leslie Halliwell, while acknowledging the film's careful production and fidelity to the novel's essence, identified a 'noticeable lack of pace' as its primary critical deficiency.
The film *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1939) has received nominations from which major film institution for its artistic merit?
Answer: The American Film Institute (AFI)
Explanation: The American Film Institute has recognized the film through nominations on several of its prestigious lists, highlighting its importance and enduring appeal within the mystery genre.
What is the primary genre classification associated with the 1939 film adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles*?
Answer: Gothic Mystery
Explanation: The film is predominantly classified as a gothic mystery, a genre characterized by its suspenseful atmosphere, dark themes, and elements of the supernatural or uncanny.
The navigational template titled 'Screen adaptations of Sherlock Holmes' includes the Rathbone–Bruce film series.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Screen adaptations of Sherlock Holmes' navigational box serves to connect related cinematic works, and it explicitly lists the Rathbone–Bruce series among other notable adaptations.
The film's 'External links' section provides direct access to its entry on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'External links' section serves as a gateway to further resources, including the film's dedicated page on IMDb, the TCM Movie Database, and the AFI Catalog, thereby facilitating deeper research.
The navigational template dedicated to Sidney Lanfield exclusively lists films he directed during the 1930s.
Answer: False
Explanation: The navigational template for Sidney Lanfield encompasses his directorial work across various periods, not solely limited to the 1930s. It serves as a comprehensive overview of his filmography.
Which navigational template categorizes various Sherlock Holmes screen adaptations, including the 1939 film under the 'Rathbone–Bruce series'?
Answer: Screen adaptations of Sherlock Holmes
Explanation: The navigational template titled 'Screen adaptations of Sherlock Holmes' provides a structured overview of cinematic and television versions of the character, including the specific series featuring Rathbone and Bruce.
Which authority control databases are referenced for the film, providing standardized identifiers for its cataloging?
Answer: Both B and C
Explanation: Authority control databases, such as the U.S. Library of Congress and Wikidata, are utilized to provide standardized identifiers for the film, ensuring consistency and accuracy in cataloging and referencing.