Baskerville's Shadow

📜 The Baskerville Legacy and the Moor

Set in 1889, the narrative commences with Dr. James Mortimer consulting Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson regarding the impending arrival of Sir Henry Baskerville, the heir to the Baskerville estate in Devonshire. Dr. Mortimer expresses profound anxiety about Sir Henry's relocation to Baskerville Hall, recounting the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, Sir Henry's uncle. Despite the official cause being heart failure, Dr. Mortimer observed the imprints of a colossal hound near the body, invoking the legend of a spectral canine, the "Hound of the Baskervilles," believed to have cursed the Baskerville lineage for centuries.

While Holmes initially dismisses the supernatural element, he becomes involved when Sir Henry receives a menacing warning to abandon his inheritance. Holmes orchestrates a plan where Watson accompanies Sir Henry to Baskerville Hall, feigning preoccupation himself. During their initial nights, unsettling events unfold, including the butler Barryman signaling to an unknown figure on the moor and mysterious hound-like howls echoing across the desolate landscape.

🕵️ Holmes's Investigation and Deception

Watson's suspicions are drawn to the local naturalist, Jack Stapleton, and his enigmatic step-sister, Beryl Stapleton, with whom Sir Henry develops an attraction. A séance conducted by Mrs. Mortimer adds an eerie layer, with the medium seemingly channeling Sir Charles's final moments. The plot thickens when Watson encounters a limping peddler, who reveals himself to be Holmes in disguise, having conducted his own clandestine investigation on the moor.

A critical juncture occurs when a man is killed on the moor by the hound. Initially feared to be Sir Henry, the victim is revealed to be an escaped convict, Mrs. Barryman's brother, who had been given Sir Henry's clothing by the butler to lure him to his death. Holmes elucidates Stapleton's sinister scheme: Stapleton, revealed to be a distant Baskerville relative, had trained a ferocious, starved dog to attack specific individuals after prolonged exposure to their scent, intending to claim the Baskerville fortune.

💥 Confrontation and Resolution

The climax unfolds as Stapleton unleashes the hound upon Sir Henry. Holmes and Watson intervene just in time, dispatching the beast. Stapleton attempts to trap Holmes in the hound's subterranean lair but is thwarted. Holmes reveals Stapleton's true identity and motive, exposing his plan to inherit the Baskerville wealth by eliminating the remaining family members. As Stapleton flees, Holmes predicts his demise, suggesting he will be lost in the treacherous Grimpen Mire. The film concludes with Holmes receiving commendation for his successful resolution of the complex case.

📜 Adaptation Choices

The production of the 1939 film involved several notable deviations from Arthur Conan Doyle's original novel, primarily aimed at enhancing cinematic drama and streamlining the narrative for the screen. These alterations reflect common practices in adapting literary works for film, balancing fidelity with narrative expediency.

• Beryl Stapleton's Role: In the novel, Miss Stapleton is revealed to be Stapleton's wife, coerced into participating in his criminal activities. The film reimagines her as Stapleton's stepsister, unaware of his malevolent plans until Holmes intervenes. Her romantic entanglement with Sir Henry is also more pronounced in the film, culminating in an engagement, whereas their relationship in the novel remains ambiguous.
• Omitted Characters and Scenes: Key figures from the novel, such as Inspector Lestrade and Laura Lyons (Frankland's estranged daughter), are omitted entirely from the film's adaptation. Furthermore, a séance scene, featuring Dr. Mortimer's wife, is introduced in the film, adding a layer of spiritualistic unease not present in the source material.
• Character Name Change: The butler's surname, Barrymore in the novel, was altered to Barryman in the film. This change is widely attributed to the potential confusion with the prominent American actor John Barrymore, a member of the renowned Barrymore acting dynasty, thereby avoiding any unintended association.

🎬 Cinematic Approach

Director Sidney Lanfield and the production team focused on establishing a palpable gothic atmosphere, utilizing moody cinematography by Peverell Marley to evoke the desolate and mysterious setting of the Devonshire moors. The decision to maintain the Victorian period was crucial, distinguishing this adaptation from its predecessors and aligning it more closely with the spirit of Conan Doyle's original stories. The score, composed collaboratively by David Buttolph, Charles Maxwell, Cyril J. Mockridge, and David Raksin, further enhances the film's suspenseful and eerie tone.

🇺🇸 American Film Institute Recognition

The American Film Institute (AFI) has acknowledged The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) in several of its retrospective lists, underscoring its lasting cultural significance in the realm of cinematic mystery and detective fiction:

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills (2001): The film was nominated in this category, recognizing its contribution to the genre of thrilling cinema.
• AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains (2003): Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were nominated as heroes, highlighting their iconic status in film history.
• AFI's 10 Top 10 (2008): The film was nominated in the Mystery Film category, further cementing its place as a notable example of the genre.

These nominations reflect the film's enduring impact and its status as a benchmark for Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

📜 References