Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
|
Original Theatrical Poster
|
Country
|
USA
|
Directed by
|
Roy William Neill
|
Release Date
|
1943
|
Language
|
English French Indonesian
|
Studio
|
Universal Pictures
|
Main Cast
|
Character
|
Actor
|
Sherlock Holmes
|
Basil Rathbone
|
Dr. Watson
|
Nigel Bruce
|
Professor Moriarty
|
Lionel Atwill
|
Charlotte Eberli
|
Kaaren Verne
|
Dr. Franz Tobel
|
William Post Jr.
|
Inspector Lestrade
|
Dennis Hoey
|
Sir Reginald Bailey
|
Holmes Herbert
|
Mrs. Hudson
|
Mary Gordon
|
Dr. Frederick Hoffner
|
Henry Victor
|
|
|
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon is an American 1943 (filmed 1942) detective movie, directed by Roy William Neill and starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. This is the fourth installment to the series of fourteen Sherlock Holmes films starring Rathbone and Bruce. Like most of the films in the series, this one is set during WW2. Holmes protects a Swiss scientist who invented an advanced bomb sight. Professor Moriarty, now working for Nazi, hunts for the inventor. The story uses elements of "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" story.
The following weapons were used in the film Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon:
Revolvers
Webley Bulldog
Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), Moriarty (Lionel Atwill) and the latter's henchman Gottfried (George Burr Macannan) use Webley Bulldog revolvers in several scenes.
Webley British Bulldog - .45 caliber - 1870s
Sleepy Watson draws his old faithful Bulldog when Dr. Franz Tobel (William Post Jr.), accompanies by disguised Holmes, appear on 221B Baker Street.
Watson calls police, holding the guests at gunpoint.
Another view of the scene.
One more view of Watson's revolver.
Moriarty holds a Bulldog, threatening Holmes, disguised as a sailor.
Gottfried holds a Bulldog when he and his boss break in Prof. Hoffner's apartments.
Gottfried's revolver is seen at the right.
A promotional image shows Moriarty aiming the revolver at disguised Holmes.
A promotional image shows Moriarty handing the revolver to Gottfried (in the movie Gottfried appears in Hoffner's apartments already holding the revolver).
Iver Johnson Bulldog
Moriarty (Lionel Atwill) holds an Iver Johnson Bulldog revolver when he plans to kill Holmes.
Iver Johnson Bulldog, production of U.S. Revolver Co. - .32
Moriarty readies his revolver, intending to shoot Holmes who is strapped to the medical couch.
A general view of the revolver. Note the lack of the front sight.
Sherlock Holmes (
Basil Rathbone) takes the revolver after Inspector Lestrade wounds Moriarty in hand, and the villain drops the gun.
Holmes holds Moriarty at gunpoint.
A promotional image shows a scene that didn't exist in the movie: Moriarty grappling with Holmes for the revolver.
When Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) appear to rescue Holmes, Watson holds a revolver that looks similar to Moriarty's gun, including white grips, but this revolver has the front sight.
Watson holds a revolver that differs from his previously seen Bulldog but looks like Moriarty's gun.
Colt Commando
Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) carries a compact Colt revolver that appears to be a Colt Commando with 2" barrel.
Colt Commando - 2" Barrel - .38 Special
Inspector Lestrade aims his revolver at Moriarty.
A view of Lestrade's revolver from another side.
Browning .303 Mk II
Twin Browning .303 Mk II is seen mounted in dorsal turret on a Bristol Blenheim Mk I.
Browning .303 Mk II - .303 British
A Bristol Blenheim Mk I on airfield. Twin Browning machine gun can be seen in dorsal turret.
Airplanes
Documentary footage of various British and American bomber planes is used in the scene showing the trials of the new bomb sight.
A Bristol Blenheim Mk I on airfield.
A Douglas A-20 (named Douglas Boston in RAF service) takes off.
An aerial bomb (most likely a 250 lb General Purpose) in the bomb bay.
Vickers Wellington in flight.
Vickers Wellington in flight.
Bombs dropping. The model is unclear but likely of US origin.
A group of Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bombers in flight in the final scene.