During the height of World War II, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn into a dangerous case involving a mysterious radio broadcaster known as the Voice of Terror. This unseen figure transmits propaganda messages designed to undermine British morale and signal enemy attacks. As Holmes follows a trail of coded messages, sabotage, and apparent murders, the investigation reveals a complex espionage network operating within Britain itself. The case becomes a race against time to unmask the traitor before further damage is done to the war effort.
Genre: Mystery, Crime, War thriller
Director: John Rawlins
John Rawlins was an American film director and editor active primarily in the 1930s and 1940s. He worked extensively at Universal Pictures, directing a variety of genres including mysteries, comedies, and war-related films. Rawlins is best remembered for his contributions to the long-running Sherlock Holmes film series starring Basil Rathbone, where his steady, efficient direction helped maintain narrative clarity and pace during a period when the series shifted toward contemporary wartime themes.
Star Cast
- Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes
- Nigel Bruce as Dr. John Watson
- Lionel Atwill as Professor Meiries
- Evelyn Ankers as Kitty
- Reginald Denny as Captain James Donovan
- Thomas Gomez as Rudolph Meiries
The film was well received by wartime audiences, who appreciated its blend of familiar detective fiction with contemporary political relevance. Viewers responded positively to the patriotic tone and suspenseful plot, while fans of the Holmes series enjoyed seeing the characters placed in modern settings. Critics generally regarded it as a solid and entertaining entry in the Universal Sherlock Holmes cycle, though some noted its overt propaganda elements.
Fun Facts
- This was the first Sherlock Holmes film produced by Universal Pictures after the series moved from 20th Century Fox.
- The story was adapted from a section of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel His Last Bow but heavily reworked to fit a World War II setting.
- The film was designed in part as a morale-boosting piece supporting the Allied war effort.
- Lionel Atwill, a frequent Universal villain, appears in one of his final major film roles.
- Radio broadcasting plays a central role in the plot, reflecting the importance of mass communication during wartime Britain.
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