Der Hund Von Baskerville (1929)

The renowned detective Sherlock Holmes (Carlyle Blackwell) is asked to assist in solving the mystery of a spectral hound that reportedly haunts the moors of Devonshire and plaguing the Baskerville heirs for decades and said to be responsible for the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville (Alexander Murski). Is the new Baskerville heir (Livio Pavanelli) next in line to fall under the curse? Based on the classic novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and directed by Richard Oswald. Doyle's novel has been adapted for both film and television over 20 times and this German film version was the last silent version to be made. Long thought to be lost, a print was discovered in a basement in Poland in 2009 and has been restored although several scenes are still missing. In the film proper, these scenes are bridged by still photos and descriptive narrative. As to the film itself, it's a fairly faithful adaptation of the Doyle novel and rich in Gothic atmosphere with its windswept moors, gloomy mansions and torch lights in the night. For lovers of silent cinema, this is a must. With George Seroff, Betty Bird, Fritz Rasp and Carla Bartheel.