Terror By Night (1946)

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is hired to protect a priceless diamond owned by Lady Margaret (Mary Forbes) from being stolen as she travels by train from London to Scotland. As the train makes its journey, the diamond is stolen and several murders occur. Based on the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and directed by Roy William Neill (FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN). Like the later Holmes films, this is set in a contemporary (the 1940s) setting rather than the late 19th century of the Doyle books. Though not based on any specific Holmes novel or short story, it steals bits and pieces from several of the Doyle franchise. This one is a lot of fun with doses of humor (usually at Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson's expense) and a carriage full of suspicious travelers. I chose the least likely suspect and sure enough, I got it right. Rathbone's Holmes is a bit more physical than usual as he gets into fist fights and hangs on for dear life after being pushed out of the train. With Alan Mowbray, Renee Godfrey, Dennis Hoey, Frederick Warlock and Geoffrey Steele.