THE FILM EXAMINER
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon Poster
▶ Stream Available Verified Unrenewed Public Domain 1942 Feature

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

Directed by Roy William Neill → • Production: Universal Pictures
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942) is the fourth in the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce series of 14 Sherlock Holmes films, which updated the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to the then-present day. The film is credited as an adaptation of Conan Doyle's 1903 short story "The Adventure of the Dancing Men", though the only element from the source material is the dancing men code. Rather, it is a spy film taking place on the background of the then-ongoing Second World War with an original premise. The film concerns the kidnapping of a Swiss scientist by their nemesis Professor Moriarty to steal a new bomb sight and sell it to Nazi Germany. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson have to crack a secret code to save the country.
Runtime
68 minutes
Aspect Ratio
4:3 Academy (Pillarbox)
Archival Copies
1 Vault Holding(s)
Classification
1929–1963 Unrenewed
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Notable Screen Cast

William Post Jr. →
Lead Role
John Burton →
Co-Star
Rudolph Anders →
Co-Star
Michael Mark →
Supporting Cast
Harry Woods →
Supporting Cast
Dennis Hoey →
Featured Cast
Philip Van Zandt →
Featured Cast
Henry Daniell →
Featured Cast
Holmes Herbert →
Featured Cast
Harry Cording →
Featured Cast
Paul Fix →
Featured Cast
Nigel Bruce →
Dr. Watson
Lionel Atwill →
Professor Moriarty
Mary Gordon →
Featured Cast
Henry Victor →
Featured Cast
Basil Rathbone →
Sherlock Holmes