The Sleeping Cardinal

Watch: The Sleeping Cardinal

2/15/19311h 24m

Theatrical Release (US)

Overview:

A card cheat is threatened with exposure into joining a criminal enterprise that Sherlock Holmes believes is controlled by Professor Moriarity.

Director:

Leslie S. Hiscott

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

detective
based on short story
sherlock holmes

Cast

Arthur Wontner

~ as ~

Sherlock Holmes

Ian Fleming

~ as ~

Dr. John Watson

Minnie Rayner

~ as ~

Mrs. Hudson

Leslie Perrins

~ as ~

Ronald Adair

Jane Welsh

~ as ~

Kathleen Adair

Norman McKinnel

~ as ~

Prof. Robert Moriarty / Col. Henslowe

William Fazan

~ as ~

Thomas Fisher

Sydney King

~ as ~

Tony Rutherford

Philip Hewland

~ as ~

Inspector Lestrade

Gordon Begg

~ as ~

Marston, the butler

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

JPV852
Written 3 year(s) ago
6
Watchable mystery-drama with Arthur Wontner and Ian Fleming as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson respectively. A bit slow at times but I still was engaged enough with the mystery element and liked Wontner's portrayal of the classic character. 3.25/5
CinemaSerf
Written 3 year(s) ago
6
Arthur Wontner ("Sherlock Holmes") and Ian Fleming ("Dr. Watson") really do foil well together as our deductive duo investigating a dastardly counterfeiting conspiracy conjured from the ever-devious mind of their nemesis "Prof. Moriarty" (? - that'd be telling...). Not unusually, this plot strays quite far from the original serial - as do the characterisations, but Wontner is strong as the sleuth and Fleming offers a much more cerebral contribution as the pair have to thwart the scheming Professor. The story has all of the usual twists, turns and red herrings - but what sets it aside a little is the way in which we, the audience, are given clues by "Holmes" - not always obvious, indeed sometimes they are so obscure as to render all but the most advanced criminologist baffled - and that's part of the enjoyment. We are encouraged to take part, ourselves - and it's not a simple deduction! I've watched this twice now and though, of course, there is no actual jeopardy with the end result, the second time I noticed more by way of guidance from the deft Wontner. Technically - well, it's not the greatest. Though the lighting can help the atmosphere a bit, it doesn't much help us see what's going on half the time; and the script can be a bit dry and muddled at times. I won't fib - Rathbone/Bruce are my definitives in these roles, but if you can put comparisons to the back of your mind, and treat with this as an original - then it's a good watch.