Pursuit to Algiers (1945)

Sherlock Holmes plays bodyguard to a European prince in this tenth of the Universal Sherlock Holmes series (twelfth overall). It's often called the least of the bunch and it's easy enough to see why. Almost the entire movie takes place on board a ship at sea yet there is very little creative use made of such a claustrophobic setting. There's not much suspense to be had and the great detective does very little investigating. In fact, despite some interesting red herrings introduced early, the villains of the story are obvious and upfront from the time they first appear on screen. So there's not much in the way of mystery here, save for a twist reveal at the end that really wasn't surprising. Still, it's Rathbone and Bruce doing their thing and that's highly enjoyable to watch even in a lesser Holmes film. Nice support from Martin Kosleck, Rosalind Ivan, Rex Evans, and Marjorie Riordan. A lesser Holmes movie but still very watchable and likable for fans.

Most Consider this the Weakest in the Basil Rathbone-Nigel Bruce Series and it Probably is, but that Does Not Mean it is Unwatchable or Worthless. By this, the 12th of the Teams Pairing, the Charm for Fans has Made Itself Undeniable and Unobtrusive Despite Some Silliness and Liberties that the Movies So Often Exhibited. Mostly Taking Place on an Ocean Liner it is Claustrophobic and Confined and the Supporting Cast is Less than Memorable Playing Weak and Ill Defined Villains. The Film does have a Nice Twist at the End and there is Enough Going On that it just Keeps from Getting Tedious.Sherlock Keeps Most of His Personal Stingers Directed to Watson at Bay. The Final Line of the Movie is a Tongue in Cheek, In-Joke that is Charming and in Good Spirits.

Pursuit To Algiers involves Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in a job of security more than detective work. Both are looking to get away to Scotland for a little rest and relaxation, but they get a curious call for help from the Prime Minister of some Balkan country where the king has died. Not by accident as reported, but was assassinated.The Holmes mission is to get the Crown Prince to Algiers where presumably the state security people will take over. Why Algiers is never mentioned.As Basil Rathbone so wisely puts it he dislikes plans made by other people as they have a habit of blowing up in their faces. Rathbone makes his own security arrangements and part of it is making poor Nigel Bruce a decoy in more ways than one. How he succeeds in his mission is quite a good tale.Favorite scenes in this is Nigel Bruce singing Loch Lomond after singer Marjorie Riordan obliges him with a rendition of Flow Gently Sweet Afton. Nigel Bruce does not do bad with it either. The second scene is Rathbone outsmarting one of the three villains on a ship to Algeria. Martin Kosleck who is best known for playing Joseph Goebbels in several wartime films of varying quality plays an assassin skilled with the use of a thrown knife. I love how Rathbone not only foils him, but decommissions Kosleck for the rest of the film.Pursuit To Algiers is not pure Holmes in terms of a faithful recreation of an Arthur Conan Doyle, but Rathbone and Bruce are in good form and back from wartime propaganda films and now doing good mysteries.

Nowhere near one of my favorites but i do enjoy it. My biggest complaint is the incredibly obvious use of voice dubbing when Dr. Watson and Sheila sing. I do however like the way they "hid" the real Prince. In first viewing it came as a complete surprise. I was led to believe that he was just a mischievous steward. I also liked the continuous word games between Mr. Holmes and the antagonists. One other redeeming factor is it is pretty fast paced so we don't have to watch it drag along to much. I am glad to say i own the entire series on DVD. not a month goes by where i don't take the time to take one of the DVD's out and enjoy it.