What's After the Movie
Basil Rathbone
Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was an Anglo-South African actor. He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in more than 70 films, including costume dramas and swashbucklers, along with occasional appearances in horror films. Rathbone frequently portrayed suave villains or morally ambiguous characters in his films. His most famous role was that of Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films between 1939 and 1946, and in a radio series. Post his stint as Sherlock Holmes, Rathbone featured in roles on Broadway, self-ironic film and television work.
Born in Johannesburg, South African Republic, to British parents, Rathbone was the great-grandson of noted Victorian philanthropist, William Rathbone V. He began his stage career in 1911 and his film career in Hollywood began in 1921. He had a successful stage career both in Britain and the United States. Besides acting, Rathbone was a two-time British Army Fencing Champion. He was also nominated for two Academy Awards and was honoured with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Despite his film successes, Rathbone always insisted he wanted to be remembered for his stage career. Rathbone's last film was a low-budget horror film, Autopsy of a Ghost (1968), and he died suddenly of a heart attack in New York City on 21 July 1967.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Basil Rathbone, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Basil Rathbone rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Philip St. John Basil Rathbone
Born: Johannesburg, South African Republic
Citizenship: South African, British
Birthday: June 13, 1892
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1911-1967
Children: 3
Spouses: Ethel Marian Foreman, Ouida Bergère
External Links and Streaming Options
Explore more about on trusted external platforms like Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb or TMDb. Find additional details, reviews, and related content to deepen your understanding.
Movies Featuring Basil Rathbone
Captain Blood
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Tales of Terror
The Great Mouse Detective
A Tale of Two Cities
David Copperfield
We're No Angels
The Adventures of Robin Hood (re-release)
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook
The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes
The Horror of It All
Fingers at the Window
A Notorious Affair
The Woman in Green
Heartbeat
The Spider Woman
A Christmas Carol
Queen of Blood
The Lady of Scandal
Crazy House
The House of Fear
Above Suspicion
Loyalties
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini
Autopsy of a Ghost
Pursuit to Algiers
The Black Sleep
The Bishop Murder Case
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Bathing Beauty
Terror by Night
Madhouse
The Movie Orgy
Crossroads
Son of Frankenstein
The Comedy of Terrors
Private Number
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Last Hurrah
The Dawn Patrol
Confession
The Stingiest Man in Town
The Adventures of Marco Polo
Rhythm on the River
A Feather in Her Hat
The Garden of Allah
International Lady
The Mark of Zorro
Tovarich
The Son of Frankenstein
The Magic Sword
The Scarlet Claw
Dressed to Kill
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
Sin Takes a Holiday
The Black Cat
Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet
Kind Lady
The Sun Never Sets
The Pearl of Death
Hillbillys in a Haunted House
The Last of Mrs. Cheyney
Anna Karenina
The Wind in the Willows
Make a Wish
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Love from a Stranger
Frenchman’s Creek
The Horror Show
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror
If I Were King
The Flirting Widow
Sherlock Holmes in Washington
Tower of London
Pontius Pilate
Breakdowns of 1938
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Basil Rathbone, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1965
The Son of Frankenstein
Frankenstein (archive footage)
Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet
Prof. Hartman, Lunar 7
1949
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Narrator (segment "The Wind in the Willows")
The Wind in the Willows
Narrator (voice)
1945
The Woman in Green
Sherlock Holmes
The House of Fear
Sherlock Holmes
Pursuit to Algiers
Sherlock Holmes
1944
Bathing Beauty
George Adams
The Scarlet Claw
Sherlock Holmes
The Pearl of Death
Sherlock Holmes
Frenchman’s Creek
Lord Rockingham
1943
The Spider Woman
Sherlock Holmes
Crazy House
Sherlock Holmes
Above Suspicion
Sig von Aschenhausen
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes in Washington
Sherlock Holmes
1942
Fingers at the Window
Cesar Ferrari / Dr. H. Santelle
Crossroads
Henri Sarrou
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror
Sherlock Holmes
1939
Son of Frankenstein
Baron Wolf von Frankenstein
The Sun Never Sets
Clive Randolph
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Tower of London
Richard - Duke of Gloucester
1938
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Sir Guy of Gisbourne
The Dawn Patrol
Maj. Brand
The Adventures of Marco Polo
Ahmed
If I Were King
Louis XI
Breakdowns of 1938
Basil (archive footage) (uncredited)
1937
Confession
Michael Michailow
Tovarich
Commissar Dimitri Gorotchenko
Make a Wish
Johnny Selden
Love from a Stranger
Gerald Lovell
1935
Captain Blood
A Tale of Two Cities
David Copperfield
A Feather in Her Hat
Captain Randolph Courtney
Kind Lady
Henry Abbott
Anna Karenina
Alexei Alexandrovitch Karenin
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.