The Pearl of Death (1944): Cast & Plot
The Pearl of Death is a 1944 mystery thriller directed by Roy William Neill, starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, Miles Mander and Richard Aherne. It runs 1 hour 9 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 9m (69 min)
- Director
- Roy William Neill
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Pearl of Death About?
The premise of The Pearl of Death without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The brilliant detectives confront the legendary Borgia Pearl, a cursed gemstone whose owners have suffered murder and misfortune since the Renaissance. Sherlock Holmes helps bring the pearl to London, but his mistake allows it to be stolen. Soon a spree of gruesome killings begins, each victim found with a snapped spine amid shattered china.
The Pearl of Death Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- sherlock holmes character
- dr. john watson character
- climbing out a window
- psychotronic film
- devil's island
- reference to devil's island
- fur coat
- throwing away a key
- smoke stack
- clergyman
- makeup compact
- disguised as clergyman
+38 more Show fewer
- customs office
- rear projection
- makeup
- wig
- robe
- dressing gown
- pipe
- head bump
- curator
- broken window
- accomplice
- police station
- tray
- teapot
- note
- closeup of note
- handwritten note
- newspaper
- newspaper reporter
- kipper
- earring
- major
- india
- man wears an earring
- housekeeper
- shock
- catalepsy
- painting
- broken plate
- coin
- climbing down a ladder
- match
- revolver
- newspaper clipping
- glue
- newspaper article
- eyeglasses
- accident
The Pearl of Death Cast & Characters
Basil Rathbone leads the cast as Sherlock Holmes, with Miles Mander as Giles Conover and Richard Aherne as Museum Guard Bates. Directed by Roy William Neill; 16 actors are credited in all.
- Director Roy William Neill
-
Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes - Miles Mander as Giles Conover
- Richard Aherne as Museum Guard Bates
-
Nigel Bruce as Dr. John Watson
Also Starring in The Pearl of Death
· 12 more- Rondo Hatton The Hoxton Creeper
- Evelyn Ankers Naomi Drake
- Ian Wolfe Amos Hodder
- Mary Gordon Mrs. Hudson
- Harry Cording George Gelder (uncredited)
- Billy Bevan Constable With Food Tray (uncredited)
- Holmes Herbert James Goodram, courier
- Eric Wilton Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Leyland Hodgson Customs Officer (uncredited)
- Dennis Hoey Inspector Lestrade
- Lillian Bronson Maj. Harker's Housekeeper (uncredited)
- Charles Francis Francis Digby, curator
More from Roy William Neill
More films directed by Roy William Neill: Black Angel, Dressed to Kill, Terror by Night and Pursuit to Algiers.
The Pearl of Death Plot Summary
What happens in The Pearl of Death from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In this gripping adaptation of Holmes’s world, the mastermind Giles Conover, [Miles Mander], pulls off a bold theft, stealing the famous “Borgia Pearl” from the Royal Regent Museum right under the noses of the legendary duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Yet when the arrest comes, the pearl is noticeably missing from Conover’s possession, and he is released—leaving Holmes with a puzzle that only grows more cryptic as the story unfolds. The case quickly widens beyond a single heist to a disturbing pattern of violence that seems almost merciless in its cruelty and timing.
Full summary
The whole story of The Pearl of Death, scene by scene
The Pearl of Death Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Pearl of Death.
How Well Do You Know The Pearl of Death?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the famous pearl stolen in a daring heist at the start of the film?
Cars in The Pearl of Death
1 car on screen: the unknown.
-
unknown Important role
The Pearl of Death Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Sherlock Holmes and The Pearl of Death” and “Sherlock Holmes-La perle des Borgia”.
- Also known as
-
- Sherlock Holmes and The Pearl of Death
- Sherlock Holmes-La perle des Borgia
- Sherlock Holmes in The Pearl of Death
- Sherlock Holmes: The Pearl of Death
- Sherlock Holmes y la perla de la muerte
- Perle des Todes
- シャーロック・ホームズ 死の真珠
- Die Perle der Borgia
- La perla maldita
- Sherlock Holmes e la perla della morte
- A pérola da morte
- La Perle des Borgia
+5 more Show fewer
- Шерлок Холмс: Жемчужина смерти
- Перлата на смъртта
- 死亡珍珠
- Pérola Negra
- Sherlock Holmes: Dødens perle
Seen The Pearl of Death?
Movies Like The Pearl of Death
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes Faces Death.
-
Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace 1962 -
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 1939 -
Sherlock Holmes Faces Death 1943 -
Murder by Decree 1979 -
Murder, My Sweet 1944 -
Murder Over New York 1940 -
Dressed to Kill 1946 -
Terror by Night 1946 -
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking 2004 -
Appointment with Death 1988 -
Doomed to Die 1940 -
The Scarlet Claw 1944
The Pearl of Death FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Pearl of Death, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Pearl of Death?
The Pearl of Death runs 1 hour 9 minutes (69 minutes).
When was The Pearl of Death released?
The Pearl of Death was released on August 1, 1944.
Who directed The Pearl of Death?
The Pearl of Death was directed by Roy William Neill.
More films by Roy William Neill Who is in the cast of The Pearl of Death?
The Pearl of Death stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, Miles Mander as Giles Conover and Richard Aherne as Museum Guard Bates, among 16 credited actors.
Does The Pearl of Death have a post-credit scene?
No. The Pearl of Death has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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