Study in Terror
aka he
Fog (1965)
Written,
directed and produced by James Hill
Executive producers: Henry E. Lester; Herman Cohen
Screenwriter: Frederic Dannay (Donald Ford), Derek Ford
(1933-1995)
Cinematography: Desmond Dickinson
Music: John Scott
Cast Includes
Sherlock Holmes: John Neville
Mycroft Holmes: Robert Morley
Dr.Watson: Donald Houston
Lord Carfax: John Fraser
Dr.Murray: Anthony Quayle
Annie Chapman: Barbara Windsor
Angela: Adrienne Corri
Inspector Lestrade: Frank Finlay
Sally: Judi Dench
Prime Minister Cecil Parker
Singer: Georgia Brown
Duke of Shires: Barry Jones
Cathy Eddowes: Kay Walsh
Mary Kelly: Edina Ronay
Chunky: Terry Downes
While Conan Doyle never addressed the
problem of the Ripper in any of his Sherlock Holmes stories (despite many letters asking
him to do so), his followers have done it several times. Holmes appears in center stage in
Ellery Queen's 'A Study in Terror'. The story was
also published in Argosy (Aug '91) as the Adventure of the Surgeon's Kit.
The 'Holmes' story of the movie was rewritten by Paul W. Fairman and then Ellery
Queen added a second solution!
In 'A Study in Terror' the ever popular Sherlock Holmes, his brother
Mycroft and his companion Dr.Watson search for the
Victorian serial killer.
Mycroft, Holmes brother at the
behest of the Prime Minister, intercedes with his brother to help solve
the crimes, in a manner favorable to government. Sherlock, though, is more
interested simply in the joys of detection. Jack the Ripper in a well-made and exciting mystery produced,
written and directed by James Hill. This film combines all the elements beloved by fans of
Sherlock Holmes resulting in a satisfying and well-acted mystery. John Neville is
good as the cool, logical Holmes and Robert Morley adds a nice dash of humor to liven up
the story. A Study in Terror is highly recommended for fans of Sherlock Holmes
and should be enjoyed by any viewer who loves vintage mysteries.
As to the writing credits of this movie the answer was cleary given by
Herman Cohen (producer) in an interview he gave Tom Weaver's for his
book "Attack of the Monster Movie Makers" (Jefferson, North
Carolina: McFarland & Co. 1994) "Donald and Derek Ford get screen
credit for the writing but they didn't write it, although the idea of
combining Holmes and Jack the Ripper was theirs. Michael Klinger and Tony
Tenser had signed them for "their" Sherlock Holmes movie, but they didn't
execute their script properly and I didn't like it. I hired Harry Craig, a
writer that Adrian Conan Doyle (Arthur's son) and Henry Lester liked very
much. He worked closely with me and James Hill, the director, on the final
screenplay, which was based on the original story and screenplay by Donald
and Derek Ford. Harry Craig didn't want a credit because he was doing a
big picture for Columbia at that time."
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