The Sleeping Cardinal, also known as Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour in the United States, is a 1931 British mystery film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Arthur Wontner and Ian Fleming. The film is an adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Although it is not based on any one particular story, the film draws inspiration from "The Empty House" and "The Final Problem". The film is the first in the 1931–1937 film series starring Wontner as Sherlock Holmes. It is unrelated to the Basil Rathbone series of Sherlock Holmes films that began in the late 1930s.
The film was produced at Twickenham Studios in London with sets designed by art director James A. Carter.
Plot
In London, young diplomatic attaché Ronnie Adair, is playing bridge when he is called to a meeting with Professor Moriarty and blackmailed into transporting counterfeit money to Paris in his diplomatic pouch. Adair's concerned sister calls for the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to investigate the reasons for her brother's gambling excesses and depressed moods. After Adair dies from an apparent suicide, Holmes deduces Moriarty's involvement from a trail of clues.
Cast
Arthur Wontner as Sherlock Holmes
Ian Fleming as Dr. Watson
Philip Hewland as Inspector Lestrade
Jane Welsh as Kathleen Adair
Norman McKinnel as Prof. Moriarty, alias Col. Henslowe
Minnie Rayner as Mrs. Hudson
Leslie Perrins as Ronald Adair
Gordon Begg as Marston, the butler
William Fazan as Thomas Fisher
Sydney King as Tony Rutherford
Louis Goodrich as Colonel Sebastian Moran
Harry Terry as No. 16
Charles Paton as J.J. Godfrey
Reception
In a contemporary review, The New York Times wrote: "There are secret doors leading into strange compartments and rooms, and there are scufflings and caterwaulings in dark corridors. All the characters express their contempt for one another by that sinister laugh—the 'ha, ha' which preceded the 'yeah' of modern gangdom. Detective Holmes barely escapes with his life, and the dear Dr. Watson is drawn away by innumerable red herrings."