In this second part of the 60's BBC series, Watson runs for the manor after hearing the growl of the hound, understanding exactly what Sir Charles felt when he had a coronary. This time, we see that Stapleton isn't fond of Sir Henry's(Gary Raymond)courtship with his "sister", barking aloud at his "attempted molestation" while they were chatting. Watson discovers that Holmes has been in Dartmoor the entire time, and he informs him of the killer responsible for not only Sir Charles' death, but of the escaped convict, who fell victim of the hound thanks to clothes he wore, given to him by the Barrymores(Christopher Burgess and June Watson). Holmes and Watson, at first, thought the Sir Henry had been attacked, fallen from a hill to his death, but it was the convict, wearing his clothes. This episode establishes Stapleton's true nature, and we see that, in this particular adaptation, that he's a slimy scoundrel, with ulterior motives behind his actions which include Laura Lyons(Penelope Lee), a shunned daughter of Dartmoor's renowned lawyer, Squire Frankland(George Howe). Lyons is the one who wrote the letter, hoping, it seems, to borrow money from Sir Charles wanting a divorce from her lecherous husband..how Lyons and Stapelton are involved is one of many keys to solving the mystery behind why Sir Henry's boot was stole, and why she wasn't present to meet Sir Charles the night he died. We see that Frankland is offended by the mere mention of his daughter's name in his presence. Interesting enough, in this adaptation, the identity of the killer and his motives are clearly defined before the end by Holmes to Watson in a pub, unlike others which allow it to play out at the end as a surprise twist. Holmes plans to set a trap with Sir Henry as bait walking the path by the Moor at night from Stapleton's home..this, to his horror, was a blunder for the fog would be thick risking danger to anyone who makes the mistake of stepping into the dreaded swamp of the Grimpen Mire.
Again, the use of English locations make for great effect, and the only dressed set which didn't really work for me was the cavern for which Holmes was hiding on the Moor, the rocky walling just doesn't cut the mustard. I imagine I'm not the only one who gets a bit antsy with Cushing away, but Hound of the Baskervilles is really a showcase, if you think about it, for Watson, who does a great deal of sleuthing, asking the tough questions that are needed to get to the bottom of things. I think, though, that these released episodes featuring Cushing as Holmes will be a treasure for his fans...even if he's so little featured in the Hound of the Baskervilles parts of the series. Abruptly ends unlike the Rathbone/Bruce movies which usually have the duo recollecting about what they had just accomplished, in this one Holmes and Watson watch as the mastermind behind the plot against Sir Henry gets his just desserts, sinking into the Grimpen Mire. We see the hound make it's entrance in a savage assault on Sir Henry. I thought the other parts were suitably cast, but this may very well be all Nigel Stock's show. The parts one and two might have a rather familiarity and predictability to them because those of us who have watched countless versions of the Hound of the Baskervilles will feel like we have seen this all before. Since I like this story, even if Holmes is treated as almost an afterthought most of the way through, seeing another good version doesn't bother me none. This version has a heated confrontation between the Stapeltons, and the Lyons' character is established to a greater extent than usual.
Again, the use of English locations make for great effect, and the only dressed set which didn't really work for me was the cavern for which Holmes was hiding on the Moor, the rocky walling just doesn't cut the mustard. I imagine I'm not the only one who gets a bit antsy with Cushing away, but Hound of the Baskervilles is really a showcase, if you think about it, for Watson, who does a great deal of sleuthing, asking the tough questions that are needed to get to the bottom of things. I think, though, that these released episodes featuring Cushing as Holmes will be a treasure for his fans...even if he's so little featured in the Hound of the Baskervilles parts of the series. Abruptly ends unlike the Rathbone/Bruce movies which usually have the duo recollecting about what they had just accomplished, in this one Holmes and Watson watch as the mastermind behind the plot against Sir Henry gets his just desserts, sinking into the Grimpen Mire. We see the hound make it's entrance in a savage assault on Sir Henry. I thought the other parts were suitably cast, but this may very well be all Nigel Stock's show. The parts one and two might have a rather familiarity and predictability to them because those of us who have watched countless versions of the Hound of the Baskervilles will feel like we have seen this all before. Since I like this story, even if Holmes is treated as almost an afterthought most of the way through, seeing another good version doesn't bother me none. This version has a heated confrontation between the Stapeltons, and the Lyons' character is established to a greater extent than usual.
