An actor with both one of the most distinctive profiles and most distinctive voices in Hollywood, Basil Rathbone became identified with Sherlock Holmes to his dismay. He should have taken more joy in the connection as few of his other lead roles have been remembered. He was in a large number of classic films, but, except for Son of Frankenstein, always as a supporting player and usually as a villain. It’s lucky for viewers that he made a superb villain. He was in some of the very best films ever made as the antagonist.
But before getting to those masterpieces, some honorable mentions—far more than normal if I counted separately some movies I’ve grouped together. First, a few cases where he excels but the film does not: Rathbone’s pre-code charmer in Sin Takes a Holiday (1930), his most psychotic villain in A Night of Terror (1937), and his comedic pick-pocket instructor in Heartbeat (1946). Then an honorable mention for the comedy Tovarich (1937), where Rathbone has only a small part. And a big honorable mention to his 14 Sherlock Holmes films, particularly The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939). And finally an honorable mention to The Court Jester (1955), a rollicking Swashbuckling comedy starring Danny Kaye. and #9 on the list below if the list went to 9.
#8 – A Tale of Two Cities (1935) — It does a passable job of translating a great novel for the screen, and while the directing is mediocre and several actors fail, Ronald Colman is excellent. Rathbone is very good in a small role. [Also on the Ronald Colman list]
#7 – If I Were King (1938) — A witty costume comedy/drama that is really a series of brilliant conversations between Ronald Colman (as a roguish poet) and Rathbone (as the king). [Also on the Ronald Colman list]
#6 – Son of Frankenstein (1939) A surprisingly good third entry in the franchise. It is seeped in German expressionism. Karloff gets a reduced role; Rathbone is the lead, but Bela Lugosi steals the film in what is probably his best performance. (My Review) [Also on the Bela Lugosi list and the Boris Karloff list]
#5 – The Dawn Patrol (1938) — One of the finest war pictures, with Rathbone, David Niven, and Errol Flynn as WWI pilots in horrible situations, having heroism forced upon them. [Also on the Errol Flynn list]
#4 – We’re No Angels (1955) — Humphrey Bogart’s last great performance, with Rathbone as the villain. It is a Christmas comedy and absolutely lovely. (Full Review) [Also on the Humphrey Bogart list]
#3 – Captain Blood (1935) — The first of the three great Errol Flynn Swashbucklers. Rathbone plays a pirate who ends up on the wrong side of Peter Blood. (Full Critique) [Also on the Errol Flynn list and the Olivia de Havilland list]
#2 – The Mark of Zorro (1940) — No Swashbuckler is more fun. Tyrone Power is the masked swordsman who pretends to be a fop. Rathbone is a ruthless general. (Full Critique)
#1 – The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) — The best classic Swashbuckler and one of the Best films ever made. It also contains the finest cinematic sword-fight of all time between Errol Flynn and Rathbone. (Full Critique) [Also on the Errol Flynn list and the Olivia de Havilland list]