The Sleeping Cardinal (1931) / Sherlock Holmes: Fatal Hour Director: Leslie S. Hiscott Studio: Twickenham Film Studios Starring: Arthur Wontner, Ian Fleming, Jane Welsh, Lyn Harding Release Date: December 1, 1931 Runtime: 71 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Mystery | Crime | Detective Country: United Kingdom Language: English Genres: Mystery | Crime | Detective | Classic Sherlock Holmes Summary: The Sleeping Cardinal, also known as Sherlock Holmes: Fatal Hour in the U.S., is an early sound-era adaptation featuring Arthur Wontner as the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. In this gripping mystery, Holmes investigates a series of murders connected to a secret society threatening London’s safety. Alongside Dr. Watson (Ian Fleming), Holmes must uncover the truth before the culprits can execute their deadly plan. The film blends classic detective work with suspenseful drama, atmospheric settings, and sharp dialogue, capturing the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic stories. Background: Directed by Leslie S. Hiscott, The Sleeping Cardinal was one of several Holmes films starring Arthur Wontner, praised for his thoughtful and restrained portrayal of the detective. This film is loosely based on Doyle’s stories “The Final Problem” and “The Empty House,” weaving elements from both into a fresh narrative. Produced by Twickenham Studios, the film helped establish British talkie detective films and contributed to the enduring popularity of Holmes on screen. Trivia: Arthur Wontner’s portrayal of Holmes is considered one of the most faithful to the original character before Basil Rathbone’s era. The film’s American release title, Fatal Hour, was changed to attract U.S. audiences unfamiliar with The Sleeping Cardinal. Ian Fleming, who played Dr. Watson, is not related to the James Bond author of the same name. The film features early sound-era techniques, including moody lighting and suspenseful music cues. It is part of a series of five Sherlock Holmes films starring Wontner made between 1931 and 1937. The film is now in the public domain and widely available for classic mystery fans. Hashtags: #TheSleepingCardinal #SherlockHolmes #ArthurWontner #ClassicMystery #1930sCinema #BritishFilm #DetectiveFilm #PublicDomainMovie #TwickenhamStudios #MysteryThriller #SherlockHolmesFilm #OldHollywood #ClassicDetective #VintageMystery #FilmHistory