The Sign of Four (1923 film)

The Sign of Four is a 1923 British silent mystery film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Eille Norwood, Isobel Elsom and Fred Raynham. The film is based on the 1890 novel The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle, and was one of a series of Sherlock Holmes films starring Norwood.

Premise
Holmes and Watson are called in to investigate a strange murder in South London which appears to have its roots in events in India some years before.

Production
Previous Watson performer Hubert Willis was replaced by Arthur M. Cullin in the role as director Maurice Elvey felt that Willis was too old to woo the much younger Isobel Elsom as Mary Morstan. Norwood was unimpressed with Cullin in the role although Cullin brought previous experience having played Watson to H. A. Saintsbury's Holmes in The Valley of Fear.

The climactic chase on the Thames was shot on location.

Cast

 * Eille Norwood - Sherlock Holmes
 * Isobel Elsom - Mary Morstan
 * Fred Raynham - Prince Abdullah Khan
 * Arthur M. Cullin - Doctor John Watson
 * Norman Page - Jonathan Small
 * Humberston Wright - Doctor Sholto
 * Henry Wilson - Pygmy
 * Madame d'Esterre - Mrs Hudson
 * Arthur Bell - Inspector Athelney Jones