2. The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939)
The film that gave birth to the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce series of Sherlock Holmes movies stands apart from all other adaptations of Conan Doyle's most famous story. Not only was the casting so perfect, but it's a story that belongs in monochrome; its deep blacks and ghostly whites lending a gothic beauty that has been lacking in subsequent versions.
Fox Studios were so uncertain of whether or not it'd be a hit, that Rathbone, whose name would forever onwards be synonymous with the role of Holmes, got second billing behind Richard Greene, the film's romantic lead. Nigel Bruce as Watson wasn't even on the title screen, instead relegated to the supporting players on the second titles.
People may have their favourites when it comes to the Rathbone/Bruce series, but this film, the first, wins its place here for being just that, and for the many hours of entertainment that followed after.
Killer Line:
Holmes (having completed the case, and in need of "relaxation"): "Oh, Watson - the needle!"