Arthur Wontner

Arthur Wontner (21 January 1875 – 10 July 1960) was a prominent British actor, celebrated for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in a series of five films from 1931 to 1937, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective stories. His films include:

- *The Sleeping Cardinal* (1931), known in the US as *Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour*, which merges elements from "The Adventure of the Empty House" and "The Final Problem."
- *The Missing Rembrandt* (1932), a film that remains classified as lost and is based on "The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton."
- *The Sign of Four: Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Case* (1932).
- *The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes* (1935), inspired by *The Valley of Fear*.
- *Silver Blaze* (1937), released in the US as *Murder at the Baskervilles* in 1941, which adapts the story "Silver Blaze."

Wontner's journey to the role of Sherlock Holmes began with his successful depiction of Holmes-like character Sexton Blake in a 1930 stage production. Interestingly, *Silver Blaze* was retitled for its US release to capitalize on the popularity of Basil Rathbone's adaptation of *The Hound of the Baskervilles*, with Wontner’s film set two decades later.

Arthur Wontner was also the father of Sir Hugh Wontner, a distinguished hotelier and former Lord Mayor of London.