Can you name the actor, born in South Africa to British parents, who most often portrayed Sherlock Holmes in films, 14 times in the 1940's?

For many, the definitive on-screen representation of Sherlock Holmes is the tall, hawk-nosed figure of Basil Rathbone. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to English parents, Rathbone's family fled to Britain when he was three years old. Before embodying the world's most famous detective, he was a distinguished Shakespearean stage actor often cast in villainous roles. His chance to play the hero came in 1939 when he was cast as Holmes in "The Hound of the Baskervilles," a role that would define his career.

Between 1939 and 1946, Rathbone portrayed the brilliant detective in a series of fourteen films, forever linking his image with the deerstalker cap and pipe. He starred alongside Nigel Bruce, whose portrayal of a bumbling yet endearing Dr. Watson became a famous, if sometimes criticized, counterpart to Rathbone's sharp and intense Holmes. The first two films, produced by 20th Century Fox, were set in the original Victorian era with high production values. The subsequent twelve films were made by Universal Pictures with lower budgets and updated the setting to the 1940s, even incorporating World War II themes.

While Rathbone's portrayal is considered iconic and set a standard for future interpretations, the actor himself developed a love-hate relationship with the character. Initially pleased to play a heroic figure, he eventually grew frustrated with being typecast and felt the role limited his opportunities for other significant screen parts. Despite his personal feelings, Rathbone's performance, along with his work in over 200 radio episodes as Holmes, created an enduring legacy that continues to influence portrayals of the great (Review) detective today.

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