Cushing a bit on the priggish side as Holmes?

There is nothing wrong with Cushing's performance. But, let's be honest, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are perfect for the roles. Their chemistry is amazing, and Basil really gives an in-depth performance. I feel as if Cushing just acts grumpy and smart, and that's it. Of course, the movies that Rathbone and Bruce were in were not always wonderful, but if you look at the performances alone, it's a real treat.

Brett is also extremely good. Sometimes, I feel like he overdoes it a bit, but in general, I think Rathbone and Brett were the two best.

Jake-219 -
Well said! To paraphrase something that Peter Cushing said in an interview, "The problem with playing Holmes is that he goes up and down like a Yo Yo. That can be annoying for an audience. So, you have to find a way to do it."

When I met Peter Cushing, I found him to be enormously likable in person, a really charming man. So, it's remarkable that he did not rely on his natural charm in playing Holmes. He took the risk of letting Holmes be unlikable. The result was what I consider the most accurate interpretation of Holmes up until that time.

In the 1970's, The Royal Shakespeare Company brought their production of William Gillette's SHERLOCK HOLMES to Broadway, featuring the remarkable John Wood as Holmes. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his wonderful performance. Luckily, I knew the Assistant Stage Manager, who was a friend of John Wood's. He gave me the chance to see the set after a performance, and of course to meet John Wood. When I mentioned to the assistant stage manager that John Wood's interpretation reminded me of Peter Cushing, he smiled broadly and nodded in an animated manner. Obviously, John Wood had been influenced by Cushing.

On a New York PBS Television fund raiser (they were showing the Granada series on MYSTERY at the time), Jeremy Brett appeared as a guest. He described Basil Rathbone as "the ideal Holmes, " and went on to add, "Of course Peter Cushing was marvelous."

By the way, a good friend of mine talked to Peter Cushing for several hours. Peter (as everyone called him) told my friend that Andre Morell was an 11th hour replacement for Watson. Unfortunately, my friend could not remember the actor who had been originally cast.

"Ignore the man behind the curtain!"