Sherlock Holmes pastiches, literary and televised

[pen_and_umbra]

"I am an omnivorous reader with a strangely retentive memory for trifles."

So said Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Lion's Mane. Me, I can't claim to have a good memory, but I'm most certainly both a reader and strangely retentive at times. And, as anyone could tell you, a fan of Sherlock Holmes

Comments

[pen_and_umbra]

Yeah, I don't think Brett can be beaten in this regard. Not only was he perfect in the role, it's sort of become a seminal performance that all others are measured against. It'd need to be something completely different.

[titc]

Er, I've just composed a reply toi this post, and as I was typing away, your icon kept flashing Brian May at me, & though I'm not sure I recognise the blond guy (logic says, 'why not Roger Taylor?' Brain says, 'with this "haircut"?' Nah), I just want to say: God Save the Queen. First time I see him on an LJ icon.

[lynkemma]

Er... isn't Rupert Everett a Brit? I thought he was.

*is confused and goes off to check*

[pen_and_umbra]

Y'know, you're right -- he is. I don't know why I thought he was an American. Possibly because of that atrocious film he did with Madonna and because his accent in The Silk Stocking really was very, very strange. Fixed it. :)

[lynkemma]

Don't worry, I agree his accent was strange. The only reason why I remembered is because I read somewhere he worked as a rent boy in London while waiting for his big break, which was kind of strange for an American wannabe actor to do :-)

[pen_and_umbra]

Mwah! Too true. ;) Now that I think of the accent, I think he was trying to do an old-fashioned Oxbridge accent but wound up getting stuck somewhere between Cardiff and Brighton...

[cat_mcdougall]

Ideal on screen Holmes, is and always will be:

Basil Rathbone

I grew up watching him as Sherlock and still love him.

Watson? Really dunno.

[pen_and_umbra]

I liked Rathbone's Holmes for his veneer of civilisation and he does look the part, a seminal Holmes characterisation... but for some reason, he never managed to convey Holmes's idiosyncrasies. Like, he never struck me as the type to keep his tobacco in a Persian slipper, y'know? Plus, that bumbling Watson was atrocious.

Hm. I think I need to re-watch some of my Rathbone Holmeses. :)

[prof_pangaea]

You should definitely see The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which was the second rathbone film, and the best -- it was still made by Fox, whereas all the bizarre updated B movies version were made by Universal (I love them, but they are definitely bizarre).

George Zucco plays a fantastic Moriarty , and he and Holmes have little sparring conversations that go like:

Moriarty: But, if you are instrumental in any way in my destruction, you will not be alive to enjoy your satisfaction.
Holmes: Then we shall walk together through the gates of eternity, hand in hand.
Moriarty: What a charming picture that would make.
Holmes: Yes, wouldn't it. You know, I really think it might be worth it.

Nigel Bruce as Watson still acts... like he does, but not quite so much. But it's all balanced out by the top hats and Moriartical intrigue!

[pen_and_umbra]

(LJ is being pissy with comment notifications, hence delay.)

I've added The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes to my see-ASAP list because I've never been able to resist a fab Moriarty or top hats. :D That's just brill. Thank you for the rec!

[sansenmage]

Have you ever seen the 1959 The Hound of the Baskervilles with Peter Cushings and Christopher Lee?

[pen_and_umbra]

No, I haven't, but three minutes of research shows it's available on DVD! I'm tempted to order it just for Christopher Lee, but would you say it is worth the watch otherwise, too?

[titc]

Years ago I had loved B. Wilder's Private Life of S.H.. with R. Stephens...

but I've recently bought (& watched) the Granada entire series, and OMG SQUEE - er, I mean, it's SO British, the accents, the wordings, the sets, the actors... And the Watsons: my absolute facourite being cuddly, subtle, intelligent, long-suffering, kind... Hardwicke!Watson. I can't help but find D. Burke somewhat too... loud, maybe. But he still is a good Watson!
I, of course, loved Brett - sometimes excessive, and a very personal take on Holmes, but it was one that really clicked with me & my character kinks. Plus, the usual suspects were totally spot-on: Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Mycroft... aaaah!
It made me (re-)read the stories!

I haven't seen yet the Rathbone/Bruce series, & not even the recent BBC films, though I certainly shall one day... but I've read that Bruce's Watson was a bit too much on the slightly stupid, bumbling side of Watson...

[pen_and_umbra]

The Granada series DVD box is the best bang for the buck, ever. I'd love it just for its wonderful portrayal of the Victorian era, but cap it off with Brett, well, wow. (My favourite Watson was always Burke, for some reason. He was, as you said, a bit loud, but I can't help loving him in The red-Headed League.)

The Rathbone/Bruce adaptations are worth a look-see for Rathbone quotient and the productions, but the Watson will probably make you grit your teeth. I've never read Private Life of S.H., though -- how was it? Worth the read?

[titc]

It's a film, but as I remember it was indeed quite good - though it's the slightly annoying kind of Watson, if I'm not mistaken.

And yes, Burke did a fine job - also in The Final Problem, as I recall - and his appearance is, maybe, more immedialtely usable in a hawt manlove scene but... Hardwicke is so cuddly! & with a warm voice... more cozy, I'd say.

[pen_and_umbra]

Hardwicke is so cuddly!

Mwah! How very true. ;) And I have to admit, he does quiet exasperation so very, very well -- that sort of mandatory for any aspiring Watson.