[Andrew999]

Watched this last night: Brilliant

Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Pudding

https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=53434

[Robb_K]

Watched this last night: Brilliant

Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Pudding

https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=53434

I agree.  I loved ALL the episodes in that great 1950s series.  I saw them all many, many years ago.  It ranks almost up there with Basil Rathbone's feature film version, but not quite.  I read all of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories as a youth, and loved the mystery genre because of that introduction.

[Jetstone]

I just put that in and am watching as I write. The OTHER  Ron Howard has great Holmesian features ( unlike Morton Downy JR whose long lashed, curly haired brunette Holmes I refuse to look at ). Watson ( Howard Marion Crawford ) is shot out of a steroid cannon but the show satisfies me as a Holmes fan. The distinctive signature of producer Sheldon Reynolds is also on another favorite Claude Raines film THE MAN WHO LIKED TO WATCH TRAINS. And, if I am not mistaken he produced I DREAM OF JEANNIE.

Unbelievably, I found a 6 disc Holmes dvd set at the DOLLAR STORE which contains the complete Ronald Howard series, all of the Rathbone radio shows, 9 films including a new favorite THE DEADLY NECKLACE  starring Christopher Lee, and even a pamphlet format book of A STUDY IN SCARLET.

[The Australian Panther]

That's a pretty impressive DVD set.

[profh0011]

I've been working my way thru SHERLOCK HOLMES the last couple years.

Crazy enough, I started getting the Ronald Howard TV series on DVD.  This was the 1st complete TV series I've upgraded from VHS to DVD.   (The 2nd was the Adam West BATMAN.)  Although they didn't have the best source material, it was still such a massive upgrade, I've watched the entire series 3 times so far.  I really enjoy his youthful, enthusiastic Holmes, and Crawford's loud, boisterous Watson.

I then got the 1965 Douglas Wilmer BBC series.  11 of his 13 episodes still exist.  I can't describe how much I love these.  Nearly all of them were later also done by Jeremy Brett, and it's fun to compare the versions.  Right now, I really prefer Wilmer over both Cushing AND Brett!  It's the damnable BBC's own fault they didn't get him back to do more.

Next up was the 1968 Peter Cushing BBC series-- tragically only 6 episodes of which were NOT wiped by the idiots at the BBC.  They include the 2-part adaptation of "The Hound Of The Baskervilles", which is infinitely more authentic to the book (though still not perfect) than the 1959 Hammer film Cushing also appeared in.

And then most recently I got the MPI box set of all 14 Basil Rathbone films.  The 12 by Universal have all been restored from the best-possible sources, and what a joy it is to watch ALL 14 movies in sequence in such decent condition.  (One bizarre quirk, is that right in the middle of "...The Voice Of Terror", there a short part where the picture and sound are not QUITE in synch.  The beginning and end of the film are fiine.  How do you put that much work in and get something like that wrong?)

I'm watching each of these sets at least twice each before moving on.  When I'm done with Rathbone (in about another 6 weeks) I'm planning to go after what I can find of the 5 Arthur Wontner films from the 1930s.  I've long had 2 of them on tape, and have recently seen 2 more (I think) on Youtube.  I'm pretty sure they're not all available as one set, but, we'll see...



I taped all of the Jeremy Brett's off of PBS back in the 80s, but eventually, I'll probably look into upgrading those as well.  But there's so many others I want to go after first.

[Andrew999]

What a terrific labour of love! I feel that I should join you in the journey.

There are also two great Russian Sherlock series:

The first, light-hearted but authentic, much-loved Vasily Livanov version (1979 - 86) is on a par with Jeremy Brett for period detail. There are subtitles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhujgY6m0RQ&list=PL3c4pJ1oNZtPTN0VToNUgu3nwASAW8moO

The series was so popular that Livanov, though a Soviet Russian, was awarded an OBE by the Queen!

But I think the more recent 2013 series was even better:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkRzaPiES4s&list=PLaw0Yv2GH8P8Xt8wcdxwbA7iJf7UsYfrk

I can't readily find a copy with subtitles - but I'm sure there must be a DVD or something out there. There was only one series because the actor (the great Andrei Panin) who played Watson died in an accident. Igor Petrenko makes a terrific vulnerable Sherlock with Watson acting as his anchor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes_(2013_TV_series)

[profh0011]

Something bizarre I ran across early this year... "SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DR. WATSON" (1979), a TV series starring Geoffrey Whitehead & Donald Pickering.

This was made by Sheldon Reynolds, the same guy who did the 1954 series with Ronald Howard & H. Marion Crawford.  While that show was made in France with French & English actors by an American producer (and, insanely, never seen in England), this one was made by an American producer in POLAND, with English & Polish actors & technicians.

MOST of the episodes are remakes of the Ronald Howard episodes.  CRAZY!!!  (Why does Harry Allan Towers come to mind?) The show clearly has a bigger budget and looks much more lavish than its 1954 counterpart, but somehow, isn't nearly as much fun. 

I've never seen Whitehead in anything else, and while I have seen Pickering several times (on DOCTOR WHO and RETURN OF THE SAINT, among other things), he's just a bit too low-key and stiff compared to Crawford.

A number of the episodes were posted on Youtube, and I watched with keen interest.  Some of them are brand-new, I don't know if any of them were Doyle adaptations.  I only know of about 3 Ronald Howard episodes that were adaptations.

[Robb_K]

Something bizarre I ran across early this year... "SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DR. WATSON" (1979), a TV series starring Geoffrey Whitehead & Donald Pickering.

This was made by Sheldon Reynolds, the same guy who did the 1954 series with Ronald Howard & H. Marion Crawford.  While that show was made in France with French & English actors by an American producer (and, insanely, never seen in England), this one was made by an American producer in POLAND, with English & Polish actors & technicians.

MOST of the episodes are remakes of the Ronald Howard episodes.  CRAZY!!!  (Why does Harry Allan Towers come to mind?) The show clearly has a bigger budget and looks much more lavish than its 1954 counterpart, but somehow, isn't nearly as much fun. 

I've never seen Whitehead in anything else, and while I have seen Pickering several times (on DOCTOR WHO and RETURN OF THE SAINT, among other things), he's just a bit too low-key and stiff compared to Crawford.

A number of the episodes were posted on Youtube, and I watched with keen interest.  Some of them are brand-new, I don't know if any of them were Doyle adaptations.  I only know of about 3 Ronald Howard episodes that were adaptations.

Your comment on the 2 Sheldon Reynolds series was unclear.  Are you saying that the 1954 series, with Ron Howard, was NEVER shown in The UK???  I find that hard to believe, and thought I had seen some of its episodes while in England, during the 1960s.

[profh0011]

As usual, I forget where I read this.  But apparently, the 1954 Ronald Howard series-- made in FRANCE-- was not show in England at the time it was first broadcast.  In a similar situation, when DOCTOR WHO went to Paris to film "City of Death" for its 17th season, NOBODY in Paris was familar with the English show.  It had never been run there!  Crazy, isn't it?

One would think a show that starred 2 English actors and a Scotsman (Archie Duncan) would eventually turn up somewhere on English TV.


I have the impression the '54 series was mostly intended for the American market.  I wonder if the 1979 series ever made it to America-- or England?  I never heard of it at all until about a year ago.


Another thought that crossed my mind just earlier tonight...  as much as I love both Douglas Wilmer & Nigel Stock in the '65 BBC series, I wonder if anyone at the time ever considered bringing back Howard & Crawford for the '65 series?

Oddly enough, right after they did those 13 episodes, Wilmer teamed with Crawford in the 2nd & 3rd FU MANCHU films with Christopher Lee.  (Lee & Crawford were the only actors who were in all 5 of those.)

[Andrew999]

I've never seen the 1979 Geoffrey Whitehead series so I must catch up with that.

I can confirm though that Geoff is a familiar face on British TV - one of those workaday actors who bring gravitas to any supporting role - most recently as the father-in-law in the sitcom Not Going Out.

Holmes fans might also want to check out Detective Anna:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSll1UODqBU

[profh0011]

In the middle of my 2nd run of the Rathbone HOLMES films on DVD.  While some are arguably better or less than other, there seems to be a general concensus that "THE SCARLET CLAW"  (tonight's film) may be the best.  It's got MORE mood than Fox's "HOUND" (which it borrows a lot from), some very good detectrive work, several clever, unexpected plot twists, and at least 2 things that the Fox version of "HOUND" was missing.  These are the bit where Holmes tells the intended victim near the end that they must face the danger or live the rest of the life in fear (this also turned up in "THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES" with Rathbone giving this advice to Ida Lupino), and a mysterious something that GLOWS in the dark as it crosses the countryside.

Several actors in this film appeared in multiple Rathbone films, and the more I watch the series, the more I can see the director was using a sort of "ensemble cast" of actors who kept appearing again and again, playing different characters each time.  One of the murder victims in this one, for example, was played by Miles Mander, who in the next film played the main villain!

I also have a strong suspicion that the character of Potts, the postman, was the visual inspiration for the comics character "Willie Lumpkin".  They look IDENTICAL.  Jack Kirby was a known movie fan.

[Andrew999]

New Netflix series The Irregulars looks as though it might be interesting:

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflixs-sherlock-homes-spin-off-the-irregulars-everything-we-know-so-far/

Darci Shaw is predicted for great things

[The Australian Panther]

Prof - funny you should mention Willie Lumpkin. I just yesterday found this out.

The character of WIllie Lumpkin was originally created for a syndicated, daily comic strip by writer Stan Lee and artist Dan DeCarlo. Lee had initially submitted samples of a strip about a New York City beat cop, but was told by his editor that it was too "big city-ish" and that he wanted a friendly mailman to better appeal to mainstream America.

Willie Lumpkin, which was only published in 1960, drew humor from the people and situations Willie Lumpkin would encounter along his mail delivery route in the small town of "Glenville."

Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby then introduced their comic book version of Willie Lumpkin in Fantastic Four #11 (February, 1963). The comic book Lumpkin is depicted as being significantly older than in the comic strip; though the character's good nature was retained, as were references to his past as a mailman in Glenville which in the comic books was located in Nebraska.

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/willie-lumpkin/4005-15288/
This was a one-panel gag strip. I've seen a couple of examples. 
Stan actually did a cameo as Willie Lumpkin in the Fantastic Four movies.
Cheers!

[profh0011]

The distinctive signature of producer Sheldon Reynolds is also on another favorite Claude Raines film THE MAN WHO LIKED TO WATCH TRAINS. And, if I am not mistaken he produced I DREAM OF JEANNIE.

Okay, I had to look that up.

SIDNEY SHELDON.   

[profh0011]

Whatta ya think-- "Willie Lunkpin"?  The actor who plays the mailman was in several Rathbone Holmes films. In this one, he wore multiple disguises... including that of the mailman.

[The Australian Panther]

My take on Stan is that he was a very inspired magpie as a creator, and most of these guys were avid movie watchers, so I am quite prepared to believe that Stan was influenced by this character.

Cheers!   

[profh0011]

Now.. to answer a question from the other thread (heh)...

Arthur Wontner did 5 Holmes films:

1 - THE SLEEPING CARDINAL  (US title:  SHERLOCK HOLMES' FATAL HOUR)
Long believed lost, a US print turned up, and is now available in multiple formats ("public domain"), apparently, a better print than the 3 later ones available. I'm getting this with a PILE of other misc. stuff on a 3-disc set.

2 - THE MISSING REMBRANDT  (loosely based on "Charles Augustus Milverton") -- CURRENTLY "LOST"

3 - THE SIGN OF FOUR -- This added a sequence at a "fun fair" (I wonder if that came from some OTHER Holmes story?) which later turned up in both "THE SPIDER WOMAN" (Rathbone) and "THE SIGN OF FOUR" (Ian Richardson).

4 - THE TRIUMPH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (based on "The Valley Of Fear")

5 - SILVER BLAZE  (US title:  MURDER AT THE BASKERVILLES)


I've long had videotape copies of 4 & 5, copied from rentals, I think.  Poor quality, but you do what you can. I figure even if the DVDs are poor quality, they'll still be an upgrade from the videotapes, just as the Ronald Howard box set certainly was.

I've seen 1 & 3 on Youtube, have ordered 1, and am looking forward to getting 3, 4 & 5 on DVD.

[profh0011]

Well, I spent about a half-hour doing research at Ebay, and the items I wanted were cheap enough, so I wound up getting all 3 movies in one go.

Oddly enough... THE SIGN OF FOUR, THE TRIUMPH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES and MURDER AT THE BASKERVILLES are available separately, or as twofers (both FOUR and TRIUMPH -- or-- FOUR and MURDER-- who can say why?).  I've also seen a "threefor" with one of those, plus A STUDY IN SCARLET and insanely, DRESSED TO KILL-- which makes no sense.

I mean, why not all 3 Wontners?  The only package I saw with all 3 also had 5 RANDOM Ronald Howard episodes and a pile of RANDOM radio shows.  Who puts together these things?

Also absurdly, one version of TRIUMPH, which clearly has a photo of Arthur Wontner on the case, says in LARGE letters, "BASIL RATHBONE".  Would you feel safe buying a product like that?

Anyway, my total for the 3 films was $9.35, which is pretty good.  The FOUR / TRIUMPH twofer was listed as "BRAND NEW", which I tend to prefer, as you never know who might have done what before, with something used.

[The Australian Panther]

Then there is this one. This here is a really terrible print tho. and no translation or subtitles.

Holmes & Watson Madrid Days 2012 Spanish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ADA9KcuiQ

Holmes & Watson. Madrid Days
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_%26_Watson._Madrid_Days

This one I saw in the theatre and really enjoyed it.
Young Sherlock Holmes

Speaking of Billy Wilder
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Robert Stephens
Colin Blakely
Irene Handl
Stanley Holloway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DT7RAOE0Pw

And here is an interesting site
The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia
This page
https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Sherlock_Holmes_(movie_1932)
Link to 
1932 Sherlock Holmes movie directed by and starring Clive Brook.
And no, not attempting one-up-man-ship, just really into Sherlock Holmes. 

And this one I haven't seen yet, but it got good reviews.
Mr. Holmes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQBNEkG3QQ

And no, not attempting one-up-man-ship, just really into Sherlock Holmes. 

Cheers!


 

[The Australian Panther]

I am always in too much of a hurry!
Here we have as complete a list of Sherlock on Screen as you will ever find.
Also Conan Doyle Home movies and other Doyle works including Professor Challenger and Brigadier Gerard.
Conan Doyle on screen
https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Conan_Doyle_on_screen#A_Life_in_Movies
Doyle was always frustrated that adulation for Holmes eclipsed his other characters and writing.
On the TV shows I prefer Elementary to Sherlock.
Sherlock Holmes Nev?ben is a Hungarian movie and
Шерлок Холмс  is Russian. (TV series 2013)
Sherlock North is a projected Finnish TV series which looks really interesting.

At the bottom of the page under 'Adaptations' they mention the 5 episodes of the Librarians in which Moriarty appeared as the villain. And I can't recommend that show too highly.
I've got a lot to delve deeper into here.
Cheers!

     

 

[Andrew999]

I've never heard of The Librarians but as Panther's recommendations are usually good, I've added it to my list of things to watch (now embarrassingly long).

I note the first episode is available here as a starter:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+librarians

I can't recommend the 2013 Russian Holmes series highly enough. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is electric (and not altogether friendly) and the visual arts on display - superlative:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFY9rw4Iji8

I agree Doyle's other characters are somewhat under-rated. The pompous Brigadier Gerard is a great read and would make a great TV character:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/11247/11247-h/11247-h.htm

[SuperScrounge]

The Librarians is available on Hulu. My dad's been watching it lately.

[Andrew999]

I watched The Librarians on that well-known video-sharing site and loved it.

We don't subscribe to Hulu but I'll see if I can track down an alternative for gaining access to the rest of the series.

[profh0011]

Oh wow!  I just found the 1976 version of "SILVER BLAZE" on Youtube.

Starring Christopher Plummer  ("MURDER BY DECREE") and Thorley Walters ("THE DEADLY NECKLACE").

Never see this before...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l7hs0tRCCo

[The Australian Panther]

Oh wow!  I just found the 1976 version of "SILVER BLAZE" on Youtube.

Thanks!