I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

The Sherlock Limited Edition DVD / Blu-Ray Gift Set Is Amazing

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"content with a limited plunder" [ABBE]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKUY7eVOOWS9PCmEvSqZggHuQZhuphFsFB2E4Ug96R9Jav1ENWcTwsvUBkdOHFMaEQzC8nJ5Y_8NyFXKFFPDFMVDlo9LRZFQxWiD74eDae7cNKvCqL-MG4YR4g6z4aYQEwEIBDH-p9CCD/s1600/Sherlock+Special+Edition+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKUY7eVOOWS9PCmEvSqZggHuQZhuphFsFB2E4Ug96R9Jav1ENWcTwsvUBkdOHFMaEQzC8nJ5Y_8NyFXKFFPDFMVDlo9LRZFQxWiD74eDae7cNKvCqL-MG4YR4g6z4aYQEwEIBDH-p9CCD/s1600/Sherlock+Special+Edition+set.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point it's almost silly to assume that you haven't yet seen <i><a href="http://amzn.to/1tBkRdN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock</a></i> from BBC One and PBS Masterpiece Mystery. Three seasons in - three excruciatingly dispersed seasons - we've been taken on a number of emotional roller coaster rides as we've gotten to know the modern version of the consulting detective and his trusted friend and colleague.<br />
<br />
And for those who have become super fans of the show, it's likely that you've picked up a few DVDs or Blu-rays of the Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss-created show as well. But it's unlikely that you've come across the latest merchandise for the show.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
"still clutching at her treasure-trove" [MUSG]</h3>
<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1uOePa9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set</a> is a treasure trove indeed. It includes every episode from all three seasons on both Blu-ray and DVD, along with the original bonus features released with each season. And as if that isn't enough content, it also features all new commentaries, never-before-seen outtakes and exclusive collectibles including limited edition art cards and busts of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is the ultimate gift set to keep fans guessing until <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/06/sherlock-series-four-predictions.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the next game is afoot</a>. The finale of season three, "His Last Vow," recently earned <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/08/sherlock-takes-home-7-emmys.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">12 Primetime Emmy ® Award nominations</a> including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Benedict Cumberbatch, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Martin Freeman, and Outstanding Television Movie.<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/1uOePa9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sherlock Limited Edition Gift Set</a> will be available on November 4, 2014 but is currently available for <a href="http://amzn.to/1uOePa9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pre-order on Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
If not for yourself, get it for the Sherlock Holmes fan in your life this holiday season.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thebakerstree-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00NB9Y0US&asins=B00NB9Y0US&linkId=7XRIFQGF5FNJLBAS&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
</div>

The Sherlock Limited Edition DVD / Blu-Ray Gift Set Is Amazing

"content with a limited plunder" [ABBE] At this point it's almost silly to assume that you haven't yet seen Sherlock ...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Potted Sherlock - 60 Holmes Stories in 70 Minutes

<div style="text-align: center;">
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;">"I'll humour you"   [DYIN]</span></h4>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0HZDy15sAQIZq1V5lCqo63IKbNC2WRjGDAbe2NOKSkSo9idVoLg6enDgiLdUpOldQ68qxgneG7nmDdkOU2l8oIPU6tuRfeUpkSa2XzgbzBHuZVLyHSEyCJqNwmoPv-Q89-6wGdqDIb6b/s1600/Potted+Sherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Potted Sherlock - all 60 stories told in 70 minutes" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0HZDy15sAQIZq1V5lCqo63IKbNC2WRjGDAbe2NOKSkSo9idVoLg6enDgiLdUpOldQ68qxgneG7nmDdkOU2l8oIPU6tuRfeUpkSa2XzgbzBHuZVLyHSEyCJqNwmoPv-Q89-6wGdqDIb6b/s1600/Potted+Sherlock.jpg" title="Potted Sherlock" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.edfringe.com/" target="_blank">The Fringe Festival</a> in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the world's largest arts festival with over 45,000 performances and more than 3000 shows packed into almost 300 venues across the city each year in August. The Fringe is open to all: anyone can perform and everyone does - from students to superstars.<br />
<br />
Since Edinburgh was the birthplace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes is the world’s most famous literary detective, you might think that the Fringe could play host to all sorts of Sherlockian events – and you would be correct.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISBO5I3MqthufhlzYxcbqgLw_eSrB9Ttq80ZACcNM9-uAX0O1uDrgrdUF5NbobyuzfK9vd2lI4ug-QaIXAHWmUPdI3SkjOBkBnZv6NXqNWyGiBZggbv93puaAQ83Ttg0_6D3Km04wmYu_/s1600/Fringe+Festival+-+Royal+Mile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Royal Mile at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISBO5I3MqthufhlzYxcbqgLw_eSrB9Ttq80ZACcNM9-uAX0O1uDrgrdUF5NbobyuzfK9vd2lI4ug-QaIXAHWmUPdI3SkjOBkBnZv6NXqNWyGiBZggbv93puaAQ83Ttg0_6D3Km04wmYu_/s1600/Fringe+Festival+-+Royal+Mile.jpg" title="Fringe Festival - Royal Mile" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Royal Mile at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Image credit: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/6waEb" target="_blank">Raymond MacRae (Flickr)</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This year saw lectures about ACD at the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, Edinburgh Medical Detectives featuring Dr. Joseph Bell, the inspiration for Holmes, two different productions of <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i>, and even a Forensic Mind Reader who promised to deduce personal information about you <i>a la </i>Sherlock. Besides the scheduled Fringe events the National Library of Scotland has the original manuscripts of <i>The Illustrious Client</i>, and Doyle’s first short ghost story <i>The Haunted Grange of Goresthorpe</i>, written possibly in 1877 or 1878, plus select ACD correspondence. And across from the Conan Doyle Pub on Picardy Place there is a statue of Holmes commemorating the birthplace of <strike>his author</strike>  Watson’s literary agent, Doyle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuS8mMxJJBbacCK6cP9hstG93oB9DphsoVR6xYwTT5E-MAZa256uKitMqk1u-A7zg7ovMt9b2v6uvqlhYXMhX9jZJoZXMaXywkIIsMa3Mf-IH-edHeUwG3bVT0b2deIQ-7t6aISjMHQ0/s1600/Potted+Sherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuS8mMxJJBbacCK6cP9hstG93oB9DphsoVR6xYwTT5E-MAZa256uKitMqk1u-A7zg7ovMt9b2v6uvqlhYXMhX9jZJoZXMaXywkIIsMa3Mf-IH-edHeUwG3bVT0b2deIQ-7t6aISjMHQ0/s1600/Potted+Sherlock.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The cast of <i>Potted Sherlock: </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jeff Turner, Lizzie Wort and Dan Clarkson</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But this year’s Fringe premiered <i><a href="https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/potted-sherlock" target="_blank">Potted Sherlock</a></i> – all sixty stories told in a fast moving seventy minute comedic production of farce, word play, sight gags, pop culture references, frantic costume changes, seltzer bottle slapstick, skits and songs. The longer skits focus on the <i>Hound</i> (hoooooowwwwwwlllll), <i>The Sign of Four</i>, "The Speckled Band" and <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> with appearances of the demi-puppet Moriarty at inopportune times.  The family-friendly show glosses over Holmes's use of a seven-percent solution and manages to condense 21 stories to a few lines each in a musical number parodying Billy Joel’s <i>We Didn’t Start the Fire</i>:<br />
<br />
<b><i>Chorus</i></b>:  He’s a private dick for hire<br />
And we’re all involved in the cases he’s solving.<br />
Follow clues until we retire,<br />
And then proceeding to do some beekeeping...<br />
<br />
<b><i>GIRL</i></b>: (as Watson) Case of Silver Blaze <br />
Jockey dead and horse is maimed <br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: The Jockey tried to fix the race, <br />
The horse then kicked him in the face<br />
<br />
Any Sherlockian worth his salt* can deduce which stories are very succinctly sung in these five snippets:<br />
<br />
#1<br />
<b><i>GIRL</i></b>: (as Watson) Trouble on a wedding day<br />
<b><i>DAN</i></b>: (as groom in top hat) Why did my bride run away? <br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: Elementary, her old fiancé<br />
Put a note in her bouquet<br />
<br />
#2<br />
<b><i>GIRL</i></b>: (Watson) A man dies he’s in pain<br />
Says something about a lion’s mane<br />
<b><i>DAN</i></b>: (As small boy) Perhaps a cryptic final wish? <br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: No, just a breed of jellyfish<br />
<br />
#3<br />
<b><i>DAN</i></b>: (as Watson) A jewel thief is on the loose <br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: He hid the jewels inside a goose<br />
<br />
#4<br />
<b><i>GIRL</i></b>: (as Watson) Man killed, was it his son? <br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: No, his friend, look, here’s his gun<br />
<br />
#5<br />
<b><i>DAN</i></b>: (in Naval Officers hat) My butler was snooping around, <br />
Here’s a riddle that he found,<br />
<b><i>JEFF</i></b>: This says that buried in your grounds,<br />
 Is Charles’ the first’s golden crown<br />
<br />
<br />
I attended <i>Potted Sherlock</i> twice – it was that much fun and the lines flew by so quickly that I wanted a second opportunity to try to catch them all (and discovered that some of those <i>ad lib</i>s were in name only and worked because of clever scripting and the performers’ great timing). Dan Clarkson, one of the authors, played Holmes, Watson, Moriarty and whoever-else-was-needed. His longtime partner, Jeff Turner, and Lizzie Wort, an old classmate of Dan’s from Bretton Hall, University of Leeds, also madly traded deerstalker, pipe and bowler as required as the three alternately played Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Hudson and also whoever-else-was-needed. The enthusiasm they brought to this comic re-telling of the Canon was infectious and the hammy asides Dan made to the audience created a warm rapport with young and old.<br />
<br />
<i>Potted Sherlock</i> follows the award winning <i>Potted Potter</i>, all seven Harry Potter books told in seventy minutes, which debuted in 2006, had five sold-out Fringe seasons, five sold-out London runs, extensive United Kingdom and international tours prior to its critically-acclaimed US premiere at the Little Shubert Theater in New York City in 2012. <i>Potted Sherlock</i> will be opening in London’s West End at Christmas time. Let us hope that the troupe brings their talent to NYC once again.<br />
<br />
<br />
I was fortunate enough to be able to interview the writers, Dan Clarkson and his brother Tom, after one of the performances. Before seeing the show and meeting them I was a bit cynical about how they came to write a comedic show about Holmes and Watson. The Harry Potter series, much loved as the stories are, was complete and <i>Potted Potter</i> had run its course. With the great entertainment media interest in Holmes the last few years, I initially thought that they might be just jumping on a bandwagon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeWyHpshONjdVZT77XjPSF1UOCkB1BFSmVv2SoH9FDVC69a8WClTAKi4mFBW8nw7Yv3p8vjPPouOm9a8r-4h3bZJ8_TWiy0hwHlaxWpmBCQ5VL8OkNLQJy6CPoqlAg0Y1Dm6tk2HmRD4/s1600/Clarkson+Bros.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeWyHpshONjdVZT77XjPSF1UOCkB1BFSmVv2SoH9FDVC69a8WClTAKi4mFBW8nw7Yv3p8vjPPouOm9a8r-4h3bZJ8_TWiy0hwHlaxWpmBCQ5VL8OkNLQJy6CPoqlAg0Y1Dm6tk2HmRD4/s1600/Clarkson+Bros.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tom Clarkson, the mysterious scientist, and Dan Clarkson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I quickly discovered that these two brothers are true Holmes fanboys – the show was created from the heart, with their love and admiration for the stories showing through the on-stage shenanigans. In fact, when they learned that I was a BSI member, they said they were nervous about hearing from a Sherlockian expert ("My blushes, Watson!"), asking if I thought they were being faithful to the stories. Dan told of reading the tales growing up and even arguing with a teacher that the most venomous snake in the world was the Indian swamp adder – Sherlock Holmes said it was so!<br />
<br />
The two of them wrote a few skits making fun of some of the inconsistencies (?!) in their favorite stories when Dan’s producer suggested doing all 60 stories in a Potted version. They welcomed the challenge and began researching and writing.They spent weeks re-watching the Granada Jeremy Brett series and Basil Rathbone movies and re-reading the stories.They also spent a day or two in Dartmoor to experience the gloomy atmosphere as they were writing the script. Despite the silliness inherent in the show, I think their love for Holmes and Watson comes through clearly.<br />
<br />
As popular and successful as <i>Potted Potter</i> was, I predict that <i>Potted Sherlock</i> will be even more popular.  If you are fortunate enough to be in London this Christmas season, do not miss it. As soon as I learn of its US debut I will be purchasing my ticket!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*In case you are not worth your salt, the answers:<br />
1 - "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor"<br />
2 - "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane"<br />
3 - "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"<br />
4 - "The Boscombe Valley Mystery"<br />
5 - "The Musgrave Ritual"<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />

Potted Sherlock - 60 Holmes Stories in 70 Minutes

"I'll humour you" [DYIN] The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the world's largest arts festival with o...

+ Read more »

by Spocklock

Upcoming Sherlock Holmes Theatrical Performances

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"I've no doubt it was well stage-managed." [VALL]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYKIoUEngRn9yVojqBY_csMfC-e3LGI3zJDY5hF1aEyIhW4Rua4SFbW5lecgS8jtHNqI8IgzvC7S_i7zBhaKwri51jGrYtMNwYtmrPWM1kFaJq4vNv8yyg1vhiZDBcZTjaYLa9Qmg3LUq/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes'%2BSecret%2BLife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYKIoUEngRn9yVojqBY_csMfC-e3LGI3zJDY5hF1aEyIhW4Rua4SFbW5lecgS8jtHNqI8IgzvC7S_i7zBhaKwri51jGrYtMNwYtmrPWM1kFaJq4vNv8yyg1vhiZDBcZTjaYLa9Qmg3LUq/s1600/Sherlock+Holmes'%2BSecret%2BLife.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you don't subscribe to <a href="http://www.redcircledc.org/index.php?id=39" target="_blank">Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press</a>, the fine newsletter from Peter Blau, then you may be missing out on a number of Sherlockian tidbits.<br />
<br />
For example, in <a href="http://redcircledc.org/assets/files/Spermaceti/scuttlebutt-2014-09.pdf" target="_blank">the latest issue</a> (Sep 14), there is a wonderful roundup of a number of Sherlock Holmes plays that are being staged across the world. Here's a quick listing of them, with links to the theaters.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.redmonkeytheater.org/" target="_blank">The Red Monkey Theater Group</a> will present "Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band" (a new dramatization by Tal Aviezer), at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in <b>Riverdale, NY</b>, Oct. 4-18.<br />
<br />
Ken Ludwig's "The Game's Afoot" is running at the <a href="http://www.mcleanplayers.org/" target="_blank">McLean Community Center</a> in <b>McLean, VA</b>, through Oct. 12 It also will be produced at the <a href="http://www.boathousetheatre.co.nz/" target="_blank">Boathouse Theatre</a> in <b>Blenheim, New Zealand</b>, Nov. 27-Dec. 6; at the <a href="http://www.carpentersquare.com/" target="_blank">Carpenter Square Theatre</a> in <b>Oklahoma City</b>, from Nov. 28 through Dec. 20.<br />
<br />
"Sherlock Holmes" (a new dramatization by Jeff Sanders) is playing at the <a href="http://www.nwcts.org/" target="_blank">Northwest Children's Theater</a> in <b>Portland, OR</b>, through Oct. 26.<br />
<br />
"Holmes and Watson: A Scandal in Bohemia and The Final Problem" (dramatized by Terry McCabe) will be performed at the <a href="http://www.citylit.org/" target="_blank">City Lit Theater</a> in <b>Chicago</b>, Nov. 7-Dec. 14.<br />
<br />
C. P. Stancich's new play "Sherlock Holmes: Assassins at Sea" will be performed at <a href="http://www.caminorealplayhouse.org/" target="_blank">Camino Real Playhouse</a> in <b>San Juan Capistrano, CA</b>, Nov. 14-23.<br />
<br />
Craig Hewlett's pantomime "Young Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Dick Whittington's Cat" is scheduled by <a href="http://www.morpheustheatre.ca/" target="_blank">Morpheus Theatre</a> in <b>Calgary, Alberta</b>, Dec. 5-14.<br />
<br />
Another Ken Ludwig creation: "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" will be playing at the <a href="http://www.arenastage.org/" target="_blank">Kreeger Theatre - part of the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theatre</a> in Washington, DC, from January 16 through February 22, 2015.<br />
<br />
R. Hamilton Wright and David Pichette have created a stage adaptation of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" that will run at the <a href="http://www.irtlive.com/shows_and_tickets/shows/hound/" target="_blank">Indiana Repertory Theatre</a> in <b>Indianapolis, IN</b> from February 18 through March 15, 2015.<br />
<br />
Jamie L. Robledo's "Watson: The Last Great Tale of the Legendary Sherlock Holmes will be performed at the <a href="http://www.dorsetplayers.org/" target="_blank">Dorset Playhouse</a> in <b>Dorset, VT</b>, Mar. 6-15, 2015.<br />
<br />
"The Hound of the Baskervilles" will run at the <a href="http://www.valentinetheatre.com/events.html" target="_blank">Valentine Theatre</a> in <b>Toledo, OH</b> from March 6-15 and March 27-29, 2015 (weekends only).<br />
<br />
Dennis Rosa's "Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Sign of the Four" will be performed at the <a href="http://www.spokanecivictheater.com/" target="_blank">Spokane Civic Theater</a> in <b>Spokane, WA</b>, Apr. 10 to 26, 2015.<br />
<br />
Steven Canny and John Nicholson have also adapted "The Hound of the Baskervilles," and their version will play at <a href="http://www.theatrephiladelphia.org/event/hound-baskervilles" target="_blank">Theatre Philadelphia</a> in <b>Philadelphia, PA</b> from May 28 through June 28, 2015.<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you know of any additional Sherlock Holmes plays that are being staged? Let us know via email or a comment below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credit: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/eMjhNt" target="_blank">Shehal Joseph (Flickr)</a></span></i><br />
--<br />
<br />

Upcoming Sherlock Holmes Theatrical Performances

"I've no doubt it was well stage-managed." [VALL] If you don't subscribe to Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press , t...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

BREAKING: Long Lost William Gillette Sherlock Holmes Film from 1916 Found

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"I've found it! I've found it" [STUD]</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTMdbKkSMsQwsU9mJKhK_xtAawR-HRi1ee1g7oFHngIfVI6k62YmFEZhy6wEnYrCqEGd99wxDIU6SLrPUpC-V2VM2M-cxAwS_ovre-8spubLASyEK0zRdyDWJ8i9Zn644Z4rJv7N0yqKm/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916_still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTMdbKkSMsQwsU9mJKhK_xtAawR-HRi1ee1g7oFHngIfVI6k62YmFEZhy6wEnYrCqEGd99wxDIU6SLrPUpC-V2VM2M-cxAwS_ovre-8spubLASyEK0zRdyDWJ8i9Zn644Z4rJv7N0yqKm/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916_still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is one Sherlock Holmes film that legendary in its heritage: the 1916 <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0007338/" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes</a></i> starring none other than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gillette" target="_blank">William Gillette</a> (1853 - 1937). This film is significant because it has long been lost. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gillette asked for and received permission from Arthur Conan Doyle to adapt material and use the character for a play in 1899. And from that time until the early 1930s, he played the role some 1,300 times. And yet the 1916 film is the only record that was made of Gillette's performance in the title role that dominated so much of his career.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.cinematheque.fr/fr/musee-collections/actualite-collections/restauration-numerisatio/sherlock-holmes-redecouv.html" target="_blank">Today the Cinémathèque Française announced</a> that the original negative of the film has been located!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>"a relic which is of great intrinsic value, but even of greater importance as an historical curiosity" [MUSG]</b></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
According to the Cinémathèque:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
[This] is a complete nitrate duplicate that, to date, appears to be unique. Originally intended for the French operations, it contains duplicate French intertitles, and annotations of hues. The latter feature is still surprising because Essanay films have rarely been exploited in color in the United States. It seems therefore plausible that color version was created specifically for France. [The duplicate]  is currently being restored by the French Cinematheque digital and the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, an organization with which we have restored American films of our collections for 2 years now. This restoration is made possible through the generous support of individuals who are passionate about Sherlock Holmes.</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://silentfilm.org/" target="_blank">The San Francisco Silent Film Festival</a> (SFSFF) also issued <a href="http://silentfilm.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SFSFF_SHERLOCKpressRELEASE.pdf" target="_blank">a press release</a>, quoting the Baker Street Irregulars' own Russell Merritt, BSI ("The Trepoff Murder"):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
"Sir Arthur, you don’t know the half of it," according to Merritt, who is acting as the supervising editor of the project. "At last we get to see for ourselves the actor who kept the first generation of Sherlockians spellbound. We can also see where the future Holmeses— Rathbone, Brett, Cumberbatch, and the rest—come from. As far as Holmes is concerned, there;'s not an actor dead or alive who hasn't consciously or intuitively played off Gillette."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The film was made by Essanay Studios, which are best known for their 1915 Charlie Chaplin films. Founded in 1907 by George Spoor and Gilbert Anderson as the Peerless Film Company, the name was changed to Essanay ("S and A") and the Chicago outfit opened its California studio in 1912.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71mWO17hw1LofVoOVQbYGo4ba4MrpDLsIIb6BirhJFTj10VJxjImN00fPbz-1Js8IX_0juDezfsSl7NzmDyk-zj_faXWrj5PNOYinZ0QNwh35XnhQ60NnwjzFJqcbn4s8SAdXnUN6NIzV/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916+alt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71mWO17hw1LofVoOVQbYGo4ba4MrpDLsIIb6BirhJFTj10VJxjImN00fPbz-1Js8IX_0juDezfsSl7NzmDyk-zj_faXWrj5PNOYinZ0QNwh35XnhQ60NnwjzFJqcbn4s8SAdXnUN6NIzV/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916+alt.jpg" width="235" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-16YzL7lfZsy9LtjAJC9ZqGBx_fRf3j4Uc4A7V6_wiBkSWPFsjE1OGgDEtfNCTLyK5zEoj9ovg9I-UkA-5G1LH-YvuIPFBT-yhyphenhyphenzofNK1kcYAWFAExZ3zsPz-1ZLmBoxJmfht23SRWXr-/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-16YzL7lfZsy9LtjAJC9ZqGBx_fRf3j4Uc4A7V6_wiBkSWPFsjE1OGgDEtfNCTLyK5zEoj9ovg9I-UkA-5G1LH-YvuIPFBT-yhyphenhyphenzofNK1kcYAWFAExZ3zsPz-1ZLmBoxJmfht23SRWXr-/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But it was the Chicago headquarters that was responsible for the very first American Sherlock Holmes film with Gillette reprising his immensely popular role. The plot takes inspiration from <i>A Study in Scarlet</i>, "A Scandal in Bohemia," "The Copper Beeches" and "The Final Problem" and involves Sherlock Holmes being consulted by a man who has a connection to the royal family. He wants to retrieve letters that he wrote to Alice Faulkner's sister. Alice intends to use the letters to blackmail him, and Alice is being held captive by a couple in the power of Professor Moriarty.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnliOcDuvrcBLj7Dx_HrXRBMHAD-oaqJOrxwVIVsFRui7ZsqTmE0X9Rl1WTbz1_oX3X4rueLUaxeSZ2LWICbnaau0IqBhaVv6rjCXvthl0BKQV_qftO1t9C43ipfKrzu-Iej8U4PQQZvPN/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916+full+still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes in a 1916 studio still from the film" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnliOcDuvrcBLj7Dx_HrXRBMHAD-oaqJOrxwVIVsFRui7ZsqTmE0X9Rl1WTbz1_oX3X4rueLUaxeSZ2LWICbnaau0IqBhaVv6rjCXvthl0BKQV_qftO1t9C43ipfKrzu-Iej8U4PQQZvPN/s1600/Sherlock_Holmes_1916+full+still.jpg" title="Studio still from the 1916 Sherlock Holmes" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The film will be restored for viewing by European and American audiences, under the supervision of film restorer and SFSFF Board President Robert Byrne, who said, "It's an amazing privilege to work with these reels that have been lost for generations. William Gillette's Sherlock Holmes has ranked among the holy grails of lost film and my first glimpse of the footage confirms Gillette's magnetism. Audiences are going to be blown away when they see the real Sherlock Holmes on screen for the first time."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We have an exclusive interview with Byrne.</div>
<br />
<b>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere:</b> <i>Who are you and what do you do?</i><br />
<div>
<b>Robert Byrne:</b> I am an independent film preservationist and restorer, specializing in films of the silent era. I am also the president of the board of directors of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IHOSE:</b> <i>How did you come to be involved in this discovery?</i></div>
<div>
<b>RB:</b> In prior years we have partnered with the Cinematheque Francaise to restore two titles from their collection: THE HALF-BREED (1916) and THE GOOD BAD MAN (1916). We were very fortunate that when the materials for SHERLOCK HOLMES were identified earlier this year that the Cinematheque contacted us with the idea that we would work together on this project. We are thrilled and deeply honored to be working on them on this amazing project.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IHOSE:</b> <i>What's the significance of such a discovery?</i></div>
<div>
<b>RB:</b> William Gillette’s SHERLOCK HOLMES has been sought for generations as one of the most important “lost” films of the silent era. To have these materials come to light, and in complete form, seems almost miraculous. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IHOSE:</b> <i>Why did it turn up now?</i><br />
<b>RB:</b> There is a time for everything. Apparently Destiny decided that it was time for SHERLOCK HOLMES to return just in time for the film’s 100th anniversary.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IHOSE:</b> <i>Tell us more about the restoration process.</i> </div>
<div>
<b>RB:</b> The Cinematheque Franciase and SF Silent Film Festival are collaborating on a complete restoration of the film, a project that has already been in progress since early summer. The restoration will include image repair and re-creation of the original color tinting. The final result will be new 35mm film preservation elements that will be preserved at the Cinematheque Franciase, and new 35mm film prints for theatrical exhibition. We will also create Digital Cinema Packages (DCP) for use in venues that do not support variable-speed 35mm projection.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>IHOSE:</b> <i>Did we learn anything about the film that wasn't previously known?</i><br />
<b>RB:</b> We are learning that it is a very good film! What a disappointment it would have been to have discovered the holy grail only to find that the acting was hammy and the settings were cheap. Quite the contrary! I predict that audiences are going to be mesmerized with the final result.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCsZUYSImRv8jHTscP4rQnikEUINOpPmKUzktarv5NYqmz2jHm1Fbw9dYRAB20PcNCoNR-79faSk_Sm9iEuhhS9vyD11dR1QcBbxctxDrz7vj4kE8v_TbzyRsw4a2LQwnMYaSSsu-TIcB/s1600/William+Gillette+-+still+from+1916+film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A still photo of William Gillette in 1916's Sherlock Holmes" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCsZUYSImRv8jHTscP4rQnikEUINOpPmKUzktarv5NYqmz2jHm1Fbw9dYRAB20PcNCoNR-79faSk_Sm9iEuhhS9vyD11dR1QcBbxctxDrz7vj4kE8v_TbzyRsw4a2LQwnMYaSSsu-TIcB/s1600/William+Gillette+-+still+from+1916+film.jpg" title="William Gillette in the 1916 film Sherlock Holmes" width="522" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The European premiere will take place at the Cinémathèque Française’s festival of film restoration, Toute la Mémoire du Monde, in January 2015. The American premiere will take place at the San Francisco Silent Film festival in May 2015.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We can only hope that we'll be able to see a screening of the film at <b><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/g2b4main.html" target="_blank">From Gillette to Brett V: Sherlock Holmes Alive</a></b> (our suggested title).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, this still leaves the 1914 <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> to be found, for which <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/09/the-great-lost-sherlock-holmes-movie.html#.VCuA1vldWSo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the British Film Institute has asked assistance in locating</a>...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>