I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

Happy Birthday, Jeremy Brett

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOspjZApEbk8NeeN0Z1eqCMeKT0pBIaltIibiSCP42R06UPGRj5pKjRzwyg38nGJJzK5COvudeGPPG3UMiB-ER3OqeCOnPz6oOmvCF5KIIpTF9pI7Aglc2JmID6sjWwb84PVQ7Y_5Of71Z/s1600/Jeremy+Brett+-+Sherlock+Holmes+%5BPRIO%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jeremy Brett appearing in The Priory School as Sherlock Holmes" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOspjZApEbk8NeeN0Z1eqCMeKT0pBIaltIibiSCP42R06UPGRj5pKjRzwyg38nGJJzK5COvudeGPPG3UMiB-ER3OqeCOnPz6oOmvCF5KIIpTF9pI7Aglc2JmID6sjWwb84PVQ7Y_5Of71Z/s1600/Jeremy+Brett+-+Sherlock+Holmes+%5BPRIO%5D.jpg" title="Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Believe it or not, today marks what would have been Jeremy Brett's 81st birthday. It seems unthinkable to imagine the definitive Sherlock Holmes from the 1980s and 1990s as an octogenarian, and even more unthinkable that it has been nearly 20 years since he left us.<br />
<br />
As a tribute to his memory, we give you <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J_VJHMCTmY" target="_blank">this interview</a> from a British morning television show:<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8J_VJHMCTmY?rel=0" width="600"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
And this video compilation of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UOTIW83oXs" target="_blank">the best Sherlock Holmes quotes</a> from the Granada series (Season 1) is as nice as any:<br />
<br />
<center>
<object height="450" width="600"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/3UOTIW83oXs?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/3UOTIW83oXs?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="450" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center>
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read more about Jeremy Brett (November 3, 1933 - September 12, 1995), please check out <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/search/label/Jeremy%20Brett" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">all of our posts tagged "Jeremy Brett."</a> Also, we have links to some books about him below.<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=1553100352&asins=1553100352&linkId=LJC5M7HUWZ5QFW63&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>     <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=B00L2YXV2W&asins=B00L2YXV2W&linkId=WD7V4DKG5VBO7KQ2&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>     <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=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thebakerstree-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1852276169&asins=1852276169&linkId=PBONLLNNFQAARSO5&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>

Happy Birthday, Jeremy Brett

Believe it or not, today marks what would have been Jeremy Brett's 81st birthday. It seems unthinkable to imagine the definitive Sher...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Remembering Marv Aronson, BSI

<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXORN6mVEIygNtMXmCeQ_5I3ZQ5t73ICh3MGFlN3exwztnvKNuX4nR01aCbUD2J4F9wbFkIJIH_d_p-3GeVt49Ei4RGc3fnuVdiLM9UKVlnenK8k0cKLKJ-Z6LckhTXy4ursZ-bKjhUkE/s1600/IHOSE_caption+22+-+REIG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes looks over a body in "The Reigate Squire" as illustrated by Sidney Paget" border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXORN6mVEIygNtMXmCeQ_5I3ZQ5t73ICh3MGFlN3exwztnvKNuX4nR01aCbUD2J4F9wbFkIJIH_d_p-3GeVt49Ei4RGc3fnuVdiLM9UKVlnenK8k0cKLKJ-Z6LckhTXy4ursZ-bKjhUkE/s1600/IHOSE_caption+22+-+REIG.jpg" title="Sidney Paget illustration of "The Regiate Squire" Sherlock Holmes story" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
[<b><i>Editor's note:</i></b> the following is a guest post by Robert S. Katz, BSI ("Dr. Ainstree"), who knew Marv Aronson well.] </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Marvin E. Aronson, BSI ("Penrose Fisher") passed away on September 6, 2014.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Marv was a forensic pathologist and served for several years as Chief Medical Examiner of the City of Philadelphia. He was also an active member of the Sons of the Copper Beeches and a Master Copper Beech Smith for nearly fifty years. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Marv contributed articles on forensic medicine to <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i> and to the volumes published by the Copper Beeches. Marv was responsible for sending out the invitations and receiving payments for the semi-annual meetings of the Sons. He sat at a table near the door and handed out name tags. As such, he was the first person to greet each arriving member of the group. Marv, a jovial man with a distinctive moustache, always had a witty remark for each member and made us all feel comfortable and glad to be there. He had a dry and cynical wit, which he often employed to provide a running commentary on presentations made at the meetings. His comments were usually more entertaining than the speeches themselves.</div>
<div>
  <br />
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to spend time with Marv during my own training in pathology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in the late 1970s. Marv was then Chief Medical Examiner and his department was located just down the street from our hospital. I often sneaked out on quiet afternoons and observed Marv and his staff performing forensic autopsies. I also was permitted to attend the "cause of death" conferences he conducted along with the police department.  Marv was a perceptive and skilled pathologist, with a sharp mind that rapidly assessed the salient points of each case. I learned a lot from my time with him and appreciated the kindness he showed a very junior pathology resident. Of course, it didn't hurt that I was also a Sherlockian! <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Marv was an integral part of the Philadelphia Sherlockian scene for decades. His knowledge and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.<br />
<br />
--</div>
<div>
<br /></div>

Remembering Marv Aronson, BSI

[ Editor's note: the following is a guest post by Robert S. Katz, BSI ("Dr. Ainstree"), who knew Marv Aronson well.] ...

+ Read more »

by Francine Kitts

Episode 69: Sherlock Holmes on Radio, Part 2

<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“</span>that strange wireless<span style="text-align: left;">”</span> [LION]</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aquz8_Wai-MWJm46rEKb4ZfaqpTlRzuOeoiVnaSEYsOIVTrrczL3hTLvBoz8EBAUBKlvbBYCDuU-owbC_nLKL6Qyotns1SiTn29pBxiuhZFJR2pRg22QCBWMqTtHVvj2NRAz-VF5_ydoOHaCcibuB7cpJk04puqSL0PqNsf56fish7727I0amsh7XvRu/s480/ihearofsherlock69-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aquz8_Wai-MWJm46rEKb4ZfaqpTlRzuOeoiVnaSEYsOIVTrrczL3hTLvBoz8EBAUBKlvbBYCDuU-owbC_nLKL6Qyotns1SiTn29pBxiuhZFJR2pRg22QCBWMqTtHVvj2NRAz-VF5_ydoOHaCcibuB7cpJk04puqSL0PqNsf56fish7727I0amsh7XvRu/w640-h360/ihearofsherlock69-header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><center><br /></center>
In <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose68" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 68</a>, we explored some of the early days of Sherlock Holmes on radio with Bert Coules. We're pleased to present the second part of that episode as we make a deeper dive into Sherlock Holmes as portrayed in radio productions.<br />
<br />
The bulk of our conversation with Bert centers — appropriately so — around the BBC Radio 4 series starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams (<a href="https://amzn.to/2ZfyLYP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a>). After selling a dramatized version of <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i> to the BBC (which starred Roger Rees), Bert was given the green light to dramatize all 60 Sherlock Holmes stories, serving as the head writer.<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/AVvXsEi0fUTvxoS9JhtehGvjnCPIg5jewCzu0eYs2ho6LeDPzs9iN0Cc_8SxuDh4SChM5TWlDyEytknCpKR4wCLhaIIqz0uWbYLk6oa6IoXbwG0C1DCS6HxqG0INFhy64I-C_iXr9zvH1wz4-GKa/s1600/Clive+Merrison+and+Sidney+Paget's%2BSherlock%2BHolmes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes - A Merrison or a Paget?" border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fUTvxoS9JhtehGvjnCPIg5jewCzu0eYs2ho6LeDPzs9iN0Cc_8SxuDh4SChM5TWlDyEytknCpKR4wCLhaIIqz0uWbYLk6oa6IoXbwG0C1DCS6HxqG0INFhy64I-C_iXr9zvH1wz4-GKa/s1600/Clive+Merrison+and+Sidney+Paget's%2BSherlock%2BHolmes.jpg" title="Clive Merrison resembles Sidney Paget's Sherlock Holmes" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The striking resemblance between Sidney Paget's Sherlock Holmes (r) and Clive Merrison in the role (l).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bert discusses the casting of the new series, including what was required in a Watson that was an equal partner — and a zinger aimed at Nigel Bruce — as well as the increased comfort felt by the characters and actors over the course of the series recording. You may be surprised to learn how the stories were assigned to the writing team (a scientific method from the BBC, no doubt) and how the writers were "imaginatively faithful" to the stories. Not to mention the backstory behind an alternative ending to "The Solitary Cyclist."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJFzSsTJEa8yHBeJx3vhIYgrlaiXJLnkkLzvHjLi_APIjesCHO58lTGDVv6Mss3oAB-UYAk91i5QKyBexDJiaCQnx9n8yTPSWJKkaA-1O7_-dDY-MFacn2r6sIBbNKFwug8-BkAH-JOXF/s1600/BBC+Studio+Recording.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJFzSsTJEa8yHBeJx3vhIYgrlaiXJLnkkLzvHjLi_APIjesCHO58lTGDVv6Mss3oAB-UYAk91i5QKyBexDJiaCQnx9n8yTPSWJKkaA-1O7_-dDY-MFacn2r6sIBbNKFwug8-BkAH-JOXF/s1600/BBC+Studio+Recording.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Of particular interest for us in this show is a multitude of sound clips from the BBC series - including the music that played such a prominent role in some episodes. We did a bit of our own sound design in this episode in keeping with the spirit of the theme.<br />
<br />
We also discuss some of the more intriguing guest stars on the series, such as Peter Sallis, Desmond Llewelyn, Brian Blessed and Tom Baker, as well as the "new" Watson during <i>The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes</i>, Andrew Sachs. Bert has a great story about how he ended the series in a manner than ensured it will not be continued.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mfw8ozpqoR6xfZxVM8OeXjJ_YQPUzg_QmQYoU-n3gCy7XiIjd7HPKbm9DYPyK5mdLxJebSZHiIRdOy3OmK7jFLW6FJNl9lbiJUGZOsqj-YF_AqRWY-pnue86nBKaBA93JAR2Ix_4W6Tc/s1600/Clive+Merrison+and+Andrew+Sachs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mfw8ozpqoR6xfZxVM8OeXjJ_YQPUzg_QmQYoU-n3gCy7XiIjd7HPKbm9DYPyK5mdLxJebSZHiIRdOy3OmK7jFLW6FJNl9lbiJUGZOsqj-YF_AqRWY-pnue86nBKaBA93JAR2Ix_4W6Tc/s1600/Clive+Merrison+and+Andrew+Sachs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>CONTEST ALERT: </b>This episode contains a contest. </h4>
We mentioned Denis Quilley and Patrick Allen as two actors who have been in the BBC Sherlock Holmes radio shows (as Bob Carruthers [SOLI] and Leon Sterndale [DEVI], respectively) and who have also been guest stars in the Granada series (as Leon Sterndale [DEVI] and Col. Sebastian Moran [EMPT], respectively.<br />
<br />
There are at least two other actors who have also had guest starring roles in each series. The first individual who <a href="mailto:ihearofsherlock@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">emails us</a> the names and their respective roles and stories in each series will win a copy of Bert Coules' book, <a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/221bbc.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">221 BBC: Writing for the World's Only Complete Dramatized Canon and Beyond</a>.<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/AVvXsEg_eknz6kDRDa-uDl61nnBYiDb3md9lVKkODVAm2h18T_TGL-uUTtfokaJjYCr8niMRIKsT0sftMl5LTSDjQI0d0x3Lf7rV_loJ_3MbPdq4WBGn1kck11rzrM356t391rZafY-np1weR5xp/s1600/The+Baker+Street+Regulars+-+BBC+Radio.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Merrison, Thorne, Matheson, Williams, Hartly - the Baker Street Regulars" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eknz6kDRDa-uDl61nnBYiDb3md9lVKkODVAm2h18T_TGL-uUTtfokaJjYCr8niMRIKsT0sftMl5LTSDjQI0d0x3Lf7rV_loJ_3MbPdq4WBGn1kck11rzrM356t391rZafY-np1weR5xp/s1600/The+Baker+Street+Regulars+-+BBC+Radio.jpg" title="Supporting members of the BBC Sherlock cast" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Baker Street Regulars - recurring members of the cast (L to R): <br />
Clive Merrison (Holmes), Stephen Thorne (Inspector Lestrade), <br />
Joan Matheson (Mrs. Hudson), Michael Williams (Watson), <br />
John Hartley (Mycroft Holmes).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Our Gas-Lamp this episode, we return to <i>The Baker Street Journal</i> of January 1952 (Vol. 2 No. 1 (New Series)) for Edgar Rosenberger's poem "Four Ages," representing the evolution of Sherlock Holmes as portrayed by various actors.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ihearofsherlock.libsyn.com/episode-69-sherlock-holmes-on-radio-part-2" target="_blank">Download [Save as]</a> | File size 92.2 MB, 1:40:39</h3>
<iframe title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3127050/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/414851/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" height="192" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial;" data-dashlane-rid="fc571e2101a7095e" data-dashlane-classification="other" data-dashlane-frameid="769"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>Links</b>:</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://bertcoules.co.uk/">BertCoules.co.uk</a></li>
<li><a href="http://merrisonholmes.com/" target="_blank">The unofficial BBC Radio series website</a>, maintained by Bert Coules.</li>
<li><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/221bbc.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">221 BBC: Writing for the World's Only Complete Dramatized Canon and Beyond</a> - a new editions, revised and expanded - by Bert Coules</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjFeIWwlWVqHdlKH4O32oG6i_KQqjZeFvQu5zLfyo9uJK5XDaiDCmnu0VHXGuCsnhQY9cePUY1_jF9NX1VkzufRteHLeovcKZ3PYvaVbXp1AxncGdiWctRKlbsDB_F37KzNE44iQFEJ9Zy8/s1600/221+BBC.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="221 BBC - Writing for the Sherlock Holmes series by Bert Coules" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeIWwlWVqHdlKH4O32oG6i_KQqjZeFvQu5zLfyo9uJK5XDaiDCmnu0VHXGuCsnhQY9cePUY1_jF9NX1VkzufRteHLeovcKZ3PYvaVbXp1AxncGdiWctRKlbsDB_F37KzNE44iQFEJ9Zy8/s1600/221+BBC.jpg" title="221 BBC - Writing for the World's Only Complete Dramatized Canon" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/221bbc.html" target="_blank">Now available from Wessex Press</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
More links available on on <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/ihearofsherlock" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and of course, our <a href="http://ihose.co/flipsherlock" target="_blank">web- and app-based Flipboard magazine</a>.<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
Please <a href="http://bit.ly/ihearofsherlock">subscribe to us on iTunes</a> and be kind enough to <b><i>leave a rating or review for the show</i></b>. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.<br />
<br />
Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (ihearofsherlock AT gmail DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).<br />
<br />
And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme: <a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a> and <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" style="font-style: italic;">The Baker Street Journal</a> - and as always, a very special sponsor.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeIWwlWVqHdlKH4O32oG6i_KQqjZeFvQu5zLfyo9uJK5XDaiDCmnu0VHXGuCsnhQY9cePUY1_jF9NX1VkzufRteHLeovcKZ3PYvaVbXp1AxncGdiWctRKlbsDB_F37KzNE44iQFEJ9Zy8/s1600/221+BBC.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeIWwlWVqHdlKH4O32oG6i_KQqjZeFvQu5zLfyo9uJK5XDaiDCmnu0VHXGuCsnhQY9cePUY1_jF9NX1VkzufRteHLeovcKZ3PYvaVbXp1AxncGdiWctRKlbsDB_F37KzNE44iQFEJ9Zy8/s1600/221+BBC.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/221bbc.html" target="_blank">Available from theWessex Press</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script type="text/javascript">
amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "scottmonty-20";
amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";
amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
amzn_assoc_region = "US";
amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links";
amzn_assoc_asins = "1602830452";
amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit";
amzn_assoc_linkid = "0de221e04d68af295f511fe8094cd258";
</script><br />
<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>     </div>

Episode 69: Sherlock Holmes on Radio, Part 2

“ that strange wireless ” [LION] In Episode 68 , we explored some of the early days of Sherlock Holmes on radio with Bert Coules. We'r...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Review: Dynamite's Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Why, you are like a magician" [BERY]</b></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9NF9_2AKYsWNv3Zi1Op47O9FfoNRuFlOEj1ZEwJ0fykznQOf9HZYvzJ1A_J_qhxEbNXg2Le7E19p5z9XxCzXh5DFdS2oOgo8ejazawGNWUMU3BahjSgE69AWscPWhH9_IfCwE_2IgaiX/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovVirgNYCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art-only cover of Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini for New York Comicon" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9NF9_2AKYsWNv3Zi1Op47O9FfoNRuFlOEj1ZEwJ0fykznQOf9HZYvzJ1A_J_qhxEbNXg2Le7E19p5z9XxCzXh5DFdS2oOgo8ejazawGNWUMU3BahjSgE69AWscPWhH9_IfCwE_2IgaiX/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovVirgNYCC.jpg" title="Art-only cover for NYCC" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
One of the more fascinating aspects of Conan Doyle's life was his later <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/2011/12/01/masters-of-mystery-conan-doyle-houdini/" target="_blank">friendship/rivalrywith Harry Houdini</a>, as both men approached the then-prevalent notion of spiritualism
from differing viewpoints. Taking on the notion of otherworldly powers from both a 
logical and magical perspective seems like a perfect opportunity to have Houdini match
wits with the Great Detective.<br />
<br />
Dynamite Entertainment's <b><a href="http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513022188901011" target="_blank"><i>Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini</i></a></b>, takes the notion
one step further, and crafts the beginning of a cracking good tale. (Note: a complimentary
electronic copy was provided for purposes of review)<br />
<br />
Written by Anthony DelCol and Conor McCreery (<i><a href="http://www.killshakespeare.com/">Kill Shakespeare</a></i>), <i>Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini</i> takes place in 1900, with a scene straight out of the canon: an escape artist performs at Scotland Yard, and the opening captions set the scene, both foreshadowing a twist and describing the escape artist's situation. After the escape, a prisoner openly mocks the escape artist, describing in detail <i>how</i> the escape artist managed his feat.<br />
<br />
As you may have guessed, the escape artist is Harry Houdini, and the prisoner....is Sherlock Holmes.<br />
To go into further detail would spoil the story, but DelCol and McCreery's setup is clever - both men
get involved in a series of events of an unearthly nature. Never devolving into horror or fantastic realms,
there's a strong sense of familiarity with Holmes, and there's a great emphasis on the theme of rationality
vs. spiritualism. (Although, knowing Conan Doyle's position, this tale might not have occurred within the
canon). This is a great first chapter that leads into a promising, entertaining tale that any Sherlockian
could enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi1RmxickND_am7PTwUVASarmYtRdXe3PKemmCJCiFOI-PBXeh-UrgCiCYiooE30WoLRl-xo4RRkPUGPfpZRfYng7SDVD6ZjGX_P2-81tF5iynAGb6YMh6xiYUKVcOGpFVNuAJbJuXR11/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovCampbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdin cover 1 - Campbell - Dynamite Comics" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi1RmxickND_am7PTwUVASarmYtRdXe3PKemmCJCiFOI-PBXeh-UrgCiCYiooE30WoLRl-xo4RRkPUGPfpZRfYng7SDVD6ZjGX_P2-81tF5iynAGb6YMh6xiYUKVcOGpFVNuAJbJuXR11/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovCampbell.jpg" title="Holmes Houdini Cover 1 - Campbell" width="213" /></a>     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93UqNk24eeggXnTeOUlCd4CPHUEKWAVu4iT412If6moRQCz2L9csxK0iCU6h_-byAz0Ss7JLthrSHo0pCGSwTREr3wSRq17g33ihprBWIvr_Y5hjN1EPmjAcsrw88aF5qCNyZ1cFwK9O9/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovCassaday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdin cover 1 - Cassaday - Dynamite Comics" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93UqNk24eeggXnTeOUlCd4CPHUEKWAVu4iT412If6moRQCz2L9csxK0iCU6h_-byAz0Ss7JLthrSHo0pCGSwTREr3wSRq17g33ihprBWIvr_Y5hjN1EPmjAcsrw88aF5qCNyZ1cFwK9O9/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovCassaday.jpg" title="Holmes Houdini cover 1 - Cassady" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzmWpSLFINdHnGVfd_L4FR5opyTVXLvOGrptFy1blGdWQ4K9PCbAhq1TOSDXc6Bj3YTXYebtQLJowOx6rquqeDiIZZps4DMLMto7jFV9arPUixZlCVpCK_G8JrLN-PB03REEg_-s75psj/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovIncenCassBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdin cover 1 B&W - Cassaday - Dynamite Comics" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzmWpSLFINdHnGVfd_L4FR5opyTVXLvOGrptFy1blGdWQ4K9PCbAhq1TOSDXc6Bj3YTXYebtQLJowOx6rquqeDiIZZps4DMLMto7jFV9arPUixZlCVpCK_G8JrLN-PB03REEg_-s75psj/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovIncenCassBW.jpg" title="B&W version of Holmes Houdini cover 1 - Cassaday" width="213" /></a>     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIhCUE5oqZ833y-UW_PX74aKtgPOGK1H4B_K18m4HzIfPZZXEkezBN7Vf3auli4cccyqwisLv3BtgOiMnxBnbDi0D_5XKxomzQ8cIAtOwdhd_lZH4LJ-w7MgyLoZZjGYHm2g9YkGknQh3/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovWorley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdin cover 1 - Worley- Dynamite Comics" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIhCUE5oqZ833y-UW_PX74aKtgPOGK1H4B_K18m4HzIfPZZXEkezBN7Vf3auli4cccyqwisLv3BtgOiMnxBnbDi0D_5XKxomzQ8cIAtOwdhd_lZH4LJ-w7MgyLoZZjGYHm2g9YkGknQh3/s1600/HolmesHoudini01CovWorley.jpg" title="Holmes Houdini cover 1 - Worley" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of the highlights of <b><i>Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini</i></b> is also the interior art by Carlos Furuzono. 
Not only is it pleasant to look at, it also captures the essence of the characters without being slavish. (If you're looking for a photorealistic approach, this is not it - but it works within the story). There's a great sense of composition, and provides plenty of appealing visuals (with some exceptional coloring by Aikau Oliva) to complement the story. Even the lettering by Rob Steen helps establish the time, place, and mood of the tale - never obtrusive, yet working to foster the early Edwardian era in which the comic takes place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN15JZHWBBUGVIYbkji7pEVXrpV-3sSOUAYkD0gL2J4wvG2L6_gtLr6xeJL2nGpJcpoVBILrh6XXQeCiiWx3Rql4G_ZS3QFuIZuHOiIzKXsDzsHHJ9rlzi0BeqDZNrqOyy3yRfnjHU58L3/s1600/HolmesHoudini013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini - interior art by Carlos Furuzono" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN15JZHWBBUGVIYbkji7pEVXrpV-3sSOUAYkD0gL2J4wvG2L6_gtLr6xeJL2nGpJcpoVBILrh6XXQeCiiWx3Rql4G_ZS3QFuIZuHOiIzKXsDzsHHJ9rlzi0BeqDZNrqOyy3yRfnjHU58L3/s1600/HolmesHoudini013.jpg" title="Holmes vs. Houdini - interior art " width="416" /></a></div>
<br />
Many pastiches may team up Holmes with a variety of characters from the same era, but often with mixed results. Dynamite Entertainment's <b><i>Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini</i></b> takes a more creative approach, focusing on a more "contemporary" era and finding a common theme between its two protagonists. This is a great comic for any Sherlockian, and is a definite must-read.<br />
<br />
<i>Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini #1</i> is the first in a five-issue series under this title. Available from <a href="http://amzn.to/1vpdQ0m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> and <a href="http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C72513022188901011" target="_blank">Dynamite Entertainment</a>.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br />
Related titles:<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=gordondymow-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1573928968&asins=1573928968&linkId=DXB7YRJPIO4CJBYK&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>     <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=gordondymow-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1848564929&asins=1848564929&linkId=O34UULKXJNFC2Q6X&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe><br />
<br />