I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"A Clear Statement of His Career" [FINA]

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One of the highlights of both <b>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</b> and Season Two of the BBC<b>'s Sherlock</b> series are their unique takes on "The Adventure of the Final Problem" and "The Adventure of the Empty House." However, there is a third entry which simply serves as a powerful dramatization of these two stories....simply by focusing on the simplicity of Conan Doyle's words.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/">Big Finish</a> is a company out of England that writes and produces audio dramas around a variety of franchises, most notably <b>Doctor Who. </b> Their kickoff to the second "series" of Sherlock Holmes adventures is a double disc set of <b><a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/21-Sherlock-Holmes-The-Final-Problem-The-Empty-House">The Final Problem/The Empty House</a>. </b>Quite simply, this is simply an excellent dramatization of one of the highlights of the canon, and well worth a listen.<br />
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Much of the power of this audio comes not just from drawing from the canon, but also in its staging - beginning with the sound of pen scratching against paper, followed by Watson's (Richard Earl) narration, the story kicks into high gear. It's a moody, atmospheric approach that simply grabs the listener's attention and will not let go. Part of the success is also the way in which Nicholas Briggs plays Holmes - in these stories, rather than play it large, Briggs performs Holmes at almost a whisper pitch, and it is this approach that makes this audio set enthralling, so much so that you will be sorely tempted to order the other audios in the series.<br />
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One of the great aspects of the canon is that it can be adapted and molded towards a modern sensibility (witness Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss' <b>Sherlock</b>); however, what Nicholas Briggs and Big Finish have done is to make it appealing to a modern ear by focusing on the clarity and simplicity of the original language, making this as much as testament to the skill of Conan Doyle's writing as much as to the appeal of his characters. The fact that his language seems so appropriate to a 21st century medium - and audience - makes this a clear statement of Conan Doyle's career as an author.<br />
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If you are looking for a great listen either for traveling or commuting, please head to <a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/">Big Finish's web site</a> to order - they allow you to purchase either CD or digital download, and you will not be disappointed.<br />
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Especially since the audio does something very few adaptations do - draw upon the strength of Conan Doyle's writing style. Eerily atmospheric, this audio is worth adding to your collection. <br />
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<i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal</a>! and <a href="http://www.comicrelated.com/">Comic Related</a>. </i><br />
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"A Clear Statement of His Career" [FINA]

One of the highlights of both Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Season Two of the BBC 's Sherlock series are their unique takes...

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by Scott Monty

The End of the Encyclopedia Britannica

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"encyclopaedia down" [REDH] </h4>
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The legendary Encyclopedia Britannica is going out of print.<br />
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Those very words are almost as abrupt and arresting <a href="http://ignisart.com/camdenhouse/canon/redh.htm">as what Jabez Wilson saw</a> when he arrived at 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street that fateful morning:<br />
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<b><i>The Red-Headed League is dissolved.</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-stops-the-presses/">According to reports</a>, the 244 year-old print publication is suffering the fate of a world of information that is rapidly changing. The likes of Wikipedia and information at our fingertips by simply typing in keywords on search portals means that it's less likely that individuals will be turning to the printed page for up-to-date information. Rather, the company will focus its efforts on its online information and the services it provides to educational institutions.<br />
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The <i>New York Times'</i> <a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-stops-the-presses/">Media Decoder</a> blog does a marvelous job of describing the cultural difference between today and that age when information was not quite as ubiquitous as it is today:<br />
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In the 1950s, having the Encyclopaedia Britannica on the bookshelf was akin to a station wagon in the garage or a black-and-white Zenith in the den, a possession coveted for its usefulness and as a goalpost for an aspirational middle class. Buying a set was often a financial stretch, and many families had to pay for it in monthly installments.</blockquote>
And of course, Jabez Wilson, as part of his rite of passage as a member of the Red-Headed League, had to copy out the Encyclopedia Britannica. If this story were to take place in the present day, we suppose the perpetrators of that hoax would have to borrow an older edition for this use, or perhaps have Mr. Wilson code his own website for hours on end.<br />
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Perhaps you have an idea of what the modern busy work might be in the absence of a physical encyclopedia. Let us know.<br />
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<i>When you make purchases from the links we share, it provides us with a stream of revenue to help keep this site running. Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />
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The End of the Encyclopedia Britannica

"encyclopaedia down" [REDH] The legendary Encyclopedia Britannica is going out of print. Those very words are almost as ...

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by Scott Monty

"The Last Message from Slaney" [DANC]

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Alfred A. (Fred) Levin, BSI ("Abe Slaney") died in a suburb of Chicago on February 17, 2012 at
the age of 83. He worked for various chemical companies as an organic chemist and upon
retirement worked at Scotland Yard Bookstore until it closed. He then went on to work for an
on-line book selling business.
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Fred was a pillar of not only his temple, but several others, as his temple didn't have daily
services.
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His many passions included the Civil War, sports (Cubs, Black Hawks, Bulls, and Bears), Tolkien,
and classical music. He had opera and symphony subscriptions for many years. Fred and his
wife Sunnie traveled extensively in Europe and enjoyed dining in gourmet restaurants.
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His love of all things Sherlockian extended to amassing an extensive collection of foreign
editions of the Canon. Fred was one of the founders of Torists International, President of the
Criterion Bar Association, Treasurer of The Watsonians, Board member of The Scotland Yarders,
and belonged to many other scions, including STUD Sherlockian Society, Hugo's Companions,
<a href="http://www.houndsofthebaskerville.org/">The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic)</a>, and Maiwand Jezails.
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Fred Levin was invested into the Baker Street Irregulars in 1993 as "Abe Slaney."
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We apologize for the size of the photo; if you have a larger photo of Fred, please let us know and we'll gladly update it.<br />
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"The Last Message from Slaney" [DANC]

Alfred A. (Fred) Levin, BSI ("Abe Slaney") died in a suburb of Chicago on February 17, 2012 at the age of 83. He worked for vari...

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by Francine Kitts

"If the Matter Is Beyond Humanity..." [DEVI]

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Very few Sherlockians would make the argument for Holmes as a vehicle to discuss religious or spiritual principles. In fact, quite the opposite - Holmes may be seen as the ultimate in rational thinkers, keeping himself within this world and staying within the realm of sheer intellect.<br />
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That would be a mistake, for as Stephen Kendrick suggests in his book <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375703381/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0375703381"><i>Holy Clues</i></a></b>, many spiritual lessons can be learned from Holmes' approach. (Recently, I had an opportunity to revisit the book, having read it a few years ago)<br />
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Subtitled "The Gospel According to Sherlock Holmes," the book uses Holmes' approach - with a liberal helping of other thinkers - to suggest a way of approaching spirituality through a more skeptical lens. Granted, the book may tactfully avoid the darker aspects of the canon, but Kendrick provides multiple examples of ways in which a Holmesian approach may strengthen one's spiritual convictions.<br />
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Thankfully, there is an open approach towards integrating different trains of spiritual thought, with Zen/Buddhist concepts given equal weight with Judeo-Christian ideas. It's a book that provides a great deal of enlightenment, and that may spark a great deal of debate and discussion amongst Holmes aficionados.<br />
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Granted, this is an unusual approach to the canon - treating it as a way of determining a spiritual lifestyle. Kendricks, however, manages to perform an impressive feat in <i>Holy Clues</i>, suggesting that matters beyond humanity are <i>not</i> necessarily beyond anyone....including Holmes.<br />
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Very highly recommended.<br />
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Have you read it? We would be interested in your opinion in the comments below.<br />
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<i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal!</a> and <a href="http://www.comicrelated.com/">Comic Related</a>.</i><i><br /></i><br />
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"If the Matter Is Beyond Humanity..." [DEVI]

Very few Sherlockians would make the argument for Holmes as a vehicle to discuss religious or spiritual principles. In fact, quite the opp...

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by Scott Monty

Elementary — It's Not Sherlock

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"the protection of the law against an old rival" [STUD]</h4>
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The <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2012/02/its-lucy-that-brings-me-here-stud.html">casting of Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson</a> in CBS’s upcoming pilot <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/"><i>Elementary</i></a>  is exciting buzz, pro and con, on the internet. This gives we Sherlockians an entryway into the creation of a television show whose source material we know better that the producers (probably, let’s give them some benefit of the doubt), and the ability to speculate on future content based on innate knowledge of American TV tropes.<br />
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Of course, <i>Elementary</i> is not the first show to be based on a successful British counterpart. If we go back to the 1970s, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008HUSFTS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="All in the Family" href="http://www.amazon.com/All-In-The-Family-Complete/dp/B008HUSFTS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6975787" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All in the Family</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6975787" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7&_cb=1454215385854" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> was based on the British sitcom <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0015RCULO" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="till death do us part dvd" href="http://www.amazon.com/Til-Death-Do-Us-Part/dp/B0015RCULO/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7172348" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Till Death Do Us Part</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7172348" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33&_cb=1454215404775" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. <i>All in the Family</i> (coincidentally also on CBS) broke new ground by having comedic episodes dealing in race, the Vietnam War, rape, abortion, women’s lib, and many facets human sexuality in frank language. I believe it was the first time on US television that the sound of a flushing toilet was used as a punch line. It ran from 1971 to 1979, was the number one rated TV show for many of those years, and had a number of successful spinoffs, including: <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00AQ6SPF0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Archie Bunker’s Place" href="http://www.amazon.com/ARCHIE-BUNKERS-PLACE-COMPLETE-SEASON-DISC/dp/B00AQ6SPF0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1178179" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Archie Bunker’s Place</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1178179" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681&_cb=1454215416475" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00MIA0HJE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Jeffersons" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Jeffersons-Complete-Series/dp/B00MIA0HJE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3895333" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Jeffersons</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3895333" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f&_cb=1454215428278" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00QJN33Q0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Maude" href="http://www.amazon.com/Maude-Complete-Series-Bea-Arthur/dp/B00QJN33Q0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_459828" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maude</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_459828" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6&_cb=1454215437568" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. There are other US remakes that could be mentioned, but the point is redoing a British TV show is not an inherently bad idea.</div>
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Nor is updating Sherlock Holmes to the present a bad idea. <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008P9M614" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="House" href="http://www.amazon.com/House-M-D-The-Complete-Series/dp/B008P9M614/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_659640" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">House</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_659640" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f&_cb=1454215446550" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001CTDH76" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Mentalist" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mentalist-Season-Simon-Baker/dp/B001CTDH76/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4639751" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mentalist</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4639751" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8&_cb=1454215459537" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00IRHL59I" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Monk" href="http://www.amazon.com/Monk-The-Complete-Series/dp/B00IRHL59I/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3443501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3443501" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5&_cb=1454215469393" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0000AVHCD" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Law  and Order: Criminal Intent" href="http://www.amazon.com/Law-Order-Criminal-Intent-First/dp/B0000AVHCD/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2602800" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Law  and Order: Criminal Intent</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2602800" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7&_cb=1454215492300" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> are all shows that have a Holmes-like character. Gregory House, Patrick Jane, Adrian Monk, and Robert Goren are not Holmes. They have their own personalities and foibles. We can appreciate their Holmesian qualities, but enjoy them for themselves.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001V017K/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001V017K" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0001V017K&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thebakerstree-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001V017K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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I remember, before BBC’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004132HZS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Sherlock" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Season-1-Benedict-Cumberbatch/dp/B004132HZS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4259020" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4259020" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0&_cb=1454215344951" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> aired, the consternation in some quarter of taking Holmes and setting him in the 21<span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span> century. Holmes couldn’t be Holmes if set in the present day. He was too much a Victorian to be updated. Such naysayers forgot that until 1939’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0001DCYBE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="the hound of the baskervilles rathbone" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-The-Hound-Baskervilles/dp/B0001DCYBE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7614083" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hound of the Baskervilles</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7614083" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef&_cb=1454215363908" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, all the film Holmes were set in the present day. Updating <i>The Sign of Four</i> from 1888 to 1932 does not, in retrospect, seem to be that big a deal. Indeed, Holmes himself could have gone the cinema nearest to his cottage on the South  Downs to see how Rathbone portrayed him in 1939. But the chasm of 129 years between <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> and “A Study in Pink” would seem too great a hurdle for Holmes to jump. However, series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss did an admirable job of making the detective a man of today.</div>
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I am not, however, a fan of the cinematic Holmes. I find all the film treatments of the Canon wanting in comparison to Doyle’s original. Rathbone was a great Holmes but I'm afraid that Nigel Bruce's Watson ruins the films for me. And while the production values of the Granada series is incredible, I wish I liked Jeremy Brett's Holmes better. I find his odd line readings off-putting and his treatment of people sometimes anachronistic. And don’t get me started on Robert Downey, Jr.<br />
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As for the BBC's <i>Sherlock</i>, I watched it with some trepidation due to its updating to the present, but I was pleasantly surprised. “<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00499LTLM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Study in Pink" href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Study-in-Pink/dp/B00499LTLM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2991210" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Study in Pink</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2991210" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4&_cb=1454215319166" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” was well done and Cumberbatch and Freeman were well cast. “<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="4041211271" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Blind Banker" href="http://www.amazon.com/SHERLOCK-Blind-Banker-editor-Kadokawa/dp/4041211271/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6574692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Blind Banker</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6574692" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999&_cb=1454215329855" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” was less successful. By the time of "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004B8K2C8" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="the great game sherlock" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Game/dp/B004B8K2C8/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3400817" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Great Game</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3400817" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1&_cb=1454215308287" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” I was very disappointed. The fey, manic, dancing, young "Jim" Moriarty—that's the Napoleon of Crime? A professional criminal committing a series of crimes just because he’s bored and wants to play with Sherlock? I was surprised that the laser-sighting marksmen at the end of the episode didn't put a round into "Jim" to put him (and the audience) out of his misery.<br />
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Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many things to like about BBC’s <i>Sherlock</i>. Moffat and Gatiss know their Canon and the Sherlockian touches tucked into the episodes are delightful. I have not yet seen series two, but I look forward to PBS’s broadcast of them in May.</div>
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The point is that BBC's <i>Sherlock</i> is no more Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes than Fox’s <i>House</i>. This brings us to <i>Elementary</i>. Usually when US TV imports a show, it’s done in conjunction with the British producer. It appears that CBS did go to the BBC to do a remake of <i>Sherlock</i> but that nothing came of the offer. As the character of Sherlock Holmes is in the public domain, CBS went ahead with their version.<br />
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This led Moffat to tweet, “<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/steven_moffat/status/113907980164005889">Dear CBS. A modern day Sherlock Holmes? Where, oh where, did you get THAT idea? We’ll be watching</a>.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtN07SPA2yINjavqlbJ6t5ml2roA_6auLCj08JyqkFGVz0iHYx42xRWXcJFXXiKjqgSVpr6pXMc19BaCCBo7O2LZ2OkuhhzmTGkKEwT7gFqLzaoarrTdKbJtNQSaAB31gbKYDf0lhXns7/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtN07SPA2yINjavqlbJ6t5ml2roA_6auLCj08JyqkFGVz0iHYx42xRWXcJFXXiKjqgSVpr6pXMc19BaCCBo7O2LZ2OkuhhzmTGkKEwT7gFqLzaoarrTdKbJtNQSaAB31gbKYDf0lhXns7/s400/Capture.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The media friction between BBC and CBS is fascinating to watch. The casting of Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes is a case in point. Miller is a British actor who starred in <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B007V4LBLU" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Trainspotting" href="http://www.amazon.com/Trainspotting-Collectors-Edition-Ewan-McGregor/dp/B007V4LBLU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_556672" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trainspotting</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_556672" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88&_cb=1454215263702" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and 2009’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B007SSEZNA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Emma" href="http://www.amazon.com/Emma-Gwyneth-Paltrow/dp/B007SSEZNA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6823675" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emma</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6823675" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219&_cb=1454215272246" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. He’s familiar to American television viewers as the star of the short-lived ABC show <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001ASIHZG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Eli Stone" href="http://www.amazon.com/Eli-Stone-Jonny-Lee-Miller/dp/B001ASIHZG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3481812" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eli Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3481812" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956&_cb=1454215284457" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and his turn as a serial killer on the fifth season of Showtime’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B01329A15E" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Dexter" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dexter-Complete-Series-James-Remar/dp/B01329A15E/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2156223" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dexter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2156223" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b&_cb=1454215256364" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. In Danny Boyle's production of the National Theatre's "Frankenstein" last year, Benedict Cumberbatch and Miller alternated daily between playing Victor Frankenstein and the Creature and, indeed, won a joint Best Actor prize. This lead "Sherlock’s" producer Sue Vertue to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jonny-lee-miller-to-play-sherlock-holmes-in-us-series-6939158.html">tell the British newspaper The Independent</a>,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Jonny is a very fine actor....Let's hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice. We have been in touch with CBS and informed them that we will be looking at their finished pilot very closely for any infringements of our rights."</blockquote>
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Of course, the <i>Sherlock</i>/<i>Elementary</i> controversy should be familiar territory to Moffat and Vertue. It is doubtful that Moffat and Vertue’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0006HBLU0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Coupling" href="http://www.amazon.com/Coupling-The-Complete-Seasons-1-4/dp/B0006HBLU0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1959821" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coupling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1959821" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84&_cb=1454215227983" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> (BBC2, 2000-2004) would have existed without <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00B1LN8WY" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Friends" href="http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Complete-Series-Jennifer-Aniston/dp/B00B1LN8WY/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9365761" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Friends</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9365761" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98&_cb=1454215236250" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> (NBC 1994-2004). The similarities between the shows are more than superficial. That said, <i>Coupling</i> is the far superior show of the two. British television, indeed, world television, would be much poorer if NBC threatened action against BBC2 upon reading of the upcoming series in the trades and the Beeb caved.</div>
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This fear of a lawsuit may have led to the casting of Liu as Watson. As <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/lucy-liu-to-play-watson-in-cbs-modern-sherlock-holmes-pilot-elementary/">Deadline reported on February 27</a>,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The project, written by Robert Doherty, is set in present day and stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric Brit Sherlock Holmes, a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems led him to a rehab center in New York City. Just out of rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with “sober companion” Joan Watson (Liu), a former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died, while consulting for the NYPD.” </blockquote>
Not an army surgeon back from Afghanistan, but disgraced medico.</div>
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This highlights a couple of problems for <i>Elementary</i>. One is the legal sword BBC is holding over the head of CBS. There are certain traits that make the character of Sherlock Holmes Holmes and as well that make Dr. Watson Watson. Doyle’s Watson is proud of this military service. He refers to himself as an “old campaigner” more that once in the Canon. The symmetry of a 19<span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span> century Watson and a 21<span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span> century Watson both serving on the frontlines in Afghanistan is just too brilliant to pass up. It serves the character perfectly. It is in the public domain. Despite roles in <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B006RXSGLE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Kill Bill" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Bill-Volume-Uma-Thurman/dp/B006RXSGLE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7491689" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kill Bill</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7491689" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678&_cb=1454214902206" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B003F1ERDC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Charlie’s Angels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlies-Angels-Cameron-Diaz/dp/B003F1ERDC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8904679" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie’s Angels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8904679" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246&_cb=1454214914593" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, I cannot image an actor least likely to be an army doctor under Taliban fire than Liu.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/2557890494/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="veil-02 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="veil-02" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3070/2557890494_5e71aa3f26_m.jpg" /></a><br />
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Show biz is not a virtuous profession. We may look at it as Watson did of the late Irene Adler, as “dubious and questionable.” Intellectual theft is a misdemeanor at best in Hollywood. Holmes’ perennial popularity is now on an upswing and I see no problem with the American appropriation of a modern day Holmes. In fact, CBS needs to tell Moffat and Gatiss, in that pithy British phrase, “Piss off!’</div>
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The second problem for <i>Elementary</i> is the state of TV storytelling. Protagonists nowadays need a tragic back-story to make them interesting. Joan Watson lost her license when a patient died. Sherlock Holmes is a recovering drug addict. Please.</div>
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Holmes's drug use can only be seen through a contemporary lens on TV, but the reality of Victorian cocaine use is much more complex than network television can portray. (For one thing, cocaine wasn’t illegal and could be picked up at the corner chemist.) Watson can’t be an Afghan veteran (too close to <i>Sherlock</i>), but there has to be something to give the character sleepless nights. Hence, the lost medical license. A psychic wound, then, rather than a physical one.</div>
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While casting Watson as a woman takes <i>Elementary</i> a step away from <i>Sherlock</i> (and <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/02/watson-actually-was-woman.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a step closer to Rex Stout</a>), it takes "Elementary" several steps away from the Canon. One of the fundamental aspects of the Canon is the friendship of Holmes and Watson. Christopher Morley called the Canon a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="143258071X" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="sherlock holmes and dr. watson textbook of friendship" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-And-Dr-Watson/dp/143258071X/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8985829" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Textbook of Friendship</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8985829" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a&_cb=1454215214646" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></b></i>. And it is one that is more complicated that the bromance that popular culture perceives between Cumberbatch and Freeman or Downey and Law. I do not doubt that a deep friendship between a man and woman can exist, just network television ability to depict it. Sexual tension between major characters is just television scriptwriting 101 and I wonder if the producers of <i>Elementary</i> have the strength to stay away from it.</div>
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After all, unlike <i>Sherlock</i>, which has only three 90-minute shows a season to get plot, character and dialog right, CBS will have to crank out 22 one-hour episodes and the temptation for scripting shortcuts in that pressure cooker will be great. I’m not sure of the Sherlockian background of the producers or writers, or whether they have hired a Holmesian as a consultant (as Warner Bros. did with <a href="http://lesliesklinger.com/">Les Klinger</a>), but titling the series "Elementary" alone makes me wonder if can expect writing on the level of "Sherlock" or of, say, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_%26_Yo-Yo"><i>Holmes and Yo-Yo</i></a>. </div>
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<i>Elementary</i> will ultimately survive or fail on its own merits. If it fails, it will be no more that a footnote in the history of <i>Sherlock</i>. If it succeeds, then the majority of fans the world over will proclaim the British version superior, and Moffat's and Gatiss’ glory will be that much greater. Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly may yet pleasantly surprise us. Only time will tell. We should keep our minds and eyes open to further developments, but like Holmes's refrain from theorizing before one has the facts. No matter how fun it is.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image credit: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/cfu61E" target="_blank">Nicolas Raymond (Flickr)</a></i></span><br />
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<i><b>Editor's note: </b>James is a long-time Sherlockian and a huge fan of <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a> . This is his first contribution to the site.</i><br />
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Elementary — It's Not Sherlock

"the protection of the law against an old rival" [STUD] The casting of Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson in CBS’s upcoming p...

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by James C. O'Leary

Lucy Liu Is Not the First Female Watson

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"it's Lucy that brings me here" [STUD]</h4>
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As we've <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/01/croo_20.html" rel="nofollow">previously</a> shared, CBS is planning <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2011/09/pushing-another-one-in-my-direction.html">a New York version</a> of the 21st century adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, in the spirit of the BBC's "Sherlock." It is titled "Elementary" and the release date has not yet been determined.<br />
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While we already knew that Jonny Lee Miller would play Holmes as a recovering drug addict, <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lucy-liu-sherlock-holmes-watson-cbs-pilot-elementary-295560"><b><i>Hollywood Reporter</i> has just noted</b></a> that Lucy Liu - you read that correctly - of <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B003F1ERDC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Charlie's Angels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlies-Angels-Cameron-Diaz/dp/B003F1ERDC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3422206" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie's Angels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3422206" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34&_cb=1454206631992" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> fame would play his sidekick as <b><i>Joan</i></b> Watson.<br />
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<i>HR</i> dubiously states that this is the first time that Watson would be "played by a woman." We say "dubiously," because we would take issue with this technicality. Of course, Joanne Woodward portrayed <b><i>Dr. Mildred Watson</i></b>, who was treating George C. Scott's Justin Playfair who believed he was Sherlock Holmes in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003TKF9/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00003TKF9" rel="nofollow"><b><i>They Might Be Giants</i></b></a>. And Margaret Colin played <i>Jane Watson</i>, a descendant of the good doctor, who brought a cryogenically frozen Holmes back to life in the 1987 CBS (yes, CBS!) television movie and pilot <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093850/" rel="nofollow"><i>The Return of Sherlock Holmes</i></a>.<br />
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And lest you think CBS is new at this, in addition to the never picked up pilot of 1987, they also inflicted upon us the 1990 movie <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000244FZU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000244FZU" rel="nofollow"><b><i>The Hands of a Murderer</i></b></a> with Edward Woodward. Brace yourselves.<br />
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Don't say we didn't warn you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13822185@N08/4890368885/">bethany.egan (Flickr)</a></i></span><br />
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Lucy Liu Is Not the First Female Watson

"it's Lucy that brings me here" [STUD] As we've previously shared, CBS is planning a New York version of the 21st c...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 39: #BelieveInSherlock

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When a fictional character's impact overflows to reality to affect what people are talking about, where they go and how they act, it's quite an accomplishment. When it happens in a nearly identical, if time-appropriate manner nearly 120 years apart, it must have something to to with Sherlock Holmes.<br />
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As this podcast is all about Sherlock Holmes, you can rest assured that is indeed the case. But what of it? This updated and renewed interest in our beloved master is curious, but in the end, quite elementary. Much of the chatter and buzz seen on the Internet in particular, has been generated by the Robert Downey, Jr. outings in two films, and more recently by Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal in two seasons of the BBC television show <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004132HZS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B004132HZS"><i>Sherlock</i></a>.<br />
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In this episode, we welcome the ladies from another Sherlock Holmes-related podcast, the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">Baker Street Babes</a>, namely Kristina Manente, Maria Fleischhack, and Ardy to discuss the machinations behind the movement that has taken hold across the world called "<b><i>Believe in Sherlock</i></b>." With the conclusion (in the U.K.) of the BBC's second season of the show with an episode titled "The Reichenbach Fall," you can probably imagine what the outcome was. We won't spoil it by giving away the details, but suffice it to say that there were some upset fans at the conclusion - so upset, in fact, that they took to the streets and the web alike, demonstrating their love of the character and their wish to see his good name cleared.<br />
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We discuss the beginnings of this newfound and fervent interest in Holmes, as generated through the Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat-created series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and get the perspective from Londoners who were not only there to witness the activities of this movement, but who contributed to and even instigated some of them. We'll conclude with a reading of the latest Editor's Gas-Lamp from the Winter 2011 (Vol. 61, No. 4) of the <i>Baker Street Journal</i>.<br />
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<b>Links:</b></h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a><b style="font-style: italic;">  </b></li>
<li><a href="http://earlfoolish.tumblr.com/post/15969467726/so-i-guess-you-all-have-heard-read-seen-the-news">The post that started it all</a> (earlfoolish.tumblr.com)</li>
<li><a href="http://bakerstreetbabes.tumblr.com/post/16296064521/operation-221b-the-believe-in-sherlock-holmes">Operation: 221B swings into play</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/harrietpotter23/the-world-believes-in-sherlock-holmes-357q">The World Believes in Sherlock Holmes</a> (BuzzFeed)</li>
<li><a href="http://bakerstreetbabes.tumblr.com/post/16692521495/28-01-12-to-mark-the-anniversary-of-sherlock">Signage at 187 Gower Street</a> (aka 221B Baker Street)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/what-is-the-believeinsherlock-movement-and-how-did-it-get-so-widespread-so-quickly?utm_source=Feedburner%3A+Frontpage+Partial+RSS+Feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Torcom%2FFrontpage_Partial+%28Tor.com+Frontpage+Partial+-+Blog+and+Stories%29">An analysis of how it started</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-okeefe/benedict-cumberbatch_b_1231634.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008">A bit about the Benedict Cumberbatch fascination</a></li>
<li><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200241406014380769875.0004b74641f320b9bd5f3&msa=0&ll=56.559482,-1.054687&spn=107.163543,254.882812&iwloc=0004b75739e6297235496">A map of the movement across the globe</a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i></li>
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Episode 39: #BelieveInSherlock

When a fictional character's impact overflows to reality to affect what people are talking about, where they go and how they act,...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlocktron Has a New Home

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"I have had no proof yet" [SIGN]</h4>
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Recently, Sherlocktron, a long-time Internet information center for Sherlock Holmes, was forced to move to a new Internet service provider at <a href="http://sherlocktron.com/">http://sherlocktron.com/</a>. <br />
<br />
The site owner, Willis Frick, has now updated the files at the new web site. <b><i>But</i></b> he he is <b><i>looking for your help to make sure the listings are up to date</i></b>. <br />
<br />
At this point, he has been able to verify the Web addresses (URLs) and email addresses of the purveyors of Sherlockian items and of the society publications listed. However, many Sherlockian purveyors and societies do not have a means to contact them electronically to verify the information - and that is where he needs your help, dear readers.<br />
<br />
Please take a few minutes to looks at these files: <br />
<a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/pub.list.pdf%C2%A0">Sherlockian Publication List</a> (PDF)<br />
<a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/ads.list.pdf">Sherlockian Purveyor List</a> (PDF)<br />
<br />
If there are any additions, corrections or deletions required, please notify Willis by email: <b>sherlock1 [AT] cox [DOT] net.</b><mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><b> </b><br /></mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net="">For information about these lists see:  </mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/about.the.pub.listing.pdf">About Sherlockian Publications</a> (PDF)</mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/about.the.ads.listing.pdf">About Sherlockian Purveyors</a> (PDF)<br /><br />It would be a wonderful gesture to extend to Willis, as he finishes up this project. After all, someday you may be looking for something Sherlockian or for a  newsletter from a society, and this resource may come in handy.</mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><br /><i><br /></i>--</mailto:sherlock1>

Sherlocktron Has a New Home

"I have had no proof yet" [SIGN] Recently, Sherlocktron, a long-time Internet information center for Sherlock Holmes, was f...

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by Scott Monty

Remembering Nicol Williamson

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"baffled all those who have sought a solution" [FIVE]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk9ALwq-Yjf487GHizkYXHGRLvh_CF1O-MH7MgTraOWkfpG1XrNmZkLjRfxZjoWr2CKqViU-I9RxI9htpFdnEovMrppkcVdGLz0N7TpW4VFen20owgxP18I0hyphenhyphenZCln0lX12FztKdRxs9d/s1600/Seven-Percent-Williamson.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk9ALwq-Yjf487GHizkYXHGRLvh_CF1O-MH7MgTraOWkfpG1XrNmZkLjRfxZjoWr2CKqViU-I9RxI9htpFdnEovMrppkcVdGLz0N7TpW4VFen20owgxP18I0hyphenhyphenZCln0lX12FztKdRxs9d/s640/Seven-Percent-Williamson.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The three-time BAFTA-nominated actor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol_Williamson">Nicol Williamson</a> has <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gXXf7k0AXdqqnt8kvEPoZ2NIEdQA?docId=7231bc1affc54ed282a2d07f0f8821f4">passed away</a> at the age of 75.<br />
<br />
To Sherlockians, he'll be most closely identified with the role of Sherlock Holmes in the 1976 film <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ETAMHS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ETAMHS">The Seven Per-Cent Solution</a></i></b>. The book and the screenplay were both written by Nicholas Meyer, BSI ("A Fine Morocco Case"). Outside of the Holmesian world, he was probably best known for his turn as the wily wizard Merlin in Excalibur (1981).<br />
<br />
As Sherlock Holmes, he seemed as if he were cast against type, but he gave a convincing performance as a manic and overwrought consulting detective who was weaned off of his cocaine dependence by a once similarly afflicted Sigmund Freud. With Robert Duvall as his Watson and Alan Arkin as the venerable psychiatrist, the unlikely trio made for a memorable film.<br />
<br />
Below, we bring you a slideshow of some of the posters and lobby cards from the film. You can also <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/sets/72157629028037471/">view them on Flickr</a>.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" data-header="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/albums/72157629028037471" title="The Seven Per-Cent Solution"><img alt="The Seven Per-Cent Solution" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7146/6761008133_823e0028a1.jpg" width="640"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><br />
Do you you have a memory or impression of how Williamson's performance (Sherlockian or not) struck you? Leave us a comment.<br />
<br />
<i>When you make purchases from the links we share, it provides us with a stream of revenue to help keep this site running. Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br /></div>

Remembering Nicol Williamson

"baffled all those who have sought a solution" [FIVE] The three-time BAFTA-nominated actor Nicol Williamson has passed awa...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 38: On Conan Doyle

<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0691151350" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3XxXgVT-zK-5fVtFHvxLpUk0hbmYUpduz6cO6uzGZXyXcA1mQ90ZBh9pIRBYukzZfPRstNkHOp4OEj2Ss12tXp8Ei0cCw9_4Xiqpkiawc5AQfLJThQ0Q9E5PeajVO46J_qFRM3kUpqsdD8UMNgfm-f7tCIupiSQ9ppJf-3PwU8qCDndc6_6ETs72KA/s2250/ihose38%20-%20On%20Conan%20Doyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3XxXgVT-zK-5fVtFHvxLpUk0hbmYUpduz6cO6uzGZXyXcA1mQ90ZBh9pIRBYukzZfPRstNkHOp4OEj2Ss12tXp8Ei0cCw9_4Xiqpkiawc5AQfLJThQ0Q9E5PeajVO46J_qFRM3kUpqsdD8UMNgfm-f7tCIupiSQ9ppJf-3PwU8qCDndc6_6ETs72KA/s320/ihose38%20-%20On%20Conan%20Doyle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0712358412&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border: none; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin: 0px;" width="1" />One of the great benefits of being a member of the Baker Street Irregulars is that we get to meet a lot of interesting and famous people. Chief among them are the literati, such as Michael Dirda, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic for the <i>Washington Post</i>, who makes his living by writing about the literati.<br />
<br />In this case, Michael himself is the author, having been tapped by the Princeton University Press to contribute to their "Writers on Writers" series with the volume <b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/45nRUqJ">On Conan Doyle: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling</a></i></b>. In it, he takes us through Conan Doyle's life and writings - many of which may not be familiar to the Sherlock Holmes fan - and gives us a perspective on many of them through the Canon.<br />
<br />
Burt and Scott had a chance to sit down with Michael at the Players in New York City during the 2012 Baker Street Irregulars Weekend - marking the first time our podcast has been recorded with the two hosts together in the same room.<br />
<br />
Rather than give you an Editor's Gas-Lamp in this episode, we asked Michael to read something from his own work.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>Links:</b></h4>
<ul>
<li><b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/45nRUqJ">On Conan Doyle: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling</a></i></b>  </i></b>(Amazon)</li>
<li><i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/03/25/LI2005032502159.html">Michael Dirda's content in the <i>Washington Post</i></a><br />
<i></i></li>
</ul>
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<b>Listen now:</b></h4>
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Download this episode by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Save As..." or simply click on the file to listen, or on the nice box above. (File size: 34.7 MB, 37:51)</div>
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Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or drop by our <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook page</a>.</div>
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And as always, please visit our sponsors <a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38489797@N00/8161024595">mcwetboy (Flickr)</a></i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br /><br />
<br /></div>

Episode 38: On Conan Doyle

One of the great benefits of being a member of the Baker Street Irregulars is that we get to meet a lot of interesting and famous people...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

New CBS Sherlock Holmes Drama Will Be Called "Elementary"

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"Elementary." [CROO]</h4>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4182504806/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="silv01 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="silv01" height="218" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2741/4182504806_6d27b302c5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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     "Excellent!" I cried.<br />
     "Elementary," said he.</blockquote>
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Of course, any Sherlockian considering him or herself worthy of the name knows that one particular instance in "The Crooked Man" is the only time Mr. Sherlock Holmes uses the word “elementary” in that context. Never in the canon does he actually say “Elementary, my dear Watson.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nevertheless, it appears that CBS has hit upon the entirely original idea of updating the Sherlock Holmes stories for the modern day, and will title this show, ahem, <i>Elementary. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/cbs-greenlights-dana-calvokevin-falls-legal-drama-pilot/">Deadline</a> is reporting that CBS has greenlit a pilot that would air in 2012 and would transport the Victorian detective to 21<sup>st</sup> century New York. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This news comes, unsurprisingly, after the success of the second series of BBC’s <i>Sherlock, </i>as well as Guy Ritchie’s recent sequel, <i>Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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As Holmes would also say, “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data</span>” [SCAN] and so far, data is drastically lacking about this upcoming series. Aside from the screenwriter - Robert Doherty - <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nothing is yet known, making any speculation about the quality of the series difficult. One hopes, however, that the script and acting will transcend the title and be something rather than “elementary.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Anastasia writes at <a href="http://bookwormhermy.blogspot.com/">The Itinerant Bookworm</a>. This is her first contribution to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br /></div>

New CBS Sherlock Holmes Drama Will Be Called "Elementary"

"Elementary." [CROO] "Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he. Of course, any Sherloc...

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by Scott Monty

The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Saturday

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"then on Saturday" [HOUN]</h4>
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<br />
The day after the BSI dinner and Gaslight Gala can be a bit of a paradox for some people. For after the dinners, some attendees gather to celebrate well into the night. It's an unwritten tradition to keep the newest investitured members of the Baker Street Irregulars awake until at least 2:21 a.m. That's not too rare when you're in the city that never sleeps, but with the doors of the Vendors Room opening at 9:00 a.m. sharp (and Jerry Margolin always jockeying to be the first in), it can be difficult to rouse yourself from an otherwise groggy state.<br />
<br />
This year's Vendors Room was packed with merchandise, from the new to the old and rare. The Baker Street Irregulars had its usual range of books available from the <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsimanuscriptseries.html">BSI Manuscript</a> and <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsiinternationalseries.html">BSI International</a> series, as well as <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamev2.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><i>The Grand Game Volume Two</i></a>, the continuation of the first volume edited by Leslie S. Klinger and Laurie R. King. In addition to the <i>Grand Game</i> compendium being completed, there was a very handsome <i><b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamelimited.html">Grand Game Limited Edition</a></b></i> being offered for sale; you can order it online after March 30. There will be 100 box sets created, with gilt-stamped volumes, a companion index with an expansion of the origin of the Game and Ronald Knox, and a gold-stamped slipcase.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The afternoon turned toward West 44th Street as Sherlockians descended on the New York Bar Association for the reception and auction. As usual, Don Novorsky hosted the event and recognized the previous evening's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/6697583377/">newly-investitured Irregulars</a>. Then, we we all treated to a fun little vaudeville routine by Jim Saunders and Henry Boote, who performed a Sherlock Holmes-inspired version of the old <a href="http://www.marx-brothers.org/marxology/shean.htm">Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean</a> bit. While we didn't record Jim and Henry, here you can have a look at what it looked like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkzAEGarl9Q">as performed by Charles Winniger and Al Shean</a>:<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HkzAEGarl9Q" width="420"></iframe></center>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/6697551885/" title="BSI Raffle prize by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="BSI Raffle prize" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6697551885_2489a7e1ce_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The 2012 raffle prize</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Directly after the performance, it was time for the drawing of the raffle prize. All weekend, raffle tickets were sold to raise money for the John H. Watson Fund, a self-exhausting fund that is available to all Sherlockians (BSI membership is not required) who wish to travel to New York for the annual Baker Street Irregulars weekend but who may not be able to afford to otherwise attend. This year's raffle prize was donated by Maggie Schpak, BSI ("The Soup Plate Medal"), who works in metallurgical costuming. It was a replica of Lady Frances Carfax's Spanish diamonds, which you can see to the right.<br />
<br />
Then it was time for another highlight of the weekend - the Sherlockian Year in Review, as given in verse by father and daughter team Al ("Inspector Gregory") and Betsy ("Lucy Ferrier") Rosenblatt. As usual, their observations and wit skewered events and individuals who made headlines throughout the year, and then turned toward the doings of the weekend. They even stopped mid-poem to break out in song to honor Henry Boote's Two Shilling award (sung to the tune of "Aunt Clara," of course).<br />
<br />
The final programmatic event was Peter Blau's professional auctioneering effort to raise money for the Watson Fund. This year, the items included original posters from <i>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</i>, a hand-turned wooden fountain pen made from wood salvaged from the barque <i>Lone Star</i>, original artwork by Charles Meyer, BSI ("Adloph Meyer") and a handmade wooden collector's cabinet made by Joe Coppola ("The Stranger's Room"). And in a last-minute surprise appearance, a Peter Blau-ish powder blue blazer worn the previous evening in the skit was offered up by Scott Monty. Peter and Scott stood side by side, taking bids for the jacket. The winning bid was a Canonical $221 and the buyer plans to donate it to the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a>.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, Sherlockians went their separate ways. Some caught trains, others joined up for an intimate dinner for 10 for Indian food, and many others got Lost in New York with a Bunch of Sherlockians at Pete's Tavern. The wrap-up brunch was hosted the following day by Lyndsay Faye at the Irish Rogue.<br />
<br />
We have a few photos from the weekend. If you'd like to see them, there's a slideshow embedded below on the site. If you're viewing this on email or an RSS reader, please click through to the full article, or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/sets/72157628871829545/with/6697449965/">check out our set on Flickr</a>.<br />
<br />
If you weren't able to make it to the weekend this year, there's always next year! Set your calendar for <b>January 10-12, 2013</b>.<br />
<br />
<i>Do you have a memory or a first-person account of what happened at one of the events that we didn't cover? We'd love to hear about it in a comment below.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />

The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Saturday

"then on Saturday" [HOUN] The day after the BSI dinner and Gaslight Gala can be a bit of a paradox for some people. For aft...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

IHOSE header

"A Clear Statement of His Career" [FINA]

The End of the Encyclopedia Britannica

"The Last Message from Slaney" [DANC]

"If the Matter Is Beyond Humanity..." [DEVI]

Elementary — It's Not Sherlock

Lucy Liu Is Not the First Female Watson

Episode 39: #BelieveInSherlock

Sherlocktron Has a New Home

Remembering Nicol Williamson

Episode 38: On Conan Doyle

New CBS Sherlock Holmes Drama Will Be Called "Elementary"

The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Saturday

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