"Texas, I Think" [FIVE]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4181732995/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="five-06 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="five-06" height="230" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2632/4181732995_3dda0b360e_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><i><b>Editor's note:</b> the following was submitted by the John Openshaw Society.</i><br /><br />On Saturday, October 4th, 1980, Tom Harman and Warren Chaney chartered the John Openshaw Society<br />(JOS) of Houston, Texas. The first newsletter, The Pip’s Log, announced (Vol. 1, No. 1) on November 30, 1980:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">“The John Openshaw Chapter of the Baker Street Irregulars is established in memory of the former young gentleman from Horsham, John Openshaw, who, on September 29, 1887, brought to the attention of the master, Sherlock Holmes, the remarkable case of The Five Orange Pips. It was during this adventure, ‘so remarkable in its details and so startling in its results’ that the great State of Texas was brought to the attention of both Holmes and Watson. In particular, the barque Lone Star, a sailing vessel owned by the Johanssen Brothers of Savannah, but constructed at the Port of Galveston, is featured in a most singular fashion. It is only fitting that the Houston Chapter of the Baker Street Irregulars be named in memory of the man who gave his life, however indirectly, to advance the name of the State of Texas.”</blockquote><br /><a name='more'></a>Over several years, the JOS scion grew to almost fifty members and held many interesting meetings. Sometimes they traveled to Galveston, Texas, where they joined the Strollers on the Strand scion and together enjoyed the distinctive Strand district which is historically so well aligned with Sherlock Holmes and 1895. The two groups even enjoyed a trip to a submarine docked in Galveston while studying "The Bruce Partington Plans." The JOS also traveled to England. Warren Chaney made a statue of Sherlock Holmes that he and Tom Harman presented to the London Sherlock Holmes Society. They also gave a JOS membership certificate to the Sherlock Holmes Restaurant and Pub in London. Tom Harman and his wife Karen visited that famous London Pub this past summer and verified that the Sherlockian certificate is still hanging on the wall. Over the years the John Openshaw Society has attended local Sherlockian plays, movies, and book signings (i.e. Laurie R. King).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4182495602/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="five-03 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="five-03" height="314" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2569/4182495602_e66a161d74.jpg" width="320" /></a>The recent resurrection of the John Openshaw Society, a la Holmes in "The Adventure of the Empty House" (albeit less dramatically), has not only retained some of the original members, but also has been of interest to newcomer fellow Sherlockians. The society has taken advantage of social networking sites such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-John-Openshaw-Society/127225660696149"><b>Facebook</b></a> and Twitter to expand membership and strengthen connections with fellow societies. The development of <b><a href="http://www.johnopenshaw.org/">the official website</a></b> has also been instrumental, along with posters located at Murder-by-the-Book bookstore, in spreading the word and reaching out to more fans. The members cover a range of interests, from engineers to artists, from Sherlock Holmes connoisseurs to passionate newcomers. Whether discussing possible land erosion at Reichenbach Falls, or to questioning the date of the typewriter used by Dr. Watson in the recent Sherlock Holmes movie, whether raising our glasses to Professor Moriarty or Mrs. Hudson, or listening to our member Ipek playing the piano, or listening to another member Julia asking those difficult questions about the Holmes story of the day, the John Openshaw Society is a place for those who have read the stories and thought "I want to read these again," for those who have watched the stories and thought "I want to watch these again," for those who have visited 221B and the moors and thought "I want to visit here again," and for those who have done all of these and thought "I want to share all of this with someone!"<br /><br />Ken Rozek, a long time devotee of Sherlock Holmes, has quietly collected Sherlockian philatelic material such as stamps, first day covers and cinderella items, for over eight years. Over this time period, he has made contact with many Sherlockians via email, snail mail or eBay. One of those Sherlockians was Peter Blau, who has been a Baker Street Irregular ("Black Peter") for over forty years. Peter continues to travel the United States pursuing geological conferences as "a practical, but limited, geologist." Every few years, one of these geological societies meets in Houston, Texas. Last spring Peter and Ken discussed over dinner several Sherlockian ideas. One of these ideas was to re-activate the John Openshaw Society scion in Houston, Texas. This led to someone saying, "Where does one go in Houston, Texas to share experiences and learn more about the Great Detective? Why, it’s elementary my friend, the John Openshaw Society, of course."<br /><br />The first reactivated JOS meeting was held at the Red Lion Pub in June 2011. On that night, eight people came, and over a few drinks and an English meal we got to know each other and began to formulate our plans for the scion. After a meeting or two, we hit upon a format that seems to fit us well. The group meets bimonthly and share a few toasts over a libation or two, break bread together with an English meal, enjoy a presentation by a member on a Sherlockian theme, take a quiz from a story in the Canon, plan for future meetings, and end with a reading of <a href="http://always1895.net/post/11857862603/starrett1-birthday-week-2011">the poem "221B" by Vincent Starrett</a>.<br /><br />For the meeting in August, the group met at the Ruggles café in the Montrose area to enjoy a travelogue presentation by Tom and Karen Harman about their recent visit to Great Britain that included visiting many places of interest to Sherlockians, including the 221B location in London. The quiz that night was on "The Five Orange Pips" - the story from which the group took its name.<br /><br />In October they reconvened at Ruggles café for a travelogue presentation by Ken Rozek about his recent visit to Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen, Switzerland. Members could almost feel the spray on their faces as they pondered if the location of the precipice has been moved by erosion, or by some other means, from that which is depicted in Paget's image. Our quiz, that evening, of course was on "The Final Problem."<br /><br />For December there was a group outing to the showing of the Robert Downey, Jr. movie <i>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</i>. Then off to the Black Labrador café on Montrose Avenue to discuss the movie together. The Black Labrador proved to be a perfect location for meetings and the JOS plans to make this a regular meeting place. It has two private rooms, good prices and a delightful English-based menu including shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, bubble and squeak, as well as the traditional fish and chips. What more could a Sherlockian hope for in this day and age? The quiz that night was "The Blue Carbuncle," an appropriate story for the Christmas season.<br /><br />For February 2012 it was back to the Black Labrador for another travelogue presentation by Ken Rozek about his recent visit in January to New York City for the 158th Sherlock Holmes birthday celebration. Ken explained and showed us in pictures how fellow Sherlockians eat, drink and made merry over five very chilly days. Our quiz that evening was on "The Speckled Band." <br /><br />Keeping with the tradition of the earlier John Openshaw Society, the reactivated scion has elected several officers: First Pip - Ken Rozek, Second Pip - Julia Sanders de Berardinis, Third Pip – Ipek Bozkurt,<br />Fourth Pip - Rick Etchells and Fifth Pip - Michael Coulter.<br /><br /><i>Tom Harman and each Pip has contributed ideas to this article.</i><br /><i><br /></i>Do you have a Sherlockian society event to report? We would be glad to <a href="mailto:ihearofsherlock@gmail.com" target="_blank">receive and review your submissions</a>. Any upcoming events can be submitted to the <a href="http://sherlockiancalendar.homestead.com/" target="_blank">Sherlockian Calendar</a>.<br /><br />--</div>

"Texas, I Think" [FIVE]

Editor's note: the following was submitted by the John Openshaw Society. On Saturday, October 4th, 1980, Tom Harman and Warren Chaney c...

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by Scott Monty

"The Receiving Station, As Well As the Transmitter" [3GAB]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4182492780_8a3ec3da57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4182492780_8a3ec3da57.jpg" width="222" /></a></div> One of the advantages to audio adaptations of the canon (as well as newer creations of stories) is that there can be a greater emphasis on creating atmosphere through sound. Previously, we had highlighted a worthy adaptation of stories from the canon - now, we will highlight two companies who have put out Holmes-related audio that are not only intriguing, but also have appeal for the budget-conscious.<br /> <br /> As part of their lower-cost audios, Big Finish has a one hour adaptation of <b><a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-speckled-band-719" target="_blank">The Adventure of the Speckled Band</a></b>. Much like their previous audio adaptation of <b><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2012/03/clear-statement-of-his-career-fina.html" target="_blank">The Final Problem/The Empty House</a></b>, the strength of this adaptation lies in a nearly straightforward telling of the Conan Doyle story. Much like its canon-based companion, <b>The Speckled Band</b> is a top-notch production that (at least, from my vantage point) will encourage a willingness to sample the rest of Big Finish's Holmesian efforts, including the non-canon original stories (whose titles and premises offer all sorts of delight). Big Finish releases a wide range of audio dramas, and their Sherlock Holmes series continues to provide high quality and entertainment, providing an excellent contemporary example of well-executed audio drama.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>For those with a penchant for "classic" audio drama, <a href="http://www.radioarchives.com/" target="_blank">Radio Archives</a> has put out <a href="http://www.radioarchives.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RA701" target="_blank">two</a> <a href="http://www.radioarchives.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RA702" target="_blank">volumes</a> of <b>The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes</b>, whose 1945 - 46 season featured Tom Conway as the sleuth, with Nigel Bruce reprising his role as Doctor Watson. By this time, the show had changed networks and sponsors (and indeed, there is something slightly disconcerting about hearing a commercial for hair products in the middle of an episode), but make no mistake - these radio dramas are strong in their own right, with some being relatively loose adaptations of the canon. Even to more modern ears, there is more than a hint of Victorian atmosphere in these stories....and these collections are easily affordable as digital downloads.<br /> <br /> With autumn upon us, there is ample opportunity to sit and enjoy Holmesian adventure. Both Big Finish and Radio Archives have provided ample opportunity to sit back and engage in an entertainment art form that may not be as prevalent....but which still provides ample opportunities for pleasure. Both are highly recommended.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo credit: Phil Cornell</i></span><br /> <br /> <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 /> <br /> <br /></div>

"The Receiving Station, As Well As the Transmitter" [3GAB]

One of the advantages to audio adaptations of the canon (as well as newer creations of stories) is that there can be a greater emphasis o...

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by Scott Monty

"Blue in Shade" [BLUE]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The latest parody in the world of Sherlock Holmes involves none other than the cute and fuzzy Blue from the popular children's show <i>Blue's Clues</i>.<br /><br />The Sherlock in this case seems to be a Benedict Cumberbatch impersontor, but we'd argue that he bears more of a striking resemblance to <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EmoPhillips">Emo Phillips</a>. Either way, this is a bit of fun that we hope you'll enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6822676/sherlock-blues-clues">Sherlock Blues Clues</a><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="282" src="http://www.collegehumor.com/e/6822676" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><div style="padding: 5px 0; text-align: center; width: 600px;"></div></center><br />Have you seen any Sherlock Holmes parodies that are fun and interesting? Please share them with us.<br /><br />--<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

"Blue in Shade" [BLUE]

The latest parody in the world of Sherlock Holmes involves none other than the cute and fuzzy Blue from the popular children's show Blue...

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by Scott Monty

"Interesting, Though Elementary" [HOUN]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup8xMg6alKeHjpYohCdha__oncrTLWCobE9OH-MFcY5R8HNbidCEXR4Gi1jQmGX2cRPE-nhqozR4_XeHi9kAWT4Qaq-0nYIa_UKUS3A_AjY5TJpWPNGG-6ISGis-kLDICYA8FW3rO9GR_/s1600/Elementary_CBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup8xMg6alKeHjpYohCdha__oncrTLWCobE9OH-MFcY5R8HNbidCEXR4Gi1jQmGX2cRPE-nhqozR4_XeHi9kAWT4Qaq-0nYIa_UKUS3A_AjY5TJpWPNGG-6ISGis-kLDICYA8FW3rO9GR_/s1600/Elementary_CBS.jpg" /></a></div>As you're no doubt aware, the CBS show <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/"><i>Elementary</i></a></b> airs at 10 p.m. on Thursdays beginning on September 27 (the day this post went live). We've <b><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/search/label/CBS%20Elementary">covered the show previously</a></b>, from breaking news to an analysis to what it might be. And of course, the program has generated its share of controversy as well as assumptions about the quality of the representation of Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />But today, we're honored to be joined by Rob Doherty, the executive producer and writer of <i>Elementary</i>. Rob has a solid CV when it comes to television writing and production. His credits include <i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>, <i>Point Pleasant</i>, <i>Medium</i> and <i>Ringer</i>, to name a few. We had an opportunity to sit down with him and briefly put some questions to him that we thought you might have on your mind as well.<br /><br />If there are additional questions that you think we should have asked, let us know! We may have an opportunity to host Rob on an episode of <b><a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/">the podcast</a></b> at some point in the future.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUJeT_eOBXNrnSWaVncvppNVgApKwHo_7wBr-xMItxrheoBUClz2fBBQ9CslrYn0_8w7Ca9qJNwDRKFe_QCgH0Z7KKiZHlLOxF0DsnVtjZC-Ta9gNDhyphenhyphenrkXV41hV9UQaSP-PDv5kDzEqu/s1600/Elementary+Poster+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUJeT_eOBXNrnSWaVncvppNVgApKwHo_7wBr-xMItxrheoBUClz2fBBQ9CslrYn0_8w7Ca9qJNwDRKFe_QCgH0Z7KKiZHlLOxF0DsnVtjZC-Ta9gNDhyphenhyphenrkXV41hV9UQaSP-PDv5kDzEqu/s320/Elementary+Poster+Holmes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i>Q1: When did you first get the idea to bring Sherlock Holmes to an American audience via a weekly program? Was it a collaborative effort?</i></b><br />Very much a collaborative effort. The notion of Sherlock in contemporary New York came from my fellow executive producer Carl Beverly. I ran with it. Decided to embrace Sherlock's history with narcotics to tell the story of a Holmes who had bottomed out and was now in a state of repair. Always loved the idea of Sherlock needing to fix himself and (eventually) finding a proper "rock" in Watson.<br /><br /><b><i>Q2: Why Holmes? Why now?</i></b><br />He's one of the greatest and most intricate characters ever devised. THE prototypical detective. Who wouldn't want to write him? Why now? We felt we had a story to tell. We wanted to share our love for the original works with others. (And -- very selfishly -- write one of the greatest and most intricate characters ever devised.)<br /><br /><b><i>Q3: Do you see any parallels to other shows that have used Sherlock Holmes as an inspiration (House, Monk, etc.)?</i></b><br />I see parallels everywhere -- in films, shows, books, comics, what-have-you. Sherlock was the tree; most every other fictional detective (over the last century or so) is a branch. In my very humble opinion, of course.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKWGTAitrK0ZD_B2dc8KOGooIHJcKuCFWpFwaKSM0wqtghu1RLtJz7LBI_D8RWfHL_oGaETnLJTDT55YPUMe9GEvlq4uWrApWGZ1oTH1GuthHYZccwppKByGcIJaprNoUrIE2OlhvAeZ/s1600/Elementary+Poster+Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKWGTAitrK0ZD_B2dc8KOGooIHJcKuCFWpFwaKSM0wqtghu1RLtJz7LBI_D8RWfHL_oGaETnLJTDT55YPUMe9GEvlq4uWrApWGZ1oTH1GuthHYZccwppKByGcIJaprNoUrIE2OlhvAeZ/s320/Elementary+Poster+Watson.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b><i>Q4: What was the rationale for making Watson a female character? Is there any danger of a romance with Holmes?</i></b><br />No rationale per se. I came across a psychological assessment of the original Holmes that spoke to his "aversion" to women and labeled him a "gynophobe." My first thought was: Watson -- his rock -- should be a woman. What would make a gynophobic Holmes more insane? It started as a joke... but I kept coming back to it. Kept asking myself, "What would it really change? Should it really change anything?" The answers (God willing) will present themselves in time. Re: the danger of romantic entanglements... No. Not happening. <br /><br /><b><i>Q5: How much material from the original stories did you use as an inspiration for this series?</i></b><br />We lean more heavily on the mythology than we do the cases. The cases were brilliant, but -- at least for now -- we want to try to come up with our own. <br /><br /><b><i>Q6: Many pundits have remarked at the close timing to and modern setting as the BBC's "Sherlock." How do you hope American audiences receive and think about your series with respect to the competition?</i></b><br />I think it's only natural for the pundits to... um... pundit. And yet... as a wise man once said... it's a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. Or words to that effect. We hope that any and all who might have reservations about our little project will give us a chance. <br /><br />Truth is, Holmes is everywhere these days, and so it's only natural to compare one interpretation with another. I've felt from the start that if you're not ready for comparisons, you shouldn't wade too deeply into the Sherlockian pool. It comes with the territory. <br /><br />Far as our "competition" goes... that would be ABC's <i>Scandal</i> and NBC's <i>Rock Center</i>. At least in the States. I know there are many (many!) who would like some sort of <i>Elementary</i> / <i>Sherlock</i> throwdown... but it just isn't going to happen. <i>Sherlock</i> is an utterly brilliant show. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are utterly brilliant writers. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are... well, you get the drift. Both shows are delivery systems for Holmes and Watson. 'Nuff said, end of story. I'd like to think that the true fan -- American or otherwise -- can enjoy us both. <br /><br /><b><i>Q7: Any words for the die hard Sherlockians out there?</i></b><br />We hope to do right by you. <br /><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 />--</div>

"Interesting, Though Elementary" [HOUN]

As you're no doubt aware, the CBS show Elementary airs at 10 p.m. on Thursdays beginning on September 27 (the day this post went live)....

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by Scott Monty

Episode 45: Sherlock Holmes and Politics

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Knowledge of Politics. - Feeble." [STUD]</h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurJtK6k7ybpnD01mafu9kCevHoqeaTiEE-pKPxC0ZqNvXqnbCzYwj5zk3TiUoqb97JPJaxAjdc5fdYX0euoEtiMGh68nZY1PQRupYDEbAqxSbBHD5ue6F7i2kMv2uDCgMHjmzb6J2o1_R/s1600/Obamicon_RathboneIHOSE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurJtK6k7ybpnD01mafu9kCevHoqeaTiEE-pKPxC0ZqNvXqnbCzYwj5zk3TiUoqb97JPJaxAjdc5fdYX0euoEtiMGh68nZY1PQRupYDEbAqxSbBHD5ue6F7i2kMv2uDCgMHjmzb6J2o1_R/s640/Obamicon_RathboneIHOSE.png" width="432" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> The political season is upon us. At least in America, that is.<br /> <br /> In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last 18 months, the presidential election is closing in, with Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney. This site certainly does not stand for any type of political dogma; indeed, Sherlock Holmes is for every political persuasion.<br /> <br /> So why would we want to touch the third rail of polite conversation and delve into politics on our podcast about Sherlock Holmes? As it turns out, there are a number of political figures in the Canon and politics, both domestic and international, play a role in the plots of a few of the stories.<br /> <br /> We take a look at the influence of politics inside the Sherlock Holmes stories as well as what was happening externally at the time. In addition, we even look at one member of the Baker Street Irregulars who had something of a government post and his Sherlockian scholarship - amazingly enough, written at a very crucial juncture of our country's history.<br /> <br /> Try as we might, we were unable to find a Gas-Lamp from the archives of <i>The Baker Street Journal</i> that were political in nature. However, we were able to find some letters from that government servant mentioned above, which make for a very special reading.<br /> <br /><br /><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock45.mp3" style="color: #013fd3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Download</a> [Save As] | File size: 26.9 MB, 57:12</h3> <iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-classification="other" data-dashlane-frameid="2847" data-dashlane-rid="d89e5b01ac93cb53" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2067501/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" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Links:</b></h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/lilly/exhibitions/exhibits/show/history-of-bsi/a-few-famous-sherlockians-bsi">Franklin Delano Roosevelt's five letters to the Baker Street Irregulars</a> (Lilly Library)</li> <li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/4e2Hdhm" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations</a></i> by Lynnette Porter</li> <li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Xlwmb7" target="_blank">Sherlock and Transmedia Fandom: Essays on the BBC Series</a></i></li> <li>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Facebook page: <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock</a> </li></ul> <br /> <br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">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> <br /> <br /> Be sure to check out our sponsors: <b><a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a></b> and <b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/"><i>The Baker Street Journal</i></a></b><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </div>

Episode 45: Sherlock Holmes and Politics

"Knowledge of Politics. - Feeble." [STUD] The political season is upon us. At least in America, that is. In case you...

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by Scott Monty

"The Stage Lost a Fine Actor" [SCAN]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcUjcfugvHr-F0im_Q8c6P2xXFngkyLespwINnilmeHYBbdxSIpAl7-nbNGItdfM6v0XFSGVXSuSMO3eWRiyU9qw20hvzQezXiZetFNCo65X2M9zzSt2-Dc-fYShI3kYW2xw7LVcEOMj/s1600/brett-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcUjcfugvHr-F0im_Q8c6P2xXFngkyLespwINnilmeHYBbdxSIpAl7-nbNGItdfM6v0XFSGVXSuSMO3eWRiyU9qw20hvzQezXiZetFNCo65X2M9zzSt2-Dc-fYShI3kYW2xw7LVcEOMj/s320/brett-sm.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>On September 12, 1995 Jeremy Brett passed away. It has now been 17 years since his death - one year for each of the steps that lead from the hall up to the hallowed sitting room of 221B Baker Street.<br /><br />Many have hailed Brett as the definitive Sherlock Holmes, although it can be argued that each generation has its own definitive Holmes. In our estimation, the value of Brett's performance as Sherlock Holmes is twofold: 1) the careful crafting of the Victorian setting and (in the earlier episodes mostly) the faithful adaptation of the Canon; and 2) Brett's own interest and expertise in the Canon and Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />In <i>A Study in Celluloid</i> (<b><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/studyincelluloid.html">Wessex Press</a></b>), Michael Cox, the producer of the Granada series noted that often times in script readings, Jeremy would make suggestions the steer the writing toward the Canon, with entire paragraphs of dialog being lifted directly from the original writings. Indeed, the team even had their own reference guide that kept the production crew and cast well informed as to Holmes's appearance and habits called <i>The Baker Street File</i> (occasionally available from <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1553100387/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1553100387&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20">Amazon US</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1899562338/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1899562338&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakstrblo-21">Amazon UK</a></b>).<br /><br />We personally remember the outpouring of grief and memories that were shared online in 1995 - the early days of the Internet - through discussion forums and listservs, and wonder just how the web would have exploded had his death occurred in the present day.<br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a>Brett's career was long and spanned television, film and the stage. And while we won't detail all of it here - sites like <a href="http://brettish.com/">The Brettish Empire</a> and <a href="http://but-darlings-the-show-must-go-on.tumblr.com/">But Darlings the Show Must Go On</a> among others pay him lots of tributes - we will share a couple of tidbits that bring us enjoyment as we remember Jeremy.<br /><br />The first is the opening Baker Street scene in Granada's "The Resident Patient," <a href="http://youtu.be/pgHO4Op6zc8?t=3m47s">beginning at 3:47 in the video</a> below. The subtle eye movements, the smile and the general sentiment toward Watson are a wonderful encapsulation of so much of the interaction we see between Holmes and Watson in the Canon.<br /><br /><center><object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgHO4Op6zc8?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgHO4Op6zc8?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center><br />The second is a rather funny story from David Stuart Davies' biography of Brett, <i>Bending the Willow</i> (Kindle and hardcover: available <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=bending%20the%20willow&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=bending%20the%20wil%2Caps%2C228&tag=thebakerstree-20&url=search-alias%3Daps">Amazon US</a></b> | <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=bending%20the%20willow&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=bending%20the%20%2Cstripbooks%2C255&tag=thebakstrblo-21&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&x=0&y=0">Amazon UK</a></b>). As you may know, Jeremy Brett suffered from manic depression and occasionally had bouts throughout the Granada filming. His Watsons, David Burke and Edward Hardwicke were not only both aware of his condition, but were also very supportive. If anything, Jeremy's own sense of humor and frankness came through as this anecdote reveals:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">One incident that David Burke recounted brought the house down at The Northern Musgraves' Jeremy Brett Memorial Lunch. It is a tale that reveals not only Brett‘s humour and eccentricity, but also his endearing, self-effacing qualities:<br />'Jeremy said to me on one occasion, "I was feeling so low the other day that I sent myself a fan letter."<br />' "Are you serious?"<br />' "I‘m absolutely serious."<br />' "What did you write to yourself?"<br />' "Dear Jeremy, I would just like to say what a wonderful actor you are. Your Sherlock Holmes puts every other attempt at the part in the shade. Basil Rathbone is not fit to clean your boots; and Douglas Wilmer and Robert Stephens should beg you to give them lessons. Your're much prettier than all of them, for a start. There is only one word for your performance - magic. Please send me a signed photograph. Yours, Joe Bloggs. P.S. I've heard that you're really nice person, too."<br />' "Did you really write that?"<br />' "Yes, I did."<br />' "Did you send it?"<br />' "Yes. I put a first-class stamp on it. I wanted to get it as soon as possible. It came the next morning."<br />' "And did you read it?"<br />' "Of course I read it. I read it a dozen times. I felt wonderful afterwards."<br />' "Well, did you send yourself a signed photograph?"<br />' "David, I may be mad - but I‘m not barking mad! In any case, the bugger didn‘t send a stamped addressed envelope!" '</blockquote><br />Are there any special memories, images or clips of Jeremy Brett that you cherish? Please leave a comment and share them with all of us.<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 />--</div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B00715DNLA" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>   <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1553100352" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>

"The Stage Lost a Fine Actor" [SCAN]

On September 12, 1995 Jeremy Brett passed away. It has now been 17 years since his death - one year for each of the steps that lead from the...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlock Holmes in Animation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "Holmes in animated conversation" [REDH]</h4> <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/AVvXsEjEiM3vEfY6d1mqzsbjSZIRPMDUMxB4LVXN__z_7cplP8ocaTtoFLSwrzonB5KtPlWdBA9OtKgS68gAUPDctJjj5onbE9sn2W6XfdJPurdHycmqU4FFErXV-JdAoyYYxDep70qO7jJAikMF/s1600/Deduce+you+say.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Adventure of the Shropshire Slasher is brought to life by Daffy Duck as Sherlock Holmes" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiM3vEfY6d1mqzsbjSZIRPMDUMxB4LVXN__z_7cplP8ocaTtoFLSwrzonB5KtPlWdBA9OtKgS68gAUPDctJjj5onbE9sn2W6XfdJPurdHycmqU4FFErXV-JdAoyYYxDep70qO7jJAikMF/s1600/Deduce+you+say.jpg" title="Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in "Deduce, You Say?" (1956)" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> If imitation is the highest form of flattery, what's parody?<br /> <br /> We know that there have been Sherlock Holmes parodies (not to be confused with <a href="http://www.schoolandholmes.com/">pastiches</a>) in existence for nearly as long as the original stories have been with us. In 1893, <a href="http://irishcomics.wikia.com/wiki/Jack_Butler_Yeats_(1871-1957)">Jack Butler Yeats</a> created <i>The Adventures of Chubblock Homes</i> for <i>Comic Cuts,</i> the first British comic strip. And from there, the race was on.<br /> <br /> Over the years we've seen parodies go from comics to the stage, film, television, books and more. Charles Brookfield holds the distinction of the first actor to portray Holmes in the parody <i>Under the Clock</i>, also in 1893.  Sherlocko the Monk and Watso (later named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkshaw_the_Detective">Hawkshaw the Detective</a> and The Colonel, after Conan Doyle threatened legal action) appeared in comics in 1910 and later came to the silver screen.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypYCV9Dg33_XbAIYhlRLV5sG6Ty7Dc3rT8QXvXmrYO7m8IAA-_ohHhZDMAol6KD2XRoReReSkaBH9SK3KMYloc-PFRXb_yRLoFseo4eUUeszdcTQ6rRs4Rysw0TEY6mknusywf8EoJXul/s1600/Hawkshaw_the_Detective.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sherlocko the Monk and Watso - later Hawkshaw the Detective" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypYCV9Dg33_XbAIYhlRLV5sG6Ty7Dc3rT8QXvXmrYO7m8IAA-_ohHhZDMAol6KD2XRoReReSkaBH9SK3KMYloc-PFRXb_yRLoFseo4eUUeszdcTQ6rRs4Rysw0TEY6mknusywf8EoJXul/s1600/Hawkshaw_the_Detective.jpg" title="Hawkshaw the Detective" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Beginning in 1915 under the pseudonym Peter Todd, Charles Hamilton wrote nearly 100 parody short stories starring Herlock Sholmes and Dr. Jotson of Shaker Street. They can now be found in <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P8PSTK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000P8PSTK&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>The Complete Casebook of Herlock Sholmes</i></a></b>.<br /> <br /> Speaking of casebooks, Robert Fish made the world a happier place when he created Schlock Homes and Dr. Watney and put them in a series of adventures, now collected in <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0934468168/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0934468168&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Schlock Homes: The Complete Bagel Street Saga</a></i></b>. To give you a sense of the zaniness, here are a couple of randomly selected introductory lines:<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> I had been pursuing an errand for my friend Mr. Schlock Homes in the small village of Elbow Twisting, Herts., when the fateful telegram arrived. -- "The Adventure of the Adam Bomb"</blockquote> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> My notes for the early part of the year '65 contain several instances of more than passing interest for those who follow the adventures of my friend Mr. Schlock Homes. There was, for example, his brilliant solution to the mysterious gunning down of a retired boilermaker, a case which I find listed as <i>The Adventure of the Shot and the Bier</i>; and there is also reference to the intriguing business of the hitchhiking young actress, noted in my journal as <i>The Adventure of the Ingenue's Thumb</i>. -- "The Adventure of the Missing Three Quarters"</blockquote> <br /> The list of parodies is practically endless, as parody isn't contained to any specific genre. Of course, the animated world gives the most flexibility in terms of silliness and escape from reality. Where else then, could a duck and a pig join forces to defeat the Shropshire Slasher? Of course, we're referring to "Deduce, You Say," the 1956 Looney Tunes send-up starring Daffy Duck as Dorlock Homes and Porky Pig as Watkins. We give you their performance here:<br /> <br /> <center> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/88198010" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /> <br /></center> <br /> We also remind you to revisit <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/04/was-remarkably-animated-scan_15.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"It Was Remarkably Animated" [SCAN]</a>, a five year-old post that we have updated with working YouTube links. It involves a Russian animated short starring Sherlock Holmes.<br /> <br /> <i><br /> </i> --<br /> <br /> <br /></div>

Sherlock Holmes in Animation

"Holmes in animated conversation" [REDH] If imitation is the highest form of flattery, what's parody? We know that t...

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by Scott Monty

The Making of Sherlock Holmes vs. The Wolfman

<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "the Great Mogul" [SIGN]</h4> <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/AVvXsEh9JxqfaR7GxQ5VNB9U5nSPh4vaJI1BlQTr-Gtkjw7xuw3K1tT8W-S4vqKKaVOaOt-B6q7QreZjDjIhhdJ3dPbRPFPFtyr7a_VCLLXbq6nCWsuUsbzu1YsnGvELPgBZ7emhgfF1JpEyjcQ1/s1600/The+Disappearance+of+Lady+Frances+Carfax+-+Alec+Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hon. Philip Green looks awfully werewolf-like in LADY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JxqfaR7GxQ5VNB9U5nSPh4vaJI1BlQTr-Gtkjw7xuw3K1tT8W-S4vqKKaVOaOt-B6q7QreZjDjIhhdJ3dPbRPFPFtyr7a_VCLLXbq6nCWsuUsbzu1YsnGvELPgBZ7emhgfF1JpEyjcQ1/s1600/The+Disappearance+of+Lady+Frances+Carfax+-+Alec+Ball.jpg" title="The wolfman attacks!" /></a></div> <b><i></i></b><br /> <b><i><b><i><br /></i></b></i></b> <b><i>Editor's note:</i></b> Steven Doyle, BSI ("The 'Western Morning News'"), is author of the Edgar-nominated <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Dummies-Steven-Doyle/dp/0470484446?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Sherlock Holmes for Dummies</i></a><img border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0470484446" /> and co-proprietor of <a href="http://wessexpress.com/" target="_blank">The Wessex Press</a>. He manages the publishing for <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Baker Street Journal</i></a> and works in video production in his day job.<i style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8833332061768px;"><br /></i> My Sherlockian Reel-Life - or, I Was a Teenage Movie Mogul. On Blaine Avenue, in South Bend, Indiana, from the years 1972-1977, I had cornered the no-budget Super 8 filmmaking industry. I was the preeminent auteur on my block.<br /> <br /> With my small company of actors (my brother Patrick and my pal Larry Bilinski), we cranked out a series of "epics" which perfectly reflected not only our adolescent interests, but our lack of movie making expertise as well. These included, but were not limited to, our critically acclaimed remake of <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EHQTZO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EHQTZO&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">King Kong</a></i></b>, the bizarre Professional Wrestling/Game Show amalgam, "Sadist Theater"; our homage to <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K3TO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000K3TO&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Night of the Living Dead</a></b></i>, entitled "Dead of the Living Night"; and our science fiction epics "Star Monster," and "Rocketship Zero-G."<br /> <br /> My entire movie making career was, however, a mere tune-up for what stands today as the pinnacle of my entire filmography, "Sherlock Holmes vs. The Wolfman." Our most ambitious film, "Wolfman" (as it has come to be known to us insiders) was the third and final installment in what we called our "black and white trilogy" (the first two being the above mentioned Dead of the Living Night; and Star Monster ). Wolfman actually had a budget.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>We special-ordered black and white film stock, made or rented costumes, scouted locations, and bought a decent Wolfman mask. All in all, I believe we spent about $45 (<a href="http://www.davemanuel.com/inflation-calculator.php" target="_blank">mid-1970's dollars, however</a>!) And we even had a script, an element that up until this film had seemed a constraint on our otherwise free-flowing artistry.<br /> <br /> My friend and fellow filmmaker Larry was Sherlock Holmes. I, in addition to my many behind-the-scenes roles, stood in as Dr. Watson. My saint of a mother made a cameo as Mrs. Hudson (wearing a shawl and a grey "old-woman" wig, which came with an authentic bun!), thus providing me with infinite proof of her love for us. She was a real sport. And the Wolfman...ah, he was played rather enthusiastically by my brother Patrick.<br /> <br /> Briefly, the plot is as follows:<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <i>A Wolfman is on the loose in London. After a grisly murder in an alley, Holmes begins to monitor the situation. Following a second similar murder of an old man (another rubber mask!) in a cemetary, Holmes and Watson decide to take up the case. After finding a scrap of cloth from the Wolfman at the scene of the crime, they use Toby the bloodhound to track the Wolfman to his lair, where he attacks Holmes and Watson and escapes. As scripted, the Wolfman escapes, only to be dispatched later by Watson, when Holmes uses himself in disguise as a decoy to lure the Wolfman into a trap.</i></blockquote> <br /> Unfortunately, following the shooting of this thrilling climax, everything following the discovering of the Wolfman's lair was lost by the film processor, and so the movie's ending was reworked. Now, following the climactic encounter in the den of the Wolfman, the film ends with the following words on the screen: "Sherlock Holmes never did catch the Wolfman. He still stalks the streets of London to this very day." Ah well, it always gets a laugh.<br /> <br /> <center> <object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Y7cL5hPb70?version=3&hl=en_US"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Y7cL5hPb70?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center> <br /> Many of you reading this were present for its public debut a few years ago at a film meeting of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Illustrious-Clients-of-Indianapolis/184841455301">Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis</a>, as I had transferred it to videotape. It pleased me very much to hear, as an adult, the kind words of appreciation. I particularly relished the comments of Pat Ward, our own Sherlockian film expert, who said, "That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be!"<br /> <br /> Some of the behind-the-screen tales of the film's shooting (getting kicked out of a cemetery for improper "horseplay," tweed coats and inverness capes in 90-degree heat, etc), will have to wait for another time. I did go on, in my adult life, to have a professional career in film and video production, and have produced countless shows and commercials using equipment and resources unimaginable to the 14 year-old behind the Super 8 movie camera.<br /> <br /> But to be honest, no production I have been involved with is as dear to me as "Sherlock Holmes vs. The Wolfman."<br /> <br /> <br /> --

The Making of Sherlock Holmes vs. The Wolfman

"the Great Mogul" [SIGN] Editor's note: Steven Doyle, BSI ("The 'Western Morning News'"), is author...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 44: Watson and Holmes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuMp9VYIBYdCYFiuI-F4bISJ1OK8HmnNiKw9xV4Pp7PeA8iZ-FYRlwl7yIjw0PUPcjoaC-tkcGCvmRZi_58hfUF91LDcjh4ou80PqIuHzfIUl7L5E58w0EOOMZVlWyPrh1yxxj5nUfbz5/s1600/WatsonHolmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuMp9VYIBYdCYFiuI-F4bISJ1OK8HmnNiKw9xV4Pp7PeA8iZ-FYRlwl7yIjw0PUPcjoaC-tkcGCvmRZi_58hfUF91LDcjh4ou80PqIuHzfIUl7L5E58w0EOOMZVlWyPrh1yxxj5nUfbz5/s1600/WatsonHolmes.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <center> <iframe allowfullscreen="" height="90" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2040718/height/90/width/600/theme/custom/autoplay/yes/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/001872/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe><br /> </center> <br /> A new modern urban re-interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. That's how the digital comic <i>Watson and Holmes</i> is being referred to.<br /> <br /> The recent revival in Sherlock Holmes material across a variety of media has truly increased the buzz around our favorite topic. From the reimagining on the big screen, courtesy of the Robert Downey, Jr. / Jude Law films, to the small screen updating of the characters in <i>Sherlock</i>, through Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and soon the Jonny Lee Miller / Lucy Liu version in <i>Elementary</i>, there is plenty of interest in the perennial character.<br /> <br /> Now, we're prepared to be treated to yet another version of the iconic detective and his faithful friend and colleague, thanks to <a href="http://newparadigmstudios.com/">New Paradigm Studios</a>. In this episode, we're joined by three of the principals who are behind the updating of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson the a modern urban setting of New York and as African American characters. Brandon Perlow, Publisher and co-creator of Watson and Holmes, Justin Gabrie, Senior Editor, and Karl Bollers, Writer joined us to tell the story behind their work with Paul J Mendoza, Co-creator and color artist and Rick Leonardi, Penciler - who has worked on a number of Marvel and DC Comics projects.<br /> <br /> We also discuss the issue of race and the Canon, landing on an interesting work from Vol. 27, No. 3  (September 1977) of the <i>Baker Street Journal</i> - not a Gas-Lamp, but an article by William P. Collins titled "Norbury and Steve Dixie: Holmes and Victorian Racial Attitudes."<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <h4> <b>Links:</b></h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WatsonAndHolmes">Watson and Holmes Facebook page</a>, with previews of the page layouts</li> <li><a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/03/watson-and-holmes-the-case-of-the-black-modern-urban-remake-drawn-by-rick-leonardi/">Bleeding Cool with its preview</a> of the new comic</li> <li><a href="http://iversemedia.com/">iVerse Media</a></li> <li>The Societe Sherlock Holmes de France <a href="http://www.sshf.com/articles.php?id=62">takes a look at the issue of color at the BSI dinner</a></li> </ul> <br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <h4> <b>Listen now:</b></h4> </div> <br /> <center> <iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134351078&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /> </center> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock044.mp3"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TL5jgdrUh_nM_zlDgxql-jKOFGUVFqhoV6A2JtYklXOu4qmVDyRVbwGV6XrwXZgnG9awSwJ7td-txL1_4KGrpSf4igJLILOim4yJmX5pGTPIdMhCBYLyImSI5gs1MOMUZPAlpAgvtPdb/s1600/podcastIcon.gif" /></a></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> 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: 27.04 MB, 58:59)</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <br /></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> 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> <br /> <br /> Be sure to check out our sponsors: <b><a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a></b> and <b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/"><i>The Baker Street Journal</i></a></b><br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /> <br /></div>

Episode 44: Watson and Holmes

A new modern urban re-interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. That's how the digital comic Watson and Holmes is being referred to. ...

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by Scott Monty

Elementary Premieres

<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>"not quite so bad as that" [SIGN] </b></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYHmJyBB2xuP2-sS_q3GtrJyviPC8ZumTYTwE5fATfZkkzlg8QUX0keNtIq659nDRAX1xuh2nYV9tOpDf_2tiZrE1YtSusTRS5iYIo-auEo9gPu9VFmf4tiumkhi-g3zK2CUv7OE02UeT/s1600/ele03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYHmJyBB2xuP2-sS_q3GtrJyviPC8ZumTYTwE5fATfZkkzlg8QUX0keNtIq659nDRAX1xuh2nYV9tOpDf_2tiZrE1YtSusTRS5iYIo-auEo9gPu9VFmf4tiumkhi-g3zK2CUv7OE02UeT/s400/ele03.jpg" width="262" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> On May 16, amid the flurry of <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QOB8SO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004QOB8SO&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20"><i>Sherlock</i></a></b> buzz hitting the web, CBS announced its fall schedule and <a href="http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=90284"><i>Elementary</i> made the cut</a>, set to air on Thursdays at 10:00 pm, the time slot currently occupied by the Sherlock Holmes-inspired “The Mentalist” (which will move to Sundays).<br /> <br /> The initial chatter was limited, due largely to the fact that there wasn't much information available about the series other than its stars, Jonny Lee Miller and <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2012/02/its-lucy-that-brings-me-here-stud.html">Lucy Liu</a>. When compared with the impressively successful "Sherlock," it was natural for some commentators to wonder if the American production was simply borrowing heavily on the British hit.<br /> <br /> We'll know for certain on September 27, when the series will premiere on CBS. Now we're seeing a fuller synopsis of <i>Elementary</i> than we’ve yet had, including this tidbit; “<i>Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare – a sober companion, Dr. Watson</i>.”<br /> <br /> There was also three minute trailer of  <i>Elementary </i>that Sherlockians  no doubt combed through for clues on the quality of the show as if it were the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapruder_film">Zapruder film</a>. In the last couple of weeks, CBS has <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff-XiZzJLxw">posted a longer  trailer</a> (video embedded below the jump).<br /> <br /> Steven Moffat, co-creator of BBC’s <i>Sherlock </i>told <a href="http://www.theinsider.com/tv/52370_Steven_Moffat_Talks_Elementary_Sherlock_Update/index.html">TheInsider.com</a> in May, "What we did with our Sherlock was just take it from Victorian times into modern day. They've got three big changes: it's Sherlock Holmes in America, it's Sherlock Holmes updated and it's Sherlock Holmes with a female Watson. I wonder if he's Sherlock Holmes in any sense other than he's called Sherlock Holmes.”<br /> <br /> For months Moffat held the threat of lawsuit over CBS’s head if their Holmes incarnation was not noticeably different from the BBC; now he wonders if the very differences he called for make it anything but Sherlock Holmes. Politics lost a fine spin doctor when Moffat entered show business. Of course spin is a major part of a producer’s job and Moffat is very good at what he does, as even a cursory review of his résumé will confirm. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The changes wrought by <i>Elementary</i> are no more violent than others that have been inflicted on the Canon in the past and, indeed, have precedence. Holmes has already been brought to the present, given a female Watson and moved out of London—<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004KDEP/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004KDEP&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20"><i>They Might Be Giants</i></a></b> (1971), <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_Of_The_World%27s_Greatest_Detective">The Return of the World’s Greatest Detective</a> </i>(1976), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_Sherlock_Holmes_%28film%29"><i>The Return of Sherlock Holmes</i></a> (1987), and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Screen-Updated-Edition/dp/085768776X/ref=la_B001K8CPGI_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345129049&sr=1-1"><i>Sherlock Holmes Returns</i></a> (1993) more or less fit the bill. (Interestingly, the last two were broadcast on CBS.)</div> <br /> It is not, then, the changes made to the Canon, but the skill to which with they are handled. Moffat and co-creator Mark Gatiss have proven themselves to viewers world-wide that they are up to the task. It is now in the hands of the <i>Elementary</i> team to do the same. "I don't want it to sound like Mark and I don't want other people to try this,” Moffat concluded in his take on <i>Elementary</i>. “We welcome it, but don't damage the brand."<br /> <br /> <h3 style="text-align: left;"> <b>Star Trek: A Cautionary Tale</b></h3> I am of two minds on that last statement. He does have a point. One need only look at the cautionary tale of Paramount and <i>Star Trek</i>.<br /> <br /> After its 1967 network cancellation, the 79 episodes of  <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DHXT6G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001DHXT6G&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20"><i>Star Trek</i></a></b> went in to syndication, and a new, large base of fans sprang up. Novelizations (“pastiches” Sherlockians would call them), magazines and toys brought in much need revenue to the studio. In fact, by the mid-1970’s, Paramount decided to bring back most of the cast in a new live-action TV series. In 1977 <i>Star Wars</i> raked in hundreds of millions at the box office, and Paramount decided to go for the brass ring and instead launched a hugely successful film franchise.<br /> <br /> However, the film cast was aging and Paramount announced in the '80's a new television show, with a new cast, to take place 87 years after the original series. The hue and cry from fans was loud and mostly negative. “<i>Star Trek</i> is not <i>Star Trek</i> without Kirk, Spock and McCoy” and “I’ll never watch it” were common refrains. It should sound familiar to any Sherlockian who remembers the period before <i>Sherlock</i> aired, or indeed, the one we’re in now with <i>Elementary</i>. <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RZIGVS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000RZIGVS&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20">Star Trek: The Next Generation</a></i></b> was the highest rated show in syndication in its day, beating out network programming in some markets. It was and still is beloved.<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/ssoosay/5152049387/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Richard Dawkins and Spock by ssoosay, on Flickr"><img alt="Richard Dawkins and Spock" height="165" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1119/5152049387_3310876a2a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76284765@N00/5152049387/">ssoosay</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> But what good is a cash cow if it can’t be milked for every drop? The optimal time for a TV series in syndication to generate maximum profits is seven seasons and to compensate for <i>ST:TNG</i>'s eventual demise, Paramount spun off <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i>. It too was a success, if not as huge as <i>ST:TNG</i>, lasted for seven seasons and had its own spinoff  <i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, Paramount was not done. Next came <i>Enterprise</i> (later called <i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i>), about the generation previous to Kirk’s, just before the founding of the Federation. Instead of keeping with Gene Roddenberry’s original premise of Star Trek as “Wagon Train to the stars”, the producers decided to make Captain Archer and crew warriors in a Temporal Cold War against aliens from the future, who want to keep the Federation from ever existing. The problem with being a hero in a time war is that if you're victorious, no one will know it, because things will stay the way they’re suppose to be and your victories will never have existed. <i>Enterprise</i> barely limped to four seasons. The producers were so desperate for ratings at the end, that for the series finale they brought in Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis from <i>ST:TNG</i> to watch the events unfold on the Enterprise-D holodeck.<br /> <br /> Paramount drained Star Trek until it was an empty husk. So anxious to keep their corpse making money, the studio turned it over to the shaky-camera, lens-flaring hands of J.J. Abrams, who proceeded to reboot the franchise by destroying the last 45 years of Trek. Trekkers can take cold comfort in the knowledge Abrams’ travesty is “an alternate time-line”. Spoiler alert: Cumberbatch will play <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Noonien_Singh">Khan</a>in "Star Trek 2".<br /> <br /> Is this, then, the dire future that <i>Elementary</i> will bring us?<br /> <br /> The answer, I think, is no. We have not yet reached the saturation point; the Holmesian sponge is mighty large as the continuing flood of pastiches, in many media, can attest. At the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MltF5YNPac&feature=relmfu">May 2 PBS Masterpiece/Sherlock </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>question and answer event, Benedict Cumberbatch responded to negative comments about <i>Elementary</i> this way:  “Jonny’s a friend, you know, and as we know with the Robert Downey, Jr. franchise there’s room enough for two, so why not three?”<br /> <br /> <i>Elementary</i> Executive Producer Rob Doherty’s focus for the series will be one taken from the Canon but rarely depicted on screen: Watson’s weaning Holmes of his cocaine addiction. At the <a href="http://www.tvguide.com/News/Elementary-CBS-Sherlock-Holmes-1050721.aspx">Television Critics Association summer press tour </a>on July 29, Doherty said<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span><br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> “The original Sherlock dabbled with cocaine and opiates. Our Sherlock had those same problems... but the big difference is our Sherlock hit a serious wall. To his great surprise, the world is not as easy as he thought. Something terrible happened to him in London and he spiraled out of control."</blockquote> <br /> At <a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/news/elementary-comic-con-cast-producers-cbs-sherlock-holmes-030210567.html">San Diego’s ComicCon</a> on July12,  Doherty gave reassurance that Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu’s <a href="http://www.cbs.com/shows/elementary/2255809172/comic-con-2012-elementary-panel-part-2">relationship will not turn romantic</a>, as Sherlockians with a familiarity of the foibles of American television had every reason to fear. The change of Watson's gender was “never designed” to create romantic tension. “What would be more trying for Sherlock Holmes than working with a Watson that's a woman?" At  <a href="http://tvline.com/2012/07/29/cbs-elementary-sherlock-watson-sexual-tension/">T.C.A.</a> event Doherty went even further:<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> “For me, it’s completely off the table. It’s just not in my head for Season 1 and, looking ahead … I just don’t feel like that’s a part of the show.” He wants to “honor the original relationship” of the pair, adding, “And the original Holmes, to the best of my knowledge, never slept with Watson.”</blockquote> <br /> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t expect to see a re-imagining, of say, “The Speckled Band” or “The Red-Headed League” a la <i>Sherlock</i>: “We love the original stories. At the same time, what we love is the relationship [and] the mythology. Primarily, we’re looking to craft new stories.” The Canonical in-jokes that Moffat and Gatiss delight the faithful with will, in all probability, also not be a part of the equation. But we can expect a slow reveal of the shadowy figure of  Moriarty over the course of the first season.<br /> <br /> The pilot was screened at ComicCon and met with an “enthusiastic response” according to James Hibberd at <a href="http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/13/elementary-comic-con/">EW.com</a>. Whether that will be the case with the American public and Sherlockians remains to be seen.<br /> <center> <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><object height="281" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o3khMDkXXvc?version=3&hl=en_US"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o3khMDkXXvc?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="281" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center> <br /> The reality of British television means <i>Sherlock</i> is appointment television. They can take a year and a half, craft the three shows per season to a diamond-like brilliance and hardness, have five weeks to rehearse and film each, and reap in the accolades and BAFTAs. The broadcast of Season 2 after an eighteen month hiatus guaranteed high ratings, both in England and America. That is its strength as well as its Achilles heel.  In the meantime, anyone can come along with a knock-off Holmes, like those fake Rolex watches on the Manhattan street corners that Jonny Lee Miller will be sleuthing on. This is the damage to the “brand” Moffat speaks of. The worry is, perhaps there'll be not a cheap knock-off but a quality product, something shiny that will grab the spotlight, if only for a little while. Even if <i>Elementary</i> is a critical and popular success, Moffat has nothing to worry about.<br /> <br /> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the problem for <i>Elementary</i> is to come up with twenty-two or so quality episodes over the course of a season. That is, if it lasts that long. Network heads can be fickle, and even decent ratings are no assurance of continued existence. Based on recent history, only about <a href="http://screenrant.com/tv-success-rate-canceled-shows-aco-172162/all/1/">35% of freshmen TV</a> shows make it to their sophmore year. The fuss and bother over <i>Elementary</i> that has occurred since January might be moot by the time <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/12/special-episode-compliments-of-season.html">Henry Baker sits down to his Christmas goose</a>.<br /> <br /> I for one will wish it well and the complements of the fall television season.<br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Author's note</i>: This post evolved from a discussion between, Larry Feldman, Nick Katt, Joe Riggs and me on the <a href="http://sherlockholmes.ning.com/">Sherlock Holmes Social Network</a>, an online meeting site for Sherlockians of all stripes. The opinions expressed are solely mine.</div> <br /> <i><b>Editor's note</b>: This essay was submitted by James O'Leary, a long-time Sherlockian and a huge fan of <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a>. </i><i style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.883333206176758px;"><br /></i> <i style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.883333206176758px;">--</i><br /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.883333206176758px;"><br /></i></div>

Elementary Premieres

"not quite so bad as that" [SIGN]  On May 16, amid the flurry of Sherlock  buzz hitting the web, CBS announced its fall sc...

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by Scott Monty

Remembering Robert Robertson, BSI

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> <b>"a smart hamson" [CREE] </b></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMnp1Z59ZLt_oNzjcVxfo35pp1oCGv5T4wXS2hbhHptKfVxIX3fu0D2PtzHNPMVxQdG3hR-1qy98W0IZhVFb4wI_kMWh40b28hHAazUHpCeGny7kMHvMHgp0JWgu-DoIz27ztJEKrK2Vq/s1600/Bob+Robertson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMnp1Z59ZLt_oNzjcVxfo35pp1oCGv5T4wXS2hbhHptKfVxIX3fu0D2PtzHNPMVxQdG3hR-1qy98W0IZhVFb4wI_kMWh40b28hHAazUHpCeGny7kMHvMHgp0JWgu-DoIz27ztJEKrK2Vq/s400/Bob+Robertson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> The Baker Street Irregulars have lost another member. Dr. Robert E. Robinson, BSI ("The Hansom Cab") died in Columbia, South Carolina on August 11, 2012 at the age of 85. He was born in Kentucky, was class valedictorian of his high school, served in the U.S. Army in 1946-47, graduated from Berea College and earned a Masters and PhD in organic chemistry from Purdue University in 1953. It was during his time at Purdue that he married Myrtle, his wife of 61 years. <br /> <br /> Dr. Robinson became President of Lindau Chemicals in 1986 and held that position until his death. He was awarded twenty-five U.S. patents, including one for the synthesis of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_acetate">vinyl acetate monomer</a>, which forms the basis for all current production of that material in the world today. He published several technical papers and was senior author of two articles in <i>The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology</i>. He was elected to the American Institute of Chemists, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, and the New York Academy of Science and was also a member of <a href="http://www.mensa.org/">Mensa</a>. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Dr. Robinson's interests included classical music and was a strong supporter of the arts in the Midlands. He served on the Board of Directors of both the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra and the Palmetto Opera and was a member of the Columbia Museum of Art.<br /> <br /> Dr. Robinson was an active participant in <a href="http://www.sh-whoswho.com/index.php?refsociety=334">The Hansom Wheels</a> and served as Program Chairman of the scion for over thirty years, during which time he produced thirty plays based on Conan Doyle's works. He was a member of <a href="http://www.sherlock-holmes.org.uk/">The Sherlock Holmes Society of London</a> and was published in their Journal and in <i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/"><b>The Baker Street Journal</b></a></i>, among others. Bob Robinson was a member of <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/">The Beacon Society</a>, and enthusiastically encouraged the younger generation to become involved in the world of Sherlock Holmes. He often brought the detective to life for grammar school students dressing as Holmes and setting up mock crime scenes. <br /> <br /> An interview with Dr. Robinson about his life-long fascination with Holmes was recently recorded for inclusion in the BSI Archives. Dr. Robinson was invested into The Baker Street Irregulars in 1986 as "The Hansom Cab." <br /> <br /> Memorials may be made to the <a href="http://www.scphilharmonic.com/">SC Philharmonic Orchestra</a> (721 Lady Street, Suite B, Columbia, SC 29201) or The Palmetto Opera (P. O. Box 50462, Columbia, SC 29250). <br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Remembering Robert Robertson, BSI

"a smart hamson" [CREE]  The Baker Street Irregulars have lost another member. Dr. Robert E. Robinson, BSI ("The Hansom ...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlockian Picture Puzzles Republished

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> "Never mind your usual petty puzzles" [BRUC] </h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9N4r9phc1i1eaUvj9biIJxbjH_rKYg6-TT7kT9p3IJ6HX4qHueBlMI7_VFz8ObajPUVZkl8QxGgZxbtOMF1shXGVI8AujWB6-NVF_Mtfm_7-XeVK-1E75710SGMs_xYsbQUM_u4R8TfR/s1600/AddyPuzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9N4r9phc1i1eaUvj9biIJxbjH_rKYg6-TT7kT9p3IJ6HX4qHueBlMI7_VFz8ObajPUVZkl8QxGgZxbtOMF1shXGVI8AujWB6-NVF_Mtfm_7-XeVK-1E75710SGMs_xYsbQUM_u4R8TfR/s1600/AddyPuzzle.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> In the early 20th century, Sherlock Holmes was as seamless a part of the media as he is today. Case in point: regularly produced picture puzzles in which Sherlock Holmes invited the reader to make sense of a number of clues (or, “clews”) found in the picture. He appeared in a variety of situations, and all of the puzzles rely on the double meaning of words. <a href="http://www.musgraves-sherlockholmes.co.uk/">The Musgraves Sherlock Holmes Society</a> in the UK has now compiled<a href="http://www.musgraves-sherlockholmes.co.uk/node/2"> twelve of these puzzles, along with answers and explanatory notes, into a 26-page monograph</a> by John Addy.<br /> <br /> The puzzles themselves are from Eliot Keen's original 1905 illustrations that originally appeared in American newspapers (can you see the William Gillette portrayal coming through?), with solutions following in subsequent publications.<br /> <br /> I tried one of the puzzles, with little initial success. As the flyer above states, the trick is that one has to think as though one is still at the turn of the twentieth century. This proved to be more challenging than I thought it would be, but if it weren't a challenge then it wouldn't be as fun. I freely confess to resorting to the internet to verify (or, ahem, discover) the solutions I came up with. Some practice in the art of ‘punning’ is also helpful (in the below example, he’s pointing to a sawhorse - ha). <br /> <br /> The idea to make some of these puzzles available again is brilliant; it is both a fun mental exercise and a neat way to look at life and customs of the time. If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the monograph, you can find the ordering information on the link above. <br /> <br /> This might make for an interesting challenge at your next Sherlock Holmes society meeting, or simply a bit of good fun and a mental challenge on your own. Go ahead - what do you make of it? <br /> <br /> See the sample puzzle below to try your hand at it.<br /> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6321981775136876837" name="more"></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg317/Catkatie1/sherlock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg317/Catkatie1/sherlock.png" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /> <br /> <i>Kate writes at <a href="http://thediaryofdrwatts.com/">The Diary of Dr. Watts</a>.</i><br /> <br /> --</div>

Sherlockian Picture Puzzles Republished

"Never mind your usual petty puzzles" [BRUC]  In the early 20th century, Sherlock Holmes was as seamless a part of the media...

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by Katie Magnusson

Review: Dr. Watson's American Adventure

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>"he had spent a part of his life in America" [VALL] </b></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOFs4fclezU2rXHtLgy7_KCJ53XTVsSZvULHpE03-5kN5KXLI-vsL1aRdqP5Jglb7gFL6TIDvsJJ0dItbi-HDhQE-DjbsSP638IWHMXefmx0zThWssAdDaLmiq9qQDNATt9OONuBt7qtr/s1600/WatsonAmAdCVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOFs4fclezU2rXHtLgy7_KCJ53XTVsSZvULHpE03-5kN5KXLI-vsL1aRdqP5Jglb7gFL6TIDvsJJ0dItbi-HDhQE-DjbsSP638IWHMXefmx0zThWssAdDaLmiq9qQDNATt9OONuBt7qtr/s320/WatsonAmAdCVR.jpg" width="218" /></a></div> <br /> Trying to "fill in" gaps in the canon can be rather tricky - done well, it can provide insight into the character of Holmes and Watson (<b>The Seven-Per-Cent Solution</b>, for example). Done poorly, it can be awkward and feel inauthentic.<br /> <br /> Thankfully, <b>Dr. Watson's American Adventure</b> from <a href="http://www.airship27.com/" target="_blank">Airship 27</a> is a strong example of the former, showing us Watson in a post-Reichenbach adventure, finding his way to America to team up with Theodore Roosevelt. Combining elements of Victorian literature, Westerns, and historical pastiche, Erwin K. Roberts tells a tale that could easily fit between "<a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/readings12.html" target="_blank">The Adventure of the Final Problem [FINA]</a>" and "<a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/2007/notes1_1.html" target="_blank">The Adventure of the Empty House [EMPT]</a>". The story moves along at a very brisk pace, and quite honestly, it's a flat-out treat to read. Structured as a reminiscence between Watson and Holmes, it also serves to highlight these characters without necessarily being driven by their interactions. Thankfully, this book serves as a way to highlight Dr. Watson's solo adventures....and hopefully, there will be another coming soon.<br /> <br /> (Thankfully, this volume also provides value for the money in that it contains another Victorian-style pastiche featuring a character named "Hound Dog Harker" which is quite entertaining in its own right.)<br /> <br /> Much like Airship 27's earlier Holmes book <b><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2012/04/no-more-dangerous-man-in-europe-illu.html" target="_blank">The Baron's Revenge</a></b>, <b>Dr. Watson's American Adventure</b> is available via Amazon.com. It's an entertaining work that is well worth reading.<br /> <br /> <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 /> <br /> --</div>

Review: Dr. Watson's American Adventure

"he had spent a part of his life in America" [VALL]  Trying to "fill in" gaps in the canon can be rather tricky - ...

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by Scott Monty

Remembering Encyclopedia Brown Author Donald Sobol

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> <b>"a brown study" [CARD] </b></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJwJLVKoYpcLqaNxIoJH4mG7vrL6me9qou1Gig2ZTLt58mI27MmkhBETfCnjRN-0KpKgAd1zPLza98N2bcyhnw4UB2KizhsfcUr2oWAyz7bEriti4NFgkQCjieAWoTd1HO23mMmpAhEhR/s1600/encyc01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJwJLVKoYpcLqaNxIoJH4mG7vrL6me9qou1Gig2ZTLt58mI27MmkhBETfCnjRN-0KpKgAd1zPLza98N2bcyhnw4UB2KizhsfcUr2oWAyz7bEriti4NFgkQCjieAWoTd1HO23mMmpAhEhR/s640/encyc01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Donald J. Sobol died on July 11 of natural causes at age 87. He was the author of over<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=encyclopedia%20brown&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=encyclope%2Caps%2C459&tag=thebakerstree-20&url=search-alias%3Daps"> two dozen Encyclopedia Brown mysteries</a></b>. The small seaside town of Idaville was the same as any other small town except in one respect, fifth-grader Leroy Brown. Leroy's head was so crammed full of facts he was nicknamed "Encyclopedia". Encyclopedia used his brain power to help the neighborhood kids and his police chief father to solve mysteries. He was, in fact "America's Sherlock Holmes in sneakers". With his partner in his detective agency, Sally Kimball--the prettiest and toughest girl in the fifth grade--Encyclopedia charged kids 25 cents to help them with their problems. Encyclopedia's nemesis was an older kid named Bugs Meany.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The first book in the series was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142408883/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142408883&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20"><i>Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective</i></a> published in 1963 and the series has continued for almost fifty years. Millions of copies are in print and they have been translated into twelve languages. Part of their charm is Sobol’s breezy and witty writing style. Here from “The Case of the Missing Garlic Bread”:<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <span style="color: blue;">Bugs was the leader of a gang of tough older boys. They called themselves the Tigers. They should have called themselves the Pretzel Makers. They always tried to make dough the crooked way. The only things they hated more than honesty were soap and water.</span></blockquote> I discovered Sobol's works before Conan Doyle's. The mysteries were of the solve-them-yourself type, forcing the reader to match wits with Encyclopedia before turning to the back of the book for the solution. While written for kids, Sobol was a master at hiding the clue in plain sight. My love of the mystery genre started there. One could say that Sobol's use of the classic Holmesian tropes, the brilliant detective and his partner, his faculty with arcane knowledge, the colorful clients and villains, primed me for when I first encountered Holmes in <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i> in the sixth grade.<br /> <br /> There will be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525425829/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0525425829&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20">a new Encyclopedia Brown book in October</a>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525425829/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0525425829&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20"><b><i>Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme</i></b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0525425829" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. In it, Idaville will be as it always was, with beautiful beaches, churches, a synagogue, a movie theatre, two delicatessens and four banks. Chief Brown will come home with an insoluble problem and Encyclopedia, while listening at the dinner table with his eyes closed, will ask the Chief the one question that will solve the case. Bugs Meany will plot his revenge against Encyclopedia and Sally will be there to protect him.<br /> <br /> The neighborhood kids will continue to arrive at the family garage at 13 Rover Avenue, plunk down a quarter on the empty gas can, and ask Encyclopedia's advice on Wilford Wiggins’ latest get-rich-quick scheme. And I continue to read them. I'm also not ashamed to say that America's Sherlock Holmes in sneakers can still at times beat me to the solution. That's as it should be.<br /> <br /> Thanks, Donald.<br /> <br /> <br /> --</div> </div> </div>

Remembering Encyclopedia Brown Author Donald Sobol

"a brown study" [CARD]  Donald J. Sobol died on July 11 of natural causes at age 87. He was the author of over two dozen ...

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by James C. O'Leary

Adapting The Hound of the Baskervilles for Audio

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="text-align: center;"> "singularly adapted to our needs" [MISS] </h4> <table 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/AVvXsEirzMTXK9yipk5RsWQiXS0D83-HcndmjAJUDDZKRvvS0k0Z6HAEZShIyCag1rlLb-YoN-gVMaa891keqvF7SvQoioHJyNpvQLMjFqSu5LdJ8-bzAzo4kikEuh5ujJKYzK09W7HepTS9FvkQ/s1600/HoundPosterCropv4BkStBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzMTXK9yipk5RsWQiXS0D83-HcndmjAJUDDZKRvvS0k0Z6HAEZShIyCag1rlLb-YoN-gVMaa891keqvF7SvQoioHJyNpvQLMjFqSu5LdJ8-bzAzo4kikEuh5ujJKYzK09W7HepTS9FvkQ/s640/HoundPosterCropv4BkStBlog.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr> </tbody></table> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <br />"If I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary individual after all." - <i>A Study in Scarlet </i></blockquote> <span style="background-color: white;">In March of this year I auditioned for a local production of "The Day the Earth Stood Still."  During auditions I overheard a comment by the artistic director that they were looking to do a production of <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i>, but that they did not have a script yet. Being the life-long Holmes fanatic I am, I boldly (foolishly?) volunteered to adapt the script for the Post-Meridian Radio Players. The major caveat was that I had to bring the script in under an hour.</span><br /> <br /> I didn't know what I was in for. <br /> <br /> First thing we did was transcribe a 1977 production done for the <a href="http://www.cbsrmt.com/">CBS Radio Mystery Theatre</a>. This was to be my starting point. If you've ever heard this version it's heavily abridged, with several major sequences and characters cut out. The dialog is also, for lack of a better word, paraphrased. <br /> <br /> To fix the paraphrasing problem we subsequently transcribed every scrap of dialog from the original novel into a basic radio script. <br /> <br /> With these two scripts in hand I set out to marry them together. My goals were as follows:<br /> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li><span style="background-color: white;">To restore as much original Doyle dialog as possible. </span></li> <li><span style="background-color: white;">To restore the missing sequences of the cab-chase in London and the Laura Lyons character. </span></li> <li><span style="background-color: white;">Get it down under an hour. The producer told me, and I quote, "45 minutes would be best."</span></li> </ul> <br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>I worked on my script for the better part of a month during rehearsals for "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (I scored a small part in that show) and it came in at 46 manuscript pages. I thought I was in good shape, but the last step was the formatting. If you've ever done a radio script before they follow a standard manuscript format that allows you to estimate the length of your show with each page equaling a minute of performance time. I inserted my script into the template, let it format, and then counted the pages.<br /> <br /> When the script came in at 117 pages total, well. My response can't be repeated on this blog. <br /> <br /> I had three weeks to get the script into fighting shape before auditions, so I began frantically cutting. Every night I would go over the script looking for more that could be eliminated while keeping my original goals intact. The boy seen going out to the stone-huts? Gone. The crazy neighbor who spies one everyone with a telescope? Eliminated. Holmes' lengthy summation of the case in the final chapter? Condensed. Many scenes that were originally two became one. I honestly didn't think I'd make it. <br /> <br /> But I did, and I'd like to think I did Sir Arthur proud. <br /> <br /> <i><a href="http://www.huboftheuniverseproductions.com/events_srt12.html"><b>The Hound of the Baskervilles</b></a></i> opens this weekend (click through for more info), July 27th and 28th, at Responsible Grace at 204 Elm Street in Somerville, MA (just outside of Boston). Tickets are $15 / $12 for students & seniors, and you can <a href="http://www.huboftheuniverseproductions.com/events_tickets.html">reserve tickets by clicking here</a>.  We're part of the <a href="http://www.huboftheuniverseproductions.com/events_srt12.html">Summer Radio Mystery Theatre</a>, along with productions of 'Gracie Takes Up Crime-Solving' and 'Sorry, Wrong Number.' Our final running time? Just over 50 minutes. <br /> <br /> Come see the show if you can. I'll be playing Clayton the cab driver, so feel free to say hi after the show. And be sure to mention that you read about the show on I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. <br /> <br /> [<i><b>Editor's note</b>: the above was submitted by Jeremy Holstein from the Post-Meridian Radio Players</i>]<br /> <br /> --<br /> <br /></div>

Adapting The Hound of the Baskervilles for Audio

"singularly adapted to our needs" [MISS]  "If I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the concl...

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by Scott Monty

About the Great Exhibition of 1951

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>"a wilder exhibition of passion" [CREE] </b></h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2638/4181727307_799376c308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2638/4181727307_799376c308.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> In 1851, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Exhibition" target="_blank">Great Exhibition</a> highlighted then "cutting edge" technology and industry. For its 100th anniversary, the Exhibition used then-current means to create a special highlight for Sherlockians - a replica of Holmes' sitting room, which is now on display in the <a href="http://www.sherlockholmespub.com/" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes Pub</a> in London.<br /> <br /> Not to be outdone, <a href="http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/" target="_blank">the current version of the Exhibition is now online</a>...and also contains an excellent opportunity for Sherlockians to participate and demonstrate a slightly wilder exhibitions of their own passions.<br /> <br /> Thanks to a strong Internet presence (including <a href="http://twitter.com/GreatExhibition" target="_blank">the Great Exhibition on Twitter</a>), people can actually vote for those things which are "great" about Great Britain. Of special interest to Sherlockians are the two following categories of interest:<br /> <br /> <b>Sherlock Holmes</b> - <a href="http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/sherlock-holmes" target="_blank">http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/sherlock-holmes </a><br /> <br /> <b>Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - </b><a href="http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/sir-arthur-conan-doyle">http://www.thegreatexhibition2012.co.uk/greats/sir-arthur-conan-doyle</a><br /> <br /> At the 1951 Exhibition, the ability to view the Great Detective's drawing room helped the character make a deeper impact on history; now, Sherlockians can play an active role in making sure that impact is felt for future generations as well.<br /> <br /> <i>Editor's note: This essay was submitted by Gordon Dymowski, who 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>. <br /><i> </i></i><br /> <i>--</i></div>

About the Great Exhibition of 1951

"a wilder exhibition of passion" [CREE]  In 1851, the Great Exhibition highlighted then "cutting edge" technology...

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by Scott Monty

The Effect of America and Americans on Sherlock Holmes

<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> "The 4th Inst." [STUD]  </h4> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5wv_U4Sa_iyvdLUiXU2xWri07GDTPq5mCouyoSxf897XXKtcvaf4TzHAu69xkpA_dDcJXOXFnsYe1OlxGQ5nPMOUO5iJfbLdR98ItuYC_iai2KnzFrjCwRaU0a8euuyHr_fcOMc0YkSk/s1600/sh01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5wv_U4Sa_iyvdLUiXU2xWri07GDTPq5mCouyoSxf897XXKtcvaf4TzHAu69xkpA_dDcJXOXFnsYe1OlxGQ5nPMOUO5iJfbLdR98ItuYC_iai2KnzFrjCwRaU0a8euuyHr_fcOMc0YkSk/s640/sh01.JPG" width="440" /></a></div> <i></i><br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> "It is always a joy to me to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a Minister in far gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes," - Sherlock Holmes in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Annotated-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/0393059162/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341172790&sr=8-1&keywords=the+new+annotated+sherlock+holmes">“The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor”</a>. </blockquote> As we celebrate Independence Day and the bicentennial of the War of 1812 this year, let’s also reflect on the profound effect America and Americans have had on the Canon.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> Frank Moulton and Hatty Doran may have been two visitors from across the pond that Holmes welcomed to 221B with woodcock, pheasant, foie gras pie and “ancient and cobwebby bottles”, but most Americans, in Watson’s pages, would be left off the guest list.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> There is Jefferson Hope, whose American virtue of tenacity is mixed with that equally American desire for revenge, and tracked his fellow countrymen Drebber and Stangerson to London with deadly results. Revenge was also on the mind of Captain James Calhoun of the “Lone Star”. Protection of the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan led to the deaths of three members of the Openshaw family. Abe Slaney, “the most dangerous crook in Chicago” tracked Elsie Cubitt (nee Patrick) to Norfolk and was willing to kill her husband to possess her. “James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans” even wounded Watson during “The Adventure of the Three Garridebs”. While it was worth a wound to Watson to see the great heart behind the great brain, it’s doubtful the American criminal was on Watson’s Christmas card list.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> Ex-senator J. Neil Gibson, the Gold King, may have best exemplified the concept of “the Ugly American” in the Canon. Arrogant, demeaning and used to buying his way, it took the equally strong personality of Sherlock Holmes to put him in his place.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> A better representative of the United States is John Douglas, amiable master of Birlstone Manor, a.k.a. Birdy Edwards, Pinkerton detective extraordinaire. As John Douglas he was cheery and genial and as Birdy Edwards, cool, tough and fearless, the qualities that most Americans would like to see in themselves.</div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> There is one other to be mentioned; Altamont, the faux Irish-American played by Holmes in his bid to fool and ultimately capture German spy Von Bork. Holmes spent two years in America, traveling from Chicago to Buffalo to perfect his cover. It’s fitting to remember on this July fourth that Altamont was described as ”a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features and a small goatee beard, which gave him a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam.”<br /> <br /> Holmes’ dream of a united Great Britain and United States may be no closer to reality in 2012 than in 1887, but the two countries are deeply intertwined in the Canon. As we Americans celebrate the 4th with family and friends; barbecue hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob; and watch the rockets' red glare to the tune of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLT6BIUi7tE&feature=related">"The 1812 Overture"</a>, remember Holmes himself, that quintessential Englishman, liked and occasionally was one of us.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: #262626; font-family: trebuchet, trebuchet ms, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i>--</i></b></span></span><br /> <span style="color: #262626; font-family: trebuchet, trebuchet ms, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span> <i style="color: #262626; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></i></div>

The Effect of America and Americans on Sherlock Holmes

"The 4th Inst." [STUD]   "It is always a joy to me to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe...

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by James C. O'Leary

Episode 43: Fathers in the Canon

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqSo5RBCfNE39tczZYqYp9vF-kPkVsfnFspZzpCBM1598EKB-QFNezHZRkUJES4JMTcwBzkkt1cvFyp1NCIOjg5XK7YZz3wdRbxo9XfxDPzBB1eHXNoDVEN8x3vxm2cZdzoUmnlm0NmDN/s1600/COPP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqSo5RBCfNE39tczZYqYp9vF-kPkVsfnFspZzpCBM1598EKB-QFNezHZRkUJES4JMTcwBzkkt1cvFyp1NCIOjg5XK7YZz3wdRbxo9XfxDPzBB1eHXNoDVEN8x3vxm2cZdzoUmnlm0NmDN/s1600/COPP.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <center> <iframe allowfullscreen="" height="90" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/1986939/height/90/width/600/theme/custom/autoplay/yes/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/no-cache/true/render-playlist/no/custom-color/00932e/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="600"></iframe></center> <br /> Sometimes, when there's a topic that bears a discussion-based episode between the two of us, we like to do a little research to see what's been written previously, so we can have some reference material upon which to base some of our zany theories.<br /> <br /> Sunday, June 17 was Father's Day in the United States, which made it a perfect opportunity to tackle the topic of fathers in the Canon. Imagine our chagrin and surprise then, when we discovered that there was no appreciable material (at least to our "small but select" libraries of Sherlockiana) that adequately chronicled fathers and father figures in the Sherlock Holmes stories.<br /> <br /> Not to be deterred, we decided to thumb through the stories and pick out not only fathers, but step-fathers, would-be fathers, father figures and others who espoused the characteristics that fathers do or should have. More than a laundry list of individuals, this episode turned into a fun reminiscence and analysis that we hope you enjoy listening to almost as much as we enjoyed creating it.<br /> <br /> While we couldn't find an Editor's Gas-Lamp that was directly about fatherhood, we did find one that had paternal overtone in the Vol. 8 No. 4 issue from October 1958 titled "Truth is Better than Fiction."<br /> <b><br /> </b> <br /> <h4> <b>Links:</b></h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/morleymontgomeryaward/archivedwinners.html">The Morley-Montgomery Award Winners</a>, including "Who Wrote the American Chapters of <i>A Study in Scarlet</i>?" by Ben Vizoskie.</li> <li>William Baring-Gould's biography <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/051703817X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=051703817X">Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street</a></i></li> <li>Elementary!</li> <li>The <a href="http://221bcon.com/">221B Con</a> in Atlanta in 2013</li> </ul> <br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <h4> <b>Listen now:</b></h4> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134350122&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /> <br /></div> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock043.mp3"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TL5jgdrUh_nM_zlDgxql-jKOFGUVFqhoV6A2JtYklXOu4qmVDyRVbwGV6XrwXZgnG9awSwJ7td-txL1_4KGrpSf4igJLILOim4yJmX5pGTPIdMhCBYLyImSI5gs1MOMUZPAlpAgvtPdb/s1600/podcastIcon.gif" /></a></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> 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: 28.37 MB, 1:0:04)</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <br /></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> 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> <br /> <br /> <br /> Be sure to check out our sponsors: <b><a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a></b> and <b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></b><br /> <br /> --<br /> <br />

Episode 43: Fathers in the Canon

Sometimes, when there's a topic that bears a discussion-based episode between the two of us, we like to do a little research to s...

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by Scott Monty