Written by Alan Barnes
SUMMARY:
Published by Titans Books in 2011, this revised 320-page third-edition paperback analyzes virtually every Holmes film and TV program ever produced in alphabetical order. British author Alan Barnes provides basic credits; cast lists; and synopses. When feasible, the author breaks a synopsis into: “The Mystery” (the basic set-up); “The Investigation” (self-explanatory); and “The Solution” (again, self-explanatory). For the various TV series (including a Russian adaptation), the individual episode titles and casting appear first before Barnes analyzes the series in general and citing certain episodes as necessary. For visual reference, a related film still or photo is included on most pages.
REVIEW:
To Barnes’ credit, his analyses are balanced, though the BBC’s Sherlock receives some predictably gushing attention. Occasionally, some undemanding projects, like Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes, receive his literary eye-roll. Still, Barnes offers plenty of compelling history re: how the visual interpretation of Holmes has varied, whether it is by different countries or different producers, either seeking to celebrate Conan Doyle’s creation or, more likely, for a reliable payday.
The best element of the book is how so many screen Sherlocks (Basil Rathbone; Jeremy Brett; Peter Cushing; Benedict Cumberbatch; Robert Downey Jr.; Arthur Wontner; Eille Norwood, etc.) have been incorporated into one guide. Further, for additional actors: i.e. Douglas Wilmer, Christopher Lee, John Neville, H.A. Saintsbury, William Gillette, and even John Barrymore, it proves an intriguing read exploring how their films or TV series came into existence, even if many been lost to time. Even more so is the fascinating information re: the silent film era, going back to the start of the 20th Century when Conan Doyle’s legal copyright was hardly obliged.
The only weakness is that this book lacks an index (even for the major players involved), which would have been helpful. Still, for any amateur Holmes historian, this insightful reference guide proves a must-have.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat provides a two-page foreword. In addition to acknowledgments, the author includes a brief introduction / author’s note explaining his terminology. There is also a four-page appendix re: synopses of lost European silent films from a century ago that were at least inspired by the Holmes phenomenon. The book’s last section is a five-page chronology (1887-2010) of historical events impacting Holmes’ publishing and film history.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
