That's Life as we know it: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking

Monday, December 27, 2004

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking

Boxing day TV, as a whole , never really changes a great deal over the years. Here in the UK it is never anything challenging. Worlds Strongest Man, several Kids Films (Mary Poppin’s), you get the general idea. However, to me there was a highlight to all this banality. The BBC were showing their latest Sherlock Holmes commission – “Sherlock Holmes and the case of the Silk Stocking” .

It has been two years since the last “new” Holmes story, and that was a TV remake of the “Hound of the Baskervilles”, but Holmes’s latest case was not actually, as far as I recall, a “proper” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, but a case written based on the Famous Detective.

Jeremy Brett my favourite Holmes

The case of the Silk Stockings was pre-titled the return of Sherlock Holmes and is based around the abduction and murder of the Daughters of High and Mighty.To be honest, the story was not really up to the “normal” Holmes level, and the ending (and I shall not reveal it for those who haven’t seen it – but it is fairly predictable from around three-quarters of the way in) was somewhat shallow, but that said, it was a fairly good yarn.Some of the listings critics had a “right go” (local phraseology) , but I didn’t totally agree with them (but then I rarely do)

The character of Sherlock Holmes has over gone several “changes of image” over the years

. The character that most of us know as Holmes has, in my humble opinion, been coloured by the Holmes and Watson partnership headed by Basil Rathbone (right) in the films of the 40’s. Holmes, witty, insightful,COLD, supported by his well meaning, yet bumbling and incompetent “sidekick” Dr John Watson.

The partnership was somewhat leveled with the 2002 “Hound of the Baskervilles” where Holmes remained pretty much as expected, but the Dr John Watson (played in both the new Holmes stories by Ian Hart – left) when the character was given a more realistic attitude and demeanour. Watson is a Man of action in his own right. Ex– Army Surgeon, a brave and tenacious Man, Intelligent in his own right, but no one has the level of intuitiveness that is held by the Master Detective.

Up to last night, i must admit my Favourite Holmes portrayal was that of Jeremy Brett’s (above left) in the 80’s Granada series of assorted Holmes Cases (several series over around 10 years. The “new” Holmes is Rupert Everett. A well known actor of long standing, I did wonder what sort of job he would do of the laconic Holmes

The honest answer, again in my opinion, was that he didn’t do a half bad job.The Holmes that came over was that of damaged genius. An opium addict. Insightful, brilliant. Yet unsure, sometimes fearful. That “debatable” character, mixed with his support , his friend, his “guide” – Dr Watson, I thought they made a pretty good pairing.

Following are a number of links too various Holmes resources if you wish to have a look.: