I suppose I am no real judge, because I am not a Sherlockian, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoy this show. It's gotten me interested in learning about all things English. That, and it's the show that led me to discover Ronald Howard, who went on to become my favorite actor. I think he was wonderful!
See this:
http://www.sherlockhoward.homestead.com
Ruth
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
Nice site, Ruth. Both these articles were very interesting:
http://sherlockhoward.homestead.com/SherlockHolmes.html
http://sherlockhoward.homestead.com/WinksStory.html
She assured Don Ross that the series was not a cheap one to produce— millions are involved in the period furniture we use, she said (though she did not say whether she meant francs or dollars) — and she believed that 'out of all the stories we have only five stinkaires'. She declined to identify which they were, but there were strong suggestions that Holmes becoming involved with Red Indians while solving a tomahawk murder in the Wild West, might stretch credulity a little far!
Because of the time in which the show was made, there were some silly stereotypes included in the stories. Like the Red Indian, that responded to a question by saying, "How". Just where did that nonsense originate, anyway? Or the episode where the baby is delivered in the basket. Holmes and Watson, two perfectly intelligent men are clueless in basic baby care. Or the fact that any American character is, of course, from the old West. Naturally, that represents all of America! But I guess that was the English perspective in those days.
I don't care, I still love the show!
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
I bought the first box set with 20 episodes, and have just ordered the entire series box set. They really are fun to watch, even for a HUGE Jeremy Brett fan. It is just fun. But I cannot watch the episode "The Texas Cowgirl." Just the whole Indian thing, and the girl bothers me. Plus, the fact that Wilkins, Lestrade's right hand man, just knows what the Native American is saying, without any explaination.
Other than this episode, I love the series.
Yes, you noticed that too. How could Wilkins, as good a cop as he is, possibly understand the Native American? Simply ridiculous!
Anyway, I know you'll enjoy the rest of the series immensely. Have you seen any of Ronald Howard's other work?
Ruth
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
Maybe it's an English thing? I too was expecting some sort of explanation for Wilkins understanding Blackfoot, but really the joke was that there *was* no explanation! The joke is just the idea of looking at Wilkins (very reminiscent of Oliver Hardy, I thought) and thinking "I guess still waters run *very* deep."
/my two cents.
I watched the "Texas Cowgirl" episode tonight, and I thought it was pretty lame. A goofily jovial Holmes, a horse's ass Watson, and a mystery that wouldn't have stumped Nancy Drew for more than two minutes. If this is what the rest of the series is like, no thanks.
http://www.bumscorner.com
No, believe me the rest of the series is nothing like this. Yes, this episode is truly lame. If this one was cut out from the whole series, I doubt anyone would have minded. I hope you'll give the rest of the series a try.
step into my parlourhttp://www.sherlockhoward.homestead.com
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I have recently started watching this excellent series (just finished my 10th episode). I have to say, that although there have been a couple of clunkers so far (The Case Of The Texas Cowgirl comes to mind), it has been an unexpected pleasure. The three episodes that really stand out so far are:
The Case of the Winthrop Legend - a truly spooky ending, that really caught me off-guard.
The Case of the Blind Man's Bluff - an excellent story, and acting to go along with it.
The Mother Hubbard Case - a very sad story, that will tug on your heartstrings at the end.
Looking forward to watching the next 29 episodes!
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What? 'The Texas Cowgirl' is hilarious! There's just something about a side-character from a Gene Autry movie being shoehorned into 19th-century England that I find extremely enjoyable.
shareThe cowgirl had absolutely horrible posture. I wonder if she was supposed to be bowlegged from riding horses?
Semper Contendere Propter Amoram et Formam
Because of the time in which the show was made, there were some silly stereotypes included in the stories. Like the Red Indian, that responded to a question by saying, "How". Just where did that nonsense originate, anyway? Or the episode where the baby is delivered in the basket. Holmes and Watson, two perfectly intelligent men are clueless in basic baby care. Or the fact that any American character is, of course, from the old West. Naturally, that represents all of America! But I guess that was the English perspective in those days.
Can't speak for the first episode, but I do remember seeing the abandoned baby episode years ago when PBS ran this series. I don't think it's all THAT far-fetched to have Holmes and Watson clueless about baby-minding...they were both bachelors (no Mary Morstan in this series), and this was an era when men and women were expected to keep to entirely different spheres. Men were the breadwinners and workers; women were the domestic ones. This wasn't the age of the diaper-changing dad. So it's pretty understandable that Holmes and Watson, despite their overall intelligence, would have no frame of reference for looking after a baby.
(Mrs. Hudson might have--it's never been said whether she had any kids or not, though. Come to think of it, did we ever SEE Mrs. Hudson in this series?)
The best thing about it, in my opinion, was that it portrayed Watson the way Doyle did: A competent, intelligent man who was genuinely beneficial to Holmes.
shareInspector Lestrade and Sergeant Wilkins could have had their own spin-off show. Here's a favourite piece of byplay between them from The Case of the Thistle Killer:
Lestrade: Look at that map, Wilkins. From one end of London to the other.
Wilkins: He's got something on his mind, sir.
Lestrade: Oh, you really think so, Wilkins!? [strikes table in exasperation] Course he's got something on his mind, you idiot! He's got killing on his mind! When's it gonna finish? Where's it all gonna end?
Wilkins: I've looked up the statistics, sir. There are approximately 459,000 young women in London between the ages of 16 and 25, sir.
Lestrade: That's a comforting thought, Wilkins...
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