- the Public Library
- LibGuides
- Subject Guides - 25/50/25
- Sherlock Holmes Universe
- Holmes on the Screen
Sherlock Holmes Universe
Sherlock Holmes Universe - Holmes On The Screen
Holmes on the Screen
Many actors have portrayed Sherlock Holmes on radio, stage, screen, and television.
Basil Rathbone (with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson) portrayed Holmes in 14 films between 1939 and 1946 and remains for many people the image of Holmes, not only because Rathbone was a fine actor but also due to his similarity to the illustrations of Holmes that accompanied the original Strand magazine publication of the stories.
Hammer Films favorite Peter Cushing portrayed Holmes, with Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville.
Jeremy Brett became the definitive Holmes for another generation after his portrayal of The Great Detective in 41 episodes of a series for Granada Television.
Rupert Everett portrayed Holmes in a BBC/WGBH venture.
Robert Downey Jr. (with the help of director Guy Ritchie) put a new spin on Holmes in the 2009 film, showing him as far more physical and earthy than Arthur Conan Doyle ever described.
And Benedict Cumberbatch brings Holmes up-to-date in the internet age for the BBC series.
The many faces of Sherlock Holmes [videorecording (DVD)]Christopher Lee hosts an overview of Sherlock Holmes as Arthur Conan Doyle wrote of him, as portrayed on the stage, on radio, television, and in the motion pictures by dozens of actors from 1900 to 1985. Includes complete presentation of the 1942 motion picture, The secret weapon, starring Basil Rathbone.
- Mr. Holmes
In 1947, an aging Sherlock Holmes returns from a journey to Japan, where, in search of a rare plant with powerful restorative qualities, he has witnessed the devastation of nuclear warfare. Now, in his remote seaside farmhouse, Holmes faces the end of his days, with only the company of his housekeeper and her young son, Roger. Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement. Starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Milo Parker.
Sherlock Holmes Universe - Sherlock Holmes eVideos
eVideos
The following movies are available as digital downloads through ABC Library. Overdrive software is required to view these eVideos. For more information about Overdrive, please visit our Overdrive Help page.
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon [eVideo]Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are searching for a kidnapped scientist whose invention may decide the fate of World War II. Both the Allies and the Nazis are in a desperate race to possess it for their own benefit. As Holmes and Watson close in on the missing scientist, they are confronted by their diabolical nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Lionel Atwill), who has aligned himself with the Nazis.
The Sign of Four [eVideo]Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Wontner) and Dr. Watson (Ian Hunter) are determined to protect Mary Morstan (Isla Bevan), a frightened young woman who is threatened by an escaped murderer. The killer is looking for a stolen fortune, and revenge on the man who stole it. Now he's at Mary's door and Holmes and Watson must look for answers in a freakish carnival filled with pygmies and tattooed men. When Mary is kidnapped, it becomes a desperate race against time.
Dressed to Kill [eVideo]Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are on the trail of a plot that threatens to destroy the financial fabric of England. An unscrupulous prison inmate, who stole engraving plates from the Bank of England, has hidden them in a series of music boxes. When the innocent owners of the music boxes start turning up dead, it's up to Holmes and Watson to find the remaining music box, before an unsavory collection of criminals do. The repartee between Rathbone and Bruce is delightful as always.
A Study in Scarlet [eVideo]In this one-of-a-kind feature, Reginald Owen stars as Sherlock Holmes. The great detective is charged with investigating the slayings of members of an organization known as "The Scarlet Ring". When he visits the stately home Mrs. Pyke, the widow of one of the deceased victims, Holmes must face his ultimate challenge. The climactic scenes take place on a foggy night filled with shrieks, dark figures, hidden passages and a none-to-friendly Asian man servant.
Terror by Night [eVideo]Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) has been commissioned by Roland Carstairs to safeguard the fabulous Star of Rhodesia diamond that is owned by his mother, Lady Carstairs. Holmes is convinced that the diamond will be stolen on the train trip from Edinburgh to London; so he switches the real diamond with a fake. Unfortunately Roland is murdered, and the thieves make off with the fake. Aided by Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), and Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey), Holmes tracks down the murderer and discovers the involvement of Colonel Sebastian Moran, the henchman of his nemesis Professor Moriarty.
The Woman in Green [eVideo]Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his partner Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are attempting to help Scotland Yard in solving a series of strange, seemingly random murders. The gory common denominator is that each young female victim has had her right forefinger severed. The investigation subsequently leads to an organization of hypnotists and a beautiful but enigmatic woman. The diabolical Professor Moriarty, despite premature reports of his execution in Montevideo, is thought to be implicated. Holmes and Moriarty face off in the climactic scene, when, briefly, it appears that our hero's nemesis may win the day.
