A Scandal in Bohemia The Dancing Men The Naval Treaty The
Solitary Cyclist
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"A Scandal in Bohemia"
The very first Sherlock Holmes short story (following the
detective's introduction in the novels A Study in let and The
Sign of the Four) was also the first Granada Television
production in the long-running Holmes series featuring Jeremy
Brett's definitive performance as the famous sleuth. No
deerstalker cap, cape, curved meerschaum pipe, or Basil Rath
mannerisms for this Holmes: Brett's portrayal went straight to
the heart of the character Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created, with
all the manic-depressive, coldly clinical, drug-dependent, and
unnervingly focused brilliance intact. Just as on-the-money is
David Burke's Dr. John Watson, who is hardly the loyal puppy of
widespread assumption but rather a dedicated ally and determined
chronicler of the publicity-wary Holmes. "A Scandal in Bohemia,"
ironically, is one of the few instances of Holmes being bested by
an equally intelligent adversary--an actress by the name of Irene
Adler (Gayle Hunnicutt), who has threatened to reveal damaging
evidence of her own affair with the king of Bohemia (Wolf
Kahler), a ridiculous pseudonym invented by Watson to protect the
real royal personage in trouble. It's Holmes to the rescue, going
undercover in disguise to take away the blackmailer's trump,
though it's he whose head will ultimately be turned by the
extraordinary Irene. The cast is wonderful (meet Rosalie Williams
as Baker Street housekeeper Mrs. Hudson), and the drama is great
fun. (For a contemporary movie reinvention of this story, check
out the 1998 feature Zero Effect, starring Bill Pullman as a
whacked-out variation on Holmes, Ben Stiller as his
long-suffering Watson, and Kim Dickens as an updated Irene.)
--Tom Keogh
"The Dancing Men"
What is the meaning of the stick figures that appear scrawled
one day on the exterior wall of a Northfolk manor? Why do they so
terribly upset the American wife (Betsy Brantley) of the
gentleman (Tenniel Evans) who lives there? The case proves one of
the most tantalizing for Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and his
ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson (David Burke). Then it proves
among the gravest of Holmes's career when murder enters the
picture and the distraught woman is charged with the crime. This
is one of those stories from the Holmes canon that practically
invites an adaptation; Sherlockians will enjoy seeing the oddly
disturbing "dancing men" on screen, while newcomers to Holmes
will find the tale particularly compelling. As always, Brett
remains the definitive Holmes. --Tom Keogh
"The Naval Treaty"
An old schoolmate of Dr. Watson's, Percy Phelps (David Gwillim),
has asked the longtime friend of Sherlock Holmes to intercede on
his behalf with the famous detective. Phelps, a member of the
Foreign Office, has stolen a copy of a naval treaty with serious
international consequences, but the document has been missing for
two months. His nerves shattered from worry, Phelps is under the
care of his fiancée (Alison Skilbeck), but so far the treaty has
not surfaced. Holmes (Jeremy Brett), aided by Watson (David
Burke), agrees to take the case, which is handsomely adapted in
this episode from the Granada Television series. As usual, Brett
is the most fascinating, most complex, and truest of the many
Holmes portrayals in film and TV history, Burke is solid as the
good doctor, and Rosalie Williams is delightful in her fleeting
appearance as the Baker Street housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. --Tom
Keogh
"The Solitary Cyclist"
Sherlock Holmes (the incomparable Jeremy Brett) is unhappily
interrupted during a major investigation by the appearance at
Baker Street of a young, regal-looking woman named Violet Smith
(Barbara Wilshere). Frightened for her safety, Smith tells the
busy sleuth and his friend Dr. Watson (David Burke) of her recent
life since being left penniless. Employed as a music teacher in
the Charlington home of one Bob Carruthers (John Castle)--a man
who, along with a quite dangerous and "hideous" fellow named
Woodley (Michael Siberry)--knew her late her in South Africa,
Smith has lately been harassed by Woodley and followed on bicycle
by a mysterious, bearded fellow. Watson is dispatched to look
into the matter, but the mystery only deepens and darkens even
after the Master finally arrives. One of the strongest episodes
in the long-running Holmes series from Granada Television, "The
Solitary Cyclist" never lets up its taut suspense. Brett and
Burke are magnificent, as always, but even the most loyal fans
are taken aback by the rare of Holmes throwing punches, as
he does in a boxing duel with the beastly Woodley. --Tom Keogh