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<\/p>\n\n\n\nSherlock Holmes: Reginald Owen
Dr. Watson: Warburton Gamble
Year: 1933
Case: Original<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rating: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Study in Scarlet draws inspiration from several of Doyle’s stories (and, in fact, an Agatha Christie novel), none of which are the original Study in Scarlet, which was published in 1887. The plot itself is more or less original, with Holmes investigating a series of murders within a secret society called the Scarlet Ring. Money turns out to be the motive, and despite the deaths of several members, Holmes is eventually able to apprehend the murderer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reginald Owen as Sherlock Holmes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I must first confess that I am still having difficulties reconciling Owen’s performance as Sherlock Holmes. Aside from looking nothing like Holmes (indeed, Owen is rather thickly built, complete with a double chin) Owen’s manners were also quite opposite from what one would expect of the Great Detective. Holmes’ aloofness became arrogance; his certainty, conceit, and his single-mindedness, bored apathy. Indeed, throughout most of the film Holmes was barely recognizable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warburton Gamble as Dr. Watson<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Relegating Watson to the role of Holmes’ lackey, Gamble’s performance was…. There are quite literally no words to describe it, for throughout the film Gamble (and Watson) was merely there. Watson’s presence added nothing to the film, and yet, it did not distract from it either. Indeed, they could have easily replaced Gamble with a nice lamp and the effect would have been the same. One wonders, though, if his performance would have been improved had they budgeted for a toupee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Delightful elements<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The atmosphere, despite the era change, was fairly well done. London’s fog-filled streets were recognizable, and the low lighting did create a rather sinister backdrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quibbles<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We will begin with the misleading title. A Study in Scarlet is noteworthy in that it is the first Sherlock Holmes story presented to the public (and indeed, written). Most fans of Holmes think rather fondly of this story (despite its shortcomings) because it is the story which first introduced Holmes. To take this title, then, and loan it to a film which is no way related to the original story is quite disappointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As is the era change, which only added insult to injury. Indeed, having seen the title, one would expect to find, if not the plot, then at least the setting. This is not so, as the entire story unfolds amidst the depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quality of the film was also quite diminished, but this can be forgiven due to the period in which it was filmed. Perhaps restored the film would be enhanced, but until such time one must contend with the random frame jumps and poor editing. It is quite obvious that this film was made during an era of limited financial means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the biggest quibble of all, though, was the film’s treatment of Watson. Watson’s role as Holmes’ friend, companion and partner has been completely re-written. Indeed, Watson comes across merely as Holmes’ lackey; jumping to do Holmes’ bidding whenever Holmes crooks his finger. Gamble’s Watson is not the Watson of Canon. In fact, Gamble’s Watson is nothing more than Holmes’ bitch. And this is how Holmes treats Watson, Holmes a complete ass throughout most of the film; so much so that I am surprised Watson did not haul off and punch Holmes in the spleen. Holmes easily deserved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, in what is the gravest of all insults, the film has changed Holmes’ address. The Great Detective no longer resides at 221B Baker Street, but rather, 221A Baker Street. There are no words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, this film earns only one out of five pipes, the single pipe awarded solely because the film includes Holmes using the word\u00a0booty<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1933 pastiche (heavily inspired by canon) staring Reginald Owen as Sherlock Holmes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[61,60],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=316"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316\/revisions\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nekosmuse.com\/sherlockholmes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}