Thank Holmes Its Friday - March 22 2024 - Holmes Across Media
It's that time again - Thanks Holmes it's Friday. This week, drawing inspiration from yet another intriguing morsel found within our trusty Sherlock Holmes Page Per Day Calendar, we explore the myriad ways in which Holmes has been portrayed on radio, TV, theatre and film.
On this day in 1950, Ben Wright made his only appearance as Holmes in "The Duke of Hollywell" in The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio drama. The series aired in the USA from 1939 to 1950 and ran for 374 episodes. For most of the show's run, the program starred Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Other actors appeared in later seasons and you'll find more details here.
We now invite you to delve into the world of Sherlock Holmes across different media and take advantage of our 3 for 2 promotion on a relevant collection of books.
SHERLOCK HOLMES ON THE AIR
Holmes first hit the airwaves in 1922 when a group of community-theatre actors from Troy, New York called The Masque performed Eugene Walter’s The Wolf. Since then audio dramas have by far outnumbered television plays or film.
Among those involved in more recent productions including The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, are writers Matthew J Elliott and Jim French. In his book, "Sherlock On The Air" Matthew presents a collection of eleven radio scripts, with detailed notes on Canonical references, rewrites, influences and the challenges of adapting Conan Doyle's original tales for a 21st Century audience.
A larger three-volume collection of scripts including those written by radio legend, Jim French has been compiled by David Marcum. Jim French wrote an astonishing 50 of the 130+ episodes for The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and which thanks to Imagination Theatre hit the airwaves in 1998. You'll find some of the finest Holmesian storytelling in these written scripts.
"Imagination Theatre's Sherlock Holmes" is another compilation by Marcum and pays homage to the brilliant work of Jim French as well as the dramatists, cast, and crew behind the new adventures. The book contains a script by every one of the gifted authors who wrote Imagination Theatre. The theatre sadly closed its doors in 2018, making these scripts all the more sought after.
All royalties from Marcum's script compilations go towards the preservation of Undershaw, Conan Doyle’s former Surrey home, which today houses the Stepping Stones School for children with learning disabilities.
SHERLOCK HOLMES ON STAGE
The first appearance of Sherlock Holmes on the formal stage was likely Charles H. E. Brookfield playing the role in an hour-long "extravaganza" with music, Under the Clock in 1893. It was presented as part of a three-act bill at London’s Royal Court Theatre, the night before the first publication of "The Final Problem". Under the Clock was one of the few Sherlock Holmes stage adaptations not to mention Moriarty, as the character was not yet known to the public.
Since then we've seen countless stage productions. From grand performances in iconic theaters to intimate productions in unconventional settings, the world of theater continues to celebrate our beloved detective's enduring legacy.
And we have a few gems of our own that delve into the world of theatre. From original and redacted theatre scripts to storylines set amidst the backdrop of dramatic stage productions, these literary works not only transport us to the era of gas-lit theaters but also provide a fresh perspective on Holmes' investigative prowess in a distinct setting.
SHERLOCK HOLMES ON TV
1929 marked the first speaking picture film with Clive Brook portraying Sherlock Holmes in The Return Of Sherlock Holmes. Ten years later Basil Rathbone graced our screen, followed by a whole gallery of actors (and actresses), familiar and obscure, donning the mantle of the Great Detective (for better or for worse).
Fast forward a few decades from the renowned portrayal of Holmes by Jeremy Brett, and we witness actors such as Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, and Jonny Lee Miller breathing new life into the character, engaging audiences around the world. And at MX Publishing we're proud to represent those dedicated authors who have poured hours into researching these on-screen performances.
Whether you prefer the classic portrayal of Basil Rathbone, the enigmatic performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, or found yourself clued to Elementary, our performance biography collection offers something for every fan.
THIS WEEK'S FREE AUDIO CODES
We invite you to download these six audiobooks from this week's handpicked collection. To claim your free audiobooks just tell us the titles you'd like and within a few days your free codes and download link will appear in your inbox. It's that simple!
- Benedict Cumberbatch, In Transition: An Unauthorised Performance Biography by Lynnette Porter
- A Scandal in Nova Alba - The Redacted Stage Plays by Orlando Pearson
- The Bruce_Partington Diptych - The Redacted Stage Plays by Orlando Pearson
- The Dramatic Moment of Fate: The Life of Sherlock Holmes in the Theatre by Alexandra Kitty
- Sherlock Holmes: The Hero With a Thousand Faces - Volume 2 by David MacGregor
- Eliminate the Impossible: An examination of the world of Sherlock Holmes on page and screen by Alistair Duncan