Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Simpson's-on-the-Strand
Now doesn't that make you think Sherlock Holmes or what!
On another Sherlockian discussion blog I follow a poster asked,
I suggested Simpson's and a couple others seconded that suggestion.
And all this talk of Simpson's put me in a reminiscing frame of mind about my visit there many years ago.
The Harpooners of the Sea Unicorn put together a trip to England to visit Sherlockian sights. About five members were able to make the trip, which spent half it's time in London and half outside of the capital looking for more rural sites.
While in London we made the required visits to most Sherlockian sights and even visited with some notable Holmesians.
We planned an early dinner at Simpson's with a local Sherlockian, and we arrived straight from one of our sight-seeing walks.
I hadn't really known what we were getting into with this planned dinner stop. We weren't that Internet connected back then (1993), so I had not done proper research into menu or dress code.
It had been a fairly warm July day so I had spent the day walking around just in slacks and button down shirt.
The other two gentlemen in our group were of a more professional occupation than myself, so they naturally went around in a jacket as habit.
When we arrived at Simpson's the maitre d' informed us (me) that a jacket was required.
I thought I was going to be out of luck and would have to find something else to do while my fellow travelers enjoyed the food and company at this great establishment.
But alas, as old and experienced as Simpson's is, they were prepared for uncouth travelers like myself (but I do have good table manners).
I wish I could have, and commented so at the time, taken home the jacket they provided because it fit really well and I liked it.
This performance all took place near the entrance to the hallowed establishment.
And once properly attired I was able to start taking in my surroundings.
The first thing I noticed was not the old wood work or ornate trim, but the centuries old aroma of cooked beef, and it was not, to me, an unpleasant aroma at all.
It was indeed an enticing aroma, and if I hadn't already known I was going to have the beef, it would have changed my mine. I felt as if I had arrived at a place that had been doing the same thing over
and over again for many years, and was still doing it, and doing it very well.
We were escorted to the Grand Divan for our meal, where the beef was carved right at the table, and served from a silver serving cart and looked much like the picture to the left.
For a Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding loving Yorkshire-man like myself, it was culinary heaven.
We dallied over dinner for quite a while talking with our guest and amongst ourselves, and taking in these historic surroundings.
I was able to purchase for my collection a cup and saucer with their logo on the side, and it sits proudly in my china cabinet.
And the walk back to our hotel in Mayfair, a walk of about two miles, completed an excellent Sherlockian day.
I have not yet been able to return to Simpson's, but it has not yet been removed from my bucket list.
It is interesting to note that included in the list of famous people who have taken a meal at Simpson's; Van Gogh, Charles Dickens William Gladstone, etc, they actually list Sherlock Holmes.
Didn't anyone ever tell them. . . . . . . . . Dr. Watson was with him many times and should be listed also.
I hope you can make the pilgrimage some day.
On another Sherlockian discussion blog I follow a poster asked,
"Places for SH tourism? my local paper today wrote about London's Baker Street, Meiringen (Switzerland) and Prague(!). Any recommendations for SH places to see?"
Well there were, as you may guess, a lot of recommendations.I suggested Simpson's and a couple others seconded that suggestion.
And all this talk of Simpson's put me in a reminiscing frame of mind about my visit there many years ago.
While in London we made the required visits to most Sherlockian sights and even visited with some notable Holmesians.
We planned an early dinner at Simpson's with a local Sherlockian, and we arrived straight from one of our sight-seeing walks.
I hadn't really known what we were getting into with this planned dinner stop. We weren't that Internet connected back then (1993), so I had not done proper research into menu or dress code.
It had been a fairly warm July day so I had spent the day walking around just in slacks and button down shirt.
The other two gentlemen in our group were of a more professional occupation than myself, so they naturally went around in a jacket as habit.
When we arrived at Simpson's the maitre d' informed us (me) that a jacket was required.
I thought I was going to be out of luck and would have to find something else to do while my fellow travelers enjoyed the food and company at this great establishment.
But alas, as old and experienced as Simpson's is, they were prepared for uncouth travelers like myself (but I do have good table manners).
I wish I could have, and commented so at the time, taken home the jacket they provided because it fit really well and I liked it.
This performance all took place near the entrance to the hallowed establishment.
And once properly attired I was able to start taking in my surroundings.
The first thing I noticed was not the old wood work or ornate trim, but the centuries old aroma of cooked beef, and it was not, to me, an unpleasant aroma at all.
It was indeed an enticing aroma, and if I hadn't already known I was going to have the beef, it would have changed my mine. I felt as if I had arrived at a place that had been doing the same thing over
We were escorted to the Grand Divan for our meal, where the beef was carved right at the table, and served from a silver serving cart and looked much like the picture to the left.
For a Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding loving Yorkshire-man like myself, it was culinary heaven.
We dallied over dinner for quite a while talking with our guest and amongst ourselves, and taking in these historic surroundings.
I was able to purchase for my collection a cup and saucer with their logo on the side, and it sits proudly in my china cabinet.
And the walk back to our hotel in Mayfair, a walk of about two miles, completed an excellent Sherlockian day.
I have not yet been able to return to Simpson's, but it has not yet been removed from my bucket list.
It is interesting to note that included in the list of famous people who have taken a meal at Simpson's; Van Gogh, Charles Dickens William Gladstone, etc, they actually list Sherlock Holmes.
Didn't anyone ever tell them. . . . . . . . . Dr. Watson was with him many times and should be listed also.
I hope you can make the pilgrimage some day.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
What's your favorite Sherlockian accoutrement? Or how many favorites do you have?
As Sherlockians we are always ready and willing to point out all the things non-Sherloclian's associate with Sherlock Holmes; the deerstalker, the curved pipe and the Iverness cape, amongst other things. And no matter how many times we state the fact that, "Holmes did not use any of those!", they still remain iconic images of the great detective. And that's okay. Just because it doesn't say he did use them, it doesn't mean he couldn't have. And all three have made him the recognizable image he is today.
Even the most august Sherlockian journals and blogs don't mind using those symbols as representation in or on their pages. It's hard to fight a myth you help perpetrate.
The most recent popular adaptations of the stories, the RDJ movies, Sherlock and Elementary have for the most part not embraced the use of these symbols as stereotypical accoutrements of the great detective. Sherlock is the only one so far to find a way to incorporate them into it's show, but in a very subtle way. They use an over sized coat as a faux representation of the Iverness (it could be argued), and the deerstalker has been used as a comical prop.
And let's face it, even though, to show our Sherlockian knowledge, we are quick to point out they where not used, most of us are pretty comfortable with the image they suggest.
But that is not why we are here today.
My question to you is, like stated in the title; "What is your favorite Sherlockian accoutrement?"
If you had one thing you could chose to put in your home, your Sherlockian room, what would it be?
Would in be the knife in the mantle or the slipper next to it?
Would it be the Gasogene?
Our would you have an extra space built in your garage for a Hansom Cab?
Would you have Mrs. Hudson polished coffee service on your side board?
Or Watsons comfortable chair?
I might chose one of the walking sticks or the fenders around the fireplace.
Most of us can not afford to replicate an entire room from 221b, and many of us who do have an item from that time period may have come by it by luck or accident (I have a bulls-eye lantern I just love).
So the question remains; "What would be the first thing you would chose to fill that space?"
Even the most august Sherlockian journals and blogs don't mind using those symbols as representation in or on their pages. It's hard to fight a myth you help perpetrate.
And let's face it, even though, to show our Sherlockian knowledge, we are quick to point out they where not used, most of us are pretty comfortable with the image they suggest.
But that is not why we are here today.
My question to you is, like stated in the title; "What is your favorite Sherlockian accoutrement?"
If you had one thing you could chose to put in your home, your Sherlockian room, what would it be?
Would in be the knife in the mantle or the slipper next to it?
Would it be the Gasogene?
Our would you have an extra space built in your garage for a Hansom Cab?
Would you have Mrs. Hudson polished coffee service on your side board?
Or Watsons comfortable chair?
I might chose one of the walking sticks or the fenders around the fireplace.
Most of us can not afford to replicate an entire room from 221b, and many of us who do have an item from that time period may have come by it by luck or accident (I have a bulls-eye lantern I just love).
So the question remains; "What would be the first thing you would chose to fill that space?"
Monday, March 17, 2014
St. Patrick's Day Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - Barry Fitzgerald from "The Quiet Man" - #44
To honor St Patrick's Day, I will post a day early and try to keep it green.
Probably my favorite John Wayne movie is 1952's "The Quiet Man". It had nothing to do with cowboys, and I don't think anyone got shot.
So, here we go.
Starring in 1952's "The Quiet Man"
Probably my favorite John Wayne movie is 1952's "The Quiet Man". It had nothing to do with cowboys, and I don't think anyone got shot.
So, here we go.
Starring in 1952's "The Quiet Man"
was Irish actor Barry Fitzgerald (1888-1961)
who took part in 1938's "The Dawn Patrol"
which of course featured one of our favorite Sherlock's, Basil Rathbone (1892-1969)
So, there you have it, there you are. Short and sweet.
Friday, March 14, 2014
"Hound of the Cancer Cell" - Season 2, episode #18 (42) - walking a fine line and a little "Gran Torino"
A locked room murder.
A reluctant witness.
Bell is back.
And the plot seems the same.
Okay, "Elementary" is still trying to find it's way, but it is at least going in the right direction.
For the last three episode's the show has lost a lot of it's over use of fetishes and un-Holmes like habits and is settling into a more comfortable, shall we say, police procedural.
After all, until it can find a balance of good Sherlockian connections and good story lines, that is where it is going to set for a while.
On a positive note along those same lines, it is at least not just throwing out Sherlockianisms for the sake of it, just to get some in.
Millers Holmes is becoming more likable and less quirky. His roll in the show no longer seems to be to offend Joan or the viewers. His character is becoming more of a thinking mans detective. Is he Holmes?
Not yet, but he is getting closer.
Lucy Liu as Watson is starting to find a good balance between side-kick and equally smart woman.
No longer upstaging Holmes during investigations, she is proving to be a very valuable assistant while going out on her own, with her own cases.
There were a few good twists in the plot, but other than that it seemed to follow the over used trend in the series; Introduce the bad guy, let him convince us he is not, then prove again he is.
The plot once again got a little to convoluted for me. Two weeks in a row of killing off people who really did not need to be killed off to help the story.
I think the den of hidden Mossad agents would make a good story line, but was unnecessary in this case.
Although providing a good chance for some observation work, it did not help the plot line.
I didn't pick up any Canonical references that had not been used already. I am hoping James or Buddy2blogger did.
Watson's case was stolen right out of the Eastwood movie "Gran Torino" (and several other such themed movies and shows).
It was a good show, not up to the last couple of weeks, but still one of the better ones.
So out of recognition of it's trying to improve, consciously or not, I give it. . .
A reluctant witness.
Bell is back.
And the plot seems the same.
Okay, "Elementary" is still trying to find it's way, but it is at least going in the right direction.
For the last three episode's the show has lost a lot of it's over use of fetishes and un-Holmes like habits and is settling into a more comfortable, shall we say, police procedural.
After all, until it can find a balance of good Sherlockian connections and good story lines, that is where it is going to set for a while.
On a positive note along those same lines, it is at least not just throwing out Sherlockianisms for the sake of it, just to get some in.
Millers Holmes is becoming more likable and less quirky. His roll in the show no longer seems to be to offend Joan or the viewers. His character is becoming more of a thinking mans detective. Is he Holmes?
Not yet, but he is getting closer.
Lucy Liu as Watson is starting to find a good balance between side-kick and equally smart woman.
No longer upstaging Holmes during investigations, she is proving to be a very valuable assistant while going out on her own, with her own cases.
There were a few good twists in the plot, but other than that it seemed to follow the over used trend in the series; Introduce the bad guy, let him convince us he is not, then prove again he is.
The plot once again got a little to convoluted for me. Two weeks in a row of killing off people who really did not need to be killed off to help the story.
I think the den of hidden Mossad agents would make a good story line, but was unnecessary in this case.
Although providing a good chance for some observation work, it did not help the plot line.
I didn't pick up any Canonical references that had not been used already. I am hoping James or Buddy2blogger did.
Watson's case was stolen right out of the Eastwood movie "Gran Torino" (and several other such themed movies and shows).
It was a good show, not up to the last couple of weeks, but still one of the better ones.
So out of recognition of it's trying to improve, consciously or not, I give it. . .
Let me know what you think.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - #43 - Groucho Marx
Never one of my favorites, but he did have a lasting effect on comedy.
Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
was in the 1952 film "A Girl in Every Port"
with one of my favorite actress's, Marie Wilson (1916 - 1972)
who participated in 1962's "Mr. Hobbs takes a Vacation"
which featured Reginald Gardiner (1903-1980)
who was also in the war film "A Yank in the RAF" (1941)
which also starred Bruce Lester (1912-2008)
who took part in "Above Suspicion" (1943)
along side one of our favorite Holmes, Basil Rathbone (1892-1967)
So, there you have it, there you are.
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