Another 'Elementary' consideration . . . . Do we like our Watson more deductively capable?

Once again, so far this season, 'Elementary' is not giving us very much Sherlockian to talk about or even consider. And that is not really likely to change very much. But be that as it may, let's get as much as we can out of it and 'Play the Game.'

"Elementary' still hasn't determined yet if Watson is going to be Holmes' equal and partner or biographer and sounding board.  I don't see the latter happening, do you?

Our question for today is; Would we like our Watson to be deductively as capable as Holmes? His equal in crime solving?
Would the relationship have worked that way Canonically?
Is that part of the bigger problem with 'Elementary'?

The most popular modern (in time period made or time period in which it is suggested it takes place) adaptations of Holmes have all given us strong Watson's, in their own way, without Watson being Holmes' deductive rival. I am of course talking about Brett's Holmes, RDJ's and 'Sherlock'.
Although not a fan of RDJ's portrayal of Holmes, I do however like very much Jude Law's take on Watson.

I also find Martin Freeman's take on Watson more appealing actually than I do Benedict Comberbatch's Holmes. Of all the modern takes (in time period when the stories take place), his so far is the best Watson.
And who can really argue about both the fine actors who played Watson next to Brett's Holmes, David Burke, and Edward Hardwicke.

But, as I think will prove out, a Watson who is close to Holmes equal in detection skills will not be acceptable Canonical lore. How many super heroes out there have 'partners'? How many police procedural's have lead detective's on equal footing with another officer?

Part of, and a very big part, of the allure of Holmes and Watson, and other duo teams, is the difference in skills and personalities.

One of my favorite new shows this year so far is 'Forever'. A very Holmes like lead character supported by, in their own way, very capable 'side kicks'. Side-kicks that have different, but just as relevant skills. Often times an individual who can ground them to the conventions of society.
It does however seem our theatrical adaptations of Holmes need more social grounding than the Canonical Holmes.
Every one of the three most recent adaptations suggest Holmes in one form or another needs a social handler. RDJ's certainly did, as does 'Sherlock's'. 'Elementary's' most definetly does, he just hasn't realized it yet.
We find the companionship less needy in the Canon than we do on the modern big screen.
Brett's Holmes does not seem to need that social crutch.

But what makes this pairing most interesting Canonically and theatrically (where it works) is that both man are very different, and each has 'skills' that benefit the relationship and not make it competitive.

It will be interesting to see how 'Elementary' handles it.

Gillette to Brett IV - a fun weekend and a big success!

Had the pleasure of being able to attend this years Gillette to Brett in Bloomington Ind.

I was able to leave early Friday and made it to Bloomington in time to make all the events.

Friday evening, of course, always starts at the universities Lilly Library where we are invited to view a wonderful exhibition of rare treasures and rare books.

I was told by one of the attending Sherlockains that he was actually able to touch the Beeton's Christmas Annual this year.

There are rare manuscripts and movie scripts along with other very interesting items.

Here is a signed script for the Hound of the Baskerville's

 Along side of many other motion picture treats.

 Also on display, and very interesting to me, is a letter from Daniel Boone.

His last home is not all that far from my house.

Doyle's manuscript of 'The Red Circle'.

 After a short break, long enough to get dinner or hit the hotel gym, we all met once again at the UI Cinema. . . .

 . . . for a screening of 1939's Hound of the Baskervilles

It was a lot of fun watching it with a big group of Sherlockian's on a large screen.

 Saturday morning, after signing in, gave us plenty of time to visit the sales room where we found, other than things to purchase, on display many items from several Holmes films.

 Here Brett's frock coat from the series.

 On the left is Ben Kingsley's coat from Without a Clue and Bruce's waist coat on the right.

 Labels explaining the items.

 Many autographs and other items on display.

 Rathbone's hat.

 I got the chance to meet a fellow blogger and author that I follow on line, Dan Andriacco.















Some of the other items on display.





We had many fine speakers Saturday.

We started with Bonnie MacBird who is very involved in film productive and gave a good talk on the script writing for Sherlock and some wonderful insights into why some of the scenes were written the way they were.

She was followed by Kristina Manente of the Baker Street Babes who talked about the fan base for the TV show Sherlock.
I came away realizing there is a big difference between Playing the Game for Sherlock, and Playing the Game for Sherlock Holmes, and that it seems unlikely the two shall meet.

Next was David Stuart Davies who gave a great talk on the humor in Sherlock Holmes, especially in film.















Also giving another wonderful talk was Bert Coules, talking once again about radio Holmes and the BBC series that he worked with. This time we had some behind the scene footage of how the show was put together.


After viewing 1984's A Scandal in Bohemia from Granada Television we had a terrific interview session with the director of that episode, Paul Annett.

 Paul talked about how the show came together and his time working with Brett. Lots of behind the scenes insight.

He talked about what it was like to work with Jeremy and other's on the show.

If you look at the scene in this photo on the screen, you will see that it is where Irene throws the photo of the King overboard.
The scene was filmed in the middle of England without any water near by on a staged 'ship' not much bigger than 10' x 10'.

Here I am with Paul.

The evening ended with a viewing of 1939's The Adventure's of Sherlock Holmes (which I was unable to make.)

It was a very relaxing, fun Sherlockian weekend with old friends and new.

Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - #41 - Still old movie week - Alex Mackenzie

Still catching up on old movies and some childhood favorites and trying to immerse my daughter into some classic Disney, I am going with another oldie.

"Greyfriars Bobby" was made by Disney in 1961 and tells the tale of a loyal dog sticking by it's master even after death. Although argued by critics as a much made up story (not by Disney), it is still a fun movie to watch with kids.

I picked Alex Mackenzie, who played 'Old Jock', because he didn't even get into acting till he was 61, after finishing a career as a teacher.
Surely someone who started so late would not have time to make a Sherlockian movie connection?
Wrong.

Alex Mackenzie (1885-1965) -

took part in the 1957 movie "Rockets Galore" (by another famous Scot) - 

which also featured Donald Sinden (1923-  )

who participated in 1973's "The Day of the Jackal"

in which one of our favorite Watson's, Edward Hardwicke (1932-2011) had an uncredited part

So, there you have it, there you are.

Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - #28 - another tribute to the inaugural edition of the Watsonian

Once again, as a tribute to the new Watsonian and The John H Watson Society, we will be taking a look at actors who played Watson, but see if we can make a Sherlockian connection by some other route other than their role as Watson.

Again, the two that follow turned out to be easier than I was expecting, but I shouldn't have been surprised.

I started with David Burke, not expecting to be done so quickly.

David Burke, one of my favorite Watson's  (1934)

had an early appearance in a Sherlockian presentation when he appeared in The BBC's  BERY in 1965 starring Douglas Wilmer ( 1920) as Holmes . . 

Well, that was short and sweet.

So, it was on to Edward Hardwicke, again a favorite in the role of Watson

Edward Hardwicke (1932 - sadly only 2011)

participated in 2001's Enigma 

(A little trivia about Enigma;)

The film was produced by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. Jagger makes a cameo appearance as an RAF officer at a dance. He also lent the film's design department a four-rotor Enigma encoding machine he owned to ensure the historical accuracy of one of the props. The festivities around the London premiere of the film are shown in the 2001 documentary Being Mick. (source Wikipedia)

which featured the very lovely Kate Winslet (whom we have already connected with), but more importantly for our purposes, Nicholas Rowe (1966)

who played Sherlock Holmes in 1985's Young Sherlock Holmes

We made quick work of that one.

So, there you have it, there you are.