Happy Birthday, Holmes!

[rusty_armour]

For those of you who don’t know (and I suspect there may be at least a few of you), today is Sherlock Holmes’s birthday. His 155th birthday to be exact. I know. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? I don’t think he looks a day over a hundred. Of course, I remember when Holmes was just the tender age of 133 or 134. Jeremy Brett was still alive and the Granada series wasn’t complete crap. I discovered Sleuth of Baker Street and Without A Clue hit movie theatres. But enough of the nostalgia. For Holmes, nostalgia often seems to lead to depression (e.g. when he laments the lack of true criminals in London) and this is meant to be a happy occasion. So…many happy returns, Holmes! I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon – preferably in something that wasn’t written or directed by Guy Ritchie!

Comments

[windrose.livejournal.com]

I think Jeremy Brett will always be my favorite Holmes. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it! I know he'll always be my favourite! :-)

[avictoriangirl]

Oh cool! I love Sherlock Holmes, although I've read the stories more than I ever watched any of it on TV. I did like Jeremy Brett though.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Hey, avictoriangirl! I should have known you'd be a Sherlock Holmes fan! :-) I have to admit that I've probably watched Holmes on screen more than I've read the stories for the simple reason that I own an embarrassing number of Sherlock Holmes DVDs. I've also read an embarrassing number of pastiches -- both good and bad.

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

I think Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are working on a 21st century version of Holmes. I don't know if it will acknowledge that the original Holmes stories happened (as did Moffat's Jekyll - although more I gather because everyone knew the big twist of the original story) and serve as a sequel with descendants, namesakes or whatever. Or if it will just set the stories today, the same way most of the Rathbone/Bruce stories did.

Allen

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I just read the article you included in your comment below and the Moffat/Gatiss project sounds like it could be fabulous! :-) Thankfully, they seem to understand why the Sherlock Holmes stories work and why they appeal to so many people. If they remember that and stick to the formula they're proposing then I think they could have the makings for a wonderful series.

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/12_december/19/sherlock.shtml

I'm actually looking forward to this. Although it's weird to be some years older than Holmes, but then again if I use the Baring-Gould timelines, I'm even older than the literary Holmes was during A Study in Scarlet.

And at least the new TV Holmes isn't a tween. I guess it's not going to air on Saturday night - with the BBC's current Logan's Run policy.

Allen

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm actually looking forward to this. Although it's weird to be some years older than Holmes, but then again if I use the Baring-Gould timelines, I'm even older than the literary Holmes was during A Study in Scarlet.

I could be remembering the novel incorrectly, but I thought Watson gave the year for the Jefferson Hope case as being 1881. Well, I always picture Holmes and Watson as being in their late twenties/early thirties when they first met, so I don't see why it should be out of the realm of possibility for this version of Holmes to be young as well.

And at least the new TV Holmes isn't a tween. I guess it's not going to air on Saturday night - with the BBC's current Logan's Run policy.

Allen

No, thank Herne for that! A tween Holmes would not be good, even if it means disobeying the Logan's Run policy. *g*

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think according to fandom, Holmes was in his late 20s at the time of Study in Scarlet. Although he certainly acts much older. And aside from Young Sherlock Holmes, movie Holmes have usually been on the older side.

I don't think the stories themselves specify an age for Holmes.Although following the Baring-Gould timeline means that he would have retired at a relatively young age in his early 50s.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think according to fandom, Holmes was in his late 20s at the time of Study in Scarlet. Although he certainly acts much older.

I took a quick look online and I don't think the year 1881 is actually given in A Study in Scarlet. However, Watson says that he graduated from medical school in 1878 and, by the sounds of it, a couple of years pass before he meets Holmes. In any case, I'd argue Holmes' age can be roughly estimated through canon. As for Holmes's level of maturity, this could be a reflection of his intelligence, not to mention the period he lived in.

I don't think the stories themselves specify an age for Holmes. Although following the Baring-Gould timeline means that he would have retired at a relatively young age in his early 50s.

Well, Holmes is described as being 60 in "His Last Bow," which takes place in 1914. However, he had supposedly retired some time before that case, so early 50s would work.

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

As I recall, he had already retired (with the exception of a couple post-retirement cases and of course, the Laurie King novels) by the time the Empty House -- or at least the Return collection -- was published. So, he must have retired around 1904 or so.

I forget, in the world of literature versus the Jeremy Brett series, didn't he keep the Blue Carbuncle? That would allow for a particularly early retirement.

Allen

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

As I recall, he had already retired (with the exception of a couple post-retirement cases and of course, the Laurie King novels) by the time the Empty House -- or at least the Return collection -- was published. So, he must have retired around 1904 or so.

That sounds about right to me. I have a vague recollection of it being sometime in the early 20th century in any case.

I forget, in the world of literature versus the Jeremy Brett series, didn't he keep the Blue Carbuncle? That would allow for a particularly early retirement.

Allen

I'm forced to confess that I couldn't remember, so I found the story (http://sherlock.mindcop.net/adventures/blue_carbuncle.html) online. It isn't clear whether Holmes keeps the stone in the end or not. However, I would have thought he'd have to return it in order for Commissioner Peterson to get his reward. Even if Holmes wasn't motivated by generosity, Peterson would know that he has the Blue Carbuncle and surely report Holmes to the authorities if he didn't return it. Well, whether Holmes kept the stone or not, he did well with other clients. For example, he was given a handsome reward at the end of "The Priory School"

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

I wonder if there's a pastiche where Holmes does away with Peterson and his wife, and then sells the gem on the black market. I think there are definitely a few stories out there where Holmes has turned his mind to crime.

I know the TV series filled him with the Christmas spirit though.

Allen

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I wonder if there's a pastiche where Holmes does away with Peterson and his wife, and then sells the gem on the black market. I think there are definitely a few stories out there where Holmes has turned his mind to crime.

Ooooh! Cool idea! If there isn't a pastiche in which Holmes does away with Peterson and his wife then there definitely should be! *g* I can't remember the title of the book, but Michael Dibdin wrote a novel in which Holmes was Jack the Ripper. After reading it, I threw it across the room and stomped on it.

I know the TV series filled him with the Christmas spirit though.

Allen

Yes, in the Jeremy Brett episode, Holmes and Watson put off their Christmas dinner to go down to Scotland Yard and ensure Jack Horner is released. Then they show Jack Horner reuniting with his wife and two small children. Call me sentimental but I like the ending of the Brett version.

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

The weirdest thing about a modern Holmes will be how much forensic science has advanced - as seen by that whole industry of such shows. At the time of their first meeting, Holmes' invention to definitely identify blood stains was considered revolutionary. I can't remember if fingerprints appear in any of the Holmes stories -- probably the very late if any.

That's the biggest change between a Victorian and a modern Holmes.

On the other hand, the first words between Holmes and Watson will play extremely well in today's context.

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday Holmes!!!
Without a clue ;) I think it's great actually, and not just because Tim is in it.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Without A Clue is one of my favourite Sherlock Holmes movies. Hell, it's one of my favourite movies -- period. :-)

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

oh I like Rupert Graves btw! Always have :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I don't know much about Rupert Graves. I mean, I've seen him in a number of things, but I wouldn't be able to match a name to a face, if you know what I mean. When and where did he first attract your attention?

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

Fortunes of War with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson :)
(he also played Helena Bonham Carter's brother in Room with a View

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I never saw Fortunes of War, which is strange considering all the other Ken & Emma films I've seen (e.g. Dead Again). Well, I have seen A Room With a View (at least twice) and I do remember the part Rupert Graves played.