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Classic Films
Related: About this forumRemember when this was LBN: SHERLOCK HOLMES: 100-YEARS-LOST FILM FOUND (coming 5-31-15)
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Oct. 2, 2014 LBN story here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014909166
Info here: http://prod3.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=124514~d9133282-4896-49aa-be18-b053ee8cefc3&epguid=9b9aa81f-61d7-4293-afdc-ddf4e632d0f8&&utm_source=April+2015+Newsletter&utm_campaign=April+2015+Newsletter&utm_medium=email
Sherlock Holmes
Live musical accompaniment by the Donald Sosin Ensemble
Description
The silent film version of Sherlock Holmes starring William Gillette has been found! Long considered lost since its first release, the Gillette film is a vital missing link in the history of Holmes on screen. Directed by Arthur Berthelet and produced by Essanay Studios in 1916, it was discovered at the Cinémathèque Française recently.
By the time the film was made, Gillette had been established as the worlds foremost interpreter of Holmes on stage. He gave his face and manner to the detective and inspired the classic illustrations of Frederic Dorr Steele. Dynamic but calm, he played Holmes in the colorful attirebent-stemmed briar, ornate dressing gown, and deerstalker capthat has been identified ever since with the character. Just as durable was Gillettes distinctive bearing, preserved in the film: the charismatic, all-seeing detective who dominates scenes with his preternatural stillness. Booth Tarkington famously wrote after seeing Gillette on stage, I would rather see you play Sherlock Holmes than be a child again on Christmas morning. For the well-known Chicago bookman, Vincent Starrett, Gillette was beyond criticism. But perhaps the most telling accolade came from Arthur Conan Doyle himself, who had killed Holmes off and thought he was through with the character. After reading Gillettes adaptation for the stage, he said, Its good to see the old chap back.
Sir Arthur, you dont know the half of it, says Professor Russell Merritt, the supervising editor of the film's preservation project and member of the Baker Street Irregulars. At last we get to see for ourselves the actor who kept the first generation of Sherlockians spellbound. We can also see where the future HolmesesRathbone, Brett, Cumberbatch, and the restcome from. As far as Holmes is concerned, theres not an actor dead or alive who hasnt consciously or intuitively played off Gillette.
The newly found Essanay production is not only Gillettes sole surviving appearance as Holmes. It is also the only film Gillette ever made, a unique opportunity to view the work of a major American actor in the legendary role that he wrote for himself. The film faithfully retains the plays famous set piecesHolmess encounter with Professor Moriarty, his daring escape from the Stepney Gas Chamber, and the tour-de-force deductionsand illustrates how Gillette wove bits from Conan Doyles stories, ranging from A Scandal in Bohemia to The Final Problem, into an original, innovative mystery play.
Restored by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and the Cinémathèque Française.
Live musical accompaniment by the Donald Sosin Ensemble
Underwritten by Glen Miranker
Special support from contributors to the Baker Street Circle
Co-presented by Flicker Alley
Ticket info and more at link.
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Remember when this was LBN: SHERLOCK HOLMES: 100-YEARS-LOST FILM FOUND (coming 5-31-15) (Original Post)
Omaha Steve
Apr 2015
OP
Staph
(6,253 posts)1. How wonderful!
I hope that they make this available to those of us outside the San Francisco area -- on TCM or Netflix or even DVD. I'd gladly shell out big bucks to see the original Sherlock Holmes!
HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)2. This film is offered during the Seattle International
Film Festival (SIFF). I've selected it as one to definitely see.
Response to Omaha Steve (Original post)
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