The Baker Street Blog

"A Certain Annual Sum" [SPEC]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:05:30 PST

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a year since the last Baker Street Irregulars Weekend. An 2009 has been quite a year, for those not following along. From "Wiggins" annual letter:

The BSI Weekend was followed in early May by "Arthur Conan Doyle: A Sesquicentennial Assessment", a conference at Harvard University honoring ACD's 150th birthday and an exhibition "Ever Westward" at Harvard's Houghton Library which displayed unique items pertaining to Doyle, the BSI and the Speckled Band scion society whose own archives have resided at the Houghton for many decades. The occasion was also a celebration of The Baker Street Irregulars' Archives and the exhibition displayed rare BSI material never before seen by most of the participants. Springtime in Cambridge was a memorable venue and the participants enjoyed superior speakers and a highly entertaining wrap-up banquet with a lively musical program consisting of early 20th-century Sherlockian sheet music loaned by Dan Posnansky, organized by the Al and Julie Rosenblatt with Henry Boote, the BSI's Musical Director, and performed by Henry, Betsy Rosenblatt, Jim Saunders and Scott Monty.

On September 25th a symposium, "The Remarkable Characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle", was held and filled to capacity, with attendees from coast to coast, at Indiana University's Lilly Library. The symposium was jointly sponsored by the Friends of the Lilly Library and The Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis. This was an event focused on Sherlock Holmes and other major and minor characters in the Doyle Canon to make the case that ACD's characters compared very favorably to those of his more acclaimed contemporaries. Paired with the conference was a fine exhibition of material from the Lilly's Sherlockian and Doylean collections, including the manuscript of The Red Circle and The Final Problem fragment. The speakers were outstanding and scholarly, and impressed our Lilly hosts and other academicians in attendance.

The last major event in the U. S. in this anniversary year was the running of the Silver Blaze in Chicago on October 31st to celebrate the BSI's 75th anniversary year and the 50th running of the Chicago Silver Blaze. The race day was followed by the traditional BSI brunch and program the next day. 2009 has been quite a celebratory year to savor.... enjoy it while it lasts!

When you add to that the new movie that debuts later this year, it may well signify a resurgence in our little hobby.

But, with the annual letter from our leader comes the announcement of the BSI Weekend festivities which occur in New York in January of each year. If you've never attended, it's the highlight of the year for many Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts - an opportunity for about 300 of us to gather in one place, rekindle old friendships, create new ones, and celebrate our common interest.

As with the past few years, you'll be able to find all of the information relevant to the BSI Weekend available at http://www.bsiweekend.com, from maps to a reservation form, to details on every single event.

I hope to be able to see you there!

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"His Latest Exploit" [HOUN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:56:42 PST

As Christmas Day closes in, we're seeing additional trailers for the new movie. Warner Bros. is getting very aggressive in their approach and advertising it in very prominent places, such as on television during the World Series and even during a "Family Guy" special.

Here's the latest version of the trailer:

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"I Knew the Game Was in My Own Hands" [STUD]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:54:24 PST

I was recently notified of a new promotion for the upcoming film Sherlock Holmes, which integrates the social networking site Facebook as part of a game. Hey, while we're at it, please consider becoming a fan of the Baker Street Blog on Facebook.

According to Adverblog, if you go to the game website (the conveniently chosen URL is www.221b.sh), you'll have an opportunity to sign up and "hire" a Facebook friend to help you out as Watson and start playing. The underlying text reads:

"When the game begins, every Holmes needs his Watson - who will be yours? Sign up today to play 221B and unravel the mystery to play the most exciting game this year."

Presumably, it looks something like this:

However, I just visited the site and discovered that they must still be working out the final details, as I get the message: "We are readying ourselves. We suggest you follow a similar course of action and return here shortly."

Should be pretty interesting. I'll try to keep up with the developments. In the meantime, you might consider becoming a fan of the movie on Facebook as well: http://facebook.com/SherlockHolmes.

UPDATE:

Since publishing the post this morning, the site has gone live. Here's a shot of what it looks like now:

You're then asked to choose which character you'd like to be:

In order to determine whether you're Holmes or Watson, you'll need to answer these qusetions:

1. When solving problems, I prefer to:
a) Go with my instinct.
b) Analyze the facts.

2. In a fight, I am more likely to:
a) Punch you. Hard.
b) Punch you. Scientifically.

3. I prefer to spend my time:
a) Learning new things.
b) Socializing with friends.

4. If a lady burst into tears in my presence I would...
a) Try to comfort her.
b) Leave.

5. When something confuses me, I
a) Seek further information.
b) I am never confused.

Here's my result:

Then you're given an opportunity to choose your partner - for Watson, the site suggestions "someone on whom you can thoroughly rely."

There is an FAQ about the game available here and reprinted below for your convenience:

What is 221b?
221B is a two-player game immersing you into the world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr.John Watson. 221B takes you through the events leading up to the very first scene of the new Sherlock Holmes film.

How do I play?
You can play with a friend, one as Holmes, one as Watson, or you can even play alone if you like, taking on the role of both characters. Just as in the stories, you and your friend will investigate crimes, sift through evidence and solve mysteries. You'll also have to stake your reputation as detectives on your deductions. Get them right and you'll soon be the envy of Scotland Yard.

What does the game look like?
The game is played through an ordinary internet browser, which we recommend setting to full screen(F11 will toggle fullscreen on and off). It's no ordinary web game - as you'll discover when you sign up, it's a rich audiovisual experience. There are two main areas: an interactive window, and a casebook, which stores all the evidence that you discover as you progress.

How do I sign up?
You'll need a Facebook account to play the game. There is a registration process which uses the Facebook Connect system to link you with a friend, so that you can start playing.

What will I have to do?
The most important thing you have to do is work together. You can't solve the mysteries unless you and your partner share information and ideas. Practically speaking, you'll be...
- reading evidence - witness statements, newspaper reports, letters - that unfold the mystery
- observing key characters - Inspector Lestrade and others appear at the start and end of each chapter, to share important things with you
- investigating locations in the game and collecting evidence you find there
- interviewing characters who you meet in the game
- chasing suspects, breaking into secure locations, and following trails.

Will I have time to do all of this?
221B is designed for busy people so the game fits around your life, not the other way around. If you get stuck, or if you just want to hurry up and find out what happens next, then there is always a way to take a shortcut and move on. Much of the game is designed in bite-size chunks, so you'll always be able to play on a little, even if you only have a short break.

How long does the whole thing take?
The game is played out in a prologue and eight chapters, each with its own mystery to solve. You will be notified by email when each new chapter is available. Once a chapter has launched, you can complete it as fast or as slow as you like. How long it takes depends on how serious you are as detectives. If you read every piece of evidence carefully, sift through all the options, and talk a lot, it might take you a couple of hours to play through the most complex chapter. If you get the game to help you a lot, and bust through everything at high speed, then around half an hour.

Does it matter if I miss a week?
Not at all! The game remembers how far you've got so that if you take a break from the game you can just pick up where you left off. If you start later than other people or fall behind, you can play through all the chapters that have been released until you catch up with the group.

Should I play as Holmes or Watson?
In the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle - and in the movie - Watson is a man of action and intelligence. Holmes relies on him for many things. The game reflects Holmes and Watson's magnificent partnership; both players have a great deal to accomplish, and one cannot succeed without the other.

There are different journeys for both detectives - when you sign up to the game, you'll be quizzed as to which one we think you should play. But don't take our word for it - read the stories, talk to your partner, and decide for yourself.

Who should I choose to play this game with?
Someone who you like talking to, preferably, as you're going to need to share a lot with your partner to solve the mysteries. As the game is played online, they can be from anywhere in world.

The friend I signed up to play is out of contact for a week or two. What can I do?
You can either:
- wait for them to come back and pick up where you left off,
- kick them out of the partnership and carry on alone or,
- sign up another friend to play on with. It's up to you.

What technology do I need to play this game?
To complete the 221B experience you'll need: Microsoft Silverlight, Facebook Connect and Flash. When you sign up to the game, we'll offer you a one-off download for everything you need.

Are you going to spam my Facebook status updates like certain other games I've played before?
No. You will be able to share your sleuthing exploits with your Facebook friends, but it's always your choice. We will never automatically update your newsfeed from the game.

Personally, I think this is an extremely creative and engaging way to promote the movie - and more importantly - to welcome Mr. Sherlock Holmes to the 21st century. I hope those who are connected via the Web get a chance to see what we bibliophilic Sherlockians have been raving about for many years.

Oh, and my Watson? Thoroughly reliable. And he's got a mustache - even if it does make him look more like Poirot. :-)

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Shown By the Increased Length" [STUD]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:21:30 PDT

If you're following this closely, you might recall that in May, I shared the original trailer for the new Guy Ritchie film "Sherlock Holmes."

As you're no doubt aware, Christmas Day (literally and figuratively) is approaching for Sherlockians and non-Sherlockians alike. There is new footage available in this full-length television trailer - rest assured, it's going to be as action-packed as the previous.

What do you think? While it's certainly not Canonical, this could be just the thing that the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast world needs to get a little more attention to our foremost heroes. And in a time when superhero franchises abound in both television and film, it may be an opportunity to become relevant again.

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"A Sheet of Stamps" [SIGN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:27:44 PDT

In recent news Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, noted author and creator of Sherlock Holmes - and a Scot, no less! - has been given the honor of his own stamp. The stamp, pictured left, is part of a series from the Royal Mail called "Eminent Britons."

For Sherlockians, the association of philately and the great detective should be nothing new. Holmes and Watson were inveterate users of the communications methods of their day - particularly the post and telegrams. For those who are interested, Hernry Lauritzen, BSI ("The Royal Family of Scandinavia") wrote a landmark piece called The Philatelic Holmes, which is available on Amazon.com (just click the link).

Or for more web-minded folks, you can find a comprehensive site called Detective Fiction on Stamps, on which Holmes has his own section, aptly enough called The Philatelic Sherlock Holmes. There you'll find examples of Sherlock Holmes stamps and Arthur Conan Doyle stamps from Nicaragua, San Marino, Great Britain, Canada, Monaco and many other countries around the world.

I guess you could say that with his creation, Conan Doyle put his own stamp on the world. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Extending the Franchise" [FIVE]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:27:41 PDT

You know Sherlock Holmes has really gone Hollywood when there's talk of a sequel before the first movie even hits the theaters.

The new Guy Richie-directed film starring Robert Downey, Jr. won't hit theaters until December 25th, but there's already chatter that the game's afoot with regard to a follow-on film. According to the Risky Biz Blog:

"Warners is keen on developing new franchises, with Holmes -- with its broad fan base and rich source material -- considered a very appealing candidate."

That should please Sherlockians to no end. But we're months and months away from casting and script development, which is usually where our hopes are dashed.

Courtesy of Societe Sherlock Holmes de France.

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Going Back to Pitt" [SIXN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:31:09 PDT

Rumor (or is that rumour?) has it that the rough cut of Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes didn't sit too well with executives, and they've asked him to make some changes.

According to Hollywood columnist Liz Smith, Ritchie is turning to his old friend and colleague Brad Pitt to step in and save the day. His role? If the rumors are correct, we'll be seeing Mr. Angelina Jolie as the next Professor Moriarty. Yes, you read that correctly.

Ms. Smith quotes this sequence from "The Crooked Man" to sum up her reaction:

"Excellent!" I cried.
"Elementary," said he.

Mine is something more along the lines of:

"You appear to be astonished," he said, smiling at my expression of surprise. "Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it." [A Study in Scarlet]

I'd say we should hope that the Hollywood executives know what they're talking about. But then again...

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Firm, Peaty Soil" [HOUN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:42:00 PDT

The Hound of the Baskervilles is probably one of the most widely read and well-known of all of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Of all 56 short stories and four novellas, it has the unique position of being a mystery that happens to have Sherlock Holmes in it, rather than being a Sherlock Holmes tale - due to the fact that Holmes doesn't appear as frequently as he does in other stories.

While it can be argued that the main characters are Dr. Watson, Sir Henry and even the Stapletons to a certain extent, there is another major player in The Hound of the Baskervilles that bears some thought: Grimpen Mire, a deadly part of Dartmoor, which claimed life on a regular basis:

Stapleton laughed. "That is the great Grimpen Mire," said he. "A false step yonder means death to man or beast. Only yesterday I saw one of the moor ponies wander into it. He never came out. I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is a danger to cross it, but after these autumn rains it is an awful place. And yet I can find my way to the very heart of it and return alive. - The Hound of the Baskervilles

This is not just fiction for the sake of good storytelling, though. A recent article from Wired notes that there's lots of life in the "bogosphere," as they investigate some of the strangest things pulled out of bogs. These include nearly 300 kegs of butter, weapons and yes, bodies. Evidently, the chemical and biological composition of the peat in the bogs acts as a natural preservative.

If you're into this kind of thing, you can also check out the exhibition The Mysterious Bog People.

For peat's sake!

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Somewhere in the Vaults..." [THOR]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:22:44 PDT

For students of the Sherlock Holmes Canon, the opening to "The Problem of Thor Bridge" offers a tantalizing glimpse into some of the unwritten cases of the great detective, of which Dr. Watson had notes, but didn't write for publication. The opening runs:

Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin despatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine. Some, and not the least interesting, were complete failures, and as such will hardly bear narrating, since no final explanation is forthcoming. A problem without a solution may interest the student, but can hardly fail to annoy the casual reader. Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world. No less remarkable is that of the cutter Alicia, which sailed one spring morning into a small patch of mist from which she never again emerged, nor was anything further ever heard of herself and her crew. A third case worthy of note is that of Isadora Persano, the well-known journalist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad with a matchbox in front of him which contained a remarkable worm, said to be unknown to science. Apart from these unfathomed cases, there are some which involve the secrets of private families to an extent which would mean consternation in many exalted quarters if it were thought possible that they might find their way into print.

As you can imagine, such fantastical references (and others peppered throughout the Canon) have inspired a number of dramatizations, pastiches and take-offs that have been quite popular in their own right.

My friend and fellow Irregular John Baesch, BSI ("Cardinal Tosca") shared with me a couple of poems that he read at a recent gathering called A Scintillation of Scions II put on by Watson's Tin Box in Maryland. Both are related to that long sought-after box, which features prominently in the opening of Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.

One was written in 1946 by Jay Finlay Christ, BSI ("The Final Problem") an early member of the Baker Street Irregulars:

THE OLD TIN BOX

In the vaults of Cox was an old tin box
With Watson's name on its lid.
What wouldn't we pay for that box today
And the secret notes there hid?

Old Russian dame, Ricoletti the lame.
The famous aluminum crutch;
For Alicia, the cutter, the parsley in butter,
What would you give for such?

Story of Randall, the Darlington scandal,
The coptic patriarchs.
The opal tiara, the Addleton barrow --
Dollars? or francs? or marks?

The tale of the pinch of Victor Lynch,
The furniture warehouse mob,
The case at the Hague, the murder at Prague
The powderless Margate job.

The giant rat, the cardinal's hat,
The Patersons (first name Grice),
The cormorant's bill, the Hammorford will --
We'd take 'em at any price.

The Phillimore fella who sought an umbrella,
The steamer Friesland (Dutch);
For Col. Carruthers or Atkinson brothers
One never could give too much.

The Vatican case and its cameo face,
The slithering, unknown worm,
The Abergavenny were none too many --
Where is this Cox's firm?

Oh, wonderful box in the vaults of Cox!
You come with a touch of salt!
But I offer two blocks of the choicest stocks
For the treasure of Cox's vault.

The other was penned in 1981 by Jim Duval, BSI ("The Battered Tin Dispatch Box"), whom I knew personally:

AT CHARING CROSS
There at Charing Cross once stood grand old Cox
With its bright brass plate 'Army Agents'.
In strong vaults hard locked laid a dispatch box
Filled with cases long been aging.

The repulsive red leech, Major Prendergast the cheat,
The watch prematurely wound;
Of Crosby, the banker, Sophy Anderson and who sank her,
Not a locksmith to be found?

Baron Dowson the critic, the coiner who filled it,
Aldridge's bogus laundry bill,
The death of young Perkins, Vamberry the wine merchant --
Hammers? and Bars? and Drills?

The Majestic bow sweep of Charlie Peace,
The Conk-Singleton forgery case,
Mr. Hobb's affair, Bert Stevens' death lair,
John V. Harden's tobacco -- laced?

The captain who yawned, Merridew who's gone,
This Vanderbuild (Yeggman and all),
The arrest of Huret, Wilson the bird puriest --
Try dynamite on that wall!

Mr. Dundas' meal stoppers in hurling his choppers,
Old Abe's mortal terror plea;
Of the Paradol Chamber or the Tarletton murders
Can no one find the key?

The Harley Street physician and his dramatic admission
The Bishopgate jewel hoard,
The Arnsworth Castle business was none too pleasant --
Call Cox's Chairman of the Board!

This military band with the look of swank
Is the guardian of the box.
But I need a kid who can crack a crib
Say, the vaults at Charing Cross.

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"The Two Hard-Boiled Eggs" [THOR]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:11:49 PDT

This has to be one of the funniest interpretations of a Sherlock Holmes story I've seen in a while. Fellow Irregular Tom Francis ("The Imperial Opera at Warsaw") passed along the link to the new Valley of Fear, classified as a hard-boiled novel:

YEARS AGO, A P.I. OUT OF CHICAGO BROUGHT JUSTICE TO A DIRTY TOWN.

NOW HE’S GOING TO PAY.

A sawed-off shotgun blast to the face leaves one man dead—and reveals a secret that has pursued another across an ocean and set the world’s most ruthless criminal on his trail. The man needs the help of a great detective...but could even Sherlock Holmes save him now?
The legendary classic re-presented, Hard Case Crime style
Edgar Award winner Leslie Klinger on THE VALLEY OF FEAR: "The first real hardboiled detective story." [our own Leslie Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") -ed.]
By the best-selling author of THE LOST WORLD
Inspired by a true story!

While the original story does have some seedy and lurid details (at least compared to other Holmes stories and for the early 1900s, when it was written), I can't say I've ever considered it "hard-boiled" before. To paraphrase an email exchange on the topic (the author will remain anonymous, unless he wants to "out" himself):

"LOL - 'they all answered to the BODYMASTER!' Good to know A.C. Doyle's career is off to a good start. What's next? 'My shag is good...'"

I wonder what other classic Holmes tales could be creatively classified in different genres, with a humorous twist?

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"Was He the Gay Lothario One Would Expect?" [RETI]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:16:10 PDT

Recently, there has been a lot of noise around the forthcoming film, "Sherlock Holmes," due out in December and starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law as Holmes and Watson, respectively. The trailer is of high quality and hints at the level of action to be expected in the film.

Recent posters of the the four major principle characters - Holmes, Watson, Irene Adler, and the villainous Blackwood - have made their appearance. See the embedded slideshow below for the handsome renderings of our heroes.

So far, so good. And while Downey doesn't necessarily match up with many Sherlockians' perception of the ideal Holmes impersonator, and the explosions seem a little to James Bond-like for some, the notion that the great detective is getting a major Hollywood treatment has been satisfying. But the latest news is the most shocking yet.

News outlets have been reporting that the director of the film, Guy Ritchie, plans to put a gay spin on the relationship between Holmes and Watson. See New Sherlock Holmes Film to Explore Homoerotic Relationship Between Lead Characters for more. The noted film critic Michael Medved chimed in and suggested that it's just a publicity ploy at the moment.

Astute Sherlockians will realize that this was hinted at previously in Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Whether or not it will be willingly accepted this time around - by moviegoers and Holmes fans like - remains to be seen.

Assuming, of course, that the news reports are valid. As Holmes himself said, "The Press, Watson, is a most valuable institution if you only know how to use it." [SIXN]

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

What are those four-letter abbreviations in the headlines?

"You Appeared to Read a Good Deal" [CASE]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:32:19 PDT

If you haven't followed the publications of the Baker Street Irregulars, here's a chance to get in on one of the earlier publications for a pretty reasonable price.

Michael Kean, the marketing manager for BSI publications, is promoting a special clearance sale starting NOW over at The Baker Street Journal web site. You'll find the BSI Manuscript Series volume The Hound of the Baskervilles: Chapter XI
discounted to $25.00. It can be found at the Deal Table section of the bakerstreetjournal.com.

It's in your best interest to act quickly - the sale is valid only while supplies last.

And for your reference, other titles in the BSI Manuscript Series include:

Angels of Darkness
G.K. Chesterton's Sherlock Holmes
The Napoleon Bust Business Again
Mandate for Murder
So Painful a Scandal

"We Have, Of Course, Wired" [CARD]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:09:00 PDT

There's a new article out in Wired magazine that takes a look at our little hobby: Scott Brown on Sherlock Holmes, Obsessed Nerds, and Fan Fiction.

He mentions the cult-like approach of other fans - namely invoking Lost and Star Trek as examples of enthusiasts gone wild. But he notes that before any of those came along, there was the cult of Sherlock Holmes, in which these "19th century proto-nerds" sought out parodies and pastiches and obsessed over details and continuity in the 60 tales.

It makes for an interesting read, but I'm not sure if I object more to the "nerd" or the "obsessed" label.

"A Man of Excellent Birth and Education" [SILV]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sat, 23 May 2009 22:48:46 PDT

Today marks a very special day: May 22, 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Recent Happenings:
Daniel Stashower, BSI ("Thurston") and Peter Blau, BSI, ASH ("Black Peter") were both on NPR's The Diane Rehm Show to discuss The Hound of the Baskervilles in the lead-up to Conan Doyle's birthday. You can listen to the show by clicking on the link above.

In the news, the Telegraph reminds us that We still believe in Sherlock Holmes, even in the age of DNA; the Scotsman remembers its native son with Elementary, my dear Edinburgh; and Harvard follows up on the Sesquicentennial proceedings with Symposium Studies Doyle's Contributions to Literature.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: a Sesquicentennial Assessment

A major symposium was held from May 7 - May 9, 2009, at which about 125 people gathered from around the world to hold forth on Conan Doyle's life, influence and output. While it was co-sponsored by the Baker Street Irregulars, it was about more than just Sherlock Holmes. Here are some of the highlights.

Dan Stashower talked about the buzz around the new movie, "Sherlock Holmes," coming out later this year (see the trailer here). He suggested some other other movie titles:

Last Tonga in Paris
My Big Fat Greek Interpreter
The Engineer's Thumbelina
Reichenbach to the Future

Dr. Giles Constable, former H.C. Lea Professor of Medieval of History at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Studies, made an interesting observation about Holmes that could equally apply to Conan Doyle. While many people gave credit to each for their prescience in divining the future, Dr. Constable noted: "Foresight is not the ability to predict the future, but a keen understanding of the present."

Tom Francis, BSI ("The Imperial Opera at Warsaw") gave a tour de force on the breadth of Conan Doyle's writing. Tom was introduced by Costa Rossakis, who noted that Tom collects lots of non-Sherlockian Doyle – many of which were bought by his wife Diana. As an aside, Costa said it was entirely appropriate, as Diana was the Greek goddess of the hunt. Tom noted that Sherlock Holmes material only represented only about 10-12% of Doyle's total literary output.

Historical novels
In Conan Doyle's historical work, characters come alive, descriptions are vivid, sense of humor is evident. During the war, the government made sure there was enough paper in supply to keep the White Company in print, to keep up morale.

Spiritualism
He still writes well on spiritualism, Tom says. While we may be resentful that this topic took him away from the other areas that we enjoy, spiritualism was a major movement during his time, and Doyle's writing on the topic was detailed and methodical.

Science fiction
An area where Doyle excels: science fiction. "Lot No. 249" & the "Ring of Thoth" inspired "The Mummy". The Lost World was written after he researched fossils, science and paleontology, and the realism of the book was made more real by the inclusion of maps and drawings. This further influenced movies and books such as Planet of the Apes and Jurassic Park. When Doyle wrote The Land of Mist, he used Professor Challenger to bring together his interests in science fiction and spiritualism.

Poetry
Tom read a couple of poems by Doyle – an area that the author doesn't get much credit for but that he was very proficient in.

Dan Posnansky, BSI ("Colonel Hayter") gave a talk titled America, America Here I Come – on Doyle's 1894 tour of the United States. Dan noted that Doyle had a great love of America, best represented in this letter than Conan Doyle wrote in 1894:
"The people are far more loveable than I expected…more affable than our own folk. There never was a country so maligned than this one. We have got to go into partnership with them, or else be overshadowed by them. The center of gravity has shifted and we have got to readjust ourselves."

Eve Mayer, a graduate student at Harvard, compared history with fiction as she covered Conan Doyle's Mormons: A Study in Black, White and Scarlet. She noted the many inconsistencies with fact, but also posited that rather than accidentally misrepresenting the facts, it could have been deliberate on Doyle's part – in fact, it was common in the late 19th century to misconstrue Mormon culture.

Glen Miranker, BSI ("The Origin of Tree Worship") took a long look at Sherlock Holmes in American Popular Culture. How pervasive is it? Glen compared references to Sherlock (8.7 million) and "New Testament" (20.3 million) on Google. There are 8,000 books on or about Sherlock Holmes on Amazon. The Canon has been translated into more than 83 different languages (including Klingon and Pitman Shorthand – "a vital part of running Britain's empire").

The Dramatic Holmes: uncountable stage productions and radio appearances; 150+ TV shows, 130+ appearances on movie screens. Made an appearance in a Harvard club play in 1894 with one character being named as "a disciple of Sherlock Holmes." The ver first film, Sherlock Holmes Baffled, was made in 1900, distributed in 1903.

On the screen, we see Sherlock Holmes portrayed by (among others): William Gillette, Eille Norwood, John Barrymore, Arthur Wontner, Clive Brook, Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing. Jeremy Brett are most well known. Others: Maurice Costello, Raymond Massey, Peter Granger, Ronald Howard, Leonard Nimoy, Michael Caine, Robert Hardy, Nicol Williamson, Tom Baker, Robert Stephens, Roger Moore, Charlton Heston, Ian Richardson, Rupert Everett, Robert Downey, Jr., Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, the Three Stooges, Bob Hope, Abbott & Costello, George C. Scott, John Cleese, Brent Spiner animated versions.

On television today, Holmes informs today's detectives. House, CSI, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Monk - even The Simpsons, where Lisa investigated the Mutton Chop murderer as Sherlock Holmes.

In advertising, we see the image of Holmes used for soda, clothing, shoes, head lice, enemas, food, tobacco (including cigarette cards, cigar box labels, cigar bands, pipes, chewing tobacco, etc.), home inspection, gas companies, insurance, detective services, automotive products, games (the Parker Bros card game appeared in 1904 and stayed on the market until 1923), balloon animal modeling, computer games, video games.

Glen concluded that the only areas not yet affected by Sherlock Holmes are NASCAR, rap music and baseball.

We also heard from Andrew Lycett, the biographer of Conan Doyle on a survey of Conan Doyle's Biographers. Leslie Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") shared the connection between Dr. Watson and his literary agent: Partners in Crime: Arthur Conan Doyle and John H. Watson. And Boston University English professor Charles Rzepka analyzed the Canon for influences of Homer's Odyssey in Holmes-Coming for What-Son. It was a fascinating talk that I was too ensconced in to even take notes.

John Bergquist, BSI ("The King of Scandinavia") ran through the Baker Street Irregulars' publishing history, especially looking at the BSI's International Series and Manuscript Series, the newest volume of which is now available.

Randall Stock, BSI ("South African Securities") did A Sherlock Holmes Census: What's Really Out There?, where he led us through the whereabouts of the manuscripts and Sidney Paget illustrations. If you've never visited Randall's very comprehensive and informative web site, The Best of Sherlock Holmes, you're missing out.

Looking at some of the early enthusiasts who gave Conan Doyle his due and worshipped at the altar of Sherlock Holmes, Steve Rothman, BSI ("The Valley of Fear") reminisced on Christopher Morley: Reading, Reviewing and Reichenbach and Peter X. Accardo, the Houghton Library specialist who put together the symposium, remembered Boston's own H.W. Bell: A Chronology of His Adventures.

Finally, Richard Olken, BSI ("Bob Carruthers") took a page from the Beacon Society with 'Children Yet Unborn' (How We Envy Them!): Teaching Conan Doyle. I understand the Beacon Society has published Richard's paper - you can download the PDF directly here.

If you're remotely interested in more of what went on at the truly fascinating symposium, all of the papers will be published and you can place your order for a hardcover edition. They will also be part of a limited edition box set that comes with a gold-stamped slipcase and includes:

So Painful a Scandal - the manuscript for "The Three Students". This is also available in a standard edition.
Papers at an Exhibition - the proceedings from the symposium
Ever Westward: Arthur Conan Doyle and American Culture - an annotated catalog of the exhibition edited by Peter Accardo.

More information is available on the Baker Street Journal website.

Not a bad way to celebrate 150 years, is it?

"I Was Sure You Would Pick Up the Trail" [VEIL]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:32:07 PDT

Every generation has its definitive Sherlock Holmes on stage or screen. In the early 1900s it was William Gillette; the 1920s brought us Eille Norwood; the '40s was Basil Rathbone's time to shine, followed by Peter Cushing in the late '50s / early '60s. Most recently, Jeremy Brett had our attention in the '80s and '90s.

As Sherlockians, our interest has been constant for the past 75 years or so (let's recall that the Baker Street Journal has now been published for some six decades), but to the general public, there have been times when interest waned. The late 1960s was one time, as was the early 1980s. In the first instance, we saw vast public interest in Sherlock Holmes resurrected thanks to Nicholas Meyer, BSI ("A Fine Morocco Case") and his novel/screenplay The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.

And here we stand, late in the first decade of 2000. Jeremy Brett has been gone for some 15 years, and while there have been no lack of novels, serious scholarship or one-off small screen productions, nothing has yet capitivated the collective mind.

Today, I bring you the first of two things that I believe will bring a renaissance to the Sherlock Holmes movement. Coming this Christmas is the long-awaited film by Guy Ritchie, Sherlock Holmes. While the casting of Robert Downey, Jr. has brought "a chorus of groans, cries, and bleatings" from the purists, there are some who are waiting to pass final judgment until the movie is released.

Today, I bring you the world premiere of the official trailer for the new movie (via First Showing).

Personally, I think the trailer looks damn good. I'd be intrested to hear your opinions - in the comment section below.

P.S. I listened to the trailer on these - it was phenomenal.

Amazon.com Widgets

"The Martrydom of Man" [SIGN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:31:33 PDT

The Irregulars have lost another one of our own. Joe Fink, BSI ("The Martyrdom of Man") passed away yesterday after many years of declining health. I first met Joe many years ago at an "Autumn in Baker Street" weekend, where I was impressed with his rapier wit and deadpan delivery. To say Joe had a dry sense of humor is akin to saying that Sherlock Holmes liked tobacco.

One of the things that always struck me about Joe was that he as such an unassuming, seemingly retiring and quiet man, yet he could bring the house down with a single line or an unexpected quip that everyone could appreciate. He was a giant in the world of humor. Unfortunately, it's been too long since I actually witnessed him in action, so I don't have a specific anecdote to share - perhaps someone reading this would like to contribute?

Speaking of anecdotes, Joe had plenty to say, and he made some of his talks and papers available in 1998 when he wrote Joe Fink Tells Tall Sherlockian Tales, published by the Battered Silicon Dispatch Box.

Joe was a member of a number of Sherlockian societies - most notably the Baker Street Irregulars and the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes (investitured as "Tonga") - as well as a few local societies such as the Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Hudson's Clifdwellers of New York and the Montague Street Lodgers of Brooklyn.

Please share a story (the funnier the better) about Joe below in the comments section. Our collective memories will help him live on for future generations.

"The Likeness, Which You Could Not Fail to Observe" [STOC]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:37:00 PDT

If you've been following the movie news lately, you probably couldn't help but see the publicity that Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. has been getting. You may have seen some still images or read the coverage, but now we've finally got the official movie poster to look at.

Merry Christmas, Holmes. Now get a shave.

"A Strange Ship" [HOUN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:34:07 PST

Here's an opportunity that might interest a number of aspiring playwrights. I received a query from a publicist who is looking for someone to write a mystery-themed play for a cruise ship audience - and there's some money involved.

Here's the official description of what they're looking for:

My company provides entertainment for several cruise lines. I have a cruise line client that is looking for a writer who can put together a Sherlock Holmes Mystery play for a cruise ship audience – this play would be performed during the cruise by the onboard cast of singers and dancers and cruise staff and would repeat every cruise. It could either take place all in one evening (like a typical Murder Mystery Event) or spread out over the course of the cruise with different things happening each day culminating at the end of the cruise. The line is initially interested in placing this show on one ship with a 12 night itinerary in Europe.

The cruise line would prefer to purchase this as a one time cost and then hire a choreographer to stage it on onboard. If it goes well, they may want to purchase additional shows down the road.

Think you've got what it takes? The contact for this is Robin Cahill and she can be reached at robin [AT] doncasino [DOT] com or (305) 931-7552.

If you know of anyone with the talent to pull this off, please let them know by clicking on that little green "Share This" button below the post - you'll be able to email them, bookmark it, or post it on other sites. What a great opportunity this is for the right person!

"Taking the Queen's Shilling" [SIGN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 09:17:33 PST

As you may have seen in the Twitter stream (the section on the right titled "Holmes Was a Very Busy Man"), the coveted Baker Street Irregulars investitures were awarded tonight at the BSI Dinner. It was a banner evening, celebrating 75 years of the BSI being in existence, and saying farewell to a large number of Irregulars who left us over the past year.

Mike Whelan, the current "Wiggins" of the BSI, states that it's his favorite part of the dinner - and I can certainly believe him. Much joy was given, much joy was received.

While the dinner is about much more than the investitures, it's clearly the thing on everyone's mind at the dinner. Having been someone who attended a number of dinners before I was called up to the podium, I can honestly say that the old Oscars cliche "it's an honor just to be nominated" does in fact ring true. I hope that this year's attendees feel the same.

This year, all of the Investitures were story titles - coveted titular investitures to be sure - and Wiggins spent some time discussing who previously held each title and in what year.

In the order they were announced, here are the latest Baker Street Irregulars:

Bill Barnes, "The Gloria Scott"
Susan Dahlinger, "The Bruce-Partington Plans"
Robert Ellis, "The Illustrious Client"
Walter Jaffee, "The Resident Patient"
Allan Devitt, "The Dancing Men"
Greg Darak, "The Engineer's Thumb"
Jeff Bradway, "A Case of Identity"
Michael Pollock, "The Blue Carbuncle"
Sebastian LePage, "The Six Napoleons"
Jens Byskov Jensen, "The Blanched Soldier
Joel Schwartz, "The Three Students"
Barbara Rusch, "The Mazarin Stone"

And this year, Mike gave the coveted Two-Shilling Award to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to the BSI. The Two-Shilling Award went to:

Dan Posnansky, for his incredible work with the BSI Trust and Archives.

In addition, Mike also presented a special golden door encrusted with diamonds to his wife, Mary Ann Bradley, for her assistance with the BSI weekend administrative work for the last 12 years.For anyone who knows the hard work that Mary Ann puts into all of the BSI events, ensuring registration and organization, it's a well-deseeved honor.

All of the recipients of shillings were people who have been at this for years and were incredibly worthy of the honor. And Wiggins noted that much would be expected of them in the future.

My hope is that all of the new BSIs already subscribe to The Baker Street Journal. It's not a requirement to become an Irregular, nor are all Irregulars required to subscribe. But it's something everyone should consider. You subscribe to the BSJ, don't you?

"The Night of January 6th" [VALL]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:21:00 PST

Well, that time of year is upon us again! Today marks the 155th birthday of the world's first unofficial consulting detective, Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

You may recall that in "His Last Bow," Holmes was described as "...a tall, gaunt man of sixty..." and that the story took place in 1914. In addition, of the Shakespearean plays he quoted, Holmes referenced Twelfth Night twice. These facts taken together have led scholars to believe that Holmes was born on January 6, 1854.

To help celebrate this event, I'll be in New York City later this week - but only for the BSI dinner, and not the entire weekend festivities. My work schedule is keeping me otherwise occupied.

And while that means I won't be on hand to document the entire weekend, I'll be posting the latest recipients of BSI investitures on this blog late Friday night/early Saturday morning - and, for those of you interested following along live, right below in the graphical widget. Expect the news to break around 9:30 - 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 9.

If you don't follow along here, you can watch http://twitter.com/S_Holmes

follow S_Holmes at http://twitter.com
developed by korelab

"The Second Morning After Christmas" [BLUE]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:01:00 PST

This is a repost of an entry from 12/27/2006. I've decided to make it a regular annual feature here.

In 1995 I penned a seasonal ode to The Blue Carbuncle in the style of Clement Moore's A Visit from St. Nick. Since then, it has been an annual tradition to share this gem (sorry, I couldn't help myself) in my Sherlockian circles.

Enjoy. Please note that you are free to use this at your own society meetings; according to the Creative Commons license below, you just have to give attribution for for it.

And allow me to wish you "compliments of the season." May all your carbuncles be blue.

Two Days After Christmas

'Twas two days after Christmas and in one part of town,
Sherlock Holmes was lounging in his purple dressing gown.
A felt hat was hung on the wood chair with care,
Looking seedy and cracked and much worse for the wear.
The forceps and lens were an arm’s length away,
So Sherlock Holmes was engaged well today.
Peterson was the giver, Holmes was the taker
Of the hat and goose, "For Mrs. Henry Baker."
Holmes began to infer from the battered old hat
Grizzled hair, self-respect, and odd things like that.

Then Peterson entered, astonished and dazed,
And showed us upon what the goose must have grazed.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a bonny blue thing in the shape of a tear.
With facets that twinkled, sparkled, and shone,
I knew in a moment it was the Countess’ stone.

Holmes sprang to the Times to review all the history
Of the Hotel Cosmopolitan jewel thief mystery.
The crime was fixed on a plumber named Horner.
No Christmas pie, no plumb; for him, a corner.
More rapid than lightening, Holmes’s orders now came,
As he wrote an advert and called the papers by name:
"Evening News, the Star, Globe, and Pall Mall!
St. James’s Gazette, Standard, Echo, et al."

The stone which Holmes held was the devil’s pet bait,
With a sinister history for a forty-grain weight.
Robberies, vitriol, three people now dead;
And all for a stone which should have been red.

Henry Baker called on the street with his name,
Wearing a tam o’shanter, much to his shame.
Holmes gave him his hat and then the bad news:
That we were compelled to eat his fine goose.

"To eat it!" said he, as he rose from his chair,

"Do not fret, Mr. Baker, we have one more there."
Holmes offered to him the disjecta membra,
Relics of an adventure he still could remember.

And taking his items, Baker turned with a jerk,
As Holmes and I set straight to work.
To the Alpha we went, then on to Covent Garden
Where Breckinridge against our pleas seemed to harden.
But finally we found the origin of the geese,
From one Mrs. Oakshott of Brixton Road, east.
We overheard Ryder, who was hot on the trail,

So as a four-wheeler passed, we decided to hail.
Riding to Baker Street, of the mystery, no mention,
But all the way there, we could sense Ryder’s tension.
As he saw the truth, our guest stifled a howl:
The stone had been rescued from his bar-tailed fowl.
At Holmes’s request, I helped the small imp,
To whom Holmes referred as simply "a shrimp."
The little man clutched at the detective’s knees,
Shrieking and begging and putting forth pleas.

For Sherlock Holmes, the case held no glory,
He was simply looking for an end to the story.
Cusack, the maid and Maudsely, who went bad -
Both wanted the stone that Holmes just now had.
The hotel attendant did the deed of evil,
Fed the stone to a goose, in the hopes of retrieval .
There were two that matched, but he hadn’t looked.
So now it seemed that Ryder’s goose was cooked.

Holmes said "No more words," and turned to the lout,
Ryder opened the door and then ran straight out.
The crisp rattle of footfalls, up from the street,
Told me Ryder knew that Holmes had him beat.
"I am not here to perform the policeman's role,
But it is just possible that I’m saving a soul.
It’s the season of forgiveness, a time to have heart,
Let us begin another case, in which a bird will take part."

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 License.

"We Are in Camden House" [EMPT]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:50:00 PST

For anyone who's spent some time poking around this site, you may have frequented one of the links in the References section on the sidebar (aptly titled "His Encyclopedia of Reference"). And there, for a long time, I had linked to Camden House, a site that contained images and text from the Canon.

At some point over the last year, the site went down with no explanation. Many online Sherlockians were concerned that something might have happened to the site owner or that there were unpaid bills that they might be able to assist with. It was a site that clearly meant a great deal to people.

I'm happy to say that Camden House is no longer an Empty House. It has reopened under the same management. The site administrators share this message on the sidebar of their site:

We're back online!

For reasons I still haven't been able to get an answer on, my web provider had locked this site out. I got tired of trying to get them to respond and just wiped it out and restarted.

It's been too long.

To which I say, hear, hear! If you haven't had a chance to explore the site, please do so. There you'll find the largest collection of Holmesian graphics online, a comprehensive listing of all stories that are in the public domain, as well as a number of other nifty features that may inspire you.

It's good to see the site back again. I can think of no better quote to honor the reopening than what Sherlock Holmes himself said in"The Adventure of the Empty House,"

"Once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life to examining those interesting little problems which the complex life of London so plentifully presents."

Only I'd put it this way: "Once again we are free to devote our lives to examining those interesting little pages which the comprehensive site of Camden House so plentifully presents."

"Getting Some Information" [SILV]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:21:00 PST

The founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, Christopher Morley,BSI ("The Sign of the Four") was a man of many interests and talents. And while he may be known in these parts for his whiskey-and-sodality through the BSI, he was more widely known and appreciated than that in his time.

He was probably most widely known for his novels Parnassus on Wheels, The Haunted Bookshop
and Kitty Foyle, which became an Oscar-winning film. As a founder of The Saturday Review of Books, he was in a unique position to be able to see and observe much of the literary world. This is in part what led to him being one of the first judges for the Book-of-the-Month Club.

If you'd like to hear Morley's voice, it's available on an old-time radio recording of Information, Please. Click on the link and scroll down until you find Morley's name on the Sept. 18, 1942 show (it's a .ram file, so you'll need the free version of Real Audio to listen).

"Information, Please" was a radio quiz show that was extremely popular in the Golden Age of radio. The fact that it was hosted by Morley's contemporary, Clifton Fadiman, the book review editor for The New Yorker, made Morley's appearance a near certainty. It probably didn't hurt that Fadiman was an early attendee of the BSI dinners, either.

What makes this find even more interesting is that the Irregulars are hosting a mini-excursion to Morley's cottage "The Knothole" on Sunday January 11, 2009. The radio program above should put his life into that much more perspective.

"A Genuine Corot" [SIGN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:00:03 PST

In his annual letter to all Irregulars, the current "Wiggins" Mike Whelan noted that the Baker Street Irregulars have lost 16 of our own in the last 15 months. I know I've detailed many (but not all) of them here. And today I'm tasked with documenting another.

Only this time, it's someone I knew fairly well.

Paul Churchill ("Corot") passed beyond the Reichenbach over the weekend. He had announced earlier this year that he was suffering from incurable cancer; the end came much too quickly for anyone who knew Paul.

Paul received his investiture in the BSI in 2006, but for anyone who knew him, it was a long time coming. He was involved in many Sherlockian societies from the mid-Atlantic states to New England, and his presence was always a jovial and warm one.

Among Paul's many talents was illustration, document creation, and the compilation of "evidence boxes" - his term for artifacts he found, created, and assembled into collections that supported each of the 60 Canonical stories.

In Paul's own words:

I have illustrated several Sherlockian books by authors such as Steve Clarkson, Steve Tollins, Joe Fink, Don Izban Susan Diamond, David Hammer, Patrick Campbell and Chris Redmond, and did covers for a reprint boxed set of August Derleth's Mill Creek Irregulars. With a colleague, I translated the story The Musgrave Ritual into Latin, the first and, so far, only Latin translation of an entire Sherlock Holmes story to be published.

My main specialism is the amassing of Canonical evidence boxes. There is a box for each of the sixty tales. The boxes contain any letter, telegram, weapon, note, receipt, newspaper clipping, or piece of realia mentioned or hinted at in the Canon. My secondary specialism is the creation of genuine faux documents, many of which have seen their way into the packets given out at the annual BSI dinner in NY. Among these documents are Watson's commission, the charter of The Diogenes Club, the citation for Holmes' Legion of Honour Medal, the Bruce Partington plans and a patent for same, the hack licence for John Clayton, the Hotel Cosmopolitan receipt for the Countess of Morcar, the Stapletons' receipt for the Mexborough Hotel in Craven Street, one for the New Street, Birmingham hotel where Hall Pycroft stayed, Watson's chequebook which Holmes kept locked in his desk, the Capital and Counties Woolwich Branch chequebook belonging to Cadogan West and the very naval treaty copied by Percy Phelps.

He was a longtime friend of Steve Clarkson, another Irregular (author of the 2003 BSJ Christmas Annual) who was taken from us too early by cancer. He spent many long hours with Steve, sharing memories and just being a friend. Paul was like that. He was a friend to many, and was never too busy or too involved to chat with or make time for fellow Sherlockians.

Jacqueline Morris, Gasogene XIX of Watson's Tin Box shared the details of Paul's memorial service:

Saturday, November 15, 1:00 p.m.
Burrier-Queen Funeral Home
1212 W. Old Liberty Road
Winfield, MD

Following the service there will be a gathering at American Legion 223 in Sykesville. Directions from the funeral home will be provided at the memorial service.

Greg has asked that in lieu of flowers you might choose to donate to one of Paul's favorite charities, the ALS Association. Many of you know that Paul's beloved wife died from ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease many years ago.

For those who would like to send cards of condolence:
Greg Churchill
Mark Churchill (Mark lives in Nebraska)
3300 Appleton Avenue
Parkville, MD 21234

This January at the BSI dinner, the task that has traditionally been solemnly and dutifully performed by Irv Kamil will twice as difficult one as the volume of Irregular deaths has nearly doubled. More than that, the prestige, magnitude and general likability of these Irregulars makes these passings that much more doleful.

UPDATED: Paul's obituary from the Baltimore Sun.

Do you have memories of Paul that you'd like to share? Please consider adding a comment below. It's free and you don't need to register.

"In the Aggregate" [SIGN]

wsmonty@gmail.com (Scott Monty) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:24:00 PST

There are a number of videos and programs that have explored the various actors who have portrayed Sherlock Holmes over the years. Here's a nice 6-minute summary with a music soundtrack that features some of the favorites.

As featured on YouTube, the creator describes A Sherlock Holmes Symphony as:

So, on this video you can see several various moments (films, cartoon, TV series, etc..) & a lot of various actors played the Great Detective, like Jeremy Brett, Ian Richardson, Christopher Lee, Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Ronald Howard, Rupert Everett, Michael Pennington, Matt Frewer & others & others surprises ...