The One Fixed Point in a Changing Age: Alternate Sherlock Holmes filmographies!

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Hello all! Rejoice, for this is my first timeline!!!!!! (Seriously though, please go easy on me. I'm still new to all of this.)

I shall be posting a series of alternate Sherlock Holmes films and tv shows. A few will be based on productions that were going to happen, but ended up falling through. However most will be original concepts I've come up with myself. Most of these timelines will be self contained and unrelated to each other.
If you have any Holmes timelines of your own that you would like to share here , please feel free to do so!
I wish you all a good day, and I hope you enjoy this!

NOTE: I do not intend to plagiarise anyone else's creative efforts, so if you find any of my work to be similar to preexisting concepts, know that it is entirely coincidental. I will acknowledge when my work has been inspired by other. If you feel I might have inadvertently infringed upon your own work, Kindly let me know.

(Edit: Radio/audio dramas can now be included if you wish!)

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Holmes & Watson (2013)
A comedic film loosely based on the workings of Conan Doyle. Released to mostly positive reviews and a healthy box office performance.

Directed by Edgar Wright
Screenplay by Edgar Wright, Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie

• Hugh Laurie as Sherlock Holmes
• Stephen Fry as Dr. John H. Watson
• Catherine Tate as Irene Adler
• Steve Coogan as Professor Moriarty
• Lee Mack as Inspector Lestrade
• Rob Brydon as Col. Moran
• Emma Thompson as Mrs. Hudson
• Tony Slattery as Mycroft Holmes

(EDIT: Also included here!)

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes (1960-61)
A BBC series adapted from the short story collection of the same name by Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr. The series, (consisting of twelve, 50 minute episodes), starred Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley. Since 1952, the two had been playing Holmes and Watson for BBC Radio to great popularity, and much publicity was made of their casting for a TV production.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Crucifer of Blood (1991)

An ITV movie dramatised from the stage play of the same name.

• Edward Petherbridge as Sherlock Holmes
• Brian Cox as Dr. Watson
• Susannah Harker as Irene St. Claire
• Clive Wood as Jonathan Small
• John Castle as Neville St. Claire
• Edward Fox as Major Ross
• Simon Callow as Inspector Lestrade

 

[Guajolote]

The Adventurer (20th Century Fox 1943)

with Basil Rathbone
also starring Brenda Marshall, Bob Bailey

With Sherlock Holmes' Final Adventure, Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes was apparently dead. Deader even than his literary forebear as Rathbone had been telling anyone who'd listen that he would never play Sherlock Holmes again. 20th Century Fox wanted more (and would eventually get it) but before that, a compromise was met to allow Rathbone to show some range and to effectively make a Sherlock Holmes film without Sherlock Holmes.

The Adventurer of the title was Sigerson, played by Rathbone in a more swashbuckling mode than he would play Holmes. The plot was arrant nonsense involving a search for an heiress with amnesia, but it was genial nonsense and Rathbone got to show off his fencing skills on the side of good for a change.

Eventually, Holmes would return to the screen in an adaptation of The Empty House that mercifully didn't kill off Billie Burke's Mrs Watson. The seventh and final installment would allow Gene Lockhart to show his acting skills as a truly loathsome Charles Augustus Milverton. But despite all that, many Sherlockians are grateful that Rathbone held out to allow this oddbal entry to the cinematic life of the great detective.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Sherlock Holmes: The Australian Casebook (2017-18)
An Australian TV series based on the 2017 short story anthology of the same name, featuring stories by Australia's foremost mystery fiction authors. The sixteen stories were adapted across two series between 2018 and 2019. The plot followed Holmes (Joel Jackson of Deadline Gallipoli and Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door), and Watson (Hugo Johnstone-Burt of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and San Andreas) as they travel to Australia to investigate a case, and become embroiled with numerous others as they travel across the country. A top supporting cast of many of the country's finest actors appeared throughout in guest roles, including Johnstone-Burt's Miss Fisher cast mates.

Main Cast:

• Joel Jackson as Sherlock Holmes
• Hugo Johnstone-Burt as Dr. John H. Watson

Guest cast:
Miriam Margolyes
David Wenham
John Wood
Lisa McCune
Sarah Snook
Phoebe Tonkin
Cameron Daddo
Gyton Grantley
Gary Sweet
Firass Dirani
Rhys Muldoon
Shane Jacobson
Aaron Pedersen
Matt Passmore
Matt Day
Richard Roxburgh
Essie Davis
Nathan Page
Ashleigh Cummings
Bryan Brown
Julian McMahon
Hugh Keays-Byrne

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula (1981)
A BBC TV film adapted from Loren D. Estleman's novel of the same name.

Sherlock Holmes: Robert Powell
Dr. John H. Watson: Timothy West
Count Dracula: Peter Wyngarde
Professor Van Helsing: Kevin Stoney
Thomas Parker: Michael Maloney
Mr Caffyn: Noel Howlett
Mary Watson: Theresa Streatfeild
Vampire: Frances Jeater
Inspector Lestrade: Nicholas Courtney
Mrs Barton: Katherine Parr
Ned Bridger: John Hollis

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes (1988-98)

A BBC series starring Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
(I'm going to elaborate on this later, when I've got the whole thing complete.)

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Holmes and Watson (2019)
An ITV film adapted from the stage play by Jeffrey Hatcher. Set post Reichenbach, the plot follows Dr. Watson (Matt Berry) travelling to a mental institution to meet with three patients (Michael Sheen, Alan Cumming, Robson Green) who each claim to be Sherlock Holmes.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Watson and Holmes (2020)
A HBO film adapted from the 2013 New Paradigm Studios comic book series of the same name. Brian Tyree Henry and Donald Glover play the title roles. The Film reinvents Holmes and Watson as African Americans working in present day Harlem.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002)
A BBC film adapted from Doyle's classic novel. Noted for it's marked faithfulness to the source material.

Richard E. Grant as Sherlock Holmes
Ian Hart as Doctor John Watson
Richard Roxburgh as Jack Stapleton
Matt Day as Sir Henry Baskerville
Alan Davies as Doctor James Mortimer
Neve McIntosh as Beryl Stapleton
Ron Cook as Mr. Barrymore
Liza Tarbuck as Mrs. Barrymore
John Nettles as Mr. Frankland
Nicola Walker as Laura Lyons

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Silk Stocking (2004)

Written by Allan Cubbitt
Directed by Simon Cellan Jones

A BBC/PBS co-production. Set in 1903, the plot follows Holmes as he does battle with a serial killer of young women. The film received a mixed reaction from critics and fans alike, although the performances of Pete Postlethwaite and Philip Jackson received praise. Recently Sherlockians have come to view the story either as an underrated cult classic, or an entertaining guilty pleasure.

• Pete Postlethwaite as Sherlock Holmes
• Philip Jackson as Dr. Watson
• James Bolam as Inspector Lestrade
• Anne Carroll as Mrs. Hudson
• Tamsin Egerton as Miranda Helhoughton
• Perdita Weeks as Roberta Massingham
• Jennifer Moule as Georgina Massingham
• Eleanor David as Mary Pentney
• John Cunningham as Bates
• Michael Fassbender as Charles Allen
• Jonathan Hyde as George Pentney
• Helen McCrory as Mrs. Jenny Vandeleur
• Julian Wadham as Hugo Massingham
• Penny Downey as Judith Massingham
• Nicholas Palliser as Dr. Dunwoody
• Guy Henry as Mr. Bilney
• Rachel Hurd-Wood as Imogen Helhoughton
• Kristine Kavanaugh as Lady Helhoughton

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

A French-British independent Horror-Mystery film written and directed by Gautier Cazenave. Set in 1898, the plot follows Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson as they travel to Germany to investigate a strange case in the village of Darmstadt near castle Frankenstein.

• Nicholas Rowe as Sherlock Holmes
• Alan Cox as Dr. John Watson
• Eric Godon as Johann Klein
• Shane Briant as Simon Helder
• John Lebar as The Creature
• Clement von Franckenstein as Baron Karl von Frankenstein
• Nicolas Robin as Clemens von Frankenstein
• Ben Syder as Georg von Frankenstein
• Rod Fielder as Xavier von Frankenstein
• Angèle Vivier as Christina Klein
• Stéphane Roquet as Fritz
• Adèle Cazenave as Maria
• Jean-Claude Mornard as Ziegler
• Stéphanie Campion as Mrs. Hudson

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Thought I'd revive this thread for a bit.

A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Adapted by Alexander Baron
Produced by Barry Letts
Score by Carl Davis

A BBC production reuniting Tom Baker with his former Doctor Who co-star Ian Marter, as they take on the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson respectively. Despite receiving a mixed reception from both fans and critics, the series has been noted for it's extraordinary faithfulness to the original canon, with Marter's Watson often being considered one of the closest to the character's original literary counterpart.

A serialised dramatisation of The Hound of the Baskervilles aired in 1982, followed by two further series based off the short stories. The programme was discontinued following the success of the Granada series.

Series One: (1982)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (Four episodes)

Series Two: (1983)
1. The Speckled Band
2. The Engineer's Thumb
3. The Beryl Coronet
4. The Copper Beeches
5. The Greek Interpreter
6. The Naval Treaty
7. Black Peter

Series Three: (1984)
1. Charles Augustus Milverton
2. The Abbey Grange
3. The Dying Detective
4. The Devil's Foot
5. The Problem of Thor Bridge
6. The Sussex Vampire
7. The Illustrious Client

 

[Guajolote]

This follows on from my post about The Adventurer.

Murder In Scarlet (20th Century Fox 1947)

Satisfied that nothing would make Basil Rathbone return to Sherlock Holmes, Fox decided to return the detective to first principles. Murder In Scarlet would show the first meeting between the great detective and his faithful biographer. Watson was made the identification character, dashingly handsome Brian Aherne giving the portrayal of a man returning from war to look for a role for himself richly resonant with the audience in 1947. Audiences didn't seem to mind that Holmes was absent for the first 20 minutes of the film. Once he does appear, he makes an immediate impact; 30-year-old Hans Conried giving us a young, dynamic and suitably waspish sleuth.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1933)
A Universal Pictures Production
Directed by James Whale
Written by R. C. Sherriff and Benn Levy
Adapted from the novel by Arthur Conan Doyle
Produced by Carl Laemmle Jr.
Music by Franz Waxman
Cinematography by Arthur Edeson

CAST:

• Sherlock Holmes (Colin Clive)
• Doctor John Watson (Edward Van Sloan)
• Beryl Stapleton (Gloria Stuart)
• Sir Henry Baskerville (Raymond Massey)
• Jack Stapleton (Dwight Frye)
• Sir Charles Baskerville (C. Aubrey Smith)
• Barrymore (Ernest Thesiger)
• Mrs Barrymore (Eva Moore)
• Doctor Mortimer (Miles Mander)
• Laura Lyons (Elsa Lanchester)
• Frankland (Lionel Belmore)
• Sir Hugo Baskerville (Dwight Frye credited as “Iliff Fry”, wearing heavy makeup by Jack Pierce)
• Selden (John Carradine, character rewritten as The Barrymores' nephew)

Yet another James Whale masterpiece, in which he reunited with many former collaborators to produce the definitive screen adaptation of Doyle's novel, and a further Universal horror classic. Spawned a brief series of sequels with Lionel Atwill replacing Clive as the great detective. Another set of sporadic installments were produced throughout the 40s, with Boris Karloff as an ageing Holmes, who is repeatedly pulled out of retirement to solve mysterious high profile mysteries. Karloff was a revelation in the role, and was wonderfully aided by Edmund Gwenn as Watson.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Loosely inspired by Larry Millett's Minnesota-set pastiches, but not directly adapted from them, for rights' reasons. Aired at Christmastime 2016, on the Hallmark channel as part of its Movies & Mysteries banner. Three sequels have inexplicably been produced, set throughout the US, and Canada.

Whilst holidaying in Minneapolis following a previous case, Holmes and Watson become embroiled in a series of strange murders: seemingly unconnected locals, of varying societal stature. How is it that the victims were left out in the freezing snow, yet the corpses remain warm and bone dry? And what is the significance of the murder weapons: a series of wooden stakes etched with rune symbols, and all produced from the exact same old elm tree?

The premise is intriguing, but don't get your hopes up. This being a Hallmark film, the writing is bland and the tone is inappropriately saccharine, with "Minneapolis" being typically portrayed by Vancouver, Canada. Nonetheless Geraint Wyn Davies makes a fine Watson, and Julian Richings (quite unnecessarily, given the lacklustre script) gives it his not-inconsiderable all as Holmes. Maybe he's just relishing his long overdue opportunity to be the lead.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

An adaptation of Stephen King's Holmesian pastiche for the TNT anthology series Nightmares & Dreamscapes, starring Bronson Pinchot as Holmes and Dean Stockwell as Watson.

Holmes and Watson are summoned to solve the mysterious locked-room murder of the cruel Lord Hull. But the investigation is complicated by the presence of the lord's several pet cats, incapacitating Holmes, who is allergic to felines. Soon Dr. Watson sees the light of the matter, and for once, solves the case before the great detective can.

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Misc. entries in the manner of the various films of the 1930s. e.g. The Sleeping Cardinal, Murder at the Baskervilles etc.

The Speckled Band (1931)
A Twickenham Studios Production
Adapted from the play by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Starrring Lyn Harding as Dr. Grimesby Rylott
with O. P. Heggie as Sherlock Holmes, Claude King as Dr. Watson and Angela Baddeley as Enid Stoner

Sherlock Holmes (1932)
A Paramount Pictures Production
Adapted from the play by William Gillette
Starrring John Barrymore as Sherlock Holmes
with Helen Chandler as Alice Faulkner, Ernest Thesiger as Professor Moriarty and Roland Young as Dr. Watson

Sherlock Holmes' Greatest Peril (1937)
Distributed by MGM
Adapted from the short story Charles Augustus Milverton by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Starrring Tod Slaughter as Charles Augustus Milverton
with Paul Cavanagh as Sherlock Holmes and Aubrey Mather as Dr. Watson

 

[WhovianHolmesianChap]

Moriarty (2002-2004)
(3 series, 18 episodes)
A BBC series
Created and co-written by Mark Gatiss
Based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A sumptuous, elegantly written series exploring the world of Victorian London, through the prism of the criminal underworld as organised by Professor James Moriarty, and featuring stalwarts of the Holmesian canon as supporting characters.

CAST:

• Professor James Moriarty (Christopher Lee): A celebrated mathematician, and kingpin of almost all crime in London. (Series 1-3)
• Colonel Sebastian Moran (Danny Webb): A decorated military veteran and sharpshooter, closely allied with Moriarty. (Series 1-3)
• Inspector Milton Forbes (Michael French): A cocky and arrogant Scotland Yard detective, intent on bringing down the Napoleon of Crime. (Series 1)
• Auguste Von Herder (Mark Gatiss): A blind German mechanic, who develops air guns for Moriarty. (Series 1-3)
• Mycroft Holmes (Rupert Vansittart): A mysterious and eccentric official for the British government, and Sherlock's older brother. (Series 1-3)
• Charles Augustus Milverton (Bernard Hepton): An unscrupulous blackmailer and rival of Moriarty, whose methods earn the disgust and wariness of the Professor. (Series 1-2)
• Sherlock Holmes (Paul Rhys): A brilliant consulting detective, with increasing interest in Moriarty's activities. (Series 2-3)
• Dr. John Watson (Roger Allam): Sherlock's biographer and former lodger, now a general practitioner. (Series 2-3)
• Irene Adler-Norton (Neve McIntosh): A former prima donna, and one of the few intellectual equals to the Professor, and the Holmeses. Recently widowed, she returns to London to aid a family friend who has become embroiled in the war between Moriarty and Holmes. (Series 3)
• Inspector George Lestrade (Ron Cook): An overzealous Scotland Yarder, and acquaintance of Holmes. (Series 3)
• Langdale Pike (Gary Waldhorn): A professional gossipmonger, and collector of sensitive information who tends to play both sides. (Series 3)
• Fred Porlock (Phil Davis): A minor employee of Moriarty, and whistleblower to Holmes. (Series 3)