This post is part of the Billy Wilder 2nd Annual Blogathon hosted by Kellie of Outspoken and Freckled and Aurora of Once Upon a Screen. Tnx Ladies!
“Criminals are as unpredictable as head colds. You never know when you’re going to catch one. ” – Holmes
Number of Times Seen – 1 (17 Jun 2015)
Brief Synopsis – A satirical telling of the stories of Sherlock Holmes we never heard about
My Take on it – Most of us have grown up on the tales of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
This movie is a parody of those stories and of the life of the famed detective.
Writer/Director Billy Wilder along with writing partner I.A.L. Diamond do a wonderful job parodying the Holmes adventures and one doesn’t need to be familiar with all of Homes stories to get a chuckle from it.
The movie is basically a series of short scenes strung together to make a full length story and it is done is an extremely funny way.
The cast is basically filled with unknowns, but Christopher Lee and Clive Revill both have parts in it. Supposedly, Wilder didn’t want to cast famous actors in order to make it feel more real.
Bottom Line – Wilder does a wonderful job parodying the life and adventures of the greatest detective ever. The jokes are spot on and you don’t even need to know that much about Holmes in order to find it funny. The movie is a series of vignettes that are threaded together in a very fun way. Recommended!
MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – By the time of filming, Christopher Lee had become famous as Count Dracula; when he and Billy Wilder walked on the shores of Loch Ness at dusk, with bats circling overhead, Wilder said to him, ‘You must feel quite at home here.’ (From IMDB)
Rating – Globe Worthy (7/10)
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Loved the trivia, a great moment between Wilder and Lee!
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Tnx Summer! Appreciate the comment!
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Must take a look at this one again soon, Rob! Thanks for the reminder of what a fun film it is.
Aurora
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Tnx Aurora. Appreciate u guys letting me participate!
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I’ve seen it several times and have enjoyed it all the time. Good job on detailing it!! I had heard that trivia story – I think Lee himself told it because he said that it was the only time during filming that Wilder made any reference to Lee’s being a horror movie star! You’ll enjoy the movie if you see it a second time!
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Tnx Jeff!
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Look forward to watching this – love the idea that Wilder was preoccupied with Holmes. Make you realise that, although things seem to change, the power of certain characters and stories remains (even as a parody!)
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Very true vicky! Tnx for stopping by and commenting!
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This sounds really intriguing. Holmes would be a good subject in Wilder’s hands.
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It is. Tnx for stopping by and commenting!
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I’ve never seen this version of Sherlock Holmes, but after reading your review I will have to check it out. Thanks
I would also like to invite you to participate in my upcoming blogathon. The link is below with more details
https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/in-the-good-old-days-of-classic-hollywood-presents-the-barrymore-trilogy-blogathon/
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Ill check it out. Tnx!
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No problems. Let me know once you decide on a topic, so I can add you to the roster.
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Will do!
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This one is an absolute jewel.
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Yep. Quite clever. Tnx for stopping by and commenting!
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You bet, and I love your blog. ‘o)
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Tnx. Feel free to come by and comment whenever u can! 😉
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Thank you, I will. :O)
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