From the silent film Sherlock Holmes Baffled in 1903 to The Seven Per Cent Solution of 1976, Sherlock Holmes has occupied a special place in the history of the cinema. This is an illustrated study of his screen career, which includes a comprehensive filmography from the flickering silent movies to the stage and small screen, from serious thrillers to spoofs. It is also a study of the men who have portrayed Holmes - men such as Forrect Holger-Madsen who both directed and starred in five movies between 1908 and 1911; William Gillette, who also had great success with the character on stage; Eille Norwood who played the role in nearly fifty films; Basil Rathbone; Christopher Lee; and, of course, Peter Cushing.
With detailed reference to, and analysis of, individual films, David Stuart Davies charts the fate of the renowned detective, his companion, Dr Watson, and his arch enemy, Moriarty, in the hands of various directors and scriptwriters. He also explores the ways in which directors have tried to make Holmes acceptable to the audiences of the day; patriotic homilies during World War II and affectionate parody from Billy Wilder in the present day. He shows the impact that the relaxation of censorship and the creation of James Bond, the hero to end all heroes, has had on Sherlock Holmes as a viable box office proposition. But Holmes remains a fixed point in our changing age, he will always be with us.