Smile of the Day Friday November 20, 2020

Friday November 20, 2020 Smile of the Day: Sherlock Holmes

On this Day:

Sherlock Holmes first story, A Study in Scarlet is accepted by publisher Ward and Lock with payment of £25.

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a “consulting detective” in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard.

First appearing in print in 1887’s, the character’s popularity became widespread with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine; additional tales appeared from then until 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories. All but one are set in the Victorian or Edwardian eras, between about 1880 and 1914. Most are narrated by the character of Holmes’s friend and biographer Dr. John H. Watson, who usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of the stories begin.

By the 1990s there were already over 25,000 stage adaptations, films, television productions and publications featuring the detective, and Guinness World Records lists him as the most portrayed literary human character in film and television history. Holmes’s popularity and fame are such that many have believed him to be not a fictional character but a real individual; numerous literary and fan societies have been founded on this pretence. Avid readers of the Holmes stories helped create the modern practice of fandom. 

The character and stories have had a profound and lasting effect on mystery writing and popular culture as a whole, with the original tales as well as thousands written by authors other than Conan Doyle being adapted into stage and radio plays, television, films, video games, and other media for over one hundred years. (per Wikipedia).

I admit I am a huge fan. I was hooked on Sherlock early on, reading, rereading and “rerereading” his stories. I have done the pilgrimage to Baker Street in London looking (as so many other do) for the fictional address of 221B and stood, imagining being in his world. The BBC adaptation – a modern update starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs  – finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London. Not to be missed!

First, a Story:

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a series of short stories about crimes committed by landscapers. He collectively referred to them as *Holmes and Gardens*.

Second, a Song:

The theme music for the BBC Sherlock Holmes series is a very evocative and haunting piece.  This is the Sherlock Suite based on the Opening Theme, the Game is On and Who You Really Are performed by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra in a live concert. Enjoy!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoI8ltxk30g)

Thought for the Day:

“Isn’t it lovely to know that even the great Sherlock Holmes, the quirky and genius Sherlock Holmes, is vulnerable to love as we all are?” – Natalie Dormer

Cheers!

Have a great day!

Dave & Colleen

© 2020 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky