Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes

On this Day:

In 1905 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle publishes “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” collection in London after public pressure to revive his famous detective.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a 1905 collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903–1904, by Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories were published in the Strand Magazine in Britain and Collier’s in the United States.

History

The book was first published in February 1905 by McClure, Phillips & Co. (New York), then on 7 March 1905 by Georges Newnes, Ltd. (London). It was the first Holmes collection since 1893, when Holmes had “died” in “The Final Problem”. Having published The Hound of the Baskervilles, set before Holmes’s “death”, in 1901–1902, Doyle had come under intense pressure to revive the character. The first story, set in 1894, has Holmes returning in London and explaining the period from 1891–1894. Also of note is Watson’s statement in the last story in the book that Holmes has retired and has forbidden him to publish any more stories (although again, two more collections and a novel appeared later) (per Wikipedia).

First, a Story:

Dr. Watson asks Sherlock Holmes’ accountant: “Why are Sherlock’s taxes always so low?”

His accountant replied: “Because Sherlock is a master of deduction…”

Second, a Song:

Sherlock is a British mystery crime drama television series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson. Thirteen episodes have been produced, with four three-part series airing from 2010 to 2017 and a special episode that aired on 1 January 2016. The series is set in the present day, while the one-off special features a Victorian period fantasy resembling the original Holmes stories. Sherlock is produced by the British network BBC, along with Hartswood Films, with Moffat, Gatiss, Sue Vertue and Rebecca Eaton serving as executive producers. The series is supported by the American station WGBH-TV Boston for its Masterpiece anthology series on PBS, where it also airs in the United States. The series is primarily filmed in Cardiff, Wales, with North Gower Street in London used for exterior shots of Holmes and Watson’s 221B Baker Street residence.

Sherlock has been praised for the quality of its writing, acting, and directing. It has been nominated for numerous awards including Emmys, BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, winning several awards across a variety of categories. The show won in three categories at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Cumberbatch, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Freeman and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special for Moffat. Two years later, it won Outstanding Television Movie. In addition, the show was also honoured with a Peabody Award in 2011. The third series became the UK’s most watched drama series since 2001. Sherlock has been sold to 180 territories.

All of the series have been released on DVD and Blu-ray, alongside tie-in editions of selected original Conan Doyle stories and an original soundtrack composed by David Arnold and Michael Price. In January 2014, the show launched its official mobile app called Sherlock: The Network.

Here is the trailer for the first episode of BBC’s “Sherlock” featuring the initial meeting of Sherlock Homes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman). I hope you enjoy this!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaT7IYQgyqo)

Thought for the Day:

“My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.” – Sherlock Holmes per Arthur Conan Doyle

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Have a great day!

Dave & Colleen

© 2021 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky

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