1182 replies to this topic

[marktmurphy]

Hmm. Doesn't really work, does it? There's no such thing as an 'official' Holmes story anymore. Anyone can write one and they do: just putting 'official' on the front doesn't make it any more interesting to anyone.

There's more exciting things going on in the world of Holmes than that: seems a very odd time to be doing it.

[terminus]

Agreed, Mark - very odd indeed.

I can't see that it would make the same amount of money or get the same amount of press as either the Young Sherlock novels or Carte Blanche.

[jwheels]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but I got one of these for Christmas, thought I'd share.

http://www.mcphee.co...ion-Figure.html

[Brisco]

Agreed, Mark - very odd indeed.

I can't see that it would make the same amount of money or get the same amount of press as either the Young Sherlock novels or Carte Blanche.

It certainly is odd. But I'm not sure about the press. I first read about it on the front page of Yahoo, so someone thought it was newsworthy. If they ride the coattails of the next Downy Jr. movie, they might get noticed.

But the real thing here is Horowitz! I'm very excited to read a Sherlock Holmes story by him. I like the Alex Rider novels, but I LOVE Foyle's War! Anyone who can create a show like that is a good choice for Sherlock Holmes! So I am more excited about this than I am about the plethora of unauthorized Holmes pastiches that come out every year - but that's really because of the writer and not the offical stamp of approval.

And that official stamp thing puzzles me too. This it he first? Really? Because I thought that Caleb Carr novel a few years ago (The Italian Secretary?) was officially authorized and even commissioned?

[terminus]

It certainly is odd. But I'm not sure about the press. I first read about it on the front page of Yahoo, so someone thought it was newsworthy. If they ride the coattails of the next Downy Jr. movie, they might get noticed.

But the real thing here is Horowitz! I'm very excited to read a Sherlock Holmes story by him. I like the Alex Rider novels, but I LOVE Foyle's War! Anyone who can create a show like that is a good choice for Sherlock Holmes! So I am more excited about this than I am about the plethora of unauthorized Holmes pastiches that come out every year - but that's really because of the writer and not the offical stamp of approval.

And that official stamp thing puzzles me too. This it he first? Really? Because I thought that Caleb Carr novel a few years ago (The Italian Secretary?) was officially authorized and even commissioned?

True - forgot about SH2 coming out at the end of the year, if they ride its coattaails, they could get some notice. Apart from reading about it on here, I've not seen information on it anywhere else - but I don't go on the Yahoo site so that might be why. I agree he's an excellent choice for the project, with Foyle's War and Alex Rider under his belt - especially Foyle's War which, at times, has elements of Sherlock Holmes Lite.

Although my knowledge of the Italian Secretary is minimal, I believe it was approved of, but not officially recognised. There must be a fine line between the two approaches. It's the difference, I suppose, between all of the Peter Pan books published in America, and the official sequel Peter Pan in Scarlett that came out a few years ago (which was reportedly done to renew the UK copyright on the Pan novels by Great Ormond St who own the rights - perhaps something similar has been done here? Is the Holmes UK copyright about to run out? I know it's a public domain affair in America.).

[Brisco]

It's the difference, I suppose, between all of the Peter Pan books published in America, and the official sequel Peter Pan in Scarlett that came out a few years ago (which was reportedly done to renew the UK copyright on the Pan novels by Great Ormond St who own the rights - perhaps something similar has been done here? Is the Holmes UK copyright about to run out? I know it's a public domain affair in America.).

Oh, I think you've hit on something there! I don't know the ins and outs of UK copyright law, but I bet you're right. That would certainly explain why the estate would suddenly commission an official continuation after decades of never doing so. A very Holmsian deduction, sir!

[marktmurphy]

I think it might actually be the other way around: I believe in the UK it's public domain and as many pastiches are published as anyone wants; in the US Holmes is under copyright until 2023 when Casebook becomes public domain- all pastiches there have to be authorized by the Doyle estate, unlike here (for example the recent Holmes audio plays were barred from being sold in the US originally).
So if they're doing it to renew the copyright, it'd more likely be for the US as they seem to have already lost the UK one. If it's for the US, Horowitz seems a slightly odd choice- not a massive name there. Were Young Holmes not Doyle-approved?

Ah, here we go; it seems Terminus was onto something but had it the wrong way around:

It was because of the copyright issue that the idea of a series of Young Sherlock novels was first mooted. Lane explains that, with the US copyright due to expire, the estate and the family (descendants of Conan Doyle’s brother) feared “a flood of Sherlock Holmes stories”. Thus they started to think about how they could establish a series of authorised works to protect the brand.

[terminus]

I think it might actually be the other way around: I believe in the UK it's public domain and as many pastiches are published as anyone wants; in the US Holmes is under copyright until 2023 when Casebook becomes public domain- all pastiches there have to be authorized by the Doyle estate, unlike here (for example the recent Holmes audio plays were barred from being sold in the US originally).
So if they're doing it to renew the copyright, it'd more likely be for the US as they seem to have already lost the UK one. If it's for the US, Horowitz seems a slightly odd choice- not a massive name there. Were Young Holmes not Doyle-approved?

You're right - a cursory search dug this up: http://www.sherlocki.../copyright.html


EDIT: Seems you posted whilst I was posting

[quantumofsolace]

The Guy Richie film sequel ,to be released in December, now has a title.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Edited by quantumofsolace, 16 February 2011 - 02:02 AM.

[marktmurphy]

Very generic title: sounds like a computer game.

[zencat]

The Guy Richie film sequel ,to be released in December, now has a title.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Don't love it.

[Tybre]

I think it might actually be the other way around: I believe in the UK it's public domain and as many pastiches are published as anyone wants; in the US Holmes is under copyright until 2023 when Casebook becomes public domain- all pastiches there have to be authorized by the Doyle estate, unlike here (for example the recent Holmes audio plays were barred from being sold in the US originally).
So if they're doing it to renew the copyright, it'd more likely be for the US as they seem to have already lost the UK one. If it's for the US, Horowitz seems a slightly odd choice- not a massive name there. Were Young Holmes not Doyle-approved?

Ah, here we go; it seems Terminus was onto something but had it the wrong way around:

It was because of the copyright issue that the idea of a series of Young Sherlock novels was first mooted. Lane explains that, with the US copyright due to expire, the estate and the family (descendants of Conan Doyle’s brother) feared “a flood of Sherlock Holmes stories”. Thus they started to think about how they could establish a series of authorised works to protect the brand.

That's interesting. Holmes and Watson always seem to be treated like public domain characters across media. There have even been plenty of non-canonical Holmes stories, many of them written by Americans and published in the States with seemingly no word from Doyle's estate. And they always seem to crop up in cartoons and whatnot. Really would've thought it was the UK that it was still under copyright. Suppose they always could just use the name Herlock Sholmes...

The Guy Richie film sequel ,to be released in December, now has a title.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

Rather bland, that.

[zencat]

Some details of Anthony Horowitz's Holmes novel, including the title, The House of Silk.

http://www.u.tv/News...58-3b2c6ac8a433

[Brian Flagg]

Farewell, Edward Hardwicke.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...t-arts-13440207

[zencat]

Sad news. He was a great Watson and fine actor.

[TheREAL008]

In happier news:

http://www.guardian....ma-award-baftas

[Dustin]

Loved Sherlock, great fun really!

[killkenny kid]

In happier news:

http://www.guardian....ma-award-baftas

Great news, indeed.

[terminus]

Just adding the Song of Ice and Fire books to my Amazon wishlist and noticed it says Black Ice is in stock and shipping - not ordered my copy yet as this months book allocation is/was Carte Blanche, but am looking forward to reading it.

[Stainless Steel Teeth INC]

Why Batman hates Sherlock Holmes;

[00Twelve]

I'm proud to be able to say I'm becoming a Sherlockian in my adult years...it was all over my house growing up but I never could seem to give two s about late nineteenth century English detective stories. The Downey movie proved fun (if, as I now know, impure to the point of sacrilege among the opinions of the hardcore crowd), and I only just discovered the Cumberbatch/Freeman show about a month ago on that glorious service known as Netflix.

Now, that adaptation of Holmes is absolutely fantastic to a casual, growing fan such as myself, someone weary of network television procedurals that have been nothing but Holmes derivatives for years (save Law & Order, modeled strictly after Dragnet). It helps to be a big fan of Freeman as well. Can't wait to see the adaptations of Bohemia, Baskervilles and Final Problem this fall.

The brevity of the new program left me craving, and so I turned to the program that was always (always) on in my home, the brilliant Granada series. I'd seen little bits and pieces of Brett but had never paid much attention as a kid, but now I'm seeing just how brilliant he was (and how badly I'd like to have seen his take on Bond in the early 70s), and I'm all the more saddened by his passing when I was a teenager. I'm in the middle of a great binge at the moment, watching the "Return" series and just having finished "The Musgrave Ritual." I feel spoiled, like no other screen adaptations are going to measure up to Granada.

Funny, and a bit like my early interest in Bond, I haven't actually cracked into the true Holmes, the actual written work. But I will, be patient!

Anyway, excited to be a member of the community.

[Brisco]

I'm proud to be able to say I'm becoming a Sherlockian in my adult years...it was all over my house growing up but I never could seem to give two s about late nineteenth century English detective stories. The Downey movie proved fun (if, as I now know, impure to the point of sacrilege among the opinions of the hardcore crowd), and I only just discovered the Cumberbatch/Freeman show about a month ago on that glorious service known as Netflix.

Now, that adaptation of Holmes is absolutely fantastic to a casual, growing fan such as myself, someone weary of network television procedurals that have been nothing but Holmes derivatives for years (save Law & Order, modeled strictly after Dragnet). It helps to be a big fan of Freeman as well. Can't wait to see the adaptations of Bohemia, Baskervilles and Final Problem this fall.

The brevity of the new program left me craving, and so I turned to the program that was always (always) on in my home, the brilliant Granada series. I'd seen little bits and pieces of Brett but had never paid much attention as a kid, but now I'm seeing just how brilliant he was (and how badly I'd like to have seen his take on Bond in the early 70s), and I'm all the more saddened by his passing when I was a teenager. I'm in the middle of a great binge at the moment, watching the "Return" series and just having finished "The Musgrave Ritual." I feel spoiled, like no other screen adaptations are going to measure up to Granada.

Funny, and a bit like my early interest in Bond, I haven't actually cracked into the true Holmes, the actual written work. But I will, be patient!

Anyway, excited to be a member of the community.

Cool! Welcome to the fold!

You're in luck, because despite being amazing, the Brett series is far from the be all and end all of Holmes adaptations. Personally, I find just as much to love in the Basil Rathbone movies, even if they're far from faithful. But the one series that has become my very favorite adaptation ever (an opinion shared by some others here who first inspired me to finally track it down) is the Russian series. It's hard to come by, but definitely worth the hunt! No need to rush though as you're starting out. The Bretts and Cumberbatches are both great places to start. Have fun plunging into the rest of the world of Holmes on screen!

[TheREAL008]

Loving that Sherlock/Batman cartoon.

DC and alot of Bat-fanboys need a reality check. Sherlock remains the world's greatest detective.

Dear BBC, more Sherlock episodes please?

[zencat]

Are we excited about the new "official" Holmes novel by Anthony Horowitz? Cover is nothing special, but...could be good.

http://www.amazon.co...duct/0316196991

[Dustin]

I found Horowiz understood Fleming's appeal and translated it to the needs and tastes of a young readership very well. If he can do a similar performance with Holmes his new book could be a pleasant surprise for the Holmes aficionado. I'll surely check it out within the year.

[marktmurphy]

Dear BBC, more Sherlock episodes please?

They're filming 'em right now; patience! 'Hounds' is done (with Russell Tovey as Sir Henry Baskerville), the other two are on their way! Well, you'll have to wait until next year now, but be patient all the same!

[00Twelve]

Dear BBC, more Sherlock episodes please?

They're filming 'em right now; patience! 'Hounds' is done (with Russell Tovey as Sir Henry Baskerville), the other two are on their way! Well, you'll have to wait until next year now, but be patient all the same!

Really? I had been hoping they'd be ready by late fall.

After the scene in the pool, I'm dying to see the Final Problem episode.

[Vauxhall]

[Royal Dalton]

Sherlock Holmes: The Stubble Years.

[quantumofsolace]

There's also a new Watson poster.

http://www.empireonl...n=&gallery=3284

Edited by quantumofsolace, 12 July 2011 - 01:07 AM.