The private life of Sherlock Holmes

**Sylvain Descoteaux** · 22nd March 2003, 07:55 AM

I have just read a wonderful news that one of my favourite Christopher Lee movie will finally be released on DVD in a few months.
The film is Billy Wilder's "The private life of Sherlock holmes".

You can read about it :

Here

Sylvain

Anne Ikonen · 22nd March 2003, 12:02 PM

This is a great news!Thanks for this information,Sylvain D!

**Charles Prepolec** · 22nd March 2003, 04:55 PM

At long last...PLOSH on DVD. This news has made my day!

Cheers!

**Charles Prepolec** · 22nd March 2003, 10:41 PM

The PLOSH release info reminds me that we've heard nothing further about Mr. Lee re-dubbing the audio for a new DVD release of Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace. Any word about that project?

Cheers!

Juan Aneiros · 23rd March 2003, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Any word about that project?

Mr Lee has decided that all the other voices need dubbing too. Most of his actor friends live abroad and are currently busy filming, just like him. As it was the case with John Rhys-Davies and Roger Moore's DVD introductions, he has to wait until they are in the country to try and have all the other voices dubbed. That will take time and he is in no rush in having it released just yet, specially when volume I of "The Making of a Legend" needs to come out next month and he must find time for promoting it.

It would be a shame to have a release with just have his voice dubbed so I think is best to wait until all the others are complete.

**Charles Prepolec** · 23rd March 2003, 04:11 AM

Thanks Juan. Just fishing for Sherlock Holmes news as always

You'd think I'd have enough on my plate...what with the DVD release of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and the previously mentioned possible Moriarty role in the Harry Alan Towers/Malcolm McDowell/Sherlock Holmes project. ;)

Cheers!

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 23rd March 2003, 06:03 PM

I cant wait to see this film. Mr. Lee always talks very highly of it and of its director, the late Billy Wilder

**Charles Prepolec** · 10th July 2003, 04:31 AM

Just thought I'd drag this thread up again as the DVD release of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is less than one week away.

I gather from other sources that Play.com in the UK shipped pre-orders earlier this week, as a result I've seen a few customer reviews that are quite pleased with the film's presentation. Having never gone down the laser disc road it'll be nice to have whatever material still exists on the long missing scenes. Looking forward to Tuesday!

Cheers!

**Dave Hutchens** · 27th July 2003, 07:05 AM

Ahhhhh...what a beautiful film. Got the DVD a few days ago, and watched it last night for the very first time.

This is absolutely required viewing. Not just a great movie, but unquestionably one of Mr. Lee's finest performances as Mycroft. I can't believe I've gone all these without ever seeing this. Just superb!

**Charles Prepolec** · 27th July 2003, 07:05 PM

As it happens, I too watched the film on the new DVD last night (I've been waiting for the perfect time to watch this without interruption) and concur. Having never seen the widescreen print before, the film looked better than I've ever seen it. My God but Billy Wilder could frame a shot! The Baker Street rooms looked palatial and the street exterior simply stunning. A breathtakingly gorgeous film, even if the print wasn't exactly pristine. A tad on the soft side at times with some odd glare on occasion, but still a huge improvement over any print that I've seen before. Loved it.

Forgot just how amusing Irene Handl was as Mrs. Hudson...

The handling of the missing material in the extras was fascinating. Having never purchased or even rented the laser disc release with this material, the DVD extras were worth the price of purchase on their own. Some wonderfully funny sequences that now more than ever make me wish that a complete print of this film could be found. Ah well...if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Cheers!

**Dave Hutchens** · 28th July 2003, 12:53 AM

Perhaps you'd know, Charles, why this film has been so difficult to catch all these years?

I've never seen it on broadcast TV, never found it on tape...was it tied-up in some sort of legal issues for an extended time?

In any event, now that it's out on DVD, I can't stress enough what a delight it is. My favorite Holmes movie, now. My only quibble, Colin Blakely seemed a tad over-the-top to me, now and again, as Dr. Watson. The definitve Watson in my humble opinion will always be Andre Morell.

LOVED Robert Stephens, though, and as previously stated, Mr. Lee's Mycroft stands among his very best work. Just brilliant.

**Charles Prepolec** · 28th July 2003, 06:13 AM

Dave,
I've no idea why The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is rarely shown on television, come to think of it, I hadn't noticed that fact until you mentioned it (I rarely watch films on broadcast TV as I can't stand the editing) but you are right, it doesn't often get a broadcast screening.

Why you haven't found it on videotape however is something of an anomaly to me, as it has been readily available for some time in NTSC VHS format, most recently as part of MGM's Contemporary Classics series and prior to that as a Key Video release.

Yes, Blakely did at times verge on something of an OTT performance, but it somehow fit the nature of the film. Blakely's somewhat over-exuberant Watson made a good foil to the rather languid and sexually ambivalent Holmes of Robert Stephens. The fact that both actors managed to be convincing without drifting into hopeless parody is another accolade to the genius that was Billy Wilder. It is a very special film amongst the more than 100 Holmes films that have been made since about 1900.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed it!

Cheers!

**Dave Hutchens** · 28th July 2003, 06:55 AM

Regarding Blakely, I think it'd be fair to say that his Watson works solely in the pairing with Robert Stephens. I agree, they do work very well together. However, judged solely as one in the long line of Watsons, I've preferred others -- particularly Andre Morell.

How does Stephens rank in your favorites, by the way?

**Don Boycik** · 28th July 2003, 10:14 AM

does anyone hear have TCM or Turner Classic Movies? same channel though! well i only ask cuz that's the only place i've seen them air THE PRIVEATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES! every once in
a while they will air it. although if it's letterboxed i can't remember if it is or not? it's been a few years since i last saw it. i've only had the pleasure of seeiing it only once! an i think they've aired it on AMC a few times 2. not recently though. AMC sux's anymore anywys so i don't really watch it anymore do u?