Influential Observer film critic C.A. Lejeune took time off from her day job to adapt six Sherlock Holmes stories for this BBC series – the first British television series featuring Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective.
The six plays were produced and broadcast live between 20 October and 1 December 1951, billed under their individual titles. The broadcasts were designed to tie in with the Festival of Britain celebrations and a Sherlock Holmes exhibition in Baker Street, London, during the summer.
Alan Wheatley – later the Sheriff of Nottingham in The Adventures of Robin Hood – played Sherlock Holmes with Raymond Francis as Dr Watson. Two other favourite characters, appearing in most of the stories, were Inspector Lestrade (Bill Owen) and Mrs Hudson the housekeeper (Iris Vandeleur).
Guests appearing in the six plays included John Le Mesurier, Sebastian Cabot, Geoffrey Chater and Sam Kydd.
Sherlock Holmes
Alan Wheatley Dr Watson
Raymond Francis Mrs Hudson
Iris Vandeleur Inspector Lestrade
Bill Owen PC Barker
Donald Kemp
Episodes
The Empty House | A Scandal in Bohemia | The Dying Detective | The Reigate Squires | The Red-Headed League | The Second Stain
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