Page 53 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136
P. 53
www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #136 May 2024 53
In Reel Time
Dubble Trouble
By Nikolai Adams him as a rather difficult and quite
argumentative man is very much in
keeping with the original writings
t is hard to believe that the great
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Paired
IChristopher Lee, who put his
with his loyal friend Dr. Watson,
stamp on nearly all things British
played by Thorley Walters, his
cinema over his seventy-one year
vision is very much akin to Nigel
career (featuring a whopping
Bruce’s iconic version of the
286 screen credits), only donned
doctor – always bumbling his way
the tweed suit, frock-coat, and
around and utterly impressed by
deerstalker hat once (all whilst
every single manoeuver his much
smoking a pipe) for the silver screen Photo Submitted
more deductive pal makes. It is
(though he did also play the titular
worth noting that Walters would
Sherlock Holmes in two television
go on to play Watson three more
movies). Released in 1962 under
times – each with a different actor
the title Sherlock Holmes and the great detective a warning to avoid traps must also be mentioned, for
playing Holmes (Peter Jeffrey,
Deadly Necklace, just to make it all Moriarty – as his record is clean). even Indiana Jones might struggle
Douglas Wilmer, and Christopher
a little more confounding, this film With people continuously ending with some of them, if you catch my
Plummer).
was a West German, French, and up dead (including one of Holmes’ drift.
Italian co-production shot mostly Directed by Hammer regular street spies) by way of similar Though by no means the ultimate
in Berlin (though some location Terence Fisher, and written by icon handleless knives, this one is adventure for the great detective
shooting was done in Ireland and Curt Siodmak (who penned one of personal. . . and in Holmes’ eyes, it
England). . . how in the world was horrors greatest monsters – The can only lead to Moriarty. (there are definitely some flaws
Lee never cast in a British made Wolf Man), this mostly original tale A rich tale of crime, drama, and in the story – which was rewritten
production? (with just some small ties to “The foremost mystery, Lee and Walters along the way), Sherlock Holmes
Valley of Fear”) finds Holmes and and the Deadly Necklace is a
The other head scratcher here, shine as the famed duo. With rich worthwhile addition to the canon.
and arguably the biggest flaw of Watson investigating the former’s chemistry, they attempt to foil the It allows us to ask many a ‘what
the movie, is that the production longtime nemesis, Prof. Moriarty evil mastermind, with Holmes if?’ – including what could have
team failed to use Christopher (Hans Söhnker), who seems to frequently only armed with the been if Lee were cast in a higher
Lee’s voice in either the German have the knack for finding ancient London Times – a bit of a play on budgeted Holmesian production in
or English tracks (instead dubbed Egyptian antiquities at rock bottom the pen is mightier than the sword either the U.S. or U.K. And, despite
by someone with a voice that pales prices. The snake oil salesman (though I will say, there is quite
in comparison), especially strange of sorts will bribe, blackmail, or the dart scene as well). Featuring losing his voice for another, there is
when you realize that the actor murder to get what he wants. . . a number of harrowing set pieces no denying Lee embodies the role.
spoke flawless German as well. It in this case, Cleopatra’s necklace – including an estate murder Lastly, it is worth noting that there
is said that Lee was not pleased stored in its original bejeweled mystery (check out the beautiful is a rather unique and somehow
upon finding out that he had been case (one of the greatest artifacts cinematography) and a high stakes fitting jazz score written by Martin
dubbed. The only other issue is ever recovered). robbery that includes vehicles Slavin that backs this picture. So
that Lee wore a fake nose for the With Moriarty charming Inspector delivering the Cleopatra necklace mistrust Moriarty, not this film,
character – and it stands out a bit Cooper (Hans Nielsen) and others while people move through the and bid on this mystery infused
too much. at Scotland Yard, it is up to Holmes sewers to steal it, there is definitely adventure, I bet you’ll enjoy it.
to track and trap the mastermind quite a bit of ambition throughout,
Despite this, Lee is a rather This film is in German with
outside of the purview of the
impressive Holmes – his imposing while moments of levity only add English subtitles, but can also be
police (in fact, they’ve given the
height, along with portraying to the piece. Moriarty’s wily booby watched in dubbed English
