British writer Alan Barnes third edition of his original 2002 book is one of two fine works that will satisfy Sherlockians and film buffs in general.

Over the years, several fine books on Sherlock Holmes movies have been published. Among the most recent best is Barnes' Sherlock Holmes on Screen.

About the Author

Barnes has co-written books on Quentin Tarantino, James Bond, and Hammer Studio horror films. He is the former editor of both Doctor Who Magazine and Judge Dredd Magazine. His book on Hammer was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Non-Fiction in 1997.

Sherlock Holmes on Screen: The Complete Film and TV History

This 288 page book is an in-depth look at all the known theater and television films based on the character of Sherlock Holmes from the early days of the silents to present day. This even includes off-beat offerings such as Disney’s The Great Mouse Detective, Spielberg-produced Young Sherlock Holmes, and the two Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes featuring Data as the detective in pursuit of Moriarty.

Each of the “modern” (i.e. after 1928) synopses of the movies is usually divided into three sections: "The Mystery"; "The Investigation"; and, "The Solution." Barnes also includes, when possible, a list of cast and crew, and he provides interesting tidbits and details as well as his own comments on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each film.

For the several television series, such as Granada’s well received productions, he slightly varies his approach, treating the series as a whole rather than the individual episodes. Most notable is his treatment of the 1950s series starring the Ronald Howard, son of Leslie, as Sherlock Holmes. Maligned by most critics, Barnes is much kinder in his treatment of the young star and the stories.

The book also has several other nice features. Barnes does not center his book on Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, and Jeremy Brett – the three most known Sherlock Holmes players – but also devotes time to not so well known portrayers such as Roger Moore, Christopher Plummer, and John Neville. The book includes nearly 100 black and white illustrations, many of them never seen before. And, Barnes devotes a small section to the forever lost Detektivfilms, a series of German Holmes movies made between 1908 and 1921.

What Not to Like

Sherlock Holmes on Screen has a few minor drawbacks. The films are arranged alphabetically which may not be to everyone’s taste. Trying to find, for instance, Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes and The Spider Woman could be frustrating since it is listed under its actual name, Spider Woman.

Nor is there an index, only a chronology of the films and other important Holmesian dates. This is not at all helpful when the reader is looking for information on a specific actor or character.

Summary

Despite these minor “flaws,” this book is a “must have” for devoted fans of Sherlock Holmes. It is a nice complement to another recent Holmes film book, Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century of the Master Detective on Screen.

• Sherlock Holmes on Screen: The complete Film and TV History
• London: Reynolds & Hearn, April 2007 (3rd edition)
• ISBN: 1-905287-24-0
• U.S. $29.95