Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson

This series, produced and broadcast in 1979-80, is a remake of a 39-episode series from the same producer, Sheldon Reynolds, which was done in the early 1950's. Many of the episodes are repeats, and all are very well conceived and produced. The production was done in Poland, but some fine English actors were brought in, many of whom went on to have stellar careers. All of the acting is very well done.

The settings and costumes, however, are sensational. Apparently no expense was spared to fill the screen with authentic, interesting, and lovely period pieces. Time and again I was most charmed to see the palaces, the parks, the ballrooms, the props, and indeed everything that went in to make this show sparkle.

A special comment should go to the star: the brave actor who joined a long distinguished pantheon of Sherlocks. Mr Whitehead is an underplayer, much removed from the near-bombastic Jeremy Brett. His Holmes, in fact, takes some getting used to. But he is assured, masterful, and shows brilliance; and he provides an interesting take on our hero. Not my favorite, but an interesting one and he's a good story teller.

After searching for the series for several years, I found a German set, which includes some scenes tipped in in German even though I selected the English sound track. The explanation was that these were scenes which had never been broadcast in English before, though the series seems to have appeared in Britain in 1979-80. I assume that means it was also presented on German television, but I understand it disappeared for many years due to copyright issues.