The single “Sherlock Holmes” was released in 2008.

The Death of Sherlock Holmes

Amid the controversy that the new Sherlock Holmes movie depicts a character not in keeping with Sir Arthur Canon Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes, we look to Canon Doyle’s own words written in the Adventure of the Empty House. Here he has Holmes explain how he survived his great confrontation and battle with his nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

“When I reached the end I stood at bay. He drew no weapon, but he rushed at me and threw his long arms around me. He knew that his own game was up, and was only anxious to revenge himself upon me. We tottered together upon the brink of the fall. I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system of wrestling, which has more than once been very useful to me. I slipped through his grip, and he with a horrible scream kicked madly for a few seconds and clawed the air with both his hands. But for all his efforts he could not get his balance, and over he went. With my face over the brink I saw him fall for a long way. Then he struck a rock, bounced off, and splashed into the water.”

Although the spelling is slightly off, we know that Canon Doyle was referring to “bartitsu”, a form of self defense created by Edward William Barton-Wright.

Perhaps it is not so much that the new movie is not in keeping with Canon Doyle’s Holmes as it is that previous portrayals of the detective have down played his physical prowess and skill at the mixed martial art of bartitsu.

You can learn more about the history of Bartitsu: the Gentlemanly Art of Self Defense in this video created by the Bartitsu Society.

Sherlock Holmes Christmas Ornament

Look at this Sherlock Holmes Christmas ornament I found over at Café Press. I just love it!

I know it’s not in keeping with the 2009 images of Sherlock Holmes flooding the media right now in anticipation of the new movie’s release. But it is true to the historical figure created by Sir Arthur Canon Doyle. And as I’ve already stated, I am a long time fan of Sherlock Holmes so I find this depiction to my liking. I place it in the “traditional” category.

Café Press has many other Christmas ornaments celebrating Sherlock Holmes. Go ahead and check out the Sherlock Holmes ornaments for the Sherlock Holmes fan on your Christmas list…or for yourself!

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

I wonder if Jude Law ever thought back in 1991 when he played Joe Barnes in The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place that he would ever appear in another Sherlock Holmes work.

Here in San Diego, PBS broadcasts reruns of the Sherlock Holmes television series “The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes” starring Jeremy Brett. Last week they aired The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place which originally aired on March 7, 1991. This story is the last of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and is one of 12 stories in the cycle collected as The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes.

The story takes advantage of Watson’s love of gambling on horses to introduce the story’s characters. Holmes is approached by John Mason, a horse trainer who is worried about his employer’s recent strange behavior. His employer, Sir Robert Norberton, is under a lot of pressure to say the least. His estate, Shoscombe Hall, has come under the control of his sister’s brother-in-law, his creditors are going to ruin him if his prize horse, Shoscombe Prince, doesn’t win the Derby and his sister, Lady Beatrice, who kept him together body and soul with her own funds, has seemingly vanished following an argument with her brother, and Sir Robert has actually given away her favorite spaniel.

It is apparent to Holmes and Watson that Holmes and Watson that Sir Robert is hiding something. But leave it to this dynamic duo to figure out what is going on and to uncover the role that Joe Barnes/Jude Law plays in this mystery.