"The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" (1971) TV series

Writers:

Alexander Baron (writer)
Reginald Collin (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

20 September 1971 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

This British TV series, shot almost entirely on videotape, dramatized short mystery fiction by authors...

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Paul Whitsun-Jones	...	Fat man / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
John Gatrell	...	Jeweller / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Susanna East	...	Girl (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Barry Ashton	...	Buller's bank clerk / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
James Cairncross	...	Briggs / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Michael Cashman	...	Assistant Purser Robbins / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
John Dawson	...	Insp. Fullalove / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Edward Dentith	...	Sir Edward Markham / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Joe Dunlop	...	Policeman Oates / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Robert Hartley	...	Doctor / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Cyd Hayman	...	Laura Stanley / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Charles Lloyd Pack	...	Mr. Neal / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
John Nettleton	...	Admiral Christador / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Clifford Parrish	...	Dr. Ewing / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Maurice Quick	...	Bailiff / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Derek Smith	...	Henry Jacobs / ... (2 episodes, 1971-1973)
Petronella Barker	...	Miss Parrot (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Barkworth	...	Martin Hewitt (2 episodes, 1971)
Kenneth Colley	...	Farrish (2 episodes, 1971)
Ronald Hines	...	Jonathan Pride / ... (2 episodes, 1971)
Peter Vaughan	...	Horace Dorrington (2 episodes, 1971)
Douglas Wilmer	...	Prof, Van Dusen / ... (2 episodes, 1973)

Runtime:

UK:50 min (26 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Pearson Television International

These are really good - and now on DVD!

It is so easy to look back and say we had higher standards of television years ago but this series goes a long way to proving the point. When they were originally broadcast these programmes went out at 9.00 on Monday evening following a current affairs documentary "World In Action" - very often a controversial and downright bloody-minded look at national and international politics. In the same slots today we have a half-hour soap opera followed by a series about a PA in a supermarket chain, coping with her employer relocating its head office.

These programmes are literate and don't betray their literary origins. The scripts are full of period flavour, take their time to develop plot and character, and give the actors plenty to work with. And what actors: John Neville, Robert Stephens, Peter Barkworth and Peter Vaughan to name a few of the leads; character actors of the quality of Terence Rigby and George A. Cooper turn up in supporting roles.

The production values are very high, too, with richly decorated Victorian settings. The BBC has always set the benchmark for period drama in the UK but Thames gave them a run for their money here and were rewarded with a Best Design BAFTA in 1972.

If you enjoy period detective work but you are suffering from Holmes fatigue you could do far worse than invest in these for your DVD player - theowinthrop, please note!