News - No Place Like Holmes

No Place Like Holmes

Sherlock Homie..the character played by a character.

30/10/2013

Today we have an unusual new entry into the misc section of the Howard Ostrom Collection Holmes and Watson Autograph Collection today in an indirect way with Tracy Jamal Morgan.

Morgan, an American actor and comedian best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and as Tracy Jordan in the NBC TV series ‘30 Rock’.

And it was during his time in the long running comedy show where our connection takes place. Morgans character Tracy Jordan was an actor whose credits included the title role in "Sherlock Homie" . The poster for the fictional movie was displayed prominently within his dressing room and depicted Jordan in deer stalker, pipe and with magnifying glass ...observing a woman's bottom.

One can imagine what Sherlock Holmes might have made of that!

With thanks to James O'leary for bringing this hidden Holmes to light.

Even a Python and a Ghostbuster...

28/10/2013

A fascinating new addition in the television section of the Howard Ostrom Holmes and Watson Autograph Collection today in the form of Michael Palin and Dan Aykroyd.

This unusual pairing saw the light of day in "The Forgotten Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes" - a 1978 sketch from Saturday Night Live on NBC.

In the near nine minute sketch ‘ a coked-up Sherlock Holmes (Palin) has trouble staying focused on his various cases and instead lives his life as a paranoid detective who can become agitated at the slightest things. They were joined by Jane Curtin playing the role of a maid.

If the idea of the Ghostbuster legend and Python funny man spoofing around as our favourite detective and doctor intrigues you then fear not as Howards amazing deduction powers have also been able to track down a video source just for your enjoyment which can be viewed on the link below.

SNL SKETCH - The Forgotten Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes -

Once Upon A Time Part One

27/10/2013

Today we have part one of the latest NPLH Episode "Once Upon A Time" the 2nd of the 4th Series.

Having now stumbled across Moriarty diaries Madeline Chambers reads a tale from 1889 concerning Sherlock Holmes, a sticky situation and a fairy tale inspired crime.

For optimal viewing remember to change youtube settings to HD.

Holmes In Time For Christmas Kindle Edition Now Available.

26/10/2013

My feature length novel "Holmes In Time For Christmas" is now available in Kindle format from Amazon for you E-Book readers at the reduced price of 5.99

The book is adapted from the 2010 Episode of the same name.

"Sherlock Holmes has spoken little on the events following his fall and 'death' at the Reichenbach falls, his miraculous return has always been shrouded deep in mystery .Only the scantest of details has ever been told even to his closest friend Doctor Watson. That is until one fateful Christmas day when Holmes receives a letter which prompts him to finally open up and enlighten his friend on one of the most harrowing and twisted cases he has ever investigated whilst working under the alias of Norwegian Explorer Sigerson during the Christmas of 1893. Reluctantly teaming with his elder slothful brother Mycroft and forming the most unlikely of alliances with 'The Woman' Irene Adler the trio set out to halt a spate of seasonal themed killings that have left a sleepy Sussex village with a fear of the festivities. But will the combined intelligence of the Holmes Brothers and the resourceful Woman be enough to track down the killer and prevent any more killings indeed in time for Christmas?"

E Book Link
Paper Back Link

Once Upon A Time Release Schedule

25/10/2013

The release schedule for the 2nd Episode of the 4th NPLH Series "Once Upon A Time" is as follows.

PART ONE - SUNDAY OCT 27th
PART TWO - SUNDAY NOV 3rd

Voices In Darkness Part 4

24/10/2013

Due to the popular reception of Howard Ostrom and Ray Wilcockson's essay series "Voices In Darkness" they have decided to put together a 4th installment.

The series takes a look at the African-American Sherlock Holmes progression, history and future.

Click the link below to view the essay.

part_four_afro-american_holmes.pdf
File Size:	380 kb
File Type:	pdf

New Stage Sherlock Signings

23/10/2013

Today we have a new entry in the Howard Ostrom Collection Stage Section.

Jacob Dickey (Sherlock Holmes) and Jesse Siak (Dr. Watson) from the play "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" performed at the Dock Street Theatre in Charlton S.C (2013).

The great man Howard Ostrom himself attended this one personally and his thoughts were as follows

"The best description of the play's plot I can give is that you take the William Gillette play "Sherlock Holmes'' and you add the stories "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Final Problem", plus every Holmesian cliche known to man, together in a large mixing bowl, bake for two hours, and then add just a smidgen of "The Empty House" to finish it off, and presto you have The Final Adventure. Alice Faulkner is replaced by Irene Adler, while Moriarty, Sid Prince, and the Larabees are all along for the enjoyable ride. Scenes include the Stepney Gasworks and The Reichenbach Falls. The Charleston Ensemble did a nice job with the play."

The play is still running till November 3rd at The Dock Theatre and interested theatre goers can learn more by visiting the website here.

For more Holmes and Watson's of the Stage be sure to check out the rest of the Howard Ostrom Collection Stage Page.

"Once Upon A Time" Trailer

22/10/2013

Today we have a trailer for the next upcoming NPLH Episode "Once Upon A Time" the 2nd of the 4th Series.

The episode is currently planned for a late October release.

"Once Upon A Time" Title Card Artwork

21/10/2013

Today we can reveal the title card artwork for the latest upcoming NPLH Episode "Once Upon A Time" drawn by NPLH artist Eldred Ryan of Next Genesis Comics.

The latest episode is due to start rolling out in late October and a release schedule will be published shortly.

For more artwork for the show click here.

An Interview With Linda-Jean Barry

20/10/2013

Today we have an interview with The Mary Morstan Mysteries actress Linda-Jean Barry who plays Mrs Hudson in which she discuss's her love for the hardy Scotswoman, her own cleaning tips and magic tractors.

You have played Mrs Hudson for just under 3 years now, what is it you like about her?
I love Mrs. Hudson because she has a heart of gold beneath a steely determination. She has the measure of Holmes who drives her insane with his shenanigans but she also has such a deep affection for him. I also love her wry sense of humour . She is great fun to play and Ross writes so brilliantly, learning it come very naturally.

What cast members and guest stars have you enjoyed working with the most in The Mary Morstan Mysteries and NPLH?
That's a difficult one. Everyone in the core cast and all the guest stars have been great fun , but one of my very favourite characters is Miss Blake played by Tamzin Dunstone. Of course I never actually get to work with her, as she is in a different time zone to me.

I also simply adore Mycroft, (James Ian Gray) John and Mary Watson ( Mike Archer and Lexi Wolfe) and of course the wonderful Ross K Foad, actor, writer, producer, editor extraordinaire. But then we all think that for sure.

A lot of traditionalist Sherlock Holmes fans have praised your use of a Scottish accent for the character - something many Holmes productions do not choose to use. Are you good with any other accents?
Thank you. Well I have a good ear for accents and rhythms but I am not very good at just launching into them from nowhere like some actors can. If some one is talking to me with their own native accent I inevitably start talking back in exactly the same accent. Some times it can get a bit embarrassing as people think I am taking the micky! I based Mrs. Hudson on my mum- in -law who was a wee gal from Enochddhu in the highlands of Scotland!

You have been an actress for over 30 years now, in what ways has the industry most notably changed?
I think the major thing is that there are no repertory theatres anymore, where we young actors cut out teeth. There were also rules laid down by Equity in those days and it was a closed shop, which meant you had to get a job to get an Equity card and you had to have an Equity card to get a job. Only two a year were given out by each repertory theatre and you were not allowed to do television or the West End, until you had done 40 weeks in the theatre. Now the youngsters training ground is in Soaps on the TV. Then they can go in to do other things because they have reached public eye . There are pros and cons on both sides, but if all the technology collapsed, actors would still go out again and perform for nothing in the street .. we're mad, its in our blood!

What do you think did happen to MR.Hudson?
I think they were probably quite devoted when they were young but never had any children of their own which I think Mrs H would have liked. That's why she looks after Holmes in such a motherly fashion. But I think she would have worn the trousers . Perhaps they were in service together and he died of consumption or one of the many diseases around in the Victorian era. I think like all Victorians she has had to keep her emotions in check, but there is a definite softness beneath her rod of steel .

Have you got any great cleaning tips yourself? Do you know of any way to get bullet holes out of walls yet?
Ha ha! Well I don't know about bullet holes in walls, but certainly the old fashioned methods are the best for cleaning . Bicarbonate of soda performs miracles on all sorts of things including teeth!. BUT on that subject I hate to think what coca cola does to teeth, when a litre of cheap cola poured into the toilet bowl, and left for an hour, will bring it up sparkling clean!!!

Aside from appearing in 2 upcoming No Place Like Holmes Episodes this year you actually have been working on another comedy web show that has just come out haven't you? What is that all about?
Yes. Thank you. It is all very exciting. I play the neighbour in the web based series ' LITTLE GREY FERGIE' which is aimed at 2 to 6 year old children . It is already a cultural phenomenon in Norway with several television series, films live theatre tours, books, merchandise and so forth and it is about a Fergie tractor which revolutionized farming in the 1950's. The series is about fun, learning and wholesome values such as the importance of taking care of old things, local farming taking responsibility,caring for animals,and most of all friendship. It is great family entertainment and you can see the first seven bite size episodes at www.littlegreyfergie.com.