Blog Archives

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 -

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Voices In Darkness Part 4

24/10/2013

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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

Download File

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An Interview With Linda-Jean Barry

20/10/2013

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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.

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Murder She-rlock Wrote.

20/10/2013

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Today we have a new entry into The Howard Ostrom Collection TV Section. Todays signing is of Alfred Molina .

Best known for his roles as Dr. Octopus in Spiderman 2 (2004) and as Satipo in "Raiders Of The Lost Ark", Molina appeared as Holmes alongside Craig Ferguson as Jessica Fletcher in a "Murder She Wrote" parody sketch on the Craig Ferguson Late Late Show.

The sketch can be viewed below.

For more Holmes actors signed autographed photos from the small screen be sure to check out the rest of the Howard Ostrom Holmes and Watson Collection TV Section.

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Voices From The Darkness Part 3

14/10/2013

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Today we have a further installment from Howard Ostrom and Ray Wilcockson's essay series "Voices From The Darkness" which takes a look at the African-American Sherlock Holmes progression, history and future.

Click the link below to download.

part_3_afro-american_holmes.pdf
File Size:	829 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Did you miss parts 1 and 2? Click here to go view the previous postings.

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The Case Of The Short Sighted Boss Signings

3/10/2013

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Sherlock Holmes often mused upon writing a guide to deduction based on his own experience so as to train future generations.

However, I doubt he ever expected his ability and likeness were going to be used to train the future generations on the subject of "Quality Control" . But that is exactly what happened in one Department of Trade and Industry training video!

Nigel Hawthorne and John Fortune appeared as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the obscure film "The Case of the Short-Sighted Boss" (1984). This 24 minute film was written and produced by Jonathan Lynn and saw Holmes and Watson solving the mystery of poor quality control.

And unsurprisingly really Howard Ostrom has managed to track down both their autographs for his ever growing legendary collection!

And if you want to see more Holmes and Watsons of the Film world be sure to check out the rest of the Howard Ostrom Collection Film Section by clicking here.

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"Voices From The Darkness" A Look At African-American Sherlock Holmes

2/10/2013

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Today we have something a little bit different . An article written by Howard Ostrom and Ray Wilcockson on the subject of African-American Sherlock Holmes.

To download the papers click on the download PDF file button below and remember to let us know what you think.