Holmes Abroad

Obviously, Sherlock Holmes is very popular in England, and has quite the following in the USA. But what about other countries? He is of course, all over the world, and I know that Holmes is very popular in Japan, but I am curious as to why ... Any thoughts?

Surely the reasons are the same everywhere.

In Russia (USSR to be exact) there was a series of movies made between 1979-1986, with a very highly praised Sherlock. There's a new series now.

I have a copy of a German movie, The man who was Sherlock Holmes, from 1937, with Hans Albers--the premise is mistaken identity by people who believe Sherlock Holmes actually existed. Goes to show that the original was popular enough for such comedic takeoffs.

I'm sure these aren't the only examples...

This might be interesting--the page is in German (the English one doesn't have the same info), but it doesn't matter, if you scroll to the end, there's a list of cinema/TV productions inspired by Sherlock Holmes, and it seems that any title that's not in English corresponds to a production in that other language. Which gives some idea of how early (1909, a Danish production, Viggo Larsen as Holmes) or often such titles were produced in non-Anglo countries.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Mann,_der_Sherlock_Holmes_war

> 2 the premise is mistaken identity by people who believe Sherlock Holmes actually existed

This seems to be a quite common misconception! Like HolmesGirl221b said in another thread, it's a testament to how real the character feels. I think I read somewhere that Doyle did base him in part on someone he knew ...

The Scottish physician Joseph Bell.

Ah, yes. Thanks, southernbooklady!

Some years ago I saw a documentary on Bell and before that--I think--the dramatisations with Ian Richardson, Murder Rooms or sthng like it, very good. I mean as fiction, I don't think they are very faithful to the historic characters.

OMG, it's available on YouTube: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes

Across the channel, I've heard that the detective character in the Murders of Rue Morgue was modeled loosely on Vidocq. I don't know if that's true, but Vidocq was a fascinating figure.

Oh yes. I have a copy of his memoirs, Les vrais mystères de Paris, riveting stuff. Hugo based Jean Valjean on him, his murky past and unusual physical strength, and that famous scene when Valjean lifts a cart off a crushed man really happened.

That's right, he based him on Doctor Joseph Bell, who was a surgeon and teacher who Doyle had studied with at Edinburgh University. He was impressed with Bell's ability to reveal patient's symptoms, and diagnose patients before they would speak a word to him about their afflictions!
And Sir Henry Littlejohn who taught forensic medicine to Doyle also mad a large impression and contributed to the development of Holme's character.

Thanks for this.