The Red Headed League (22 Sep. 1985)

What seems at first to be a harmless prank played upon a red-headed man is soon revealed to be much more: a sinister scheme devised by the Napoleon of Crime.

Director:

John Bruce

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (by), John Hawkesworth (developed for television by),

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Roger Hammond

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
David Burke	...	Dr Watson
Roger Hammond	...	Jabez Wilson
Tim McInnerny	...	John Clay
Richard Wilson	...	Duncan Ross
Bruce Dukov	...	Sarasate
John Woodnutt	...	Mr. Merryweather
John Labanowski	...	Athelney Jones
Reginald Stewart	...	Doorman (as Reg Stewart)
Ian Bleasdale	...	Accountant
Malcolm Weaver	...	Archie
Eric Porter	...	Professor Moriarty

Storyline

Sherlock Holmes in investigates the strange case of Jabez Wilson. The man was recently offered employment by an organization known as the Red Headed League. For the grand sum of 4 pounds per week, he was to sit in an office and copy out entries fro an encyclopedia, starting with the letter A. He had responded to an advertisement and while there were many applicants, he has no idea why he was selected as the League's beneficiary. When after several weeks his employment is suddenly terminated, Mr. Wilson doesn't know what think. Holmes quickly deduces however that it was the location of his office as much as his red hair that resulted in him getting the employment in the first place.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | color in title

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Fr]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1985 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After Jabez Wilson tells Holmes of his situation, Dr. Watson shows Wilson out and shuts the door after him. Holmes then muses on Wilson's case with Watson sitting opposite him. The scene cuts to Prof. Moriarty for a moment. We then return to Holmes and Watson who both hurry out of Holmes's apartment through the front door, which is now wide open.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sherlock Holmes: Hm!
Dr. John Watson: [entering] Oh. Sorry, Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes: No no. You couldn't have come at a better time.
Dr. John Watson: Well, I was, I was afraid you were engaged.
Sherlock Holmes: I am. Very much so.

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Connections

Referenced in Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010)

User Reviews

Handsomely Done

While not one of my favorites this one is certainly one of Granada's top Holmes adaptations. The story is slick, interesting, and elegantly unfolds itself. It starts out as a laughable case but it becomes serious with a bigger picture beginning to emerge and something sinister lurking beneath. It manages to be both a detective mystery and a crime story with nice touches of build up and humor. Professor Moriarty (played by Eric Porter, giving genuine meaning to word "diabolical ") makes his first appearance even though it is brief (although it was not in the original story). However, nothing is wrong with that as the series wisely used Moriarty sparingly and he would have a much larger role in the story right after this one "The Final Problem".