The Three Gables (7 Mar. 1994)

A dead young man's affair with a beautiful widow brings odd, dangerous events to his grandmother's house.

Director:

Peter Hammond

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (by), Jeremy Paul (screenplay),

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
Edward Hardwicke	...	Dr Watson
Rosalie Williams	...	Mrs Hudson
Claudine Auger	...	Isadora Klein
Gary Cady	...	Douglas Maberley
Ben Pullen	...	Duke of Lomond (as Benjamin Pullen)
Caroline Blakiston	...	Dowager Duchess
Mary Ellis	...	Mary Maberley
Peter Wyngarde	...	Langdale Pike
Michael Graham	...	Haines-Johnson
Steve Toussaint	...	Steve Dixie
Barbara Young	...	Susan
John Gill	...	Mr Sutro
Emma Hardwicke	...	Dora

Storyline

Sherlock Holmes'advice is sought by the elderly Mrs. Mary Maberley who has a particularly odd puzzle for him to solve. About one year ago she bought her current house, The Three Gables, and had lived there with her grandson until his recent death following complications from a ruptured spleen. She was shocked when approached by an estate agent who essentially offered her a blank cheque to buy The Three Gables from her in its entirety, including all of the contents. The old lady was keen to sell as, having lost her grandson, she now hoped to finance a 'round-the-world tour. The terms however included that she take nothing whatsoever from the house, not even the portrait of her grandson hanging on the wall. This she could not do and declined the offer to purchase. Did she make the right decision, she asks Holmes? It is evident that there is something in the house that someone is prepared to pay any price to get their hands on. Holmes soon finds that the connection has to be the grandson...

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | number in title

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1994 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Grimsditch Hall, Whitley, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television, Granada, Independent Television (ITV)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby Surround)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Maberley (played by Mary Ellis ) reports to Dr. Watson that her son and daughter-in-law died in a climbing accident. In 1950, Ellis' own husband also died in a climbing accident.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Douglas Maberley: You promised!
Isadora Klein: I promised you nothing. Jamais! Never!
Douglas Maberley: I'm leaving for Rome. Please. Please come with me.
Isadora Klein: I've given, and I've no more to give.
Douglas Maberley: Why? Why do you treat me like this!
[two men drag him away]
Douglas Maberley: No!
Isadora Klein: Go! Go, go, go!
Douglas Maberley: Heartless fiend!

User Reviews

Overwrought Melodrama

Just as "The Illustrious Client" was about a man who preyed on women, this episode is about a woman who preyed on men. It's feels like a melodrama rather than a mystery. Watching it is a bit depressing and it contains no real twists or turns. However, it does have some redeemable qualities. While this was not one of Conan Doyle's better tales, it is faithful to the original story so purists won't be upset. The performances are good, Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are excellent as usual and Claudine Auger is strong as Isadore Klein. The art and set decoration are still superb (just look at that lavish ball scene). Still, this production is overwrought and thus one of weaker adaptations in the series.