The Case of the Red Headed League (27 Dec. 1954)

Sherlock Holmes investigates a strange story told to him by a shopkeeper, who claims to have been a member of the 'League of Red-Headed Men' until it unexpectedly dissolved.

Director:

Sheldon Reynolds

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (characters), Lou Morheim

Stars:

Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Ronald Howard	...	Sherlock Holmes
Howard Marion-Crawford	...	Dr. John H. Watson (as H. Marion Crawford)
Archie Duncan	...	Inspector Lestrade
Alexander Gauge	...	Mr. James Wilson
Eugene Deckers	...	Vincent Spaulding
Colin Drake	...	Duncan Ross

Storyline

After Sherlock Holmes fires a revolver several times as part of an experiment, Dr. Watson finds a man who has fainted outside their flat after hearing the shots. The man is a shopkeeper named Wilson who has come to consult Holmes, and when he comes to, he tells his story. The assistant in his shop had drawn his attention to the 'League of Red-Headed Men', and had helped Wilson secure a position with the group. While his assistant watched the shop, Wilson was well paid for sitting in an office and copying out encyclopedia articles. When the league unexpectedly dissolved, Wilson decided to come to Holmes. The detective dismisses him brusquely, but after Wilson leaves, Holmes tells Watson that someone obviously wanted to keep Wilson away from his shop for some reason, probably as part of a scheme to commit a crime. Holmes and Watson proceed to the shop to investigate.

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Plot Keywords:

shop | shopkeeper | detective | ruse | shop assistant | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 December 1954 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Guild Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Sherlock Holmes: The Red Headed League (1951)

User Reviews

A Classic Conan-Doyle Episode

Most of these episodes steer clear of anything authentic in the Holmes sagas. This is the story of a man, hired to copy the Encyclopedia Britannica for whatever reason. He sits in a room and writes all day long, collects his money at week's end and returns to work. One day, the money stops and the office is closed. He goes to Holmes to have him figure out what is going on. Holmes deliberately insults him and drives him away. Holmes and Watson begin to investigate the office area and the shop nearby. It turns out that a bank heist is being planned and a great deal of digging is taking place. The red-headed business is not explained very well. It was fun, however, to see what these two portrayers could do with the plot that has been done numerous times.