Sherlock Holmes (1922)

A young Sherlock Holmes seeks to bring down the criminal mastermind Moriarty as he solves a crime involving a blackmailed prince.

Director:

Albert Parker

Writers:

Earle Browne, Arthur Conan Doyle (story)

Stars:

John Barrymore, Roland Young, Carol Dempster

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Barrymore	...	Sherlock Holmes
Roland Young	...	Dr. Watson
Carol Dempster	...	Alice Faulkner
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	Prof. Moriarty
Louis Wolheim	...	Craigin
Percy Knight	...	Sid Jones
William Powell	...	Foreman Wells (as William H. Powell)
Hedda Hopper	...	Madge Larrabee
Peggy Bayfield	...	Rose Faulkner
Margaret Kemp	...	Terese
Anders Randolf	...	James Larrabee
Robert Schable	...	Alf Bassick
Reginald Denny	...	Prince Alexis
David Torrence	...	Count von Stalburg
Robert Fischer	...	Otto

Storyline

One of Barrymore's most prestigious early roles, this rarely seen film also presents screen debuts of William Powell and Roland Young. When a young prince is accused of a crime that could embroil him in international scandal, debonair super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes comes to his aid, and quickly discovers that behind the incident lurks a criminal mastermind eager to reduce Western civilization to anarchy.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | detective | based on play | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

THESE EYES COULD READ THE INMOST THOUGHTS OF THE GUILTY! Cool, canny, baffling Sherlock Holmes was a figure to be reckoned with by the masters of lawlessness (Print Ad- Duluth Herald,((Duluth, Minn.)) 14 October 1922)

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1922 (USA)

Also Known As:

Шерлок Холмс

Filming Locations:

Switzerland

Box Office

Gross USA:

$384,770, 31 December 1922

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Albert Parker and John Barrymore went into some of the toughest dives in New York, talking with over one hundred people, in order to cast some roughnecks.

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Quotes

Dr. Watson: I say, Holmes, you are an odd chap, why have you kept that photograph all these years?
Sherlock Holmes: Oh, I don't know - there was a familiar - charming something - about the eyes - that reminded me of her sister - the girl I met on the roadside that day. I don't know what ever became of her. After her sister's death, I wrote, asking if I could be of assistance - but she never answered - I...

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Connections

Referenced in The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes (1985)

User Reviews

The Case of the Missing Film

"When a young prince is accused of a crime that could embroil him in international scandal, debonair supersleuth Sherlock Holmes comes to his aid, and quickly discovers that behind the incident lurks a criminal mastermind eager to reduce Western civilization to anarchy. Adapted from the hugely popular stage version of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories (by William Gillette), 'Sherlock Holmes' not only provided Barrymore with one of his most prestigious early roles, but also presented the screen debuts of two notable actors: William Powell and Roland Young," according to the good folks at Kino International.

The star and property once made this one of the more missed "lost" films from the silent era. Then, in the 1970s, the 1922 version of "Sherlock Holmes" was found. However, this was no ordinary find. What they found was a cache of film canisters containing a jumble of the original film. There were multiple pieces of scenes, in no particular order, and with out the benefit of intertitle continuity (itself a curious and intriguing state). Kevin Brownlow and The George Eastman House set about restoring the film. That the restoration was ready in the 2000s indicated the level of work and dedication involved.

Now, we see the 1922 "Sherlock Holmes" is no classic. Even upon original release, there were complaints about the high level of reading (title cards and letters) as Mr. Barrymore and the cast conversed about plot elements. And, to miss reading a single intertitle will leave you confused. Also receiving understandable heckles in some quarters was the assertion that the famously asexual detective had a desire for Carol Dempster (as Alice Faulkner). This "romance" was carried over from Mr. Gillette's very successful version; at the time, leaving it out might have been more unwise. Audiences expected "Alice".

Goldwyn Pictures and director Albert Parker "embellished" the Gillette version by having the characters meet in college, during a long prologue. So, this is where Barrymore's Holmes falls in "love at first sight" with Ms. Dempster and meets malevolent professor Gustav von Seyffertitz (as Moriarty). Holmes is also introduced to the "prince and letters" plot by pre-shaved college pal Roland Young (as John Watson). This, and the London location footage, was meant to ward off the staginess of the source material. But, the film remains in the box. The last act excites, if you picture it occurring on stage.

***** Sherlock Holmes (3/7/22) Albert Parker ~ John Barrymore, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Carol Dempster, Roland Young