A drunken Sherlock Holmes is really just a cover for the real detective, Dr. Watson.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. takes inspiration from his real life to help craft one of the most intense dramas of the year in Waves.
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Title: Without a Clue (1988)
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1 win & 1 nomination.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Michael Caine | ... | Reginald Kincaid / Sherlock Holmes | |
| Ben Kingsley | ... | Dr. Watson | |
| Jeffrey Jones | ... | Inspector Lestrade | |
| Lysette Anthony | ... | Leslie Giles | |
| Paul Freeman | ... | Prof. James Moriarty | |
| Nigel Davenport | ... | Lord Smithwick | |
 |
Pat Keen | ... | Mrs. Hudson |
| Peter Cook | ... | Greenhough | |
|
|
Tim Killick | ... | Sebastian |
|
|
Matthew Savage | ... | Wiggins |
|
|
John Warner | ... | Peter Giles |
| Matthew Sim | ... | Real Lesley | |
| Harold Innocent | ... | Mayor Johnson | |
| George Sweeney | ... | John Clay | |
|
|
Murray Ewan | ... | Archie |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (32) »
Storyline
This is a Sherlock Holmes story with a difference. Here, Dr. Watson is the ace detective and has been using an actor to play the part Holmes. Holmes is a drunken actor and gets on Watson's nerves. When Watson tries to go it alone, he doesn't have much success, so he is forced to let Holmes take all the credit once more. Written by Rob Hartill
Plot Keywords:
spoof | private detective | drunkenness | knocked unconscious | attempted suicide |Taglines:
Behind every great detective is one even greater. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 October 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Sherlock and Me See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$1,246,772, 23 October 1988Gross USA:
$8,539,181Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$8,539,181Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
Watson: Oh, for God's sake...
Holmes: You didn't tell me that homicidal maniac was in on this!
Watson: That's because I knew you'd behave this way.
Holmes: Bravo! Another triumph for deductive reasoning!
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Thomas Hastings and lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady
Sung by Mrs Hudson (Pat Keen) at the theatre
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This movie has often frequently been included in "Top Ten" Sherlock Holmes movie lists according to Rotten Tomatoes. See more »Goofs
Holmes mentions the Loch Ness Monster. While modern enthusiasts have pored through history to find 'evidence', the modern craze and the phrase "Loch Ness Monster" began in the 1930s, well after this film, set in the 1880s. See more »Quotes
Holmes: MORIARTY?Watson: Oh, for God's sake...
Holmes: You didn't tell me that homicidal maniac was in on this!
Watson: That's because I knew you'd behave this way.
Holmes: Bravo! Another triumph for deductive reasoning!
See more »
Crazy Credits
The opening credits are superimposed over still images of Victorian London. The final shot of Holmes and Watson form the backdrop for the end credits. See more »Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Things Change/Bat*21/Without a Clue/Mystic Pizza/Daffy Duck's Quackbusters (1988) See more »Soundtracks
Rock of Ages(uncredited)
Music by Thomas Hastings and lyrics by Augustus Montague Toplady
Sung by Mrs Hudson (Pat Keen) at the theatre
See more »
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Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective to live. Unfortunately he is only a creation of Dr Watson who is the true great detective. Forced to give life to his creation Watson hires actor Reginald Kincaid to play the part in real life. However when the pair are asked to investigate the theft of £5 note printing plates they find themselves up against Moriarty and in greater danger than they expected.
It sounds like a terrible idea other films that have messed with the Holmes story have not done well but this comes off quite nicely. The switch of characters is funny in itself and there are plenty of nice jokes and set pieces. The plot itself is full of holes and never grips as a mystery for one minute - but it is more than sufficient to support a comedy spoof. The real enjoyment comes not from the plot however but from another factor.
The two main actors are superb and it's their class that lifts the film well above the material. Caine is excellent and is visibly enjoying himself while Kingsley also looks at ease with his co-star. Support from Jeffrey Jones and Paul Freeman is good, but really the lead duo make the film work so well.
Overall, it is not a good mystery and it is not what you'd call hilarious but the casting helps raise the bar a bit to create an enjoyable lightweight film.