Ah, Yes. I just love Sherlock Holmes. Okay. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea, but I am a devotee. A Scandal in Bohemia, The Naval Treaty, The Six Napoleons ... love them all.
That's what brings me down to the intriguing Sherlock Holmes Museum here in famous Baker Street; and for those that might not know, virtually just around the corner from Madame Tussaud's.
It's not a grand museum by any means. In fact, it is quite a modest museum that occupies only three floors of a London townhouse, but for fans of the great fictional detective it has a magnetic attraction.
Being here has started me reflecting on which actor best portrayed Holmes on film and TV. In my view, it is easily between Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett. Both were great; both were likeable in the part. Both had a unique and distinct style. But which was best, most like Holmes?
Choosing the definitive Holmes is not so easy. Not say quite as clear-cut as devining the merits of the various Miss Marples, where Joan Hickson is without a doubt the definitive Miss Marple ..... so much so that I can hardly bear to look at any of the recent incarnations. Yet, despite that, I also loved Margaret Rutherford in the role. Admittedly, she wasn't true to the Christie character, but she brought her natural verve and personality into everything she done - and she was hugely enjoyable.
By the same token, even though I would give the nod to Jeremy Brett as the definitive Holmes, I always enjoyed Basil Rathbone in the person of Conan Doyle's greatest creation. Brett had all the quirky and idiosyncratic apsects covered: Rathbone provided more command and calm reassurance. How? I think it was the voice.
So back to the museum. Well I've been here several time before, so on this occasion it will have to be a quickie ... but a meaningful one. Essentially the museum deals with everything relating to the great detective, and when you enter the famous address of 221B Baker Street, it really is a shift back in time. They have done a wonderful job recreating Holmes old study as it was with all the period features, furniture, decor and oddments. Holmes's personal belongings are around ...... deerstalker hat, violin, magnifying glass and calabash pipe. You are likely to run into the great man himself - as well as Dr. Watson. It's a wonderful atmosphere .... created, but feeling authentic.
If you are visiting London, you will probably be in Marylebone at some point, if only to visit Madame Tussauds. So it is easy to make a quick visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Not everyone will like it. I read a comment from one young visitor who said it was only like visiting an old batchelor's flat. Which reminded me of the old lady who said of her visit to Switzerland, that she would have enjoyed the scenery had it not been obstructed by all the high mountains.
If you're a fan, you will like this, and even if your not you will still find it interesting to get a sense of bygone times and a snapshot of how some people used to live; and specifically old batchelor Holmes. The museum has a small shop where you can get your very own deerstalker hat from amongst a variety of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia. Who'd be without one?
Leaving the Sherlock Holmes Museum, I would mention that I intend to finish this post in the same way I intend to finish all my posts. That is, with a recommendation for a nice pub, a good restaurant and a quality hotel that is to be found in or around the area I am writing about. That way, if you are in the area, you have some lead, and can take your choice to visit one or all. Depending I suppose on what you may need at the time - a quite drink, a good meal or a pleasant hotel for the night.
One footnote to the Sherlock Holmes Museum .......... It appears that Dame Jean Conan Doyle, the daughter of Sir Arthur, disapproved of the idea of the Sherlock Holmes Museum. She felt that it was inappropriate that a fictional character should be the principal feature of a museum. It is a view, and one can see her point. But there again, Mickey Mouse is a fictional character, and we still have Disneyland.
Nearby -
A nice pub: Ye Old Chesire Cheese, Fleet St., EC4
A good restaurant: Reubens, Baker St., W1
No comments:
Post a Comment