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Can You Deduce Who Plays John Watson Opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Guy Ritchie’s SHERLOCK HOLMES??
I am – Hercules!!
Jude Law ("The Holiday," "Sleuth") will play Dr. John Watson to Robert Downey’s titular sleuth in Warner Bros.' “Sherlock Holmes."
The Warner project, directed by Guy Ritchie ("Snatch," "RockNRolla"), is not to be confused with Judd Apatow's untitled project at Sony, which stars Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell as Holmes and Watson.
Find all of Variety’s story on the matter here.
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Count me in.
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Look I actually really dig the talent in both Sherlock movies (Ritchies more so), but they both seem pretty wrong to me sadly. I dont see either doing all that well. Hope I'm wrong, b/c a proper Holmes flick would kick ass.
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Perfect. Seriously, it works people.
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Or simply financing it?Either way, I'm disappointed.
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Then again, I like anything Holmesian.
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Let's hope the script is quality. Not sure about Ritchie though...
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...say it ain't say Gigolo Joe. Jude Law used to be a leading man...I mean what happened? Did his balls drop off?
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How the fuck did Robert Downey Jr. build up so much cred that he's going to have top billing over Jude Law?!
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seriously, this has MAJOR turkey written all over it.
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would it be anyway possible to replace the director with someone who knows what he's doing.
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I'm not a fan of Jude Law - though I did think he was a high spot in AI but this may work because Holmes and Watson have to be equally as important to the story as each other. Holmes is the brains and Watson is the heart. That's why I am glad that this isn't yet another remake of Hound of the Baskervilles because that story is one of Doyle's weakest in many ways.Holmes and Watson are seperated for too long of the story and it would have been much, much more interesting if the hound had been a supernatural entity rather than the Scooby Doo proto-ending.The best big screen Holmes and Watson, in comparison to the books, are to be found in Murder by Decree - Mason is still a little bit buffoonish but at least they are on equal footing in many ways. This casting is potentially good because it seems that Watson isn't going to be the bumbling idjit so fondly remembered because of Nigel Bruce.
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Young Sherlock Holmes. That movie ROCKED. It had great villains, a young actor who could believably have been Sherlock Holmes, numerous demonstrations of Holmes' deductive skills, Moriarty and some great special effects! I love Young Sherlock Holmes!
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Nuff said.
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Guy Ritchie is a very well documented Panned director in the UK. He is absolutely rubbish without Matthew Vaughn. Guy is given credit for both Lock Stock and Snatch but I think you'll find that those movies are only good cause Vaughn was involved. The evidence is in the crap that Guy has directed since then. Vaughn career on the other hand seems to be rocketting and rightfully so.
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Sep 19, 2008 3:14:00 AM CDT
When is the last time a movie with Downey Jr was rubbish?
by masteryoda007
I cannot remember the last time I watched a movie with Downey Jr and it was bad. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is fuckin great, Kudos to Ironman and Tropic Thunder. I'm there.
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Yes. Next question?
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Hopefully RDJ can salvage something for himself from it.
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I'd take a Guy Ritchie "Holmes" adventure flick anyday over a Will Ferrel movie. Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson...count me in. Be glad it isn't Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller.
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...but, fuck it... I'll give it a chance
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Someone needs to find the idea tree and pick some fruit off it. I'm sick and tired of these regurgitated shitfests. Surely Downey Jnr can find more interesting projects than this? Surely Ritchie can find other ways to expand himself? Surely Law can just fuck off?
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I think Law would be better as Sherlock and Downey Watson from a visual perspective...and who ever said Guy Ritchie is crap without Vaughn is bang on!
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Jude Fucking Law. Yuck. It's like they're setting out to do a bad Holmes.
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Jude Law as Watson????? Nothing against Law as an actor as I rate him quite highly but as John Watson??? Has anyone involved actually read any of Conan Doyles original stories? I know Watson is quite the ladies man in the books but when you read them Jude Law ain't rushing to the forefront of your imagination as a template for how he looks. I'm still having trouble with RDJ as Holmes, cool as he is. Time and again Doyle descibes him as tall, thin, predetory and hawk-like. Unless RDJ is going to get made up to look more that way.... But the biggest worry is Richie. He's nowhere near as good without Vaugen and I don't think he's got the chops to do such an iconic figure justice.
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but summarizing House and Wilson's relationship as Holmes and Watson is brilliant. Probably why their respective last names begin with the same first letters.
Now, I have to ask: was this your realization, or was this discussed at some point by the creators of the show? -
I honestly think this could be very good. I am looking forward to it.
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I look as Law's filmography, and I see an awful lot of box-office underperformers and out-and-out flops (Sky Captain, A.I., Alfie...). "Road to Perdition" and that Jim Carrey Lemony Sticket thing are the only two that even broke 100 mil, and Law wasn't exactly at the top of the credits in either of those. Methinks he belongs as second-fiddle to someone like Downey. This Holmes flick will probably still struggle to make a profit, though.
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but the talent is undoubted, this should be great fun
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Compare House vs Holmes (i.e. Homes), and while I don't know if the creator ever said point blank it's deliberate, it's pretty much an open secret, even going as far as the drug habit.
PS: Moriarty is Holmes. -
I think Jude Law should play Holmes
and RDJ play Watson But it is still
interesting and I would love to see it. -
Jude Law - the most slapable man in show business. Interestingly, Sienna Miller is the most slapable woman. Not that I condone that kind of thing, obviously...
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Sep 19, 2008 7:50:39 AM CDT
hmmm...Ive nothing against the cast but thi could go either way.
by rocklobster800
I mean if they make it as a traditional, straight serious attempt to adapt Holmes with the Basil Rathbone spirit, it may not be a big box office draw, but I'll be there...but something scares me into thining itll be a fastly edited, mtv styles, LXG fused, post modern, winky winky, knowing quips a plenty, polished looking piece of crap....but as I say, it could go either way. Although Downey with an accent will be distracting (it was in NBK for me anyway)...and lets hope he branches out from the usual straight faced sardonic smart ass act...Its worked for the characters he's played in recent years so far, but I dont know if it'll go well with Holmes.
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So far nothing about the choices for this project make any sense to me.
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George C Scott made a great Holmes, even if he was a looney. The ending was great. They need a special edition DVD of that flick.
As for Law as Watson, I can see it. Downey will still rule this film. But Ian Heart is one of the best Watson's out there.
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Sep 19, 2008 8:25:13 AM CDT
"Young Sherlock Holmes" was one of the worst movies...
by leafar the lost
...of all time. I expect this to be a good movie with Downey in it as Holmes; however, I have a problem with the casting of Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Law is an overrated actor. He is an average talent at best, but as long as he isn't given too many lines to fuck up it should be okay.
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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is rolling over in his grave. I'm a Ritchie fan and Downey's GREAT, but a 5'7" yank as Holmes is just wrong. And the Holmes/Watson dynamic (and physiognomy) is so great the way it's originally written. It's a classic for a reason. We'll see.
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are overlooking Guy Ritchie. This movie is going to be a Turd because of him and not the cast. This is one case where I hope the Studio intervenes in his work. If you don't believe me, go see Rock n Rolla or the other 2 turds he made before it.
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I think they very interesting actors for the roles at least they have people taking about the movie already, so give it a chance folks.
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Unfortunately, now you've made me remember "Young Sherlock Holmes," and that makes me hate you.
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Should I call you John? Watson? You can call me Susan if it makes you happy.
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Then scrap the Sherlock Holmes thing and just make another Harry Lockhart-Gay Perry movie. Fuck, release Kiss Kiss Bang Bang into cinemas again. It would kill now that RDJ is a superstar again.
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as I was utterly oblivious to any of the cues you mentioned. And they weren't even subtle, apparently!
Jesus, do I look like a moron.
Any of my English teachers who are deceased are probably spinning in their graves right now.
Either way, I now agree more adamantly that House is the best adaption of Holmes I've ever seen. -
And Wilson is Watson. Holmes was addicted to cocaine, House to vicodain. Holmes played the violin, House plays the piano. Both are brilliant detectives who figure out mysteries no one else can solve. Both crave the thrill of the chase and a good problem to make the come alive. Not only that, haven't you noticed the numbers outside Houses flat? 221B.
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That's how you do Sherlock newschool.
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It was actually heroin/opium. And I'd think Downey could manage to play that, for some reason. . .
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that will complete the circle.
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Holmes is an older businessman sort of side-kick. Not a gaunt young hustler with a joker grimace. Unless Law adds 100 pounds for the role, this movie = stunt miscasting.
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Jude Law sucks, and everything he's ever been in has tanked. Good pick Mr. Madonna.
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Hutton's production of Nero Wolfe Mysteries.
For those who aren't in the know, its a rewrite of Sherlock Holmes in the 1930s, and much hinting is made that the title character Nero Wolfe is the illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes - but its never more than innuendo. Fantastic books, and very well done on the short-lived TV series. -
Then why don't you whiny bitches write a script or two? We're in the middle of a genre golden age, and all you mouth-breathing haters can do is complain every time a sequel or remake comes out. It's been this way in hollywood for decades, how many crappy Tarzan movies are there? When was the last time hollywood released a sequel like "Battle for the Planet of the Apes"? Thousands and thousands of movies have been made, and frankly there's only so many GOOD original ideas that can be turned into a film. So if these ideas come so easy for you basement dwelling mouth breathing psudo-CHUDs, then by all means, write a script. I'll go see it. And I'll go see my favorite characters back on screen as well. Do you knuckleheads want to live in a world without Batman, Bond, Holmes or Jason Vorhees ever appearing on the screen again, because they are not original enough?
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For a 19 century man, he was a womanizer. NOW BRING ME MORIARTY!
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He is a good actor though, and this isn't the worst that could have happened.
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I think it would be better if they switched roles. As an aside, I think it would be cool if a film, such as this one, did a simultaneous shoot with a "duo" film with both main actors in each role as they shoot the film. Do each scene twice with each lead in the other role, and then release 2 movies (a la Kill Bill 1 and 2). It would be cool as a filming and as a marketing experiment, and I wonder if the 2 actors would excel or suck totally as they tried to bring a compelling or different approach. The competition and collaboration would be cool
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...good call. My first thought after reading this was that the roles should be reversed.
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I seem to recall Bryan Singer mentioning Sherlock Holmes as doctor before the series aired.I loved Downey in Tropic (anyone notice his Aussie accent very similar to Natural Born Killers?), but I somehow think an actual Brit would be better cast...but I hope to be proven wrong.
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Damn--Hugh Laurie, given his peculiar talent and physical appearance, seems born to play the quintessential Detective. At this point, though, it might be a case of typecasting.
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how about Ian McKellen??
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House is based on a Scotish Dr. in the 18th Century which was the inspiration for Connan-Doyles work. There are alot of subtle nods to Holmes, the addiction, his flat is 221b, and if you watch the episode where he gets shot the guy who shots him, while never named in the episode is credited as Moriarty. Apparently he was given that name in the script.
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Probably being attacked by fairies.
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So far we have one actual Brit playing a British character. Kind of like the opposite of The Dark Knight when I was hard pressed to find an American playing American characters.
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JUDE LAW AS HOLMES WITH HIS SOMETIME MANIC REPRESSED THING MIGHT WORK TERRIFICALLY. NOT AS FUCKING JOHN WATSON!!!!
SHOULD BE PAUL BETTNEY AS HOLMES
RUSSELL CROWE AS WATSON
DIRECTED BY PETER FUCKING WEIR
GET IT YOU FUCKS??? -
Was it fake? I thought AICN has forbidden it.
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i mean, we gotta' still deal with him in movies?
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is the only TRUE detective story worth bringing to the big screen.
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....wait for it......wait for it...Madonna in male-drag.
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Sep 19, 2008 12:37:40 PM CDT
The Apatow version...are they actually thinking about doing a co
by the kusabi
I hope to god THAT project dies a death.
Oh and, Hugh Laurie ain't born to play anyone other than Gordon Freeman as any fule kno. -
But seriously, this is the right cast with the wrong director. Guy Ritchie's "style" (for lack of a better word) doesn't mesh with this material at all.
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Can you freakin' imagine?!? And heck, we'll get Rowan Atkinson to play the Inspector.
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Hey! That's my name! There's only enough room in this site for one of us.
I challenge you to a duel!! -
Come on folks there have been some great actors to have played Holmes and Watson on film together
already..Christopher Plummer and James Mason in Murder by Decree.
Nichol Williamson and Robert Duvall in The 7% Solution ..
and of course Rathbone and Bruce my own personal favorites..Even though Bruce as a bumbling Watson is a little irratating they did work well together. I thought that
Bob Clark's Murder by Decree showed the most promise for a revived series but the box office didn't think so..Oh yeah can't forget Peter cushing and John Morrell in Hound of the Baskervilles that was pretty well done too. -
My my.... Idiotic.. mr rubbish-british-man of the millennium.
Why not Paddy Considine? Stephen Fry?
Obi Wan Renton? Simon fucking Pegg?
Why pick mister craptacular? Do some actresses need some penis? Cos thats all he's good for.
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Ritchie, Downey & Law are no doubt great at what they do. But, I must say I am getting a little tired of feature films casting "young" for sex appeal. It's the main issue I had with Superman Returns... the film should have been called "Superboy Returns". And, according to the film, Loise Lane had won a Pulitzer?! She looked about 19 in that movie. I have the same feeling with this project... not that Ritchie should only do what has been done before with the material, but he should look at the ITV Jeremy Brett Holmes and his Watson. They were energetic, but middle aged and that gave them the air of wisdom.
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I think Lois Lane won her Pulitzer for an article she had in Cosmopolitan. Something about triple sex orgies or something to that effect. I also agree with your points.
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I thought the same thing. Is this a bridge between Young Sherlock Holmes and pick-the-book-of-your-choice?And how about Without A Clue with Michael Caine and Ben Kingley? A clever switch with a poseur Holmes and a genius Watson.
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Holmes meets Sigmund Freud. Freud helped Holmes escape the clutches of his opium addiction after winning his own battle with his cocaine addiction. Drugs always make a movie more interesting.
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Sep 19, 2008 3:54:37 PM CDT
When you die, you get to come back as something kickass...
by the dum guy
Like a dragon or Jude Law.
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that may be from Hammer. It was Holmes vs Jack The Ripper. Thats all I recall.
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Everything about this is a little off to me. Ritchie seems out of his element with this. He's an action/gangster movie guy--edgy and crude. Holmes and Watson were smooth, intellectual and dignified. Downey and Holmes are great actors, but Downey seems too short for the role and doesn't have the kind of authoritative presence many of the actors who portrayed Holmes over the years had. Hugh Laurie would have been perfect for the role, but Hollywood suits don't have the balls to risk making a movie without an A-lister in the starring role.
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"Best version of Holmes and Watson is House and Wilson."
Not anymore *sniffs*
Last Tuesday's episode aside, couldn't agree with you more. BTW, with all the shit House said to Wilson over the years, why was Wilson's parting shot the only thing that's ever made me say "Wow, that was harsh"?
Screw it, they should can this Sherlock Holmes idea and just make a House movie.
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...I thought Tom Hanks would have been Buzz and Tim Allen would have been Woody. Boy was I wrong!
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...anyone remember the movie Time After Time where Malcolm McDowell as HG Wells jumps in his time machine to pursue Jack The Ripper into the future...San Francisco circa 1979 or so? Good movie.
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And for the art-housers Aronofsky director with David Bowie as Holmes, Norton as Watson and Bale as Moriarty.
Four of the same movies in one go! It's never been done before!!
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A study in terror 1965 with John Neville and a very young Dame Judy Dench..It is an excellent film...
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Doesn't Warners want to make money on this thing?
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would have been perfect for this role. Dr. Watson was a fat man.
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??? How about Ralph Fiennes? I know he's become the British go-to guy for villians.
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Hater to the left Jude will do
fine in this movie. -
Sherlock Homes. Doh!
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They continue to fuck this project up. Can they possibly cast anyone else who looks nothing like the characters?
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You know, the Fat Albert dude on SNL. That would make it edgy. Make it so.
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I always pictured a more portly Watson, like Oliver Platt.
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should be played as George Steinbrunner was played on Seinfeld.
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...Tony Blair in that George Bush movie. He played the former PM on an episode of SNL. Still more believable than Ioan Gruffud.
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the jude is a pud!
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...And Jude's too man-pretty to be Watson.
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Jude Law is the LAST guy I would picture as Dr. Watson. I thought he would look something like Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
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The best Holmes movie is clearly Billy Wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
How can you not love a movie which features a scene where Holmes, commenting on Watson's journals of their adventures together, says: "Watson, I've never said 'elementary, my dear Watson' in my life!"? -
Wrong. Watson wasn't a fat man. Try reading the original illustrated stories.
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I agree with you on SR regarding the young casting of Lois, but the filmmakers also got another huge thing wrong: Pulitzers aren't awarded for editorials, which Lois' was. They don't qualify.
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He never took the character as seriously as his fans do.
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too much has passed to recall. Never much of a fan anyways.
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