William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes – Part 1
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jholstei asked:
William Gillette played Sherlock Holmes for more than 35 years at the beginning of the twentienth century to great acclaim, but no video of his performance remains. This is the sole remaining audio clip of Gillette playing Holmes matched up to photographs from his production. Part 1 of 2.

September 29th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Although agewise I always find it interesting that most of the actors who’ve portrayed Holmes are too old for the part if you go by strict Sherlockian studies of his age.
Began sharing lodgings with Watson at age 26
(1881)
Retired at age 48
(1903)
September 29th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Arthur Wontner seems to have resembled the character, physically, better than any other film actor- if not stage actor. However his characterization was a bit too light hearted for the usually gloomy character.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:12 am
quel beau rasoir
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
Thank you so much for sharing!
October 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Superb Post. this coupled with the release of the Basil Rathbone Dr Watson war time radio shows posted on here is wonderfull.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Very nicely done! I also am a distant cousin of William Gillette and grew up about a mile from the castle. So this was doubly great to see such a tribute!
October 8th, 2008 at 12:18 am
What a wonderful video. Being a distant cousin to William Gillette, this was a delight to come across. I grew up a few minutes away from Gillette’s Castle in East Haddam, CT.
October 8th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
ENJOYED THEM VERY MUCH.
IS THERE SOUND on any of the clips?
If so, so, how do I get the audio?
October 11th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
And who played the paper boy on one of his tours? Yes, none other than a young Charles Chaplin.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I loved the william gillette presentation but my computer seems to garble a bit. Do you sell DVD copies? Also, where did you get that wonderful voice recording? Please contact me!
October 16th, 2008 at 11:18 am
The Gillette castle on the Connecticut River has been refurbished recently and can be visited in Haddam Ct by the public.
October 19th, 2008 at 1:08 am
A lovely tribute to the first great Sherlock. I love the dissolve from poster illustration to photograph!