The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes

I love this little movie, and every time I revisit it I lament that Billy Wilder's roadshow epic was butchered, and the fact that Christopher Lee never gets the respect an actor of his caliber does.

Even though it began life as a musical (With Peter O'Toole and Peter Sellers no less!) and takes a slightly comedic look at what-if's in the life of Holmes & Watson; the look, tone, pacing and performers absolutely nail it.Plus it has a certain touching quality that is nowhere to be found in the mess that is Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows. (though I still love Jude Law's stronger characterization of Watson. The only good part of these pointless fake-looking films.)

There were originally 4 stories in a 200 minute roadshow with intermission, with two being removed and strangely making the film seem longer than just 125 minutes. Still it is the best Holmes film to date (even being a purist for Holmes adaptations) and the best from Wilder's late period. What does it say that the best film adaptations of Conan Doyle are those that are unafraid to go into uncharted territory and maintain a strong spirit? (the other being Hammer's Hound of the Baskervilles)

4 balls out of 4 canaries, trappist monks, parasols, Nessies and Russian ballerinas.