Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Series

Hard to find UK TV series from 1954-1955. Picture quality quite acceptable for most episodes, especially on a smaller screen. Some of the earlier shows are poor quality, but having said that I have never found any copies of this show that are better. Price is right, and if enjoy watching Ronald Howard and Howard Marion-Crawford play in some very compelling stories you will enjoy this set. I know my wife and I do.

I am loving this old TV series version of the Sherlock Holmes tales. To be honest, one of my main problems, especially as I have read all the Sir Arthur Conen Doyle stories, is that so many of the actors - or is this a fault of the directors and producers?? - play Holmes' sidekick, Dr Watson, as a complete and total bumbling, mumbling idiot. Why? SH was not so insecure and dysfunctional that he would have needed to choose such an imbecile to boost his self-confidence.What I love about this version - grainy as it is at times, and sometimes with audio problems - is that Ronald Howard (the brother of Leslie Howard, of Gone With the Wind fame) is excellent as Sherlock Holmes ... He plays him a bit brighter, affable and though not exactly warm and cuddly, on the amiable side. He is not a complete misanthrope. I like this, as I have known some highly intelligent and erudite people in my life, and only one has been insufferable to be around, fortunately. Not all such people must also be total jerks or borderline socially inept.Also G Marion Crawford's Dr Watson is very appealing to my tastes. Sure, he is a bit brash and over-the-top, but that might have been necessary for the early TV audiences viewing this. I like his incarnation and interpretation of this role. His toughness aligns with his history of military service which ACD has ascribed to him, and he is able to assist Holmes as he so often does in the stories in the physical side of dangerous encounters. This Dr Watson is not an imbecile, but someone we can truly accept - and believe - as a person Holmes would call a friend.One other thing I like about this is the music - the opening/closing theme and other music is very nice.All in all, I highly recommend this collection of video gems. They are short enough to enjoy one while having breakfast or lunch, and make a fun bit of binge-watching.

Ron Howard and his sidekick are great as Holmes and Watson. A great example of what great TV could be in the black and white era. Thoroughly enjoyed these fast-moving, well-told stories.

Mastered from original release prints so there are a few scratches and cue marks now and then but really not distracting for me all -- because the shows are SO GOOD. This had to be one of the more extravagantly funded programs of the early 1950s as the Victorian era sets and costumes are often at least the equivalent of feature film costume dramas of the era. Every now and then you'll see a sparse interior but each episode features so many different sets and locations that you can't believe they did all this work for a half-hour TV series. The real miracle is that they were able to write a mystery that's up to the Arthur Conan Doyle standard and resolve it fully in just that short a time! All the actors are among Great Britain's best, with Archie Duncan, Ronald Howard, and H. Marion Crawford, doing superb work in characterizing Inspector Lestrade, Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. John Watson, respectively. Crawford's "Watson" is the truest to the novels that I've ever seen while Howard significantly softens Holmes' personality for the home viewing audience. I think it is a wise choice as TV series thrive on likable characters we enjoy revisiting week after week. He offers a wonderfully reserved and brilliant Holmes, nonetheless. They clearly made this with both American and U.K. markets in mind, as there are quite a few excellent American actors playing minor roles as well as guest stars. Paulette Goddard is quite remarkable in her episode. Legendary character actor, Duncan, isn't content with just playing Lestrade -- he appears in a number of quirky characterizations. This is really fine dramatic television for fans of Conan Doyle or even just the Victorian period.

Love this series.

Great dvd, great purchase.

I LIKE THE CLASSIC TV PROGRAMS FROM THE 1940'S-1960'S AND THIS COMPLETE COLLECTION IS NO EXCEPTION.THE CLEARITY OF THIS DVD IS PERFECT. BASIL RATHBONE DID A FANTASTIC JOB OF PLAYING SHERLOCK HOLMES.THE TV SHOWS ITSELF ARE NOT OVERDUBBED, IT'S CRISP, CLEAR VIDEOS ARE UP TO PAR. I'M A SATISFIED CUSTOMER AND I RECIEVED IT BEFORE THE ESTIMATED DAY AND THE SHIPPING WAS ABSOLUTELY WAS FREE. IF ANYONE LOVES THE ORIGINAL CLASSICS LIKE I DO WILL JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO PURCHASE THIS WRAPPED DVD COMPLETE CLASSIC TV SERIES. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SELLER.

For those fans of Sherlock Holmes this "new" and perhaps unseen angle on a well-known detective will be gratefully received. There are 39 episodes each about 35mins in length. Once you warm to the different style of Holmes and Watson, as played by the actors, it is very entertaining. Highly recommended for those looking for a different interpretation of a favourite.Three DVDs in a low quality triple case. The discs themselves are excellent value for money, and a new case for them is easy.

39 episodes, all in black and white, with a good quality (bear in mind that's from 1954!), of the american Sherlock Holmes. Some episodes have badly aged, as far the story is concerned. Once again, it was 1954 so don't scream your head off if there are stereotypes (cowgirl and indian, for instance).A good slice of american television for dirt cheap.The overall quality is suprisingly good (sound & image).