Mr. Holmes (2015)

It's lovely to see Sherlock Holmes themed films and TV shows popping up recently! Mr. Holmes (2015) tells the story of the famous detective's last case, the case of the missing memories. I went to see this beautiful film back in September and completely enjoyed every delightful moment!

Story: An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes, deals with early dementia, as he tries to remember his final case and a woman, the memory of whom still haunts him. He also befriends a fan, the young son of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again. Based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin.

Costumes: The main story is set in the 1920s (I think) but there are flashbacks to the early 1900's with some lovely costumes. I'd say the costumes were not extraordinary but they were nice and fitting for the time periods they were representing.

Any Objectionable Content? I'll be very honest with you and say that since I saw it over a month ago it is hard to recall. I remember expecting there to be a major scene or theme that would be inappropriate but overall it was quite a clean film. There are probably some uses of God's name taken in vain, but there isn't any mature content. There is a mystery to be solved and a character does die, but the body is not shown. There is also an accident involving a child that might be distressing to young children. This film is rated PG which is very clean for a film of this type.

Recognizable Actors:

• Ian McKellen as  Sherlock Holmes - I was concerned that his Sherlock Holmes might be something like Gandalf or be too much like the actor, but as I watched I found myself wishing I could have seen this elderly version of Sherlock Holmes when he was on the trail of a master criminal! Known for: Mr. Creakle in David Copperfield (1999), Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit films. Cast as Cogsworth in the live action Beauty and the Beast (2017)!
• Laura Linney as  Mrs. Munro - As Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper she is cautious and protective of her son, yet very kind. Known for: hosting Masterpiece Classic, The House of Mirth and John Adams TV series (haven't seen either so can't recommend them).
• Milo Parker as Roger Munro - Curious young son of Mr. Holmes' housekeeper, probably my favorite character in the film! This young actor hasn't been in any other period dramas so far but he will be excellent in any future roles.   
• Hattie Morahan as Ann Kelmot - The mysterious lady from Mr. Holmes' past, she is amazing as this character as in all of her roles! Known for: Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility (2008), Lark Rise To Candleford, Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye and Arthur & George (another Holmes related film!). Cast as Agathe in the live action Beauty and the Beast (2017)!
• Patrick Kennedy as Thomas Kelmot - A fairly small role but it's neat to see Richard Carstone from Bleak House (2005) popping up in other period films! Known for: Richard Carstone in Bleak House (2005), The 39 Steps (2008), War Horse and Downton Abbey (Season 4).
• Philip Davis as Inspector Gilbert - Another Bleak House actor! This role as an inspector was quite refreshing. Known for: Mr. Smallweed in Bleak House (2005), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), Marple: Sleeping Murder, Lark Rise to Candleford, Sherlock (Season 1), Merlin (TV series) and Poldark (TV series).
• Frances de la Tour as Madame Schirmer - This actress is easily recognizable for me but I can never remember what period dramas she has been in. Known for: Poirot: Death On The Nile, Marple: The Moving Finger, Alice In Wonderland (2010), Hugo (2011) and Into The Woods (2014). 
• John Sessions as Mycroft Holmes - A short appearance but quite well cast. Known for: Princess Cariboo (1994), Marple: The Moving Finger, Oliver Twist (2007) and Sherlock (Season 1).

My Thoughts: I really did not expect to be quite so pleased with Mr. Holmes (2015). I thought it would be a "nice" film, but what I found was a clever story that drew me in and matched quite well with the stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Star actor Ian McKellen really brought the great detective to life and helped him seem as real as readers have felt him to be for generations. He also brought tears to my eyes as he showed the struggles of growing old. The friendship between Mr. Holmes and Roger is quite fun to see develop, and it's always nice to see a film have a happy ending! I'm very much looking forward to watching this film again soon!

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this film if you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories or any of these actors. It is a delightful film and for some odd reason reminds me of Miss Potter (2005) in the way the story it is told. Mr. Holmes (2015) is definitely being added to my recommended period films list!


Have you seen Mr. Holmes (2015)?
What did you think of Ian McKellen's performance as Sherlock Holmes?

Watch Period Dramas

I've had questions about where I find Period Dramas online. The answer is everywhere! Here are some of the main places I watch.

YouTube
There are hundreds of period dramas available for viewing on YouTube. Searching for the title of the film you're looking for usually works. And if you can't find the film today search tomorrow or next week - with so many users there are thousands of new things popping up each day.
To make finding videos simpler I have compiled a Period Drama Playlist featuring the first part of several period dramas (this is by no means a complete list of available films. I try to keep the list a fairly clean one but be aware there could be some sexual content and language in some films).
Don't know what kind of movie you're looking for? Check out my Period Drama Trailers Playlist ready to whet your appetite.

Masterpiece Theatre
The Masterpiece Theatre website have various films available for viewing while their season is running. (Currently Return to Cranford and Emma are available for viewing.)

Dimsy's Top Period Dramas
On her blog Miss Dimsy lists movie adaptations by author and links to where to find those films on YouTube.

Enchanted Serenity of Period Films
Fellow blogger Charleybrown has a lovely list of period dramas and links direct you on where to watch them.

Hulu
My brother just told me about this site where TV shows and Movies are available for free viewing (with limited commercial interruption). There are actually a few Period Dramas, several old films and many Sherlock Holmes films available. Below is a list of interesting films:

Period Films
The 39 Steps (1935)
The Bishop's Wife (1947, Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young)
Charade (1963, starring Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn - one of my favorite films)
Cold Comfort Farm (starring Kate Beckinsdale, some sexual themes)
The Great Train Robbery (1979, starring Sean Connery)
Heidi (1968)
His Girl Friday (1940, starring Cary Grant)
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
The Little Princess (1939, starring Shirley Temple)
Moby Dick (1956, starring Orson Welles)
Nicholas Nickleby (2002, starring Charlie Hunnham, Anne Hathaway)
The Pirates of Penzance (1983, starring Kevin Kline & Angela Lansbury)
Scrooge (1935)
Washington Square (1997)
Wonder Man (1945, Danny Kaye)

Sherlock Holmes Films
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1955 TV show)
A Study In Scarlet (1933)
Dressed To Kill (1946, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce)
Incident At Victoria Falls (1992)
Murder At The Baskervilles (1941)
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970, starring Robert Stephens, some mild sexual references)
Sherlock Holmes and The Fatal Hour (1931)
Sherlock Holmes and The Leading Lady (1991)
Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Weapon (1943, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce)
Terror By Night (1946, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce)
The Sign of Four (1932, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce)
The Speckled Band (1964)
The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935)
The Woman In Green (1945, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce)

I also wanted to quickly mention that I've added a new feature to the very bottom of the blog page so you can send an Old-Fashioned Charm e-card to friends and family. It's a very simple e-card sender, images are from period drams and many of them I've used in my posts before. Just a bit of fun, do enjoy!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world. God bless! :)

My Fair Lady meets Sherlock Holmes?

Lately I've been watching old episodes of Sherlock Holmes on YouTube. I love this casting of Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Homes and the other characters, I think they are the best I've ever come across, yes even better than Basil Rathbone! I've watched this series on my local Public Television station for years now, and always enjoyed it but it wasn't until recently that I started wondering about the actors.

Last night I went to my favorite actor's search engine and looked up actor Jeremy Brett's rather lengthy filmography, his films and TV movies number roughly 70. After thinking what a great gruff, bold, and almost evil Holmes he makes I was very surprised to see that his early acting credits include a role in My Fair Lady. I couldn't imagine who he could of played and was surprised beyond belief when I discovered that he had played Freddy Eynsford-Hill!



Not only did he do a wonderful job playing Eliza Doolittle's love interest but it was actually his own voice that sang On The Street Where You Live for the film! So of course I had to find a snip it of him singing the song:



I watched the clip in total disbelief as tears rolled down my face. I've always loved Freddy Eynsford-Hill and On The Street Where You Live has always been my favorite song in the whole movie, it's just so romantic! You really could have knocked me over with a feather. Sherlock Homes and Freddy Eynsford-Hill just seem like totally different characters to me, one gruff and brisk, the other carefree and boyishly romantic. But both of these character were portrayed by one great British actor. I was also in awe when I discovered through reading a short bio on Jeremy Brett that he was married for a time to veteran period actress Anna Massey (who was just a gem in Mansfield Park, Importance of Being Earnest, Oliver Twist, new Tess of the D'Urbevilles) and also to Mystery! and Masterpiece Theatre producer Joan Wilson who died of cancer. Truly an interesting man and a great period actor!

Mood

Impressed