Sherlock Holmes under scrutiny at Warwick Words talk

The ‘consulting detective’ first appeared in print in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1887 novel A Study In Scarlet - and since then, he and Doctor Watson have conquered every form of print and visual media.

But though Holmes often remarks his conclusions are “elementary”, he never once in any of Conan Doyle’s stories uttered the words, “Elementary, my dear Watson”.

He did, however, say them at the very end of the 1929 film, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, the first Sherlock Holmes sound film - and they have been routinely used in other adaptations.

University of Warwick researchers Dr Michael Pigott, Dr Paul Cuff and Dr Nicolas Pillai will be exploring the most exciting, bizarre and weird of these adaptations, using clips from film and television together with examples from comic strips and advertising as they look at how Holmes has become part of our culture.

The talk, A Study in Sherlock, will be hosted by the Warwick Words committee, whose executive director Helen Meeke said: “Sherlock Holmes is probably the most well-known detective in the world and the talk promises to be a really fun event.

“Warwick Words’ tea time talks have proved to be very popular and we’re is looking forward to working with the University of Warwick to develop a further series.”

The event takes place at the Friends Meeting House in High Street at 4pm. Tickets cost £5, including refreshments, and are available from the Bridge House Theatre box office on 776438 or on the door.