Sherlock Holmes in the Great Mystery (1908)

Mystery | 27 November 1908

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HISTORY

This story appears to be based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story Murders in the Rue Morgue" (Graham's Magazine, 1841), and appears to be the first film based on a Poe story.
       Crescent Film Co., located at 273 Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, may have been a distributor of European films reedited for the U.S. market. ...

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This story appears to be based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story Murders in the Rue Morgue" (Graham's Magazine, 1841), and appears to be the first film based on a Poe story.
       Crescent Film Co., located at 273 Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, may have been a distributor of European films reedited for the U.S. market.

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SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Moving Picture World
14 Nov 1908
p. 386ada
Moving Picture World
21 Nov 1908
p. 412ada
Moving Picture World
28 Nov 1908
pp. 434-435ts, 437
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle and the story "Murders in the Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allan Poe (Graham's Magazine, 1841).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHORS
DETAILS
Alternate Titles:
Sherlock Holmes in the Great Murder Mystery
The Great Mystery
Release Date:
27 November 1908
Production Date:

Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Toned
Length(in feet):
800
Country:
United States
SYNOPSIS

“Our picture relates to a crime committed by a Gorilla who escapes from his cage and through circumstantial evidence a young man, whom we will call in our story Jim, is accused and is just about to be convicted when, through the aid of our hero, Sherlock Holmes, he is freed just in time. Our picture opens with a girl and sweetheart, who are sitting in her room discussing plans for their marriage. The message is brought for Jim, compelling him to leave at once. Shipyard Scene. The Gorilla escapes from his cage from a vessel with his master, the captain, in hot pursuit. The frightened animal climbs a porch of this girl's house and into the window of her sitting room, and after a terrific struggle between her and the beast he kills her, before the captain can prevent him, The captain immediately returns to his vessel with the Gorilla and stays in hiding, fearing the consequences should anyone detect him. Discovery of Crime. The butler, who returns to the dining room is horrified to discover the room in great disorder and his mistress murdered. He immediately notifies the police, Police arrive and, after questioning the butler, they learn of her sweetheart's visit, and accuse Jim of the crime. Railroad Station. Jim, who is unaware of what happened, is about to board a train, when the police rush upon the scene and arrest him. Sherlock Holmes's Study. Holmes is reading a book when his old friend and colleague chum Watson arrives, who has read of the crime in the paper, showing same ...

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“Our picture relates to a crime committed by a Gorilla who escapes from his cage and through circumstantial evidence a young man, whom we will call in our story Jim, is accused and is just about to be convicted when, through the aid of our hero, Sherlock Holmes, he is freed just in time. Our picture opens with a girl and sweetheart, who are sitting in her room discussing plans for their marriage. The message is brought for Jim, compelling him to leave at once. Shipyard Scene. The Gorilla escapes from his cage from a vessel with his master, the captain, in hot pursuit. The frightened animal climbs a porch of this girl's house and into the window of her sitting room, and after a terrific struggle between her and the beast he kills her, before the captain can prevent him, The captain immediately returns to his vessel with the Gorilla and stays in hiding, fearing the consequences should anyone detect him. Discovery of Crime. The butler, who returns to the dining room is horrified to discover the room in great disorder and his mistress murdered. He immediately notifies the police, Police arrive and, after questioning the butler, they learn of her sweetheart's visit, and accuse Jim of the crime. Railroad Station. Jim, who is unaware of what happened, is about to board a train, when the police rush upon the scene and arrest him. Sherlock Holmes's Study. Holmes is reading a book when his old friend and colleague chum Watson arrives, who has read of the crime in the paper, showing same to Holmes. Holmes, after reading and by constant pleading of Watson, decides to lend his aid in unraveling the crime. Holmes at Work. Arrival at girl's residence. Herein are shown methods employed by Holmes to secure evidence or clue to discover the culprit. In His Study. Holmes returns to his study in deep thought, with his mind concentrated upon the crime. He is trying to unravel the mystery when he takes his old violin down from its peg and begins to play fantastic music which puts him in a trance to solve the problem. Herein are shown remarkable visions of the different clues and theories in Holmes's brain. The first vision is of Jim committing this awful crime, but vision fades away before the crime is committed. Second vision is of a burglar: that also fades same as the first. Holmes, who has learned of the Gorilla being in port, lends his thought to this and the vision appears of the Gorilla escaping from the ship, climbing the porch of the house and into the window and committing the crime that Jim is accused of. Holmes immediately jumps up with a start, and after numerous failures, discovers the ship, Gorilla and master, accusing same of the tragedy. He begs him to go to the courthouse with him. Court Room. Poor Jim is convicted to be hanged, when our hero Holmes rushes in with sufficient evidence that frees Jim. This picture is beautifully and elaborately toned throughout. Photography and scenery unexcelled.”—28 November 1908 Moving Picture World

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GENRE
Genre:
Sub-genre:
Detective


Subject

Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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