article of the day

Curious98 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 2:02 pm Post subject: article of the day

The Hound of the Baskervilles is possibly the most popular of all of the Sherlock Holmes stories, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and filmed at least 24 times since 1914. It was inspired by the regional mythology of the British Isles concerning hell-hounds and set largely on an area of moorland close to where Doyle was a general practitioner while writing the novel. Doyle wrote in the crime, detective, and mystery genres but had an interest in writing in what other genre as well?

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a crime novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, originally serialised in the Strand Magazine in 1901 and 1902, which is set largely on Dartmoor 1889. At the time of researching the novel, Conan Doyle was a General Practitioner in Plymouth, and thus was able to explore the moor and accurately capture its mood and feel. In the novel, the detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are called to investigate a curse which is alleged to be on the house of the Baskervilles.

Inspiration for the story

The marsh around Fox Tor, Fox Tor Mires, was almost certainly the inspiration for the book's 'Grimpen Mire'. Baskerville Hall may be either Hayford Hall or Brook Manor, which are both near Buckfastleigh. Baskerville Hall in Clyro also claims to be inspiration for the building in the story, going so far as to have Holmes' silhouette on stationery and brochures.

It is thought that Conan Doyle, who once lived in Birmingham, may have borrowed the name from Birmingham printer John Baskerville. The ideas of journalist and writer Bertram Fletcher Robinson were important in the inception of the book, and he received credit in early publications, although the extent of his contributions are unknown. The Hound of the Baskervilles is considered to be one of Conan Doyle's best works as an author for its fantastic descriptive writing.

The story is inspired by regional mythology of the British Isles concerning hell-hounds. See Barghest and Black Shuck. The latter is of East Anglian origin, and Conan Doyle and Fletcher Robinson spent time at the Norfolk resort of Cromer. The old Cromer Hall nearby which was in the Gothic style is also said to have matched the description of Baskerville Hall.

and there was also links between the Cromer and Devon through the Cabell family (said to be an inspiration for the cursed family).

Conan Doyle, who wished to concentrate on his historical novels, chose to bring back Sherlock Holmes for the story despite having previously stated that he had become tired of the character. The decision was probably prompted both by the need for a powerful protagonist and by the astronomical commercial success of Sherlock Holmes at the time, especially in America. However, the events of this story were placed before those of The Final Problem and thus there was no necessity (as yet) to explain away Holmes' "death".

The story was first published in The Strand as "The Hound of the Baskervilles—Another Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" in a series of monthly parts, from August 1901 to April 1902. Plot summaryHolmes and Watson receive a visit from Dr. James Mortimer, who wishes to consult them before meeting Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the Baskervilles, and heir to the Baskerville estate in Dartmoor.

Dr. Mortimer tells them he is uneasy about letting him go to Baskerville Hall, owing to a supposed family curse. He narrates the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a demonic dog that first killed Sir Hugo Baskerville several hundred years ago, and is believed to kill all Baskervilles in the region of Dartmoor.

When Holmes dismisses it as a fairy tale, he narrates the events of the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville, Henry's uncle. Although he was found dead in his garden without any trace of physical damage, his face was distorted as if he died in utter terror. Dr. Mortimer then reveals something that he had not mentioned at the official inquest. He alone had noticed footmarks at some distance from the body when it was found; the footmarks of a gigantic hound.

The Hound, as it is affectionately known, has a number of details that make it enjoyed. Doyle had matured as a writer since the two earlier Holmes novels, but did not produce this story merely as a response to The Strand's financial offers. Having been conceived of as a Holmes tale for artistic reasons, one can see that the author's enthusiasm was back, and at a time when his abilities could fulfill the story's needs. More subplots, red herrings, and interesting characters drift through its pages than is usual for a Holmes mystery. I

nspector Lestrade is a helpful ally. And, most importantly, it is Watson's story. Not only is he the narrator, as is usual, but it is his own activities that he is reporting. Holmes is not on hand for the middle section of the novel, and for those familiar with the Nigel Bruce portrayals, it is refreshing to see Dr Watson's intelligence, bravery, and initiative put on display. With no Holmes, he does a creditable job as his agent, as Holmes himself notes.

It is revealed that the true criminal is a local naturalist called Stapleton, who was revealed to be a long lost cousin of the Baskervilles. His intention was to send a half-starved, vicious dog as his agent, which would attack the first living thing it encountered. This dog was a mixed breed, purchased from the distributor Ross and Mangles. In order to make it seem diabolical, Stapleton daubed its coat with a luminous, phosphorous-based ointment. When the dog was sent to kill Henry Baskerville, Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade were waiting for him.

They shot the hound with their guns, killing him. Stapleton fled, to drown when trying to cross the moor in the fog. Allusions/references from other worksThe Hound of the Baskervilles may be the most popular of all of the Sherlock Holmes stories. It has been filmed no fewer than 18 times, with the earliest adaptation on record being a 1915 German silent production. Other adaptations include those featuring Basil Rathbone (1939), Peter Cushing (1959), and Jeremy Brett (1988). There has also been a rock music adaptation by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman.

A 1978 comedic film adaptation of the novel featured well-known British stars such as Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Terry-Thomas, Spike Milligan, Prunella Scales, Denholm Elliott, and Penelope Keith.

In her Amelia Peabody novel The Curse of the Pharaohs, Elizabeth Peters named many of the minor characters after people featured in the Sherlock Holmes canon. The murder victim, an aristocratic archaeologist, is named Sir Henry Baskerville—"from the Norfolk Baskervilles, not the Devonshire branch of the family".

The main character in Umberto Eco's detective story set in the Middle Ages, The Name of the Rose, is named William of Baskerville, and his trustful sidekick is named Adso. The first is a reference to the novel by Conan Doyle (as well as to William Occam), and the latter might refer to Dr Watson.

In part one of The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, by Keno Don Rosa, the hound is presented as the Hound of the Whiskervilles. This hound merely is a costume, having been used since 1675 by the inhabitants of Whiskerville to frighten the McDucks.

The 2nd-season Futurama episode The Honking features a were-car that roams the moors surrounding Bender's ancestral castle, echoing some events in the novel.

Vladimir Nabokov, a childhood Holmes enthusiast, sprinkled allusions through many of his novels. His widely celebrated book Pale Fire refers to Grimpen Mire and its marshy landscape, as well as referencing Stapleton's habit of butterfly collecting.

The observation that psychological stress can increase mortality through heart attacks has been given the name Baskerville effect. This alludes to the story's Sir Charles Baskerville who died from a heart attack after encountering the fierce dog of the title.

The mechanical hound of Ray Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451 is noted by the author in the afterword as being a "robot clone of A. Conan Doyle's great Baskerville beast." Film, TV or theatrical adaptationsUp to this day we have no less than 24 film versions of the Hound of the Baskervilles. Some of these shine because of their truth to the book others hold a place for odd castings and designs. Among these are some pastiches and one parody.

Claude