Sherlock Holmes (1916)

A series of letters which compromise a European royal family are held by a young woman (Marjorie Kay), the sister of a dead girl betrayed by a prince. A representative (Ludwig Kreiss) of the royal family asks the assistance of the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes (William Gillette) in retrieving the letters. However, Holmes' arch enemy Professor Moriarty (Ernest Maupain) also desires the letters for the purpose of blackmail. Based on the stage success by William Gillette (who plays Holmes here) and directed by Arthur Berthelet. While not based on any particular Arthur Conan Doyle story, actor/writer Gillette took bits and pieces of A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA, A STUDY IN SCARLET and THE FINAL PROBLEM to create his play. It was a great success and Gillette played Holmes for well over a thousand performances. As far as a representation of Conan Doyle's iconic character goes, it's not especially notable (though it does have Holmes falling in love). But it is one of the earliest and most ambitious depictions of Holmes on screen. Holmes fans as well as fans of silent movies should enjoy it. With Edward Fielding as Dr. Watson, Mario Majeroni and Grace Reals.