The Hound of the Baskervilles

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Sherlock Holmes novels

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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.

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Inspiration for the story

Image:HoundOfTheBaskervilles.jpg

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.

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 that perfectly replicates the Fox Tor mires, considered to be the inspiration behind the Grimpen mire.

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 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) of explaining away Holmes' "death."

The story was first published in Strand as The Hound of the Baskervilles—Another Adventure of Sherlock Holmes in a series of monthly parts, from August 1901 to April 1902.

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.

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Story plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Holmes 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, who was found dead in his garden without any trace of physical damage, but with a terror-distorted face. He 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 things going for it. 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. Inspector 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. While no Holmes, he does a creditable job as his agent, as Holmes, himself, notes.

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Role in popular culture

The 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 1914 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.

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 middle age detective story The Name of the Rose is named William of Baskerville, and his trustful sidekick is named Adso. The first is most probably 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.

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.

{{Infobox Film |name = The Hound of the Baskervilles |image = Movie_dvd_cover_the_hound_of_baskerville.jpg |caption = DVD cover |director = Sidney Lanfield |producer = Gene Markey
Darryl F. Zanuck |writer = Arthur Conan Doyle (novel)
Ernest Pascal |starring = Richard Greene
Basil Rathbone
Nigel Bruce |music = David Buttolph
Charles Maxwell
Cyril J. Mockridge
David Raksin |cinematography = Peverell Marley |editing = Robert Simpson |distributor = Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation |released = March 24, 1939 |runtime = 80 min. |language = English |budget = |imdb_id = 0031448 |}}

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1939 film

The most famous and popular film version may be the 1939 release starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in their first teaming as Holmes and Watson. The film was directed by Sidney Lanfield.

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1939 Main cast in credit order

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1959 film

Another film version was a 1959 release. This version featured Peter Cushing as Holmes, André Morell as Watson, and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville.

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1959 Main cast in credit order

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1981 film

See The Hound of the Baskervilles (1981 film)

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Quotations

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1939 version

  • "You know my methods, Watson. Apply them!" (Sherlock Holmes)
  • "They were the footprints of a gigantic hound!" (Dr. Mortimer)
  • "You never tire of the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets which it contains. It is so vast, and so barren, and so mysterious." (Stapleton)
  • "But by heavens, cunning as he is, the fellow shall be in my power before another day is past!" (Holmes)
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1959 version

  • "There must be hundreds of similar folk stories; I fail to see why I should take this one of singular interest. What do you say, Watson?" (Sherlock Holmes)
  • "Well, I'm surprised of you, Holmes. First you tear the man (i.e. Dr. Mortimer) apart, and then you say that you will help him." (Dr. John Watson)
  • "Watson, you ought to know me better by now, the methods I use. I had to burst the balloon, deflate the man's pomposity to find one significant clue!" (Holmes)
  • "Let us toast to my new ownership. To my firm belief that the family curse is just a legend, and that the hound of hell will never again terrorize those upon the moor at night." (Sir Henry Baskerville)
  • "Watson, yes, I knew a Watson once... Notorious white slaver in Caprina, nice fellow though. He any relation of yours?" (Bishop Frankland)
  • "What's that, Watson? What's that!? [groans from heart attack]." (Sir Henry)
  • "There is more evil here than I have ever encountered before." (Holmes)
  • "Elementary, my dear Watson; there are no Tarantulas in South Africa." (Holmes)
  • "My lord, I must insist. Would it help you to know that I am fighting evil, fighting it as surely as you do?" (Holmes)
  • "The curse of the hound is on you!" (Cecile Stapleton)
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External links

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es:El perro de los Baskerville fr:Le Chien des Baskerville it:Il mastino dei Baskerville ja:バスカヴィル家の犬 sr:Баскервиллски пас

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