MORE ON HOLMES’ BOSWELL 

IT IS A CHARMING CONCEIT THAT DR. JOHN H. WATSON was actually the biographer of the world’s first consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was merely Watson’s literary agent. SimanaitisSays has followed this practice from as early as “Holmes Pedals Himself into a Corner,” October 19, 2016. And, recently, there appeared subtle evidence in this regard, from which these tidbits are gathered.

Holmes on Radio: Oft Canonical, Sometimes Not. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes first came to radio via NBC on October 20, 1930, via NBC. No less than William Gillette (he, of the original Meerschaum pipe) portrayed Holmes, albeit only for two episodes. Richard Gordon followed, along with the Meerschaum.

Edith Meiser. The radio scripts were written by “Sherlockian Extraordinaire” Edith Meiser, who continued with several Holmes, including Basil Rathbone (1939–1946), Tom Conway (1946–1947), and John Stanley (1947–1949).

The Case of the Accommodating Valise. It is this last series, with Stanley accompanied by Alfred Shirley portraying Dr. Watson, that comes to mind here. Recently SiriusXM “Radio Classics” offered “The Case of the Accommodating Valise,” originally broadcasted on May 23, 1948. 

Annoying A.I—Again. There are several YouTube renderings of this episode, including the one shown above. What’s more, each of the YouTube offerings has simultaneous transcription of the audio—which displays an A.I. shortcoming I’ve witnessed in another aspect of life: telephone message transcriptions. (Have you experienced humorously garbled ones as well?)

God help us should this “state of the art” tool be used in serious matters: “The Case of the Accommodating Police.” “… like an old Koji like me…” “fictional knife foot! I suppose you’re going to sit there and tell me I don’t exist!”

Missing Jewels. Edith Meiser captures the Sherlockian penchant for recognizing the reality of Watson and his pal with some wonderful tongue-in-cheek dialogue. The problem is a serious one: Passengers disembark from steamers at Southhampton and then take deluxe boat trains to London. At the station platform, however, “somebody’s luggage turns up missing…. a valise belonging to some rich American lady who has a fine mess of jewels in it.”

“Well, it sounds like a bit of legerdemain,” says Watson. “Say, Holmes, you don’t suppose Mr. Houdini has taken to crime?” 

“Who’s he?,” asks the railway official consulting Holmes.

“The American magician who’s come to consult that writer chap,” says Dr. Watson “… what’s his name… oh yes, Arthur Conan Doyle.”

Holmes observes, “Mr. Houdini and Mr. Doyle are both reputable gentlemen, Watson. In fact, there’s some intimation that Doyle may be knighted for his literary activities.”

“ Oh folderoll!,” says Watson. “He’s no better than I am.”

“That’s as it may be,” Holmes sniffs.

Don’t you love this droll reaction?

And I thank Greg Bell’s “Radio Classics” for offering this bit of nonCanonical Holmes. ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2026