Movie Review: Without a Clue

Without a Clue
Starring: Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, Jeffrey Jones, Lysette Anthony, Paul Freeman, Nigel Davenport, Pat Keen, Peter Cook, Tim Killick, Matthew Savage, John Warner, Matthew Sim, Harold Innocent, George Sweeney, Murray Ewan, Stephen Tiller, Michael O'Hagan, Ivor Roberts, Martin Pallot, Gregor Fisher, Caroline Milmoe
Director: Thom Eberhardt 

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), United Kingdom, 1988.

Unknown fact was that Sherlock Holmes (Michael Caine) was a clumsy actor whose real name was Reginald Kincaid. The real "Brains" was Dr. Watson (Ben Kingsley) who invented Holmes to draw a line between his crime-solving hobby and his scientific career. Watson writes stories about their adventures to the Strand magazine. As opposite to his image in literature, Holmes likes women and booze. And Holmes does not really know how to play violin.

Sherlock Holmes

Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson

Things happen to Holmes

Watson gets annoyed by bumbling Holmes and fires him. However the readers of the Strand magazine like Holmes and publisher Norman Greenhough (Peter Cook) insists that Holmes must be rehired. Inspector Lestrade (Jeffrey Jones) and Lord Smithwick (Nigel Davenport) want Holmes to search for stolen £5 printing plates. Someone may produce counterfeit notes and ruin the economy of England. Also the printing supervisor Peter Giles (John Warner) has gone missing. Also some people get murdered. Looks like evil Professor Moriarty (Paul Freeman) is involved again!

Norman Greenhough

Wiggins and Watson

Inspector Lestrade and Lord Smithwick

Peter Giles' daughter Leslie (Lysette Anthony) appears and gangsters try to kidnap her. Watson and Holmes get also information from street urchin Wiggins (Matthew Savage). When Watson vanishes, Holmes and Mrs. Hudson (Pat Keen) must try to solve the case alone. That is when Kincaid's knowledge of theatre comes in handy.

Thorough investigation is important

Mayor Johnson

Leslie Giles

Ben Kingsley's Watson is strictly disciplined genius. Michael Caine's Holmes balances him as womanizing celebrity who likes to drink. The casting is good and it is nice to see Kingsley in a comedic role. Many amusing situations arise when Holmes tries to maintain his reputation as the master detective when he clearly has no idea what he is talking about. Also Nigel Davenport's character Lord Smithwick and Mayor Johnson (Harold Innocent) create jolly atmosphere as enthusiastic fans of Holmes. Jeffrey Jones' Lestrade-character is a deadpan copper who is just about as smart as Holmes.

The Empire is counting on you!

Moriarty's henchman Sebastian Moran (Tim Killick)

The mystery case itself follows well the spirit of the original Holmes stories. Victorian costumes and sets are good. Also Henry Mancini's playful score fits well the lighthearted mystery. The movie is full of subtle jokes and also references to the original stories. This is the way good parody movies should be made. Modern makers of spoof-films should watch and learn. Strongly recommended for fans of Sherlock Holmes and British comedies.

Rating: Very Good