SHERLOCK HOLMES and the SECRET WEAPON (Unique Manuscript Archive for the 1942 Universal film adaptation of Doyle's 1903 story "The Adventure Of The Dancing Men") by Doyle, A. Conan (Scott Darling & Edward T. Lowe & Edmund L. Hartmann, screenwriters) - 1942

Los Angeles: Universal Studios, 1942. Doyle, A. Conan (Scott Darling & Edward T. Lowe & Edmund L. Hartmann, screenwriters). SHERLOCK HOLMES and the SECRET WEAPON. Los Angeles: Universal Studios, 1942. This unique film studio archive consists of FIVE scripts: three hand-corrected original manuscripts, a mimeographed copy of the shooting script, and the final dialogue and continuity script. In short, a treasure trove of primary material relating to one of the most endearing and enduring film series of the 1940s. The twelve Sherlock Holmes films produced by Universal Pictures during the years 1942-1946 are legend; they are surely the best known screen-adapted adventures of English Literature's most iconic character and Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are still cherished, despite our current superb 21st century film and TV adaptations, as the definitive Holmes and Watson. 1. Dated March 24th, 1942, Edward T. Lowe & Scott Darling's brad-bound "first rough draft" script includes 7pp of ribbon copy outline and notes for the story, along with a 95pp ribbon copy manuscript with the early and discarded title: "Sherlock Holmes #2". The typescript is complete, here found in typically bland WW2 Universal Studio covers stamped with the production number (7038). Although the cover is chipped and worn, the contents are pristine. There are a few penciled notes scattered throughout. 2. Dated April 22nd, 1942, Scott Darling's complete 110pp ribbon copy manuscript of Sherlock Holmes #2 with "Third Draft" on the cover. Also sports matching drab brown covers which are chipped but contents are Fine. 3. Dated May 22nd, 1942, Edmund L. Hartmann (the third credited writer) is the name on the cover of this remarkable complete 100pp manuscript draft which consists of a mix of original yellow carbon typescript and studio-mimeographed pink revision pages, most of which are covered in detailed penciled marginal corrections, additions, and emendations. Further the first leaf sports an original ribbon copy location manager report complete with a reproduced photo of one of the key settings. 4. Dated May 28th, 1942, this 107pp shooting script credits all three screenwriters, as well as Conan Doyle and "The Adventure of the Dancing Men." The new (but also later discarded) title is "Sherlock Holmes Fight Back" and the script consists of both studio-issued white pages and revised June, 2nd, 1942 blue pages; The drab studio covers are a bit tattered and used, as befits a shooting script but the contents are Very Good indeed. In addition, inserted is a 3pp revised step outline. 5. Dated August 6th, 1942, the complete studio-mimeographed self-wrapper final dialogue continuity script, bound with two brads at the top, bearing the film's final, accurate title "Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Weapon." In Very Good condition. Although 20th Century Fox produced two films from the Sherlock Holmes canon in the 1930s (also starring Rathbone and Bruce), they were set in Victorian England. Once Universal purchased the rights to all of Conan Doyle's characters from his estate, they took a hard look at World War Two audiences and realized that, for a world at war, cobblestoned streets and hansom cabs might seem irrelevant. So the inventive and pragmatic minds at Universal, faced with competing movies full of modern gunplay, car chases, film noir, and horror, made the controversial but essential decision to update Sherlock to modern times and have him take on the Nazis. Thus, although this film was inspired by one of A. Conan Doyle's personal favorites -- "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," the only retained element of the original tale was the dancing men "code" which is the key to solving the mystery. The producer of SHERLOCK HOLMES and the SECRET WEAPON was Howard Benedict (from RKO's Saint and Falcon series). The screenwriters were Scott Darling ("The Ghost of Frankenstein") and Edward T. Lowe ("The Hunchback of Notre Dame"). Additional script rewrite was provided by Edmund L. Hartman ("The Scarlet Claw"). The director, Roy William Neill, became, from this film on, the guiding creative force for the entire Universal Sherlock Holmes series, directing and producing each film. His long directing career included "The Black Room" and "Black Angel" amongst many other credits. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SECRET WEAPON opened on January 4th, 1943 to mixed critical reviews but overwhelming praise from a delighted public. A comprehensive one-of-a-kind archive. Please check out the other Sherlock Holmes original screenplays we have in stock.. Signed. Original Wraps. Very Good. Script.