Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Most Famous Story

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 5

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Most Famous Story

Not the least unusual fact about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is that ho was a writing doctor whoso literary success was based, not on his practice, but upon the lack of it. The eldest son of a British artist, Doyle won his M.D. in ISBS, and lost liis patience by the folI lowing year when he began to experiment with story-writing to occupy his office hours. The result was the publication in 1887 of “A Study in Scarlet,” ■in which he introduced Mr Sherlock Holmes a detective residing at 2218 Baker Street, in London. Detective Holmes was so much more successful than Doctor Doyle that tho physician

J devoted more time to his writing and finally, attained the immense popularity that has not yet waned, with “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.” “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,” Doyle’s answer to the critics and millions of readers who clamoured for 'more, was followed by “The Hound of : the Baskervilles. ” Because the latter [book is generally acclaimed as tho greatest of all Sherlock Holmes’ astounding adventures, as well as being one of literature’s most shocking, spinechilling mystery stories, it was selected by Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century-Fox production chief, for bringing Sherlock to the screen. In the perfect-fitting role of the great detective, Basil Rathbonc shares top honours with Richard Greene and Wendy Barrie in the film, which includes Nigel Bruce (as Dr. Watson), Lionel Atwill, Beryl Mercer, and others.