A century ago today, the play version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" debuted at the Adelphi Theatre in London (written and produced by Doyle, retitled The Stonor Case starring H. A. Saintsbury as Sherlock Holmes). For more details, check out Wikipedia. And if you'd like, you can watch the marvelous Jeremy Brett in "The Speckled Band" on YouTube.
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One hundred years ago tomorrow, the master of the twist ending, O Henry, died following a life that was every bit as colorful as any of his characters. "After Twenty Years" was assigned reading for me back in my school days, and it forever changed my taste in storytelling. Click on the link and come back to tell me what you think of this pithy tale of about twelve hundred words.
O Henry bio.
100 years. has it been that long? Damn. I've got a big collection of O Henry's work here. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have a boxset of all the Sherlock Holmes starring Basil Rathbone. They're fantastic. I remember watching them with my dad when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteAfter Twenty Years. A great story. Great imagery and a great ending. Friendship runs deep. I'll look up some more of his work. Thanks.
Have a great weekend David.
A beginning and an ending. I'm only familiar with "The Ransom of Red Chief," but it was a good story.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I could use a definitive O Henry collection. I have several paperback versions here and there but a thorough anthology would be nice.
ReplyDeleteDavid, DRESSED TO KILL was my first VHS purchase circa 1986. Not the greatest Holmes flick but I've since watched that and the others many times. There are some Rathbone audio versions that are worthwhile too.
Leah, "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a hoot and remains a popular favorite. I just checked Wiki and it was published in 1910, the year he passed.
O Henry had a knack for getting at the heart of being a human being. both the good and bad sides of it. It's his stories, more than any others, that have inspired me to be a short story writer.
ReplyDeleteIt's striking to think that Holmes has pretty much been a multi-media character from day one.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to attend that play. Still another great use for a time machine.
ReplyDeleteSandra, There must be quite a few of us out there inspired by him. I just wish I the humor he sprinkled into so many stories. Gifted.
ReplyDeleteRich, Sometimes I forget Doyle lived long enough to see him in films. So yes, multi media indeed.
Evan, Ha. Simpatico are we. I mentioned that to my wife, how great it would be to plop down beside A.C. Doyle and attend the show. I am working on a time machine, of sorts, with Chris Holm, Matt Mayo, and Charles Gramlich but more about that soon.
All short story writers should study O Henry. He knew all too well how every word counts.
ReplyDeleteAmazing all these tit-bits of info you have stored away. Keep them coming, they are absolutely fascinating.
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