BELLY LAUGHS: Without a Clue, 1988

 

"With apologies to the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson."

Above is the final credit to the 1988 comedy Without a Clue. The Holmes character has withstood countless spoofs and homages over the years. The disclaimer here is cute but not seriously necessary for this engaging take on those residents of 221B Baker Street. 

Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson throw the blighter out!

Ben Kingsley, Pat Keen

The screenplay by television writers/producers Gary Murphy (Night Court, Malcolm in the Middle) and Larry Strawther (Night Court) is their only big-screen effort - quality over quantity. The premise is that the clever Dr. John Watson provided a case-solving clue to a Scotland Yard patient but in order to be taken seriously claimed he was passing on information from a clever private consulting detective called Sherlock Holmes. The Holmes reputation snowballed, thanks in large part to Watson's Strand magazine stories. Public demand for a "real" Holmes grew to such an extent that Watson hired actor Reginald Kincaid to play the character.

The blighter!

Michael Caine

Ben Kingsley is the precise and natty Dr. John Watson whose considerable ego and pride in his detecting abilities are forced to take a back seat to the Holmesian monster he has created. His casting in the matter of the front for the firm leaves a few aspects to be desired. Kincaid is a drunkard, a womanizer, and an idiot. Michael Caine is the profligate Kincaid who basks in the publicity and adulation. A more felicitous teaming of actors for these roles is difficult to imagine. 

Wiggins on the job.

Matthew Savage

Mrs. Hudson played by Pat Keen (see The Baker Street Boys) is well aware of the truth of the situation under her roof and is squarely behind Dr. Watson. The Baker Street Irregulars led by Matthew Savage as Wiggins also treat Holmes with disdain. 

Strand editor Greenhough played by Peter Cook (see The Hound of the Baskervilles) is brought in on the deception but is not amenable to Watson's plan to kill off the troublesome Holmes. After all, Holmes is not troublesome to the coffers of the Strand.

Scotland Yard reluctantly comes calling.

Nigel Davenport, Jeffrey Jones, Ben Kingsley

Jeffrey Jones is a jealous and quick-to-jump-to-the-wrong-conclusion Inspector Lestrade. Nigel Davenport is Lord Smithwick, Chancellor of the Exchequer. The peer brings our inharmonious duo to the missing link in their current investigation. Queen Victoria herself wishes Holmes to assist in the case of stolen five-pound note plates and a kidnapped engraver. The fate of the Empire is at stake!

The criminal mastermind

Paul Freeman

The progression of the case leads to the not-so-startling fact that the man behind it all is Professor Moriarity played by Paul Freeman with nonchalant villainy. Moriarty is also in on the facts behind the Holmes and Watson partnership. Moriarty does not take Watson's genius for granted. 

A damsel in distress?

Lysette Anthony

Do we need a femme fatale? The girl-pinching souse Reg Kincaid certainly thinks so. Dr. Watson is equally quick to protect the daughter of the kidnapped engraver. There is some issue with the daughter. Does it have something to do with Professor Moriarty or is it something else entirely? Lysette Anthony as Lesley Giles makes herself home at Baker Street. 

Without a Clue is a colourful journey through Sherlock Holmes lore; from Baker Street to the Lake District to the docks of the Thames to the abandoned theatre which was the ignominious end of Reg Kincaid's theatrical career and conversely his greatest triumph. The cinematography by Alan Hume (Shirley Valentine) has a unique charm. The costume design by Judy Moorcroft (A Passage to India) is absolutely gorgeous, as well as era and character appropriate.

Case closed.

Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley

Henry Mancini supports the comedy and the characters of Without a Clue with a delightfully light score, his second in the Baker Street milieu having backed Disney's The Great Mouse Detective with its endearing music in 1986.

Without a Clue is filled with delightfully clever lines delivered skilfully by our two leading men in particular. The situations, ripe for double takes and hilarious slapstick are also carried off with great poise. Our familiarity with the characters (100 years old at the time of the movie) lends itself immediately to a spoof, but such a spoof must be good-hearted and fulfill its mandate to amuse. Mission accomplished and movie highly recommended.

Regarding my recommendation: Back in 1988 I talked up Without a Clue to co-workers. Later a woman complained, "The way you talked I thought it was something special, but it was just funny."