While I wouldn't call it melancholy, this production and Robert Steven's portrayal of Holmes as a somewhat resigned, though amused and amusing detective, makes for fair, lighthearted entertainment. The movie is well-cast and while we can't know how George Sanders would have done as Mycroft, Christopher Lee fits nicely. I have only the slightest acquaintance with Genevieve Page but she seems perfect for her part and how exciting would it be finding her at one's doorstep? My only gripes relate to a certain predictability and lack of vigor of the plot. The ballet after-party was telegraphed for miles (though the clueless Watson's--Colin Blakely--best scene) and the journey to Loch Ness and the discovery of the semi-maguffin of the main story lacked motivation and excitement. Maybe this is a consequence of the movie as originally conceived, in which it contained several additional cases that were edited out. Nevertheless the concept was a good one and the result a decent divertimento for an evening.
Review of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
