The Dancing Men
- Episode aired May 1, 1984
- TV-PG
- 54m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
A gentleman is baffled when the childish drawings of little dancing men terrify his American wife. Sherlock Holmes soon discovers why.A gentleman is baffled when the childish drawings of little dancing men terrify his American wife. Sherlock Holmes soon discovers why.A gentleman is baffled when the childish drawings of little dancing men terrify his American wife. Sherlock Holmes soon discovers why.
Featured reviews
The Dancing Men shows the wonderful imagination Conan Doyle had, such an intriguing mystery, which requires Holmes to use his intelligence to catch a killer and solve a mystery.
It's not my favourite episode of the first batch, it has some very strong competition, but it's a fine episode nonetheless, Brett is fantastic as Holmes, for me he's still THE Sherlock Holmes, his expressions and antics are fantastic in this episode, he is so energised. I love the scenes between Holmes and Inspector Martin. It moves along at a pace, and offers some intriguing ideas, I do like the dancing men code.
Fantastic production values throughout as you would expect, it looks great. Tenniel Evans is great as the loving and sympathetic Hilton Cubitt, if I'm honest I didn't care much for the performances of Elsie or Abe Slaney, personal taste I get.
It's not my favourite episode of the first batch, it has some very strong competition, but it's a fine episode nonetheless, Brett is fantastic as Holmes, for me he's still THE Sherlock Holmes, his expressions and antics are fantastic in this episode, he is so energised. I love the scenes between Holmes and Inspector Martin. It moves along at a pace, and offers some intriguing ideas, I do like the dancing men code.
Fantastic production values throughout as you would expect, it looks great. Tenniel Evans is great as the loving and sympathetic Hilton Cubitt, if I'm honest I didn't care much for the performances of Elsie or Abe Slaney, personal taste I get.
10grantss
Sherlock Holmes is hired by a wealthy landowner, Hilton Cubitt. His wife has been receiving strange notes with all the contents in the form of dancing men. She is clearly shaken by these messages but won't be drawn on what they mean. Could these be related to her American past?
After the sedate, not-violent, hardly-a crime-involved opener, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Dancing Men steps up the tension in a big way. Quite riveting and thrilling as Holmes and Watson try to figure out what the dancing men mean and how this affects the Cubitts.
Once intriguing at the end too as Holmes unravels the mystery and sets out to catch the person responsible.
Excellent episode.
After the sedate, not-violent, hardly-a crime-involved opener, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Dancing Men steps up the tension in a big way. Quite riveting and thrilling as Holmes and Watson try to figure out what the dancing men mean and how this affects the Cubitts.
Once intriguing at the end too as Holmes unravels the mystery and sets out to catch the person responsible.
Excellent episode.
Taking a break from "filler" loaded Endeavor. Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes is no "filler" to the point. No need to sillily stretch stories out to fill time. "Dancing Men" was truly satisfying. Brett displays his keen powers of observation in a quick paced pure old fashioned mystery. I'll only watch Sherlock Holmes if it's Jeremy Brett. Marvelous way to spend an hour. Vito S 9-5-20
10agni0504
The story of The Dancing Men is one of my favorites - OK,as I am a huge fan of Jeremy Brett,I love all the episodes,but I like this one especially.The story is exciting and as time passes, the viewers may try to put together the meaning of the drawings themselves. But I like it mostly because of the excellent acting - Jeremy just looks gorgeous in that sexy dressing gown in the scene where he deduces that Watson did not invest in goldmines. His gestures and mimic are awesome, not to mention his wonderful diction. During the Adventures series he still was thin and quick and healthy - later, due to his illnesses and the loss of his wife his appearance changed, but his performance remained larger than life.And if I consider the fact that he was 50 when he first appeared as Sherlock Holmes, he made a miracle - for me at least, because he is absolutely convincing as Holmes somewhere in his thirties. David Burke is always great as Watson and the supporting cast did a fine job too.I recommend this episode to everyone as a fantastic introducing into the realm of my one and only Sherlock Holmes, the unforgettable Jeremy Brett.
The deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes are put to the test in The Dancing Men. Jeremy Brett as Holmes is called in by a member of the minor gentry named Hilton Cubbitt who is very disturbed about the behavior of his wife Elsie who is an American expatriate. They've been married for three years, but he really knows nothing of her past and her erratic behavior of late is inexplicable. The sight of what some might consider graffiti on his property, a drawing of some dancing men has scared her out of her mind.
Before Holmes can really go to work on it and in point of fact there isn't a whole lot he can do unless Mrs. Cubbitt tells him just what those dancing men mean, tragedy strikes. He and Dr. Watson played by David Burke receive word that both have been shot, Hilton Cubbitt is dead and Elsie Cubbitt gravely wounded.
Good thing Holmes was around because the local police definitely would have gotten it wrong. In this case Holmes functions like a one man CSU because it's forensics that tells the real story. When Holmes ferrets out the real story, the culprit is obvious.
When you don't have a CSU yet, Sherlock Holmes is good to have around.
Before Holmes can really go to work on it and in point of fact there isn't a whole lot he can do unless Mrs. Cubbitt tells him just what those dancing men mean, tragedy strikes. He and Dr. Watson played by David Burke receive word that both have been shot, Hilton Cubbitt is dead and Elsie Cubbitt gravely wounded.
Good thing Holmes was around because the local police definitely would have gotten it wrong. In this case Holmes functions like a one man CSU because it's forensics that tells the real story. When Holmes ferrets out the real story, the culprit is obvious.
When you don't have a CSU yet, Sherlock Holmes is good to have around.
Did you know
- TriviaIn 1903, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed briefly at Hill House Hotel at Happisburgh, near Norwich. Asked to sign an autograph book, he saw in it a signature and address written in "dancing men" by G. J. Cubitt, the proprietor's son, who was then about seven years old. Conan Doyle then and there set to work upon "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," using not only the cipher, but the name Cubitt for the central character in this tale.
- GoofsAt the conclusion of the story, during Dr. Watson's epilogue, modern vehicle traffic is passing on the road in the background behind the manor house in the upper left hand corner.
- Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: His family has owned land in Derbyshire for over five hundred years, so I presume that Mr. Cubitt is as respectable as he is worthy.
Dr Watson: [while looking out the window at Mr. Cubitt] With a fresh face, an open countenance, and wearing a brown bowler hat.
Sherlock Holmes: [not realizing Watson was looking out the window] Oh no, you can't possibly know that!
Dr Watson: [smirking] Really, Holmes?
- Crazy creditsThere are Paget drawings from the story during the credits.
- ConnectionsVersion of The Mystery of the Dancing Men (1923)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Filming locations
- Leighton Hall, Warton, Carnforth, Lancashire, England, UK(Ridlingthorpe Manor)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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