Animated satire has parody versions of Holmes and Watson investigating the theft of a dinosaur skeleton.Animated satire has parody versions of Holmes and Watson investigating the theft of a dinosaur skeleton.Animated satire has parody versions of Holmes and Watson investigating the theft of a dinosaur skeleton.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
Photos
Harry Lang
- Dr. Gotsum
- (uncredited)
- …
John McLeish
- Hairlock Combs
- (uncredited)
- …
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- Writer
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Featured reviews
If you are looking for a cartoon that is both a parody and 100% unfunny, have I got a film for you! I recently downloaded a copy of "The Case of the Screaming Bishop" because I not only enjoy Sherlock Holmes but because I like a good laugh. And, while it was a mocking adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, it just wasn't funny or necessary in the first place.
This film begins with a crazy looking guy somehow sneaking a huge dinosaur from the local museum. Watson and Holmes give chase and it all culminates with a confrontation at the symphony hall where the maniac is using the skeleton as a xylophone. If this doesn't sound funny, join the club. Despite adequate black & white animation, there just isn't much to recommend this one.
This film begins with a crazy looking guy somehow sneaking a huge dinosaur from the local museum. Watson and Holmes give chase and it all culminates with a confrontation at the symphony hall where the maniac is using the skeleton as a xylophone. If this doesn't sound funny, join the club. Despite adequate black & white animation, there just isn't much to recommend this one.
Case of the Screaming Bishop, The (1944)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This Columbia animated short is a spoof of the Sherlock Holmes movies, which were being made over at rival studio Universal at the time. In this film, a dinosaur skeleton goes missing so Hairlock Combs and Dr. Gotsome set out to try and find it as well as the thief. At first the mystery seems to great but they finally get a major clue when it turns out the thief just happens to be a musician. THE CASE OF THE SCREAMING BISHOP isn't a complete success and I'm sure most will find it rather bland but fans of Holmes will probably want to check it out. I was a little surprised to see this was from Columbia because the relationship between Combs and Gotsome is clearly inspired by the banter of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The two have a very similar relationship, although the Gotsome character is certainly a tad bit dumber than what we saw Dr. Watson do in the Universal movies. I was impressed with the B&W animation including the terrific looking opening scene when the villain is introduced and the darkness really reminded me of the various noir titles that were starting to be released around this time. The story itself is rather weak and doesn't add up to much in the end but fans of the character will want to check it out.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
This Columbia animated short is a spoof of the Sherlock Holmes movies, which were being made over at rival studio Universal at the time. In this film, a dinosaur skeleton goes missing so Hairlock Combs and Dr. Gotsome set out to try and find it as well as the thief. At first the mystery seems to great but they finally get a major clue when it turns out the thief just happens to be a musician. THE CASE OF THE SCREAMING BISHOP isn't a complete success and I'm sure most will find it rather bland but fans of Holmes will probably want to check it out. I was a little surprised to see this was from Columbia because the relationship between Combs and Gotsome is clearly inspired by the banter of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The two have a very similar relationship, although the Gotsome character is certainly a tad bit dumber than what we saw Dr. Watson do in the Universal movies. I was impressed with the B&W animation including the terrific looking opening scene when the villain is introduced and the darkness really reminded me of the various noir titles that were starting to be released around this time. The story itself is rather weak and doesn't add up to much in the end but fans of the character will want to check it out.
Did you know
- TriviaThis is considered to be one of Screen Gems' "Phantasy" series of cartoons.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes (1985)
Details
- Runtime
- 7m
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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