Lelíček in the Services of Sherlock Holmes
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1932Production year
1932Premiere
25 March 1932Runtime
92 minDirector
Karel LamačCategory
filmGenre
comedyTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka HolmesaCzech title
Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka HolmesaEnglish title
Lelíček in the Services of Sherlock HolmesProtectorate parallel title
Lelíček in den Diensten des Sherlock HolmerSummary
In 1932, Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective was adapted for the screen via this unique comedy, inspired by an eponymous literary work from Czech author Hugo Vavrečka. Sherlock Holmes is played by Martin Frič – mainly a film director, but also an occasional actor with a major interest in the crime genre. Holmes, conceived with sardonic irony, teams up with the main protagonist – the wily František Lelíček (Vlasta Burian), who, in light of his debt woes, accepts an offer to become a double to Puerto Rican king Fernando XXIII. Ultimately, Lelíček gains both a regal post and the affections of the queen (Lída Baarová). Director Karel Lamač also filmed a concurrent French version featuring Pierre Bertin in the main dual role (once again, Frič portrayed Holmes, while the queen was played by Truda Grosslichtová). Lamač’s passion for Doyle is underscored by his subsequent adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles shot in Germany in 1937 (as Der Hund von Baskerville).
Synopsis
The Puerto Rican King Fernando XXIII asks the famous detective Sherlock Holmes to find him a double since he is afraid of being assassinated. Holmes finds the notorious debtor František Lelíček in Brodek in Moravia, a man who resembles the king like two peas in a pod. Lelíček, pursued by his creditors, accepts his offer. The young and beautiful queen refused to leave with her cowardly husband to safety in exile. Lelíček assumes his role with great enthusiasm. The queen is bewitched by his temperamental behaviour at bull fights and the sang-froid with which he faces an attempt on his life. Gradually, a passionate relationship develops between the cunning Lelíček and the unsuspecting queen. The king's traitorous ministers prepare for another assassination attempt. A terrible device hidden inside a gramophone is set to go off after playing the new national anthem. Holmes manages to escape just in time from the cellar where he had been locked by the assassins and he is able to save Lelíček and the queen. Fernando has died meanwhile in his asylum. Lelíček, now in love with the queen and contented in his role as king, refuses to quit. He threatens to cause an international scandal by making his adventures public, thus he is finally left to reign in his new position.
Photos
Cast
Vlasta Burian
František Lelíček/král Fernando XXIII.
Martin Frič
detektiv Sherlock Holmes
Fred Bulín
James, sluha u Sherlocka Holmese
Lída Baarová
královna/královnina dvojnice
Eva Jansenová
královnina společnice Conchita
Theodor Pištěk
ministerský předseda hrabě Mendoza
Čeněk Šlégl
dvorní maršálek
Zvonimir Rogoz
královský důstojník
Eman Fiala
fotograf/skladatel
Arnold Reimann
kavárník
Jan Richter
vrchní
Karel Postranecký
číšník/důstojník královské gardy
Jan W. Speerger
Lelíčkův věřitel/anarchista s pumou
Alfred Schlesinger
Lelíčkův věřitel
Josef Rajský
Lelíčkův věřitel
Josef Loskot
Lelíčkův věřitel
František Říha
Lelíčkův věřitel
Kamila Rosenkranzová
Lelíčkova bytná a věřitelka
Otto Zahrádka
ministr
Vladimír Pospíšil-Born
ministr
Felix Kühne
ministr
Přemysl Pražský
ministr
Jan Sviták
vůdce spiklenců
F. X. Mlejnek
tlustý spiklenec
Robert Ford
spiklenec
Antonín Jirsa
spiklenec
Frank Rose-Růžička
spiklenec
Alois Dvorský
dvorní lékař
Josef Zora
dvorní lékař
Viktor Nejedlý
dvořan
Josef Oliak
dvořan
Mario Karas
dvořan
Emil Dlesk
dvořan
Karel Schleichert
dvořan
Antonín Šolc
dvořan
Josef Rovenský
starosta/důstojník gardy
Betty Kysilková
španělská doňa
Eduard Šlégl
sluha
Bohdan Lachman
sluha
Jindřich Adolf
sluha
Josef Kumok
skladatel
Jára Beneš
skladatel
Miloslav Svoboda
dvořan
Václav Menger
člen starostovy suity
Josef Kobík
host v kavárně
Crew and creators
Director
Based on
Hugo Vavris (František Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka Holmesa – román), Karla Lažanská (To dokáže Lemlíček – divadelní hra)
Screenplay
Director of Photography
Camera Operator
Production Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Cooperation
Jan Roth (vrchní osvětlovač), Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
Melody Boys (Music Conducted by R. A. Dvorský)
Songs
Rosita, Rosita /Rosita/ (tango)
Song Composer Josef Kumok
Writer of Lyrics Fráňa VodičkaRuda Jurist
Singer Vlasta Burian
Portorico /Portoriko, Portorická hymna/ (pochod)
Song Composer Josef Kumok
Writer of Lyrics Fráňa VodičkaKarel Tobis
Singer Vlasta Burian
Production info
Original Title
Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka Holmesa
Czech Title
Lelíček ve službách Sherlocka Holmesa
English Title
Lelíček in the Services of Sherlock Holmes
Protectorate Parallel Title
Lelíček in den Diensten des Sherlock Holmer
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
comedy
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1932
Production Year
1932
Production specifications
date of censorship 03/1932
date of censorship 05/1940
withdrawal from distribution 18 May 1945
withdrawal from distribution 30 November 1972
withdrawal from distribution 31 May 1993
Premiere
premiere 25 March 1932 /unsuitable for youths/ (kina Adria /5 týdnů/ a Fénix /12 týdnů/, Praha)
renewed premiere 05/1940 /unsuitable for youths/
renewed premiere 1 June 1967 /suitable for youths/
renewed premiere 1 July 1978 /suitable for youths/
Production
Copyright Holders
Studio
Distribution
Elekta (původní 1932 a obnovená 1940), Ústřední půjčovna filmů (obnovená 1967 a 1978)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
92 min
Original length in metres
2 615 meters
Distribution carrier
35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,19
Colour
black & white
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
Tobis – Klang
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech, English
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
