Sherlock Holmes - E29: The Case of the Imposter
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
While Holmes and Watson are out of London on vacation, someone has taken the opportunity to impersonate Holmes - to a great profit.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
While Holmes and Watson are out of London on vacation, someone has taken the opportunity to impersonate Holmes - to a great profit.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
01:00221-B, Baker Street, do you hear?
01:18221-B, Baker Street.
01:25And you're an idiot too!
01:29You!
01:52Did you hear that?
01:53With no difficulty.
01:55Or was it?
01:56According to my deductions, I should imagine that someone is at the door.
02:05Well, Watson, won't you see who it is?
02:09Yeah, well, I should.
02:10All right.
02:19How do you do?
02:20Out of my way, imbecile!
02:21Ah, here you are!
02:24A most accurate observation.
02:25Don't fool with me, sir, or I'll wrap this stick around your head!
02:28I beg your pardon?
02:30Do you know who you're talking to?
02:32I most certainly do.
02:34An idiot, a liar and a blackguard, that's who I'm talking to!
02:37Would you care for a cup of tea?
02:39Never mind the cup of tea.
02:40Just give me my hundred pounds!
02:42Now look here.
02:44Now you've gone too far.
02:45Who are you?
02:46Yes, why don't you introduce yourself?
02:49Introduce?
02:51Mr. Holmes, what tomfoolery is this now?
02:55You know my name, sir.
02:56I wish I were equally informed as to yours.
02:58Do you mean to sit there and pretend you don't know who I am?
03:00I not only do not know who you are, sir, but I think I prefer it.
03:06Quite.
03:07But this is...
03:09This is impossible.
03:11Are you pulling my leg?
03:13Mr. Sherlock Holmes is not in the habit of pulling the legs of elderly gentlemen.
03:17Oh, enough of this nonsense!
03:19I talked to you here in these very rooms only last week.
03:22Oh, indeed?
03:23And what did we talk about?
03:25You know very well what we talked about.
03:27I informed you that several attempts had been made on the vault in my home.
03:30I asked your advice concerning a safer place for the family jewels, securities and other valuables.
03:35Oh?
03:36And what was my advice?
03:38Don't you remember?
03:40You said that thieves never look in the obvious places for valuables.
03:43They only look in the places that are not obvious.
03:45Therefore I should put my precious things in an obvious place which would then become inobvious.
03:49For some such drivel!
03:51Anyway, I took your word for it and you charged me a hundred pounds, too.
03:55Did I?
03:56I take it the advice was not very effective.
03:59Effective?
04:01My dear sir, not more than an hour ago the biscuit jar was ransacked.
04:05Completely ransacked!
04:07Biscuit jar?
04:09I offer you my full sympathies, Mr... Mr...
04:12Sir Arthur Treadley.
04:14Oh, Sir Arthur.
04:16However, the loss of your valuables represents only one crime in this pattern.
04:21What do you mean?
04:23The first crime committed was a very clever impersonation of myself.
04:28For last week, when we presumably were holding our rather unusual discussion,
04:33I was in Brighton with Dr. Watson.
04:36Yes, he has gone the entire week.
04:38Don't you agree?
04:42Are you certain?
04:44There can be no doubt, sir.
04:46Then I talked to an imposter.
04:49But he looked exactly like you.
04:52It's interesting, eh, Watson?
04:54What did I look like?
04:56You were in Brighton.
04:57We both were.
04:59Well, this is the most amazing.
05:01It certainly is, sir.
05:03I hardly relish the thought of a stranger wearing my slippers and smoking my pipe.
05:08Not to mention the fact that he's traded on your name to achieve his own illegal ends.
05:12Well, I see that I can hardly blame you.
05:15But still, something should be done about it.
05:17Something shall be done about it, sir.
05:19This imposter must be apprehended.
05:21You should report the matter to the police.
05:23Oh, no, I think you can trust Sherlock Holmes.
05:26Er, this Sherlock Holmes.
05:29Good.
05:30Here's my card, sir.
05:32Please contact me as soon as you've uncovered the scoundrel.
05:34I should very much like to meet him face to face.
05:37Exactly my wish, sir.
05:40Good day, then, gentlemen.
05:50All the nerve.
05:52All the impotence breaking in here and pretending to be Sherlock Holmes.
05:59I was thinking about that biscuit jar, Watson.
06:02I must say my alter ego certainly had a good deal of audacity.
06:07He's back.
06:08He's back?
06:10Well, I hardly think so, Watson.
06:17Hello, Inspector.
06:19Ah, the strain.
06:20Holmes?
06:24Holmes.
06:29I'm the laughing stock of Scotland Yard.
06:33Oh, I am sorry to hear that.
06:35But so you should be.
06:37If it hadn't been for you, I'd have had London's cleverest jewel thief in the palm of my hand.
06:42Ah, also London's cleverest impersonator, no doubt.
06:45Huh?
06:46I assume that you are under the impression that I visited you last week
06:50and offered you some unsolicited advice, shall we say?
06:53Of course I'm under the impression that...
06:58What do you mean, impression?
07:00Well, I'm sorry to disillusion you, Lestrade,
07:02but you see, Dr. Watson and I were not in London last week.
07:06A gentleman bearing an uncanny resemblance to myself has duped you.
07:11I don't believe it.
07:13You just won't admit to an error of judgment.
07:16Oh, no, Holmes.
07:18I'm not accepting that excuse.
07:20We were in Brighton, and we can prove it.
07:24Ridiculous.
07:26You came to my office,
07:28and you convinced me to switch my men from watching Carlton's jewelry shop
07:32to watching Hamilberg's jewelry shop.
07:35Yes, and naturally, Carlton's was the one that was robbed.
07:39Clean as a whistle.
07:42Oh, Holmes.
07:44I can't face my men.
07:48Of course not.
07:51My dear old friend,
07:53my advice to you is to return to your men and inform them
07:57that you deliberately exposed Carlton's jewelry shop to the thief.
08:02All part of a vast, intricate plan.
08:05And don't tell them anything more.
08:08Oh.
08:10You think that would work, Holmes?
08:12My solemn word.
08:15Hmm.
08:17Hmm.
08:23I'll do that, Holmes.
08:25That's just what I'll tell them.
08:27They won't be able to make me out, will they?
08:30You will continue to be a puzzle to them.
08:33Yes.
08:34Oh, thank you, Holmes. Thank you.
08:36Oh, by the way,
08:38you weren't serious about that impersonator, were you?
08:42Quite serious.
08:43Ridiculous.
08:53Holmes, this is getting worse and worse every minute.
08:56I dread to hear another knock on the door.
08:58Well, I think our man was busy enough for one week, don't you, Watson?
09:01Well, I hope so.
09:03What are we going to do now?
09:04Well, to catch an impersonator,
09:06it may be necessary to bait the trap with a piece of imitation cheese.
09:11What?
09:16I say, Holmes, must we continue with this ridiculous act?
09:20Absolutely essential.
09:22Well, I don't feel very dignified.
09:24Dignity is not the issue, Watson.
09:26It is justice and revenge.
09:31How long do we go on for?
09:32Well, until the right man calls on us.
09:34Look here, we've already seen dozens of diplomats and reporters.
09:38Are you sure none of them is the right man?
09:39Quite sure, Watson.
09:40But I have every confidence our man will call on us before very long.
09:43Sooner or later, he may see for himself
09:45the fabulous Maharaja of Gandor
09:48and to say nothing of the Maharaja's fortune in jewels.
09:53Well, I wish I was still playing Dr. Watson.
09:56Mr. Hadley Bellingbrook of the London Weekly News
10:00desires an audience with the Maharaja.
10:03They will ask him to wait for a moment.
10:05That's all right, Watson.
10:19Show Mr. Bellingbrook in.
10:22Yes, sir.
10:38I am Afan Turman, the Grand Vizier to the Maharaja.
10:42We welcome you.
10:44How do you do?
10:46Pleased to follow me.
10:52The Maharaja of Gandor.
10:54Mr. Bellingbrook.
10:58Would you state purpose of visit?
11:00Well, I'd like to get an interview with the Maharaja for my newspaper.
11:15We grant interview.
11:17First question, please.
11:19Actually, I wanted to do what we in London call a feature story.
11:24Naturally, I know that every newspaper has already covered the fact
11:28that the Maharaja is honoring us with a visit.
11:30I thought, therefore, that we might have, well,
11:33just sort of an informal chat.
11:36Very interesting. Very interesting.
11:38We grant an informal chat.
11:42Your Highness, the population of London
11:45has heard a great deal about your jewels.
11:48I wonder, would you tell me what their value is?
11:51You may say for publication
11:53that the Maharaja's jewels are worth well in excess of 500,000 pounds.
11:57I see.
11:59And would the Maharaja consent to reveal to us
12:02just how he protects such vast fortune?
12:05The Maharaja retains 30 men
12:07whose sole task it is to guard the vast wealth.
12:10Very interesting.
12:12Yes, but it is not the fear of death that disturbs the Maharaja.
12:17Oh?
12:18May I inquire just what it is that disturbs the Maharaja?
12:21Mr. Bellybrook, we are faced with a delicate situation.
12:25May we take you in our confidence?
12:27Yes, of course.
12:29Well, the truth is that the Maharaja's daughter
12:32is in love with a young Englishman.
12:35I had no idea.
12:37It is all too true, but we are plagued with doubts.
12:40Doubts?
12:41Yes.
12:42We would like to know if the young man is sincere in his affections
12:46or, as you might term it, is he a fortune hunter?
12:50You see, to most men, half a million pounds is a fortune.
12:54That is a serious problem.
12:56Indeed, we would ask you in the greatest confidence
12:59if you could recommend to us a private individual
13:02who could carry out some discreet investigations
13:06into the young man's background and motives.
13:09Have you not heard of Sherlock Holmes?
13:12Sherlock Holmes? No.
13:14The name falls strangely on our ears.
13:17I assure you, sir, the man is a master in matters of this nature.
13:20Then perhaps he is the one we seek.
13:22I'm sure he would be delighted to assist you.
13:25However, he is quite busy.
13:27I can't say exactly when he will be available.
13:30Then perhaps, sir, you could manage to have a word with him
13:33and persuade him to give us an interview.
13:35Indeed, I shall.
13:36I will inform you the moment that he is in a position
13:39to accept the Maharaja's problem.
13:41We will be present when the time comes.
13:43You have been of great assistance.
13:45Already you have lightened the royal burden.
13:48You will find Mr. Holmes most helpful.
13:51There is no secret, however intimate its nature,
13:55that you cannot entrust to him.
13:57Oh, indeed, indeed.
13:58As we say in our country, a wise man is a quiet man.
14:03Oh, most true.
14:05And now, may I ask the Maharaja another question?
14:09Ah, no, please, please.
14:10The Maharaja is fatigued with the interview.
14:16The Maharaja bids you good day.
14:19Oh, yes, yes, of course.
14:22Your visit has been most pleasing to us.
14:25Good day, Mr. Bellingbroke.
14:40May I speak now?
14:43Certainly, Watson.
14:44What would you like to say?
14:45Eh?
14:46Oh, uh, no, nothing really.
14:50Oh.
14:52Look here, Holmes.
14:54Why did you tell that fantastic story
14:56of something about a daughter and an Englishman?
14:58Well, you're aware, of course, that Mr. Bellingbroke
15:00was not a member of the press.
15:02Oh?
15:03He seemed legitimate enough to me.
15:05Hardly.
15:07You see, there were no signs of the true journalist about him.
15:11The seat of his trouser was not shiny
15:13from constant application to a chair,
15:15nor were the elbows of his coat shiny
15:18from constant application to a desk.
15:20Eh?
15:21His spectacles were mere props being made of plain glass.
15:24Plain glass?
15:25Good Lord, how did you tell him that?
15:27Well, Mr. Bellingbroke is nearsighted.
15:29It was quite evident from the manner in which he took those notes
15:32that the glasses were no use to him whatsoever.
15:34Oh, I see.
15:36All right, then.
15:37Granted, Bellingbroke isn't Bellingbroke.
15:38Well, who is he?
15:39I mean, he doesn't look very like you, does he?
15:41Well, that's true, Watson.
15:42I think we shall learn more about our mysterious friend
15:45when he arranges that interview for me with Sherlock Holmes.
15:49Yes, I believe he resides at 221 B Baker Street.
15:52A charming man, too, from what they say.
15:55Ha, ha, ha.
15:57Cabin!
15:58I say, Holmes.
16:00You did say we were just going through the motions of leaving the city.
16:04Yes, correct.
16:05But where are we actually going?
16:07Well, straight back to our rooms at the hotel
16:09where you will get out of your clothes
16:11and resume your interesting characterization of the Maharaja of Gandor.
16:16Sherry Cross Station, my good man.
16:18And hurry, we have a train to catch.
16:21Sherry Cross Station, my good man.
16:22And hurry, we have a train to catch.
16:40I wish they wore bologna.
16:41Yeah, let me help you.
16:42I wish they wore bowlers.
16:49Here, let me help you.
16:52Mr. Bellingbrook has arrived.
16:54Ah, show him in.
17:00Maharaja.
17:01Huh?
17:05Ah, Mr. Bellingbrook.
17:07We greet you in peace and in hope.
17:10I think your hope is justified.
17:12Then you bring good tidings?
17:15I do.
17:16We had a good stroke of luck, and Mr. Holmes awaits you this evening.
17:19Splendid.
17:20Eight o'clock would be most convenient for His Highness.
17:24I'm sure that would fit in with Mr. Holmes' schedule.
17:26We are most happy, Sahib.
17:29By the by, where does this Mr. Holmes reside?
17:33The address is 221B Baker Street.
17:38Baker, Baker Street.
17:40Ah, that has something to do with cakes and bread, no doubt.
17:44Yes, it is.
17:46But it has nothing to do with it in this case.
17:49Odd name for a street.
17:51But, however, we shall be there at the appointed hour.
17:54Good day, Mr. Bellingbrook.
18:00Holmes, if this is your idea of a joke, then our friendship is at an end.
18:04Not to mention my career with the Yard.
18:06I give you my word, Lestrade, I am utterly serious.
18:09And what could be better than that?
18:11I know, I know.
18:13It just seems peculiar, this business of sneaking up to your place and arresting Sherlock Holmes.
18:20At eight o'clock tonight.
18:22But suppose he isn't there.
18:24Suppose we burst in, guns drawn, and find the flat empty.
18:29How will I face my man?
18:31Rather sheepishly, I should imagine.
18:35Look, Lestrade, the imposter is using our flat because he thinks we've left the city.
18:40Yes, I know.
18:43But it will be a tremendous fillip for you, Lestrade.
18:45Your name will be on the lips of every man, woman, and child in London.
18:51Hmm.
18:53Every man, woman, and child, eh, Holmes?
18:57All right, I'll do it, Holmes.
18:59I'll do what you ask.
19:01Wilkins?
19:02Yes, sir.
19:03Drive one report here at 7.30 tonight.
19:05Yes, sir.
19:06Oh, and you'd better be here too.
19:07Very good, sir.
19:09One thing more, Wilkins.
19:11If anything goes wrong tonight, do you know with whom the responsibility will lie?
19:16Well, I hardly like to say, sir.
19:18You're in enough difficulty as it is, sir.
19:34It will be necessary to surprise our unwelcome guest.
19:37Of course.
19:38I suggest, therefore, that we gather one by one in the hallway of the house.
19:41Watson, you stroll by first, and then duck in.
19:43Aye.
19:44Next, Lestrade.
19:45Then Wilkins, and finally myself.
19:47What about Cliburn and Hennessy?
19:49Hennessy, you ought to go around the corner and station yourself at the back of the house.
19:52And mine, keep a good look out.
19:53And Cliburn, you remain here and watch the front of the house.
19:55Now, is everything understood?
19:57Mm-hmm.
19:58Good.
19:59Then let's be off.
20:00Aye.
20:30Good evening.
20:32Very good.
20:34I must say, the resemblance is quite remarkable.
20:37It is remarkable.
20:39But I should have known better than attempted to deceive you, Mr. Holmes.
20:43My error.
20:46I think you'd better come along quietly.
20:49I have no other choice, have I?
20:52You quite outnumber me.
20:55All right, I've got him!
21:01Fools! You've got the wrong one!
21:04Oh, no, you don't. We've had enough of your tricks.
21:07Lestrade! Watson! He's getting away!
21:10Let me up!
21:11Let you up? You don't have a chance to escape now, do you, Cliburn?
21:14You...
21:15You're putting me to death!
21:17You're putting me to death!
21:19You're putting me to death!
21:21You're putting me to death!
21:23You...
21:24You'll pardon me, gentlemen, but I believe you're sitting on the real Mr. Holmes.
21:27What makes you think so, Wilkins?
21:29Well, if he's the imposter, where is the real Mr. Holmes?
21:33Yes, of course, you idiots! The real Holmes wouldn't run away!
21:36There should be two of us!
21:38Oh, my goodness, he's right!
21:41I'm most terribly sorry.
21:43There's no time for all that now, Watson. Please, come on.
21:51Mr. Holmes, what is it?
21:52Have you seen the imposter?
21:53No, sir.
21:54He got away. Look down the street. Hurry, man.
22:03Don't move.
22:04Cliburn, what are you doing?
22:06Why, Mr. Holmes just told me that the imposter...
22:10Oh, my goodness.
22:11Where did you see him, Cliburn?
22:13Right at my post. I don't know which direction he took.
22:16Well, he can't have gone very far.
22:18Here, what's that, Watson?
22:21Why, it's putty.
22:22Mr. Holmes.
22:23Alfred.
22:24How did you get here so quick?
22:25Alfred, where was I when you last saw me?
22:27Right down the street quite a way.
22:29And which direction was I going?
22:31Don't you know, sir?
22:32No, that's why I'm asking you. Tell me quickly.
22:34Why, it looked like you was cutting over the red line.
22:37Thank you, Alfred, for your assistance.
22:41I said hello, but you acted like you didn't even know me.
22:50Make yourself inconspicuous. I'll call you if I need you.
23:21We meet again, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:26I beg your pardon.
23:28Disagreeable stuff. Putty, isn't it?
23:31The way it sticks to everything.
23:33Your hand. A cup. A cup.
23:35No, no, I wouldn't advise you to do that.
23:37There's no point in trying to run away again.
23:39I'm sorry, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:41I'm sorry, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:43I'm sorry, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:45I'm sorry, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:47I'm sorry, Mr. Bellingbroke.
23:49There's no point in trying to run away again.
23:51You see, there can be no possible confusion between us this time.
24:02Here he is, Mr. Strade.
24:04But who is this man?
24:06Well, it's rather difficult to say.
24:08Sometimes he is a certain Mr. Bellingbroke.
24:11And at others, a certain Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
24:14But at all times he is a superb master of mimicry and disguise.
24:19Holmes, are you positive?
24:21I'd hate to make another mistake, you know.
24:23Have no fear, Lestrade.
24:24You will discover on his person the putty with which he remodels the features of his face.
24:30And you may also undoubtedly discover that at one time or another he was a more than competent actor.
24:47But Holmes, I still...
24:48All right, all of you. Now move in.
24:50Come on, Tony. We can make a break for it.
24:53Just in the nick of time, Charlie boy. Here, give me the gun.
24:57Thank you. Now, won't you sit down opposite your partner?
25:04Aren't you Tony Simmons?
25:06No, I am Sherlock Holmes. And this, in yet another disguise, is Tony Simmons.
25:12And this is Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, Dr. Watson, Sergeant Wilkins and Officer Clybourne.
25:19Now, is everything quite clear?
25:24Wilkins, give me a hand.
25:27My head feels quite light.
26:18© BF-WATCH TV 2021