Letter to Scott Allen Nollen (12 october 1989)
This letter was written by Lena Annette Jean Conan Doyle, second daughter of Arthur Conan Doyle, from Flat 6, 72 Cadogan Square, London (UK), on 12 octobre 1989, to Scott Allen Nollen.
Letter
12. Oct. 89.
Dear Mr Nollen,
Thank you for your letter. Of course it is sought to quote from those series of my father which are already in public domain (these series published in the U.S.A once 75 years ago), and, as far as the later stories are concerned a line, or perhaps two, would surely be overlooked. I'm sorry I can't write a foreword — it's all I can do to answer your letter — there are so many others, and other things, waiting to be done. Yes, my father did admire Elie Norwood, and as a family we liked Arthur Wontner in the 1930s. The Granada series has given me a lot of pleasure as, as the whole, they been really faithful to my father's stories, whereas some earlier film have been absurd. Nigel Bruce was quite wrong as Watson. Appealing! Whereas in the Granada series both Watsons were really believable as suitable to share a flat + furnishing with someone as negligent as Holmes. I've come to enjoy Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes very much. I didn't not like his interpretation in the very earliest series, but this changed during the series, and, finally, in the play "The Secret of Sherlock Holmes" I think his portrayal is riveting. I've seen it several times and am fascinated by it. This is a Holmes one will always remember. I have forgotten so many other.
At the time "The Seven Percent Solution" and "The West End Horror" were published someone else owned the copyrights. I would not have authorized the former.
I hope this has been helpful & you can read it. My typewriter has been away for repair for 9 weeks, which has made little waiting a greater problem than ever.
- Yours sincerely
- Jean Conan Doyle
