Sherlock Holmes Craze
Sherlock Holmes Craze is an article published in Cleveland Plain Dealer on 21 january 1901.
About the play Sherlock Holmes at the Opera House in Cleveland, OH (USA).
Sherlock Holmes Craze
Many Men, Women and Children Aspire to Follow Example of Stage Hero.
Detective Jake Mintz has little enthusiasm for the portrayal of "Sherlock Holmes" by ActorWilliam Gillette. Indeed, he goes to the other extreme, and has developed a serious grudge for that talented actor, not, however, on the ground of histrionic criticism. Because of this play and its influence on the novel saturated individuals who yearn to be sleuths, Mintz declared he has been so bothered that he hardly dares remain in his office.
At all times and seasons, he says, men, women and boys, who have read the Hawkshaw, Old Sleuth and Nick Carter stories, come to him to be developed into detectives.
Their conception of the business is founded solely on yellow backed literature and their belief in their own calling for the work is based on a supposed ability to imitate these heroes of fiction. But since the advent of Gillette with his portrayal of "Sherlock Holmes" the crowd of applicants for positions has grown to undue proportions, according to Mintz. Every mail brings a dozen applications. Between the letters and the callers he says that his life is a burden.
These people have seen Holmes portrayed by Gillette. Most of them conceive Holmes to have been an actual personage, and the actor's picture of him, a life sized photograph. Then they flock in to the Mintz agency to have the finishing touches put on them before they sally forth to do battle with the criminals of real life. Or they go to police headquarters, and the hardened jokers of that department tell them to go to Mintz for a little experience and their chance for the "force" is a certainty.
One youth from Royalton came in to interview Mintz a day or so ago. "Have you seen the play of 'Sherlock Holmes?' Jake asked.
"No," replied the would-be sleuth.
"Well, you see that show and if you think you can equal Holmes, come back and I'll give you a job."
"That's the last of him," thought Jake. But the first caller in the morning was the boy.
"Of course." quoth this modest youngster, "I could not equal Holmes right off. But I think in four years I might. Will you try me?"
Mintz escaped by sheer flight. But from another aspirant he did not escape so easily. Indeed, he is yet in the toils. This is a woman.
"When I have another job like the Noyes case," said Jake, "I will give you a trial."
Now the telephone rings three times every day and a voice inquires anxiously if the case is forthcoming, while Jake makes ready excuses.
