Sherlock's Home (1924) User Reviews

Episode 4 out of 12.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 13 August 2018]

In the 1920s, Alberta Vaughn starred in a series of 12 'Telephone Girl' shorts. I have no idea if the other 11 episodes still exist, but I saw episode 4, "Sherlock's Home". In it, the light heavyweight champion boxer is enamored with Alberta. It's hard to tell whether Alberta likes the guy or not...but by the end of the story there is a huge secret that comes out as well as an unexpected result in a boxing match.

While "Sherlock's Home" is a reasonably pleasant short, there is one huge problem...it's a comedy and there just aren't that many laughs. Watchable, of course....just not super funny.

Early In Their Careers

[boblipton · 6/10 · 29 January 2014]

There's a lot of behind-the-camera talent in this short subject, names that would become distinguished later. Darryl F. Zanuck and George Marion Jr. are two of the writers, Pandro S. Berman an assistant director, Lee Garmes one of two cameramen and Malcolm St. Clair the director. That does not affect the quality of the production. A movie should be appraised on its own merits, not on the merit of what its creators would do elsewhere. Still, it does suggest that it is worth a look for anyone interested in seeing good movies. Perhaps the excellence of their later works appear in this short.

Happily, it does. This episode in the "Telephone Girl" series is a good little comedy, even if it's not great. Alberta Vaughn stars as a switchboard operator in a hotel, which is a great set-up for a good regular cast and for introducing people who are passing through. In this case it's a prize fighter, "Hurricane" Sherlock, who takes a shine to her and invites her and her friends form work to visit his home town with him. Eventually there is a prize fight and the whole thing concludes in an amusing fashion. The gags are scattered liberally throughout and if there is nothing particularly original in this short subject, you'll smile throughout. More than good enough.