The Hound of the Baskervilles

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**Title** **The Hound of the Baskervilles**
First edition book cover, 1902
Author	Arthur Conan Doyle
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Series	Sherlock Holmes
Genre(s)	Detective, Crime, Mystery, Novel
Publisher	George Newnes
Released	1901 to 1902 serial (1902 in book form)
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback) and Audio book
Pages	243
ISBN	NA

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a crime novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, originally serialised in the Strand Magazine in 1901 and 1902, which is set largely on Dartmoor 1889. At the time of researching the novel, Conan Doyle was a General Practitioner in Plymouth, and thus was able to explore the moor and accurately capture its mood and feel. In the novel, the detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are called to investigate a curse which is alleged to be on the house of the Baskervilles.

1 Inspiration for the story
2 Plot summary
3 Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
4 Parody
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Inspiration for the story

Sidney Paget's illustration of the Hound

The marsh around Fox Tor Mires was almost certainly the inspiration for the book's 'Grimpen Mire'. Baskerville Hall may be either Hayford Hall or Brook Manor, which are both near Buckfastleigh. Baskerville Hall in Clyro also claims to be inspiration for the building in the story, going so far as to have Holmes' silhouette on stationery and brochures.

It is thought that Conan Doyle, who once lived in Birmingham, may have borrowed the name from Birmingham printer John Baskerville. The ideas of journalist and writer Bertram Fletcher Robinson were important in the inception of the book, and he received credit in early publications, although the extent of his contributions are unknown. The Hound of the Baskervilles is considered to be one of Conan Doyle's best works as an author for its fantastic descriptive writing.

The story is inspired by regional mythology of the British Isles concerning hell-hounds. See Barghest and Black Shuck. The latter is of East Anglian origin, and Conan Doyle and Fletcher Robinson spent time at the Norfolk resort of Cromer. The old Cromer Hall nearby which was in the Gothic style is also said to have matched the description of Baskerville Hall. [1] and there was also links between the Cromer and Devon through the Cabell family (said to be an inspiration for the cursed family).

Conan Doyle, who wished to concentrate on his historical novels, chose to bring back Sherlock Holmes for the story despite having previously stated that he had become tired of the character. The decision was probably prompted both by the need for a powerful protagonist and by the astronomical commercial success of Sherlock Holmes at the time, especially in America. However, the events of this story were placed before those of The Final Problem and thus there was no necessity (as yet) to explain away Holmes' "death".

The story was first published in The Strand as "The Hound of the Baskervilles—Another Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" in a series of monthly parts, from August 1901 to April 1902.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Holmes and Watson receive a visit from Dr. James Mortimer, who wishes to consult them before meeting Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the Baskervilles, and heir to the Baskerville estate in Dartmoor. Dr. Mortimer tells them he is uneasy about letting him go to Baskerville Hall, owing to a supposed family curse. He narrates the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a demonic dog that first killed Sir Hugo Baskerville several hundred years ago, and is believed to kill all Baskervilles in the region of Dartmoor. When Holmes dismisses it as a fairy tale, Mortimer narrates the events of the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville, Henry's uncle. Although he was found dead in his garden without any trace of physical damage, his face was distorted as if he died in utter terror. Dr. Mortimer then reveals something that he had not mentioned at the official inquest. He alone had noticed footmarks at some distance from the body when it was found; the footmarks of a gigantic hound.

The Hound, as it is affectionately known, has a number of details that make it enjoyed. Doyle had matured as a writer since the two earlier Holmes novels, but did not produce this story merely as a response to The Strand's financial offers. Having been conceived of as a Holmes tale for artistic reasons, one can see that the author's enthusiasm was back, and at a time when his abilities could fulfill the story's needs. More subplots, red herrings, and interesting characters drift through its pages than is usual for a Holmes mystery. Inspector Lestrade is a helpful ally. And, most importantly, it is Watson's story. Not only is he the narrator, as is usual, but it is his own activities that he is reporting. Holmes is not on hand for the middle section of the novel, and for those familiar with the Nigel Bruce portrayals, it is refreshing to see Dr. Watson's intelligence, bravery, and initiative put on display. With no Holmes, he does a creditable job as his agent, as Holmes himself notes.

It is revealed that the true criminal is a local naturalist called Stapleton, who was revealed to be a long lost cousin of the Baskervilles. His intention was to send a half-starved, vicious dog as his agent, which would attack the first living thing it encountered. This dog was a mixed breed, purchased from the distributor Ross and Mangles. In order to make it seem diabolical, Stapleton daubed its coat with a luminous, phosphorus-based ointment. When the hound was sent to kill Henry Baskerville, though, Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade were waiting for him. They shot and killed the hound. Stapleton fled and is assumed to have drowned when crossing the Grimpen mire in the fog.

[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

As of 2006, there are at least 24 film versions of the Hound of the Baskervilles. Some remain very close to the text of the original book, while others are notable for differences in plot or execution. Among these are some pastiches and one parody.

Nr.	Year	Title	Country	Director	Holmes	Watson
01	1914	Der Hund von Baskerville, 1. Teil	GER	Rudolf Meinert	Alwin Neuß	x
02	1914	Das einsame Haus	GER	Rudolf Meinert	Alwin Neuß	x
03	1914	Das unheimliche Zimmer	GER	Richard Oswald	Alwin Neuß	x
04	1915	Der Hund von Baskerville, 4. Teil	GER	Richard Oswald	Alwin Neuß	x
05	1920	Das dunkle Schloß	GER	Willy Zeyn	Eugen Burg	x
06	1920	Das Haus ohne Fenster	GER	Willy Zeyn	Erich Kaiser-Tietz	x
07	1920	Dr. MacDonalds Sanatorium	GER	Willy Zeyn	Erich Kaiser-Tietz	x
08	1920	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Maurice Elvey	Eille Nowood	Hubert Willis
09	1929	Der Hund von Baskerville	GER	Richard Oswald	Carlyle Blackwell	George Seroff
10	1932	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Gareth Gundrey	Robert Rendel	Frederick Lloyd
11	1936	Der Hund von Baskerville	GER	Carl Lamac	Bruno Güttner	Fritz Odemar
12	1939	The Hound of the Baskervilles	USA	Sidney Lanfield	Basil Rathbone	Nigel Bruce
13	1955	Der Hund von Baskerville	GER	Fritz Umgelter	Wolf Ackva	Arnulf Schröder
14	1959	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Terence Fisher	Peter Cushing	André Morell
15	1968	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	unknown/BBC	Peter Cushing	Nigel Stock
16	1972	The Hound of the Baskervilles	USA	Barry Crane	Stewart Granger	Bernard Fox
17	1978	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Paul Morrissey	Peter Cook	Dudley Moore
18	1981	Sobaka Baskerviley	SU	Igor Maslennikov	Vasilij Livanov	Vitali Solomin
19	1982	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Peter Duguid	Tom Baker	Terence Rigby
20	1983	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Douglas Hickox	Ian Richardson	Donald Churchill
21	1983	Sherlock Holmes and the Baskerville Curse	AUS	Ian McKenzie & Alex Nicholas	Peter O'Toole	unknown
22	1988	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	Brian Mills	Jeremy Brett	Edward Hardwicke
23	2000	The Hound of the Baskervilles	CDA	Rodney Gibbons	Matt Frewer	Kenneth Welsh
24	2002	The Hound of the Baskervilles	UK	David Attwood	Richard Roxburgh	Ian Hart