Holmes' and Watson's first case together involves a murder who leaves behind an engagement ring and the word "RACHE" scrawled in blood.

A Sherlock Holmes mystery.

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. I wish I could rate this 5 out of 5 stars for EXCELLENT, if only the writer Murray Burnett adapted everything from the 1887 classic novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the novel, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were helping out 2 inspectors on the case: Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade. In the CBSRMT version, only Inspector Lestrade was there. In the novel, there were street urchins known as the “Baker Street Irregulars.” In the CBSRMT version, they were not mentioned. In the novel, the murderer flashbacks his life in America during the 1840’s where his sweetheart Lucy lived with Mormons in the Salt Lake Valley. In the CBSRMT version, Mormonism is not mentioned, but only mentioned Enoch Drebber & Joseph Stangerson. This is certainly a good adaptation of a Sherlock Holmes story and a classic story such as this should’ve extended to 5 episodes just like what CBSRMT did for NEFERTITI, THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII, THE LEGEND OF ALEXANDER, and LES MISERABLES. The sound effects of tableware, howling wind, footsteps, wedding ring dropped, striking of the match, horses, newspaper, customers murmuring at the pub, Scottish Terrier dog barking, handcuffs, and body thuds were very supportive in this. But the music was much highly supportive, a variety of suspenseful tracks that presented Sherlock Holmes in a cunning way. In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall starts the show off by talking about compulsive gamblers. In ACT-1, he explains word association games, which lead him to introduce Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In ACT-2, he describes the friendship of Holmes & Watson as they live in the apartment of 221B Baker Street. In ACT-3, he mentions the old saying, “the Pen is mightier than the Sword” because Holmes & Watson conquered the world from the pen of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; 2 fictional men became more popular than real conquerors of the Earth. In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall discusses Doyle’s opinions on how he expressed famous detectives and closes it up by saying, “There was only 1 Sherlock Holmes.” Terrific narrations from our Host. And terrific performances from our cast: Kevin McCarthy (as Sherlock Holmes), Court Benson (as Dr. John H. Watson), Mary Jane Higby (as Ms. Charpentier), Earl Hammond (as Constable John Rance & Jefferson Hope), and Ian Martin (as Inspector Lestrade & Enoch Drebber). Kudos to Ian Martin, Earl Hammond, and Mary Jane Higby on playing characters with British accents. But a big round of applause goes to Kevin McCarthy & Court Benson who stole the show. These 2 actors were perfect to play the 2 sleuths. Kevin McCarthy got to play this role 10 times for CBSRMT and it’s one of his best performances ever. Anyone who’s a fan of Sherlock Holmes and/or the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has to check this episode out. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0)

One of the best performances ever. Anyone who’s a fan of Sherlock will enjoy.

This is the famous case where Holmes says, "Elementary, my dear Watson." Yet the actor actually says "Elementary, my dear fellow, elementary." The quote just doesn't have the same impact without the name Watson, does it."

Always loved Sherlock and Dr. Watson. Good stuff. I've read the entire Holmes stories. And always great to hear them on CBS radio mystery theater

In my opinion, this is the best of the Kevin McCarthy Holmes episodes.