The Adventures of Shirley Holmes

Infobox Television
show_name = The Adventures of Shirley Holmes


caption =
format = Mystery/Crime
camera =
picture_format =
runtime = 24 minutes
creator = Ellis Iddon
Phil Meagher
developer =
executive_producer = Derek Mazur
Kim Todd
Helena Cynamon
starring = Meredith Henderson
John White
Sarah Ezer
Blair Slater
Brendan Fletcher
Annick Obonsawin
Marie Stillin
Colin Fox
Elizabeth Shepherd
Chris Humphreys
narrated =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = Canada
network = YTV
first_aired = 1996
last_aired = 1999
num_episodes = 52
website =
imdb_id = 0115085
tv_com_id = 1859

"The Adventures of Shirley Holmes" is a Canadian mystery TV series that originally aired from 1996 to 1999. Filmed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the show follows the life of Shirley Holmes, the great grand-niece of Sherlock Holmes who, with the help of ex-gang member Bo Sawchuk, tackles a variety of mysteries in and around the fictional Canadian city of Redington. On some occasions, she found herself matching wits with archnemesis Molly Hardy (whose name is a wordplay on Sherlock's enemy Moriarty).

The show has been broadcast in over 80 countries and has been dubbed in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish and Turkish.

Her performance in the show led to actress Meredith Henderson being nominated for a Gemini Award in 1998 and winning one in 1999. The show itself was twice nominated for a Gemini Award in the category "Best Children's or Youth Program or Series" in 1998 and eventually won it in 1999. In the spring of 1998 Susin Nielsen won a Gemini Award in the category "Best Writing in a Children's or Youth Program" for her screenplay of the episode "The Case of the Burning Building". In the same year, Elizabeth Stewart won a WGC Award from the Writers Guild of Canada for her writing of the episode "The Case of the Maestro's Ghost". [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115085/awards Awards section for "The Adventures of Shirley Holmes"] at the Internet Movie Database (accessed July 6, 2006)]

Credo spokesperson and producer Kim Todd named a growth spurt in the cast as one of the key reasons for cancelling the show. The aging of the actors would have meant a distinct change in tone and content had the show continued. [http://shirleyholmes.damonford.com/media_articles/retires.html "Holmes Retires"] (Playback Magazine Website 2000) (accessed July 6, 2006)]

Characters

Shirley Holmes: The great-grand niece of Sherlock Holmes, Shirley is the daughter of British diplomat Robert Holmes and Dr. Joanna Holmes. She carries on her famous ancestor's legacy of solving crimes through deductive reasoning while attending the prestigious Sussex Academy. In addition to Sherlock's detective skills such as deductive reasoning and disguise, she also has his mannerisms, but she can still express emotions. She prefers to keep a low profile so she can continue her sleuthing. She wears a variety of hats throughout the series.

Francis Boris "Bo" Sawchuk: Shirley's sidekick. An ex-gang member, Bo attends Sussex Academy on a scholarship. He first met Shirley in afterschool detention and was amazed at the girl detective's deductions about him. Shirley came to his aid after he was falsely accused of setting a work shed on campus on fire. After that case was solved, Bo became her sleuthing partner. Bo first appeared in "The Case of the Burning Building."

Molly Hardy: Shirley's archnemesis, and Moriarty counterpart. A newcomer to Sussex Academy, Molly first appeared as Alicia Gianelli's running mate during the school election for student council president. Through an elaborate scheme, Molly is elected student council president. Her true scheming nature is hidden from everyone except Shirley and Bo. Although her machinations are routinely thwarted by Shirley, Molly manages to escape punishment. She is revealed to be a sociopath in "The Case of the Crooked Comic" and is a mastermind of evil genius with an IQ of 160. Molly first appeared in "The Case of the Ruby Ring." It is possible that she is in fact descended from Professor Moriarty.

Alicia Gianelli: Alicia first appeared in "The Case of the Ruby Ring."

Sterling "Stink" Patterson: Class clown and prankster. His parents run the local novelty store. If Molly is Shirley's 'Moriarty', Stink could be considered her 'Colonel Moran', while being a trouble-maker he far less malicious. Stink first appeared in "The Case of the Ruby Ring."

Bartholemew "Bart" James: Bart first appeared in "The Case of the Ruby Ring."

Robert Holmes: Mr. Holmes first appeared in "The Case of the Burning Building." He is Shirley's father.

Peggy "Gran" Holmes: Shirley's grandmother

Dr. Joanna Holmes: Shirley's mother, who had disappeared for several years as a result of being in Rwanda during a civil war. She, Shirley, and Robert are reunited when Mr. Holmes is offered the chance to go to Rwanda on business.

Cynthia Stratmann: Principal of Shirley's school, Sussex Academy. She often caught Shirley arriving late to class, therefore giving her detention where she ended up meeting Bo.

Arthur Howie: Shirley's history teacher at Sussex.

Cast

*Meredith Henderson - "Shirley Holmes"
*John White - "Francis Boris 'Bo' Sawchuk"
*Sarah Ezer - "Molly Hardy"
*Annick Obonsawin - Alicia Gianelli
*Brendan Fletcher - Sterling 'Stink' Patterson
*Colin Fox - Mr. Arthur Howie
*Marie Stillin - Ms. Cynthia Stratmann
*Chris Humphreys - Robert Holmes
*Elizabeth Shepherd - Peggy Holmes
*Blair Slater - Bartholomew 'Bart' James

Crew

*Directed by Richard O'Brien-Moran, John Paizs, Scott Smith, Kim Todd, Gary Harvey, John L'Ecuyer, Rick Stevenson.
*Original music was composed by Terry Frewer, although the theme tune was written and performed by show creators Ellis Iddon and Phil Meagher.
*Cinematography by Larry Lynn.
*Film editing by Robert Lower.
*Casting by Bette Chadwick.

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0115085|title=The Adventures of Shirley Holmes
*tv.com|1859