Lost Sherlock Holmes film found and to be shown in Normal

The Normal Theatre will be showing the recently rediscovered 1916 silent film class Sherlock Holmes. The showings are at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Wednesday, Nov. 18. William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes in 1916The film has been called the lost holy grail of silent films. The film was found in the film collection at the Cinémathèque Française and was restored. It has only been shown within the last year. 

Gillette, who stars as Sherlock Holmes, had played the famous British detective on stage for numerous performances. In fact, he rewrote Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's script into a popular theatrical performance. It was Gillette who came up with the hat and the cape. He also changed Holmes' pipe to a rounded pipe so he could talk and smoke while on stage.