The Dying Detective (track #6 on Sherlock Holmes: The Early Years (Hollywood's Attic, 1996)). [Category: Hollywood]

Made by the same company as The Devil's Foot, this silent short shows us how Holmes foils the evil Dr. Smith by letting him believe he was successful in giving Holmes a rare tropical disease. The story is full of twists and turns, making it more interesting than The Devil's Foot. Still, adapting Sherlock Holmes to the silent cinema is cumbersome––you really need dialogue to make the story flow. And again, the print is in poor condition, making it hard to see.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: *. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ***.