Fans of Sherlock Holmes like what they see

James Douglas prepared for a tough crowd when his film about Sherlock Holmes was screened in Toronto last Saturday.

He’s the director of The Doctor’s Case, a short film about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson that’s based on a story by American horror writer Stephen King.

The Doctor’s Case was screened to about 100 members of The Bootmakers of Toronto, the branch of the international Sherlock Holmes Society in the provincial capital.

“Members of The Bootmakers meet regularly to discuss their hero and to critique any treatments of the Holmes legend that come to their attention,” said Douglas in a release. “I had prepared answers to 10 questions and/or criticisms I thought might be expressed during the (question and answer) by potentially disappointed fans. To my surprise and delight, not one of the comments was negative.”

He also received praise for detailing “the close and intricate relationship” between Holmes and Watson.

Douglas was joined at the screening by co-director Len Pearl and his cousin, and Sault Ste. Marie native, Joanna Douglas, who appears as Tabitha Hull.

The director’s father, Tom Douglas, is a former Sault Star reporter and editor of Shopper News, now Sault This Week. Douglas and his wife, Gail, served as historical consultants.

Music written by the director’s aunt, Sault resident Nancy Fairburn, is performed over the closing credits.

Shadows of the Mind screens The Doctor’s Case on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Admission is by donation to benefit Northern Fringe Festival.

Fairburn will attend the screening. Katie Short, a Sault resident who helped back the film’s financing, is a possible attendee.

The festival screening of The Doctor’s Case will be dedicated to the memory of Short’s parents, Perry and Janet, who were active with Sault Theatre Workshop.