Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on May 1, 1956.
Rathbone Is No Mystery Book Reader
By ROLLIE BERNHART
Basil Rathbone, television’s “Sherlock Holmes”, is actually not a reader of “who-dunits”.
Famed Actor-Lecturer Is In Town
BASIL RATHBONE, noted actor, was interviewed here this noon during a press conference at Hotel lembke by a Valparaiso university student.
(V-M Staff Photo)
The noted actor, here for a workshop lecture on phases of the theater today, and a formal appearance Wednesday at 8:15 p.m., at Valparaiso university’s auditorium, said that mystery books were “simply not my cup of tea.”
Attired in a natty gray flannel suit, the debonair Rathbone told a group during an interview this noon, that although he felt that playing the role of the famous detective had almost “typed” hom professionally, he still would never grow tired of the Sir Conan Doyle role.
?Maybe I would tire of doing 16 pictures and 200 broadcasts of Hamlet, but never Sherlock Holmes,” he told the group.
No Violin Player
Rathbone clarified the fact that he does not play the violin such as portrayed in the Holmes television series.
“I actually learned to go through the motions of fingering and bowing the instrument. What little music did spring forth, dear pictures, they cut it out.”
Although the famous words “elementary, my dear Watson,” make it appear that solving mysteries are his forte, Rathbone said that he would have no desire to enter the detective profession. The Sherlock Holmes series has not as yet increased my powers of observation and deduction,” he said.
In a more serious vein, Rathbone said that not everyone can become an effective speaker. “First you must have something to say. When you have the subject, you must then have the ability to speak concisely and intelligently.”
2 Outstanding Speakers
Two prime examples in Rathbone’s estimation of outstanding speakers today are Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. It was Churchill whom he remembers as saying “everyone should learn to speak on their feet.”
“Unlike the theater, cinema or television, public speaking is a cold turkey proposition, with no stage, no lights, no orchestra,” the noted Shakespearean player pointed out.
Rathbone, who will appear Wednesday in a presentation of selections from the world’s great literature, including poetry, prose and drama, also made it clear that he did not look upon himself as a good speaker.
“I feel that the only reason that people listen to me at all is because they merely wish to find out what kind of a man I am.”
He was frank in stating that he preferred talking to women’s clubs as compared to male organizations. “Women at least make you welcome.”
Rathbone’s appearance here is sponsored by the Department of Speech and Drama of Valparaiso university.
