Whew! This massive undertaking is behind, and now I can reflect on its high-points! As I hope you know, Michael Kean and I co-chaired a symposium co-sponsored by The Baker Street Irregulars and the UCLA School of Television, Film and Theater that took place at UCLA’s Bridges Theater and other venues over the Labor Day weekend. Over 100 people attended from all over the world, including friends from Japan, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and England as well as all over the U.S. The attendees were a mix of academics, members of the BSI, and Sherlockian fans and friends who wanted to learn more about the films of Sherlock Holmes. Although there were countless great moments, here are some of the highlights:

* An hour-long “conversation” between legendary film directors John Landis and Nicholas Meyer on art, the medium, adaptations, and period films generally
* A presentation by Ron Clements and John Musker, co-creators of Disney’s “The Great Mouse Detective,” including rare footage of Clement’s first Sherlockian cartoon
* Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Oscar-nominated costume designer, showing period costuming and comparisons to period photographs and Strand Magazine illustrations
* Rob Doherty, exec. producer/head writer for CBS-TV’s new series “Elementary,” doing Q&A after screening the pilot
* Screening of numerous Sherlockian cartoon clips by the master archivist Jennie Paton
* Screening of the 1923 “Sign of the Four” starring Eille Norwood, with live piano accompaniment by Philip Carli (the film has only been screened twice before in the U.S.)
* A presentation on Japanese anime starring Sherlock Hound (by Miyazaki, no less!)
* Several views of the role(s) of women in Sherlockian film

And of course there was socialiizing! A cocktail reception Friday night, a buffet dinner Saturday night, and a grand finale–a banquet Sunday night at which we presented ‘Canonical Academy Awards” to the best (and worst) in various categories, with all-star presenters!

It was grand fun, and in another hundred years, Kean and I will be happy to do this again!