🕵️🔎 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1954) TV Series – Episode 11 | The Red-Headed League

🔎 📺 This is the eleventh episode of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1954 TV Series).
It stars: 🕵️‍♂️ Ronald Howard as Sherlock Holmes 👨‍⚕️ Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Watson 👮 Archie Duncan as Inspector Lestrade

⚡ Episode Summary:
A pawnbroker with striking red hair, Mr. Jabez Wilson, seeks Holmes’ help after being mysteriously employed by the bizarre "Red-Headed League" only to have the organization suddenly disappear. Holmes soon uncovers that this peculiar scheme hides a far more dangerous and daring criminal plan.

💡 Why Watch This Episode?
✔️ A faithful adaptation of one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most beloved short stories
✔️ Clever plot with mystery, humor, and Holmes’ signature deductions
✔️ Classic 1954 television atmosphere – crisp black-and-white suspense

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Transcript

00:00The End

00:30The End

01:00Holmes

01:02What are you doing?

01:17I hope I didn't alarm you old chap

01:19I'm just taking gun prints

01:21This is the end

01:25This time you've gone too far Holmes

01:28You can't turn this place into a shooting gallery

01:30Gun prints

01:31Have you ever seen a gun print?

01:33I've never even heard of a gun print

01:34You'll kill somebody one of these days Holmes

01:36Parliament ought to pass a law against people like you

01:38Well of course gun prints is just the name I've given it

01:40Actually it's the marks on the bullet left by the rifling in the gun barrel

01:43Ah

01:43Would you like to look at these two bullets under the magnifying glass?

01:47You'll observe that they have different markings

01:48Because they were fired by different guns

01:50I'm not interested

01:51Not in the least interested

01:52The police will be here in a minute

01:53But you should be interested

01:54Watson

01:54You're interested in saving lives aren't you?

01:56Of course

01:57But well look

01:57This little very little experiment may very well save a life someday

02:00How can firing bullets from here into a...

02:01Now listen

02:02Wait a minute

02:02Take the case of a man who was accused of murder

02:04I'd rather not

02:05The prosecution claimed that the bullets were fired from his gun

02:08They probably were

02:09The man was guilty

02:10I can see it all

02:11Yes but if it could be proved that it was impossible by the markings

02:14That an innocent man's life could be saved

02:15That's all very well and good Holmes

02:17But this flat is not the place to conduct these sort of experiments

02:19How would you like it if I started to practice my surgery in the...

02:22In the bathtub or on the kitchen table?

02:24Could you manage it in the bathtub do you think?

02:26No I give up

02:27And now

02:28If you're not keeping this appalling smell for experimental purposes

02:32I will with your permission open the door

02:35Holmes I told you

02:39I knew you'd gone too far now you have shot somebody

02:42Well if I have I shall have to certainly correct those guns for drift

02:46That's fantastic

02:49He seems to have some breath in him still

02:50No fault of yours that he has

02:51Now help me with him before somebody sees him

02:54Really firing off revolvers

03:01Brewing poison frightening people

03:03It's more than a man can stand Holmes

03:05Really more than a man can stand

03:07Am I wounded badly please

03:10I'm a poor man I can't afford hospital

03:14No no no no you'll be alright in a minute

03:16You've just fainted from something

03:17Something you say

03:20Didn't you hear what happened?

03:22I was outside about to knock at your door

03:25When suddenly I was attacked

03:27Someone turned a revolver loose on me

03:30Bullets flying everywhere

03:31I tried to fight back bravely

03:34But there were too many of them

03:35Six or seven at least

03:37All firing guns

03:38I'll get you a glass of brandy

03:42Thank you

03:44You'd better call the police

03:46They may try it again whoever they are

03:48Maniacs and foreigners

03:50I'll be bound

03:51No no no no you're quite safe now

03:53Those shots came from my revolver

03:54And were fired into that wadding over there

03:56You mean you were the one who

03:59Yes I was just carrying out a little experiment

04:01I must apologise for any shock I may have given you

04:04And no one is after me

04:07And not to my knowledge Mr. Wilson

04:09Here will you drink this huh

04:10Oh thank you

04:12You called me Mr. Wilson just now

04:17How did you know that was my name?

04:19Well it's uh it's on your collar

04:21Very shrewd indeed you're noticing my name like that

04:25In fact you've got exactly the kind of mind

04:28That could help me to unravel my mystery

04:31That is if you're willing to lend a poor man a hand

04:34Oh yes yes yes I owe you at least that

04:37What is the mystery?

04:39But perhaps you'll get a better idea of what it is

04:41If you read this first

04:43There it's in the wanted column

04:45Read it for yourself

04:47Ah

04:49To the red-headed league

04:51On account of the bequest of the late Ezekiah Hopkins

04:54Of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA

04:56There is now another vacancy open

04:59Which entitles a member of the league

05:01To a salary of four pounds a week

05:03For purely nominal services

05:05All red-headed men who are sounded

05:08Apply in person on Monday at 11 o'clock

05:11To Duncan Ross at the offices of the league

05:13Seven Popes Court, Fleet Street

05:16Apply in person on Monday at 11 o'clock

05:18To Duncan Ross at the offices of the league

05:21Seven Popes Court, Fleet Street

05:24But what on earth does it mean

05:26The red-headed league?

05:28It is a little off the beaten track isn't it?

05:30I assure you I felt the same way as you when I read it

05:33A vacancy for what I asked?

05:36I'm a dealer in second-hand merchandise

05:38And I believe in giving value for value received

05:41And it certainly struck me as odd

05:43That somebody was prepared to give four pounds a week

05:46For nothing

05:47But young Spaulding took a different view of it

05:51Oh?

05:52Who is young Spaulding?

05:55Vincent Spaulding

05:56He's my assistant

05:57And I couldn't wish for a nicer young man

05:59I see

06:01Now suppose you tell me the story as it happened

06:04Right from the beginning

06:04From the beginning?

06:07Yes, of course

06:08Well, it all started two months ago

06:11When that paper came out

06:12I was in the shop at the time

06:15I'm there practically the whole of my time

06:17I'm a widower

06:17And I've got little else to do

06:19When young Spaulding came back from lunch

06:22Mr. Wilson

06:24If you only knew

06:27How I wish that I had red hair like you

06:30Huh?

06:31Believe it or not

06:32Here is another vacancy

06:34For the league of red-headed men

06:36The league of what?

06:38Red-headed men

06:38Surely, surely you've heard of them a handful

06:41Oh, I'm afraid I don't get about as much as some of you young people do

06:44Oh, I should have thought everyone would have heard of the league of red-headed men

06:47Well, at least everyone who was eligible

06:50Now, a man like you

06:52If you were accepted

06:54Could make himself a nice little nest egg

06:57Without hardly lifting a hand

06:58Vincent, I've told you before

07:01There's one thing you've got to learn in life

07:02Nobody ever gets anything except by the sweat of his brow

07:06Value receives value

07:08What is this red-headed league?

07:12Take a look at this paper yourself

07:14Ah, I wish my hair would change colour

07:18Really, I do

07:19What a nice little mistake I'd make for myself

07:21Well, this doesn't make sense to me

07:24No?

07:26Did you see the name?

07:27Ezekiah Hopkins?

07:28Yes

07:29Oh, he was an American millionaire

07:30Very peculiar in his ways

07:33He was red-headed himself

07:34And had great sympathy for all red-headed men

07:36So, when he died

07:37He left an enormous fortune in the hands of trustees

07:39To make life easier for all red-headed men

07:43Oh, really?

07:45Yeah, red-headed men

07:47Uh-huh

07:47I couldn't apply even if I wanted to

07:50I've got the shop here to look off

07:52That's the whole point

07:52The work don't amount to anything

07:54Absolutely nothing at all

07:56You see, it need not interfere with a man's other occupation

07:58Well, even so

08:00Probably millions of men would apply for it

08:02No, this is limited to Londoners

08:04And to grown men

08:06You see, this American started off from London

08:08And I suppose wanted to do the old town a good time

08:10And then again, I hear it's no use applying

08:12Unless

08:13Your hair

08:14Is a real fiery red

08:16Huh

08:17Do you think, uh

08:20My hair is red enough?

08:22I've never seen any redder

08:24I could use the money

08:29There's all sorts of repairs I could do

08:33And

08:33Vincent

08:36I'm going to investigate this, Lee

08:38Lock up the shop

08:39You're coming with me

08:40Yes, sir

08:41You're right

08:46It is fiery red, isn't it?

08:49Just let me handle everything

08:59All right, all right, all right

09:01Stand back, everybody

09:01This is Mr. Hopkins' son

09:02Go on, step back

09:03Or he'll see that you don't get interviewed at all

09:05Mr. Hopkins

09:06This way

09:07Thank you for applying, Mr. Innocent

09:15Your name will be kept down fire

09:17And, uh, in the event you are chosen to fill the vacancy

09:20I'll get in touch with you

09:22Immediately

09:23Thank you, Mr. Ross

09:24I do hope I win

09:26My family and me can do with the money

09:29We shall see what we shall see, Mr. Riverson

09:31Thank you so much

09:32Are you the next applicant?

09:41Yes, sir

09:46This is Mr. J. Bess Wilson

09:48Ah, your search is over

09:49He's willing to fill the vacancy

09:50Will you sit down, Mr. Wilson?

10:11I've never seen anything like it

10:13I've never seen anything like it

10:14I've never seen anything like it

10:16It's extraordinary

10:17Beyond belief

10:18Congratulations

10:19It would be an injustice to hesitate

10:22Oh, I've got the position

10:24You have

10:25You will, however, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution

10:29There are tears in your eyes

10:34I perceive all is as it should be

10:38But we have to be careful

10:39For twice now we have been deceived by wings

10:42And once by paint

10:44I'm sorry the vacancy has been filled

10:51But, uh, thank you one and all for coming

10:53My name is Duncan Ross

11:00I'm one of the trustees in charge of the fund

11:03Left by your noble benefactor

11:06When shall you be able to embark upon your new duties?

11:10Oh, well, uh, almost any time, I suppose

11:13Though I should mention that I have another business

11:16Which will require some of my time

11:18Oh, so long as you're free to be here

11:21Between the hours of ten to two

11:23There'll be no objections

11:24Easy enough, Mr. Wilson

11:26There's very little business during those hours

11:28And what there is

11:29Well, I could take care of

11:31Oh, thank you, Vincent

11:33I appreciate that

11:35And what is the work?

11:37Copying the encyclopedia

11:39The encyclopedia Britannica

11:42You will provide your own pen, ink, and blotting paper

11:46And copy it down word for word

11:48Is that agreeable?

11:50Oh, well, uh, yes, I...

11:54Our only demand is

11:56That you remain in the office

11:58Or at least in building

12:00During working hours

12:01If you leave, you forfeit your position forever

12:05The will is very clear from that fortune

12:07Oh, well, uh, it's only four hours a day

12:10I... I shouldn't think of leaving

12:12No excuse will avail

12:13Neither sickness, nor business, or anything else

12:16Here you must stay or lose your billet

12:19Oh, I quite understand

12:20Then, goodbye, Mr. Wilson

12:22And again, let me congratulate you

12:25Oh, uh, thank you, sir

12:27Thank you, sir

12:28Thank you

12:33The Encyclopedia Britannica

12:35Ah, you'll do a wonderful job of it, Mr. Wilson

12:37I'm sure you will

12:38Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

12:43Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

12:48The first word, was archim

12:52The first word was Archon.

13:09At the end of eight weeks, I'd finished the A's and begun the B's.

13:14For this, Mr. Ross rewarded me every Saturday with four golden sovereigns.

13:20Yesterday morning, however, I got a staggering blow indeed.

13:41Come in.

13:43Mr. Milford?

13:44Yes, what can I do for you?

13:47What's happened to Mr. Ross?

13:48Mr. Who?

13:49Mr. Ross.

13:50Duncan Ross.

13:51In office number four.

13:53He's gone.

13:54What's happened to him?

13:55Mr. Milford, let me look him up in my files.

14:04Are you a customer of this, Mr. Ross?

14:06I work for him.

14:07That is, I did up until this morning.

14:10What did you do?

14:11I copied the Encyclopedia.

14:15You copied?

14:16The Encyclopedia Britannica.

14:23Wouldn't it have been cheaper buying another Encyclopedia rather than going to all the trouble of copying it?

14:28You don't understand.

14:29That's the work the Red-Headed League required me to do.

14:33Look here, my good man.

14:35If this is a joke, I fail to see the humor.

14:37If it isn't, it's my duty to inform you that office number four was rented temporarily to William Morris, an accountant.

14:42I never heard of Duncan Ross nor the Red-Headed League in all my life, and I'm certain they never existed.

14:47I got the home address of William Morris, but when I arrived there, it turned out to be a factory making ladies unmentionables.

14:58No one had ever heard of William Morris or Duncan Ross.

15:01My word, you really were on a wild goose chase, weren't you?

15:04After that, I didn't know quite what to do.

15:07The whole experience was so embarrassing, I could hardly make myself tell it to Spalding.

15:13Redden, quite naturally, you thought of me.

15:15Oh, as I said before, I'm not a rich man.

15:19If I don't locate the League or find out what happened to them, I stand to lose four pounds a week.

15:24You don't stand to lose anything, Mr. Wilson.

15:26You can't lose something you didn't possess in the first place.

15:28And the story is probably a pack of lies in any case.

15:31Holmes!

15:33And if it isn't, you've no reason to complain.

15:35You're 30 pounds richer by your experience, not to mention the invaluable knowledge you've gained on every subject under the letter A.

15:41If I were you, Mr. Wilson, I'd be quite grateful and forget about the whole affair.

15:46Good day to you, sir.

15:48Well, I hardly expected this kind of treatment.

15:51If you should discover a corpse at your second-hand shop in an old cello case, you're perfectly welcome to return.

15:57In the meantime, I have an experiment to conclude.

16:00I'm going to find out if firing a gun in a house is illegal.

16:07If it is, you can rely on me to report you.

16:13Holmes!

16:14What on earth persuaded you to behave like that?

16:17Oh, yes, yes. It was rather unseemly behaviour, wasn't it, Watson?

16:20Well, absolutely necessary, I assure you.

16:21But why?

16:22Well, if I tell him I was willing to take on his case, he'd have probably given it away to the wrong party.

16:25Why burden him with the necessity of having to keep a secret?

16:29Then you mean you're going to take the case?

16:32I wouldn't miss finding out about the red-headed league for all the tea in India.

16:37China, Holmes.

16:39Do you think it could be a prank, some sort of wild practical joke on Mr. Wilson?

16:42Well, at four pounds a week for eight weeks, the joke would be on someone else.

16:46It is a considerable sum, isn't it?

16:48The case as I see it breaks down into two whys.

16:50I think I know the first why, but the second why eludes me.

16:55Well, which is the why you know and which is the why you don't know?

16:57Well, why was the league formed?

16:58Now, that's obvious.

16:59To keep Wilson out of the shop for a certain number of hours a day.

17:02But why is the why that I want to know?

17:04Well, why is the why that you want to...

17:06I see.

17:08You mean somebody tried to get Wilson out of your shop in order to steal something from him?

17:11No, no, no. The case is too elaborate to justify stealing from so small a shop as Wilson's.

17:15No, the reason is bigger than that. Bigger than any of us might imagine.

17:18Now, you're not going to start shooting again, Holmes.

17:21No, but I'm going to take this with us.

17:22Us?

17:23Yes, you're interested in the case, aren't you?

17:25I'm a doctor, Holmes.

17:27Well, all the better if someone should get hurt.

17:30This started out to be such a peaceful morning and an old friend of mine was coming from India and we were going to spend the day together.

17:36And now look what you've talked us into, the red-headed league.

17:39Yes, exciting, isn't it?

17:48It seems to be nobody's care of him.

17:54Hmm. I wonder where he could be.

17:58I'll be right with you, gentlemen.

18:06May I help?

18:08I'm sorry, I was occupied in the cellar. I hope I haven't kept you waiting.

18:11Not at all. My friend here is interested in making a purchase.

18:15Mm-hmm.

18:18Anything in particular?

18:20Anything in...

18:22Well, you never know what you might...

18:24Oh, what's that?

18:26That? That's...

18:28That is a...

18:30Oh, yes. This is fascinating.

18:32This is the essential part of the structure of a wild boar trap.

18:37No, really?

18:39Yes.

18:41By Jove, a wild boar trap, eh?

18:44How very interesting. Now, and a very fine specimen as wild boar traps go...

18:48Yes, sir.

18:49Oh, yes, the very...

18:51Oh, and he reminds me of my death.

18:53There we were, all lined out in a row, as far as the eye could see.

18:57Down the hill came the enemy in the Battle of Royal Burneth was on.

19:00Yes, sir, if you excuse me...

19:01There we were, outnumbered 112 to 1.

19:03That was from the count after the battle, as you understand.

19:04Yes, sir, I understand perfectly.

19:06Charge! They shouted, as down the hill they came, the hordes of heathen, at 112 to 1.

19:10And from that moment I became a collector, and I've been a collector ever since.

19:14You understand that, of course?

19:16That is a quite perfectly natural reaction.

19:17It's one o'clock.

19:19What?

19:20Yes, one o'clock, our engagement with the Colonel.

19:22Do you remember? The one who led you in the charge.

19:25Oh, of course, yes.

19:28Well, I hope you'll do that for me, will you?

19:30Well, there's been a fearful run on wild boar traps lately, but I'll do my best.

19:34Thank you. That's very good of you. Thanks so much.

19:39Good afternoon.

19:40Good afternoon.

19:43Well, what did you discover?

19:44That the knees of Spalding's trousers show considerable wear.

19:46What does that mean?

19:47That's a great deal. Let me have your stick for a minute.

19:49Hmm?

19:50Yes.

19:53What are you doing?

19:54Well, no time to explain now, but a considerable crime is in contemplation.

19:57And since the day is Saturday, we may have some difficulty in preventing it.

20:00What kind of a crime?

20:01A bank robbery.

20:03What?

20:04Shh, shh, shh.

20:05Meet me at the side entrance of the Westminster County Bank at 10 o'clock sharp.

20:07Yes, is that the bank that's going to be assisted?

20:09At 10 o'clock sharp, remember?

20:11Hmm.

20:16The basement vaults of the Royal Westminster Bank.

20:19As you can see, they are impregnable.

20:28Why are you so sure that a bank's going to be robbed, Holmes?

20:32Because the knees of a man's trousers were badly worn.

20:40I can't see how they can possibly get in here.

20:49Is that the gold?

20:53Yes.

20:55We had occasions some months ago to strengthen our reserves.

20:59And so we borrowed 30,000 Napoleons from the Bank of France.

21:05Word must have leaked out, if Mr. Holmes' deductions are correct.

21:09Gentlemen, we must prepare ourselves.

21:11As soon as Mr. Wilson goes to sleep, they will make attempts to get in.

21:14Who are they?

21:15Shh!

21:19Come on.

21:20Come on, there.

21:24Come on.

21:25Come on.

21:26Come on.

21:27Come on!

21:28Come on!

21:29No, let's get right out of here!

21:31Come on!

21:33Come on!

21:34It's all clear, it's all right.

21:57Hey, shut up!

21:58All right, spalling, your back-grabbing days are over.

22:06Ah, so I see.

22:07I fancy my pal got away all right, though.

22:10There are three policemen waiting for him at the other end.

22:13Ah, you seem to have done things very, very, very neatly.

22:15I must compliment you.

22:17Well, I feel obliged to reciprocate.

22:19Your red-headed league was very inventive indeed.

22:23Here, you were the one who came into the shop this afternoon.

22:27You came with...

22:29With me?

22:31Ah.

22:32I thought there was something very, very queer.

22:35You don't look like a collector at all.

22:36They helped to collect you, didn't they?

22:39I think you'd better come along with me.

22:48I don't know how the bank can repay you, Mr. Holmes.

22:51I've been more than amply repaid, Mr. Merriweather,

22:53by having one of the most unique experiences of my career.

22:57However, there is one thing you could do for me.

22:59Name it.

23:00Well, it's...

23:02Anything, Mr. Holmes.

23:04I'm a regular depositor at your bank, Mr. Merriweather,

23:07and I should be eternally grateful if you could do something about your pens.

23:12I've yet to find one of them at work.

23:15Come along, Watson.

23:17What I shall never understand is how you suddenly knew there would be a bank robbery.

23:29Well, if you remember, when we visited the second-hand shop,

23:33Spalding was in the cellar.

23:34Mm-hmm.

23:35I didn't pay much attention to it at the time,

23:37but later on, I noticed that the knees of his trousers were badly worn,

23:41as if he'd spent some time kneeling, doing some sort of burrowing work.

23:45But burrowing where?

23:47Perhaps from the cellar to the next building.

23:49The moment the thought occurred to me, I whisked you outside

23:53and surprised you by tapping on the pavement with your stick.

23:56You certainly did.

23:58Oh, I'll just go and see who it is.

24:07Hello. Come on in, Inspector.

24:09How are you?

24:10Good evening, Dr. Watson.

24:11I hope it's not too late to make a call.

24:13Of course not. Come right away.

24:14Well, I saw the light was on, and I just thought I'd drop in.

24:17Ah, how are you, Inspector? Now, make yourself at home.

24:20Oh, thank you.

24:21Thank you very much.

24:22A cup of tea?

24:23Yes, please.

24:25Well, by the time the newspapers come out with a report of your exploits tomorrow, Holmes,

24:29you'll be a hero.

24:30Well, I shall try and remain humble through it all.

24:33Yes, the whole of London.

24:35Except, of course, Mr. Wilson.

24:37Unless I miss my guess, he wants me still to arrest you.

24:43Arrest me?

24:45What for?

24:46Well, he didn't like the way you treated him last night, you know.

24:49And then, of course, he complains that...

24:51Oh, no, it's too ridiculous.

24:54So, I think you'll enjoy hearing about it.

24:57He claims that you were firing a revolver in this house.

25:01You know, it's against the law, don't you?

25:03But who, in the sober senses, would do such a thing?

25:07Yes, it does sound very implausible, doesn't it?

25:13Yes, that's exactly what I told him.

25:16I mean, people just don't do things like that, do they?

25:19No?

25:22A ho, a ho, a ho, ha!

25:24A ho, a ho, a ho, a ha, ho!

25:27He, he, hee.

25:28A ho, a ho, a ho, a ho, a ho, a ho!

25:35Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

🕵️🔎 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1954) TV Series – Episode 11 | The Red-Headed League

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