Sherlock Holmes (1954 TV series) in Scarlet". Ronald Howard, then 36, was chosen to portray Sherlock Holmes. Howard shared Reynolds's view of Holmes and his portrayal was much more laid back than the more famous version portrayed by Basil Rathbone. Howard Marion Crawford, credited as H. Marion Crawford, was cast as Watson and it was a role Crawford had long wanted to play. Crawford desired to play Watson as something other than the buffoon as typified by Nigel Bruce's portrayal. Scottish actor Archie Duncan was cast as Inspector Lestrade. Much akin to Dennis Hoey in the Rathbone/Bruce series of films, Duncan's Lestrade was used as
Sherlock Holmes: The Musical revised version, entitled 'The Revenge of Sherlock Holmes' included some new material never previously performed. This new version opened to critical acclaim. "Sherlock Holmes: The Musical" was at least the second musical to be based on Sherlock Holmes, after "Baker Street" in 1965. It is also one of over 50 stage productions based on the Holmes character; see adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. The play opens after Professor Moriarty's death and Sherlock Holmes' miraculous return to life. As Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson describe the many eccentricities on their friend ("Sherlock Holmes"), we find that Holmes is, to Watson's disbelief, missing