The Life Of Nigel Bruce: A Classic Doctor Watson
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- The life and end of Nigel Bruce, Doctor Watson to Basil Rathbones Sherlock Holmes.
#sherlockholmes #nigelbruce #doctorwatson
Information for this video was obtained from:
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His Watson portrayal played off rathbones beautifully, I love them and still watch them often on CZcams.
The best of bumblers. It was very sensible to cast him that way as a cinematic contrast to Holmes. To be that good at it I was sure he was quite a person. Thanks for confirming what I perceived
Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!
Well, before my time and most others living now BUT Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone will always be Holmes and Watson to me. Period.
Id have loved to have had him opposite Ronald Howard's sherlock.
Same here, though enjoy others playing them, I still come back to these two that somehow just do it justice.
Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone , a pair for the ages ! Still walking side by side , through the fog !
Though his portrayal of Dr Watson is very different to the books, I’ve always enjoyed how he played the character, and all the Rathbone/Bruce, Sherlock Holmes movies have touches of comedy in them, and I often watch them.
To me, Best Dr. Watson Ever. Don't care about the critics about character's clumsiness. Everybody remembers Nigel.
He was the best! Thanks for watching!
Agree,... It was a great addition to the character that he so naturally mumbles to himself when alone
I watch the old Sherlock Holmes movies repeatedly, Nigel was the best Dr. Watson ever. Thanks for this bio, I am more of a Nigel Bruce fan than ever now !
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. He is my favorite Watson as well!
Bruce's portrayal was my first introduction to the Watson character before I read the books so I will always have a soft spot for he and Rathbone despite, Bruce's bumbling portrail. He was so endearing.
Nigel was someone special!!!
Thank you so much for this well deserved tribute to Mr Bruce.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!
My favorite Doctor Watson!
I keep hearing that the portrayl of Watson in these films, does not match the character cteated by Connon Doyle of the 1800's I know! But the character of Sherlock created by Benedict Cumberpatch in the 21st century is also far removed. What Nigel Bruce did was to bring character, humour, and great warmth to the fictional character of Watson. The film's are set in war time England, and were obviously an important tool for propoganda. He was for me the most enjoyable Watson.
I agree
I refuse to watch that guy, an insult to Holmes.
Bruce and Rathbone's chemistry work well together, but for other Holmes fans , Bruce came off as a bumbling partner.
Well said
Nice history of the Bruce, great films 1939-46. Watched them aged12 and still do, very atmospheric and Rathbone & Bruce are great together. Put these on with your feet up in front of the 🔥 with a hot cup of coffee and choc biscuit to hand.....bliss, plus take the phone off the hook too.🤗 A warm, funny, reassuring presence on screen. He made it look easy, and it's not. Watson on screen could be quite a bland character, he made the character his own and as memorable as Holmes. You can't say that about many other portrayals.
Glad you liked it! You are right, few things can beat Rathbone and Bruce, especially on a rainy day! Thanks for Watching!
That’s how I enjoy the box set, numerous cups of tea and choccie bics. Pure simple enjoyment. Love the chemistry of Rathbone and Bruce. Great insight into Bruce’s life.
@@seabreeze4339 Yes very entertaining, quality productions and terrific chemistry between the actors. When u think they were filmed in usually 2-3 weeks and lugging those heavy cameras about .....amazing really.
I loved his Prince Of Wales in the Scarlet Pimpernel
Best doctor Wotson actor, superb gestures and vocal mimics🙂👍
I listen to the radio show even today. I see why families sat around their radios back in the day. Great shows.
I love the radio show! Thanks for watching!
The quintessential Watson to Rathbone’s Holmes!
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for watching!
A loveable bumbler, always worth watching
Mr. Bruce & Mr. Rathbone were fantastic as Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson .
Was Nigel Bruce the most literalistically accurate Watson? No, any more than Margaret Rutherford’s Miss Marple was, but both were adored in their roles. Always a delight. 😀
Thames is pronounced “tems”, not “Thaymes.”
quite correct and stevenage was pronounced wrong too.
Good Old Watson..what would Sherlock be without Watson...Dear Nigel Bruce ❤
thanks for the biog I enjoyed it. Things I didn't know. Will look up the link you gave.
I confess Edward Hardwicke is my favorite Watson. Yes, Bruce was too scatter brain, and bumbling, vs Hardwicke who was capable of defending himself. I love the Sherlock Holmes movies in general. They truly don't make 'em like that any more.
I concur. Watson is a medical surgeon and former military officer. Yet he was always blabbing key information to complete strangers, falling asleep or abandoning his post when on gaurd duty and always to the benefit of the villians. These blunders would have severe consequences in the military. to include the death penalty.
Very good summary.
Thank you.
Nigel and Basil where undoubtedly the best Watson and Holmes team
Absolutely agree
Brett,burke, and hardwicke are great also!
Thames is pronounced 'temz.' Before narrating, details such as this are important to check.
Quintessential Watson with Rathbone as Holmes
It is pronounced "Stee ven ige" and is "Tems" not "Thayms".
The best class act
there is a film clip on you tube from the 1920/30s of conan doyle ( before nigel bruce played the part ) speaking to camera saying that Dr Watson was an old duffer and fumbler, so it looks like Nigel got the role of Watson right!! I do not like this modern version of watson the equal of holmes as is seen so many times on film. rathbone and bruce have a nice chemistry on screen playing their roles.
May I suggest you read the stories. Watson is the narrator, and Holmes' Biographer. Nigel Bruce was a superb actor, however, his portrayal of Watson is way out from the books. Memorable yes, but too much the fool, whereas Watson of the books is you and me being next to the great Sherlock Holmes. Watson asks the questions to which Holmes has already 'seen' the answers :-))
@@saxoncodex9736 hi, please watch the conan doyle film i mention as who would know better than him. for me i like the 1980's itv versions of watson and also nigel homely and friendly version of watson. nigels watson was made during ww2 mostly and made for an american idea of sherlock holmes and when people take that on it has a " good feel about it " i enjoy watching the 3 versions of watson. i do not like the watsons equal versions that now seemed to be the way to go but i guess there is a sherlock holmes version out there for everyone
@@doloresmyatt9737 I love the Jeremy Brett Holmes series, and watch them on a regular basis.
I agree there was a charm about Nigel Bruce's Watson, but for me he didn't catch the 'essence' of Watson, as they come across in the books.
Watson as an equal to Holmes is just a none runner.
Doyle has Watson asking the 'pertinent question' that an educated person might also ask, in other words, people like you, or a dunderhead like me might want to know how Holmes worked it out lolz.
PS in the books Holmes on many occasions uses 'logic' that is dubious to say the least. Like looking at bicycle tyre marks and saying which direction the bike was going, utter tosh, but makes great reading :-))
@@saxoncodex9736 hi saxon you have hit the nail on the head for watson's role in the stories.
Its pronounced "temes" not "Thames"
Thank you!!
He died so young R.I.P. Dr Watson
Watson is intelligent and witty, not the buffoon, as portrayed by Bruce.
Purists hate his portrayal as a buffoon but I loved him as Watson.
Very interesting.
Hes pretty good in the Corn is Green with. Bette Davis .
JkUSA
Basically word for word from Wikipedia without due credit.
In your reply to Sean Murray you say that Bruce's portrayal of Watson was " not canon ", yet the title of your piece describes it as " classic ". Make up your mind.
Please know that I truly appreciate your watching and commenting. And in all do respect, you stated you wouldn't watch Rathbone and Bruce if somebody paid you, but since you have watched and commented on our video about Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson, I would like to address your view that we are being double minded:
Bruce is a beloved Watson by many because he brought Watson to the forefront on screen in a way he had never been in any form prior, making him a pivotal point of the movies, even if it was just for laughs, but also showing Holmes respect for his ability as a doctor. His portrayal, although not the Watson of the stories was a key player in the stories and paved the way for more literary correct Watson's later, such as Howard Marion Crawford and David Burke and Edward Hardwicke. But with that said, even in the most canonical correct adaptions of the stories, such as the Granada Productions starring Jeremy Brett as Holmes, Watson was still a side line player. although prominent, his main role was as scribe and biographer. Bruce gave Watson a life and status in the films he had never had before and is remembered by many as being loyal and doing his best for Holmes, even if it came with some stumble footedness, and is a classic that he took what had become a forgettable part and turned it into an endearing friend. I believe we can agree to respectively disagree on Bruce's presentation of Watson as not all performances will appeal the same to everyone.
Thank you for your time and your view of our video!
Both are accurate
@@thiswastheirlife5409 I only came here because it was listed when I selected You tube and I then wished to make my views known. I've never watched one of the Rathbone and Bruce films, seeing clips was enough for me.
They were both hams and how people can laud their performances is laughable.
Since when is "non-canon" and "classic" mutually exclusive? Nosferatu has never been thought of as canon with regards to Dracula though it uses some canonical elements and eschews others. Yet I defy anyone to describe it as anything but classic.
ThisWasTheirLife...Hello, I know that you put a lot of time and research into this bio of Nigel Bruce, and I appreciate that, but...the river Thames is not pronounced like it looks but sounds like 'tims', or 'temz'. Yea, the British language can get confusing and weird...lol..!! What is the saying: America and England are two countries divided by a common language...!! As for Nigel Bruce's portrayal of Dr. Watson, I am of the group that did not like his bumbling and sometimes incoherent Watson. I cannot imagine that Holmes, who valued and depended upon a keen wit and a sharpness of mind and observation; in many cases to save his own life, would ever consider one such as this Watson to be his valuable partner. My all time favorite Holmes is Jeremy Brett who has an intelligent and capable Watson helping him; traits that compliment Holmes' own intellect. I really like Rathbone's Sherlock and if his Watson wasn't such a fool ( which I find almost unbearable to put up with long enough to watch a complete movie ), I would put Rathbone equal and maybe even a bit better than ( do I dare say that..!! ), Jeremy Brett's Holmes.
@marbleman52 - Hello and thank you for your comment! First let me say thank you for your understanding of the faults of American pronunciation, you were very helpful!
I agree, Jeremy Brett is great! They did a superb job on the whole series, capturing the era and feel of Holmes.
I do have to admit though, that I personally prefer Rathbone and Bruce.
But that is one of the great things about Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, there are enough versions out there that everyone can find one they like!
Thank you for commenting and watching!
@@thiswastheirlife5409 Yes, you are right; we all have our own likes and dis-likes and there are plenty of Sherlock and Watson actors to satisfy everyone's particular taste. Thank you for taking the time to respond; and keep making these videos...I'll check them out.
@marbleman52 - Thank you for commenting, looking forward to more of them!
Jesus christ loves you so do l
He was a terrible Dr Watson. He played him as a bumbling fool. Anyone who read Conan Doyle’s books would know that Dr Watson wasn’t an idiot I know he played him as directed but he was not a good Dr Watson. Far from it
You are right that the Watson of the books was a competent character, but by this time, the Watson of the movies had faded into the background, merely present because he had been in the books, telling the story. Nigel Bruce's portrayal of Watson, although, not canon, brought the character back to the forefront, making him memorable, and making it impossible to think of not featuring Watson in future screen adaptions. Thank you for watching!
Thanks Sean! How people can laud Bruce's portrayal is beyond comprehension: the reply from This Was Their Life is a load of tosh.
Thank you Paul for interacting in the comment section as well as sharing your point of view. Just a gentle a reminder to please keep the conversation in polite tones when referring to others comments or their point of view, we all can't agree on everything.
@@thiswastheirlife5409 Can't please all the people all the time pal, presumably he portrayed the character as he was instructed to,I'm 70,been watching them since early 60s .
Brilliant. They complimented each other.
When I said "early 60s" I meant the decade.
An appallingly bad actor whose bumbling portrayal of Watson bore no resemblance to Conan Doyle's doctor: Max's brother in law in Rebecca was a carbon copy.
I wouldn't watch him and Rathbone if you paid me.