The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)

What makes The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother such a treat is how lovingly it ribs the Holmes mythology while still delivering a real, bustling caper—one that moves like a music-hall act with a magnifying glass. Gene Wilder, pulling triple duty as writer-director-star, plays Sigerson as a wounded ego in a top hat, and the comedy lands because it’s rooted in that very human ache to matter, even as the film gleefully tumbles into disguises, secret codes, and elegantly choreographed chaos. With Madeline Kahn’s spark and Marty Feldman’s perfectly frazzled energy, the whole thing feels like a Victorian farce that keeps finding new doors to slam. If you want a faithful, serious Holmes mystery, look elsewhere—but if you’re in the mood for charming, inventive slapstick that’s affectionate rather than mean-spirited, this is a delightful gamble.

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother is clearly trying to be a cheeky, affectionate spoof of the Holmes world, built around Gene Wilder’s oddball charm and a parade of slapstick set pieces. The problem is the “mystery” part feels more like a clothesline for gags than something you’ll actually want to follow, so the film can come off episodic, gimmick-heavy, and a bit long-winded between laughs. If you’re hoping for a clever whodunit with satisfying twists or characters you can invest in, this will likely test your patience. But if you’re in the mood for low-stakes silliness, wordplay, and Wilder/Kahn/Feldman doing their thing in a Victorian costume party, it has enough scattered fun to justify a casual watch.