Plummer's interpretation of Holmes is notable for playing up Holmes' drug addiction. Plummer stated at the time:
And since the subject of drugs is so topical, I decided to stress this part of the detective's life by having the pallid colouring associated with drug addiction.[1]
The film was an ambitious production with locations including the recently reopened Severn Valley Railway (later to be used in the film adaptation of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution).[3] Plummer hoped the film would be successful and spawn a series of Holmes adaptations, telling Photoplay magazine he hoped it would be "the first of a mini-series of six of the best stories which have not been done before". By the time the film finally aired 18 months after production the idea of continuing the series had been shelved.[1]