A Broadway actor, Pernell had a commanding presence. He was charismatic, intelligent, and well read. Hence, he could speak with great authority on many subjects. He was energetic, curious, and had a booming laugh.
If Guy Ritchie and producer Joel Silver (whose ham-handed fingerprints are all over this film) wanted to make a James Bond film set in Victorian times, why call him Sherlock Holmes? Why not Terlock Scones? Merlock Bones? Parkway Homes?