Sherlock and Pepper's Ghost

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

WARNING: THIS ENTRY HAS SPOILERS FOR “THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE”. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM READING THIS POST.

“Sherlock” released its Christmas special and while some people have a few bones to pick with it, others adored it. As for myself, I enjoyed the idea of seeing the initial Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock flash back and forth with the modern day Sherlock. It was a strange ending to be frank, but I believe it was the one section of the special where I heavily fangirled. No, no, not because of Moriarty in a wedding dress, but because of the Pepper’s Ghost trick.

The Pepper’s Ghost Trick was an illusion trick crafted in the Victorian era as a means of entertainment. However, the effect goes back to the 16^th century when a Neapolitan scientist, Giambattista della Porta first described the Pepper’s Ghost Trick as such:

“Let there be a chamber wherein no other light comes, unless by the door or window where the spectator looks in. Let the whole window or part of it be of glass, as we used to do to keep out the cold. But let one part be polished, that there may be a Looking-glass on bothe sides, whence the spectator must look in. For the rest do nothing. Let pictures be set over against this window, marble statues and suchlike. For what is without will seem to be within, and what is behind the spectator's back, he will think to be in the middle of the house, as far from the glass inward, as they stand from it outwardly, and clearly and certainly, that he will think he sees nothing but truth. But lest the skill should be known, let the part be made so where the ornament is, that the spectator may not see it, as above his head, that a pavement may come between above his head. And if an ingenious man do this, it is impossible that he should suppose that he is deceived” (Porta, 1658).

This description was later brought to life by Henry Dircks in 1862. Dircks had invented Dircksian Phantasmagoria wherein he created the Pepper’s Ghost trick. He attempted to sell his trick to theatres that rejected the offer because it would be too costly to rebuild the theatre to accommodate his idea. Later on, he was able to replicate his illusion with a booth at the Royal Polytechnic Institute of London where John Pepper saw it and was instantly spellbound. Pepper was able to reduce the complexity of Dircks’ idea so that it could easily be shown at theatres without a needed rebuild. Dircks signed all of his financial rights to Pepper who tried to give Dircks’ credit despite the ‘Pepper’ name sticking with the trick.

So why did I lose my head over this ancient illusion?

Because it’s a key feature in the Haunted Mansion.

Readers, I am a diehard Haunted Mansion fan and to see this effect used in “Sherlock” lifted my spirits.

For those of you who don’t know, the Haunted Mansion is a well-known ride in Disney parks, each having a varying theme save for Disneyland California Adventure (the original), Tokyosea, and Walt Disney World (the original’s duplicate). The Haunted Mansion opened its doors to the public in 1969 and utilized the trick in its iconic ballroom scene where “ghosts” twirl about on the floor. In actuality, they are nothing more than the result of Pepper’s Ghost Trick. Beneath the balcony there are a row of mirrors and light angled at a certain way. Alongside those mirrors are animatronics of spinning dancers whose image falls through the glass and appear as ethereal dancers. It’s a famous scene utilized in almost every Haunted Mansion (save for Mystic Manor) and to see it resurfaced in a show I adore is even more a reason to gush.

While Moffat probably didn’t include this trick as a nod to the Haunted Mansion, there’s a good chance he wrote it in because it was used during the Victorian era. It aided in solving the mystery despite Moriarty’s sudden abrupt appearance as the bride. Regardless, seeing the Pepper’s Ghost Trick utilized outside the Haunted Mansion and something I enjoy provided a wonderful moment of fangirling.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what did you think of “The Abominable Bride”?