Category Archives: Pop-culture

“Chucker-Out of the Unwanted: Muscular Maude” (1917)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 20th October 2018 Actress Doris Lytton puts up her dukes as Maude Bray, a supporting character in the 1917 theatrical farce Wanted: a Husband.  Hilarity ensues when one of Maude’s friends advertises for … Continue reading

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Brutal Cane Fighting in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on July 10th, 2018

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“The Man They Cannot Hang” vs. Sadakazu Uyenishi

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 19th May 2018 In common with most athlete/showmen of his time and place, John Clempert (1878-1940) was not averse to spinning some tall tales about his past exploits. He claimed, among other … Continue reading

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Bartitsu Announced as “Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate” Achievement

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 19th September 2015 Fans of Victorian-era action/adventure are looking forward to the October 23 release of Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, which will feature “Bartitsu” as a special achievement. The achievement award will be unlocked if players master … Continue reading

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The Fighting Arts of Sherlock Holmes, Part 1

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 9th February 2010 Bartitsu.org is pleased to present this two-part article series by Bartitsu Society member Mike Ball. The unusually action-heavy focus of the recently released Sherlock Holmes movie highlights a certain … Continue reading

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The Fighting Arts of Sherlock Holmes, Part 2

Part two of Mike Ball’s article series on the Great Detective’s antagonistic skills. Arthur Conan Doyle’s spelling error allows for some creative license in the depiction of his fighting skills – in “playing the Great Game” it can be said … Continue reading

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Yukio Tani vs. the Masked Wrestler (April, 1909)

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 10th November 2018 Still popular today in Mexican and Japanese pro-wrestling circles, the “masked wrestler” gimmick originated in Paris during the year 1867.  The original “Lutteur Masqué” was rumoured to be an … Continue reading

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The King’s Man Movie Offers More Cane and Umbrella Fight Action

After an enjoyable original outing and a disappointing sequel, the Kingsman movie series shifts temporal gears to offer a prequel set during the early 20th century. The King’s Man trailer below confirms that Bartitsu aficionados can look forward to some … Continue reading

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Sherlock Holmes Wields a Deadly Scarf

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 7th February 2019 Bartitsu is particularly noted for its weaponising of gentlemanly accoutrements such as walking sticks, umbrellas and overcoats.  We’ve also previously examined the circa 1900 use of bowler hats, belts and flat caps as weapons. The use of weighted … Continue reading

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The Sting of the Green Hornet

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 27th December 2018 Having previously shone a spotlight on John Steed, Adam Adamant and Harry Hart, it’s fitting that our periodic documentation of the use of umbrella and cane weapons by fictional heroes should now focus … Continue reading

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