I say that we’ll know that decades of bridge promotion has been entirely successful when bridge references have matched or overtaken that of poker and other card games in popular culture. Part of this is why a section of my brain will always fire up the moment a bridge reference shows up, whether or not I’m actively paying attention to the show. 

Here are some of the bridge mentions and appearances I’ve noticed in the past month. Use the comments to get in touch about any bridge references I’ve missed! 

Sherlock Holmes’ Fatal Hour

1931 Film (Source: IMDB) 

Sherlock Holmes’ Fatal Hour is a 1931 film (also alternatively known as “The Sleeping Cardinal”). It’s not part of the original Sherlock Holmes canon, but it’s a faithful adaptation of the character – and worth seeing whether you’re a fan or Sherlock tales, older films or both. 

For this adaptation, Holmes and Dr Watson investigate a bridge cheat who does a little too well at money games – and one who is being blackmailed by the mastermind Moriarty.

If you’re wondering, it’s true that Dr Watson is portrayed by Ian Fleming – but no, it’s not the same as the writer. Instead, this one was an Australian actor known for portraying the doctor in several movies of the time opposite Arthur Wontner as Sherlock 

House

Season 2, Episode 14 – “Sex Kills” (Source: IMDB) 

House is one of the definitive medical TV shows (and generally a great show to settle down with if you’re a Hugh Laurie fan). In the middle of season two, Dr House and his team have to deal with the case of a man who collapsed during a “bridge and cheese evening” at church.

It wasn’t his bridge partner’s biding choice that made him cave in, but House instead suspects an STD. 

Naturally, his first guess is wrong and it takes some more time (and tests) to figure it out Without giving away too much of the story’s plot itself, it’s found to be brucellosis, a bacterial infection he’d picked up from contaminated goat’s cheese. 

Somehow, when people mix a card game with cheese for a plot, you just know it’s going to come back later. 

Shadow of a Doubt

1943 Film (Shadow of a Doubt Trailer Link) 

Shadow of a Doubt is a Hitchcock classic, and it’s one of the films that he would later go on to mention as one of his personal favorites. It contains all of the elements that you’d expect from one of his films, including a hair-raising soundtrack to tense the viewed up even further. 

Psycho was released in 1960, but Shadow of a Doubt was first. 

There’s a cameo by Hitchcock himself in this one, playing bridge on a train in one of the early scenes. 

(Of course, Hitchcock holds the best hand.)  

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)

(Source: IMDB) 

Good Night, And Good Luck is a 2005 movie featuring a star cast including George Clooney: Not entirely fiction, it tells the story of reporter Edward R. Murrow against Senator Joseph McCarthy. 

It also contains this gem of dialogue: 

Edward R. Murrow: He’s gonna hope a senator trumps a newsman.
Fred Friendly: He’ll lose.
Edward R. Murrow: Not if we’re playing bridge.

Bones

Season 12, Episode 3 – “The New Tricks in the Old Dogs” (Source: IMDB) 

Bones is based on the novels by forensic anthropologist and writer Kathy Reichs. The TV show ran for an incredible twelve seasons before finally coming to an end in 2017. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s great for any procedural or crime fans.

The bridge mention appears in the third episode of the show’s final season.

Character Barbara Baker (portrayed by June Squibb) quips when interrogated by Booth and Bones, “I’m 84 and I’m playing bridge. Whatever you need cannot be more important than playing bridge” 

Well said. 

How I Met Your Mother

Season 4, Episode 17 – “The Front Porch” (Source: IMDB) 

If you’re a fan of the show How I Met Your Mother, you might remember what they called “the front porch test.” If you don’t, it’s where Lily uses a theoretical vision of the future to illustrate who ends up happy – and subsequently on the front porch together 

In one of her visions, Ted, Marshall and Lily are seen playing cards – and of course, it’s on this list because they’re seen playing bridge.