#144 Poodle Springs - Philip Marlowe (BBC)

Philip Marlowe's been married less than a month and already the honeymoon is over. He's tired of being a "kept man" and ready to get back to being a private eye. Now living in Poodle Springs with his wealthy new bride Marlowe sets off to find an office to work out of. Before he can set up shop a local gambling boss enlists his aid in tracking down a man who owes a $100,000 on illegal gambling marker. If the boss doesn't collect asap he's going to be food for the fish. Marlowe sets out to find the deadbeat gambler and finds more than he bargained for.

Poodles Springs is full of twists, turns and detective action. Toby Stephens plays the tough guy role to the hilt and the BBC puts forth another well made audio drama production in the Philip Marlowe series. Noir fans are sure to enjoy this final tale from the pen of Raymond Chandler (and Robert Parker who finished the story several years after Chandler's death.)

From the BBC:
Fresh from his honeymoon with heiress Linda Loring, Philip Marlowe has set up shop in the upmarket Californian town of Poodle Springs. But the life of a kept man soon loses its charm, and when he's asked to find a gambler on the run from his debts, Marlowe can't resist. Toby Stephens plays iconic detective Philip Marlowe.

The eighth and final Philip Marlowe novel, Raymond Chandler's Poodle Springs was unfinished at the time of the author's death in 1959. It remained so for another 30 years, until crime writer Robert B. Parker completed the novel to mark the centenary of Chandler's birth.
Cast:
Philip Marlowe . . . . . Toby Stephens
Linda Marlowe . . . . . Lorelei King
Larry Victor . . . . . Stephen Campbell Moore
Muffy Valentine . . . . . Laurel Lefkow
Manny Lipshultz . . . . . Peter Polycarpou
Angel Victor . . . . . Sasha Pick
Bernie Ohls . . . . . Gerard McDermott
Film Director . . . . . James Lailey
Eddie Garcia . . . . . Alun Raglan
Clayton Blackstone . . . . . Sean Baker
Leonard . . . . . Carl Prekopp
Turn Key . . . . . Simon Bubb
Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko
Produced by Claire Grove

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raymond-chandler-raymond-chandler/1110913685

The Great Detectives of OTR

Call it Hard-Boiled. Call it Classic. Call it Noir. Call it what you like. But when it comes to detective fiction it's hard to beat the lineup of great detectives shows that were produced during The Golden Age of Radio. Old time radio (OTR) presented listeners with an outstanding variety of wisecracking, pistol packing, knock your teeth out, tough as nails gumshoes and cops. The following is a list of great detective radio dramas that are still highly enjoyable and entertaining today.

1. Sam Spade

Dashiell Hamett's The Adventure's of Sam Spade made its debut on CBS radio in August of 1946 and ended in 1951 after airing 246 shows. Howard Duff (pictured above) voiced the role of hard hitting private eye Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle was his lovably loyal secretary Effie Perrine. The brash and bold, witty and charming Spade took on all comers from tough guy thugs to sweet talking dames. No episode was ever short on gritty action, drama, or suspense. Sam Spade was an immediate hit with listeners and sponsors alike. In fact, it was so successful that it spawned a litany of private detectives shows in its wake. The Adventures of Sam Spade endures to this day as perhaps the greatest hard-boiled radio drama adventure ever created. So if you're in the mood for a classic detective caper we suggest you call on Sam Spade.

2. Philip Marlowe

Writer Raymond Chandler's classic tough guy detective hit the airwaves for CBS on September 26, 1948 with Gerald Mohr (pictured above) as the voice of the gritty no nonsense detective. Mohr's deep baritone voice perfectly fit the cynical detective's style and by 1949 The Adventures of Philip Marlowe would have the largest audience on radio. A trend that would continue for three more years. Using the Sam Spade formula for success: wisecracking tough guys and sultry dames coupled with lots of action, drama, suspense, wit and charm Philip Marlowe became one of the most well received shows on radio. Today it's still stands as one of the best detective series ever created.

3. Richard Diamond

Richard Diamond, Private Detective debuted on NBC in 1949 with Dick Powell as the slick talking, sophisticated tough guy gumshoe. Each show opened with Powell whistling the show's theme and generally closed with him singing a popular song to his girl Helen Asher (played by Virginia Gregg). Richard Diamond wasn't your standard P.I. show as it contained vastly more humor than either the Spade or Marlowe programs. However, fist fights and flying bullets were never in short supply. Diamond routinely sparred verbally with Lt. Walt Levinson (voiced by Ed Begley then later by Arthur Q. Bryan) and Sergeant Otis (Wilms Herbert) of the police force providing a more balanced atmosphere than many of the other detective series of its day. The stories were more than well written by Pink Panther (Inspector Clouseau) creator Blake Edwards. As radio detectives goes Richard Diamond is as good as they get. 

4. Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

For nearly thirteen years (1949-1962 minus a year long hiatus in 1955) "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, the man with the action packed expense account" Johnny Dollar entertained listeners with action packed investigations all over the world. During the shows run no less than eight actors played the role of Dollar. Dick Powell (Richard Diamond) played the title role in the original audition performance. Interestingly Gerald Mohr (Philip Marlowe) auditioned for the role of Dollar in 1955 losing out to the actor who would ultimately become the most popular actor to voice the role, Bob Bailey (pictured above). Originally the character of Dollar was played as the typical hard-boiled detective sort. However, when Bailey took over the role he toned down the character of Dollar making him into a tough, streetwise investigator who was smart and sometimes too emotionally involved. The new interpretation worked well as the show had its most successful run during the Bob Bailey years. Many of the episodes from this series have been preserved and can still be enjoyed by those who delight in noir genre radio drama. For detective lovers, this one comes highly recommended. - Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

5. Dragnet

Dun, ta dun dunt... dun ta dunt, dunt, dun. "Ladies and gentlemen the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." Whether a fan of radio drama or not most people instantly recognize the opening theme and the words that followed. Dragnet was the brainchild of actor Jack Webb. Inspired by the film He Walked By Night, which he had a part in, and the high profile Black Dahlia investigation Webb conceived the idea for Dragnet. Based on official L.A.P.D. case files the show chronicled step by step every aspect of police work. The dialogue was clipped and the stories fast moving and highly entertaining all in an effort to stay with "Just the facts." Sergeant Joe Friday's deadpan, fast talking persona appeal even today and "Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime"continues to be as entertaining as it ever was.


6. Tales of the Texas Rangers

Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Ranger Jayce Pearson in Tales of the Texas Rangers a procedural documentary similar to that of Dragnet. Based on actual files of the Texas Rangers the series was set in the modern era of Texas (1928-1948) rather than the old west. Fast paced with hard hitting, realistic gritty action the series was the modern era equivalent of it's radio western counterpart Gunsmoke. The action varied in location from urban to rural. A chase scene, for example, could as easily take place in a vehicle as it could on horseback. The popular series aired on NBC from July 8, 1950 to September 14, 1952. The content is just as enjoyable now as it was in 1950.

7. Rocky Jordan

Rocky Jordan (played by Jack Moyles) was a hard-boiled detective who left St. Louis, Missouri and relocated to Cairo, Egypt to escape his enemies. Rocky owns and operates the cafe Tambourine. Here in his gin-joint he encounters every variety of despot you can imagine from ex-Nazi's, murders, thieves, smugglers, expatriated American thugs on the run to down on their luck dames. At times Rocky Jordan feels like a poor man's hodgepodge of Casablanca meets The Maltese Falcon but it provides top notch action, romance and mystery for listeners. Sam Sabaaya, Captain of the Cairo police, is a friend of sorts to Jordan who's always willing to give him a fair shake. However, Sabaaya's second in command, Sergeant Greco, has no love for Jordan and anytime something happens Jordan is immediately his primary suspect. Running from 1945 to 1953 the series entertained for several years on the radio. Today many of the episodes still exist and are still most gratifying. 

8. Mr. and Mrs. North

Pam and Jerry North (originally voiced by Alice Frost and Joseph Curtin then by Barbara Britton and Richard Denning [pictured above]) aren't your normal detectives. In fact, they not really detectives at all. Jerry works as a book publisher and Pam's a housewife. But the two always seem to wind up getting involved in mysteries and the only way out is to solve them. Fortunately for them they have a friend in the police department, Lt. Bill Weigand in Homicide. Superbly written, Mr. and Mrs. North let listeners play along by allowing the audience to have the clues giving them the opportunity to solve the crime before Pam and Jerry. The series ran from 1942 - 1954 but could just as easily air today with certain success.

9. Box 13

 Alan Ladd starred as Dan Holiday the fiction writer with the ad in the paper stating "Adventure wanted. Will go anywhere, do anything. Reply to... Box 13." Though not a detective Dan Holiday often found himself involved in events that required him to decipher clues, gather information and get answers to solve a puzzle, usually life threatening. Action, adventure and intrigue are always found in Box 13. Though it only ran for one season the series is a can't miss when it comes to investigative entertainment.

10. Nick Carter, Master Detective

Nick Carter (Lon Clark [pictured above]) is a master detective and Patsy Bowen (Helen Choate, later Charolette Manson [pictured above]) is his assistant. Together with legman (investigator) "Scubby" Wilson (John Kane) no crime is too tough to tackle and before long they'll have the case solved. Based on the pulp magazine of the same name Nick Carter brought a bit more of a soft-boiled flare to the genre. Carter was a brains first, brawn second detective that worked in tandem with his friends to solve crimes. Though a little more lighthearted in it's presentation than other detective series Nick Carter, Master Detective is an enjoyable adventure worthy of being included among the great noir shows of the past. It more than stands the test of time. The series aired from 1943-1955.

#138 Sherlock Holmes Vs Dracula (BBC)

A ship has arrived on the shores of England with a missing crew and a dead captain who had lashed himself to the wheel. The captain's dead face is twisted in terror. No reason can be given as to why he died except that he is totally devoid of blood. Yet there are no signs of violence. There is no blood on the captain or the surrounding area. The only marks on the body are two small puncture wounds on the neck. Baffled by this strange event a local reporter enlists the aid of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to solve the mystery. Soon the great detective discerns that Count Dracula has made his way to England. So too has Professor Abraham Van Helsing who has followed the Count from his homeland in his ardently quest to destroy the vampire. But it's Holmes and Watson that are hot on the trail of the dark plague of the night. And before long their dogged pursuit forces a desperate Dracula to turn his attention to Holmes and Watson. It's up to Sherlock Holmes to stop Dracula. But will the fiendish Transylvanian terror prove to be too formidable for the great detective and his faithful friend and companion?  

John Moffatt who most will recognize as the voice of Hercule Poirot in the long running BBC's radio drama mystery series stars as Sherlock Holmes in this adaption. Moffatt does a excellent job a Holmes. This is a finely written story that proves to be most entertaining. Not too dark or sinister. Yet a nice touch of goose bump raising fright and mystery. So turn down the lights..... if you dare!

This production doesn't appear to be available for purchase from the BBC. It has been rebroadcast on a number of occasions in recent years.

First broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on December 19th, 1981.  

Rebroadcast Sunday November 7, 2007 BBC Radio 7;  Thursday November 4, 2010 BBC Radio 4; Sunday October 30, 2011 BBC Radio 4


From the BBC: 

The year is 1890. A ship is discovered adrift off the English coast, its crew missing, its murdered captain lashed to the wheel, and its only passenger is a sinister black dog. This impenetrable mystery is clearly a case for the inimitable Sherlock Holmes, but for the first time in his illustrious career the great detective is baffled. Clearly the crew have been murdered and dumped overboard, but what can account for the captain's expression of imponderable terror and his acute loss of blood, or the ship's strange cargo - fifty boxes of earth?
The game is afoot, and Sherlock Holmes, aided as ever by the faithful Dr. Watson, finds himself on the trail of no mortal enemy, but the arch-vampire himself - Count Dracula...

Sherlock Holmes...........John Moffatt

Doctor John Watson......Timothy West

Count Dracula..............David March

Professor Van Helsing.....Aubrey Woods

Thomas Parker..........Michael Maloney

Mr. Caffyn................Noel Howlett

Mary Watson........Theresa Streatfeild

Vampire.................Frances Jeater

Inspector Lestrade...Nicholas Courtney

Mrs. Barton.............Katherine Parr

Red Bridger................John Hollis

Adapted for radio and directed by Glyn Dearman. 

#137 The ABC Murders (Hercule Poirot)

It's a murderous game of catch me if you can! A killer has challenged the genius of Poirot's "little grey cells" sending him a letter saying a person whose name begins with the letter "A" will be murdered on a certain date in a certain city and it's up to him to stop it from happening. If he refuses the case or can't solve the crime in time another murder will be soon to follow. This time a person will die whose name begins with the letter "B". For each failure to stop the killer he vows to strike again randomly selecting a victim who name begins with the next letter in the alphabet. To chastise Poirot and show him he's not so clever the killer sends him a taunting letter with a clue to the identity of the next victim. John Moffatt provides the voice of Hercule Poirot in another great murder mystery from the mind of Agatha Christie produced by the BBC.

From the BBC:
A BBC Radio full-cast dramatization starring John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective. Alice Ascher is murdered at Andover. Betty Barnard is strangled at Bexhill-on-Sea. Each time, an ABC railway guide is found by the dead bodies and, each time, Poirot is warned in advance by a letter from someone signed "ABC." But who is ABC? And can Poirot find out in time to prevent the death of C?

http://www.amazon.com/The-ABC-Murders-Full-Cast-Radio/dp/0563510501

#128 Inspector Morse: Last Seen Wearing (BBC)

He's brash, ill-mannered and temperamental. He's Inspector Morse and he's on the case. John Shrapnel gives a solid performance as Morse in the BBC production of Colin Dexter's Last Seen Wearing. An enjoyable presentation from the opening line to the closing credits. This finely crafted feature is sure to keep a listener's engrossed in the story while trying to beat the inspector to the solution to the mystery.

Fifteen year old Valerie Taylor disappeared on her way to school nearly three years ago never to be seen or heard from since. Until one day a letter from Valerie arrives stating only that she is alive and well. With the case gone cold and the original detective assigned to investigate dead; Inspector Morse is tabbed to solve this baffling mystery.

From the BBC
Morse was beset by a nagging feeling. Most of his fanciful notions about the Taylor girl had evaporated and he had begun to suspect that further investigation into Valerie's disappearance would involve little more than sober and tedious routine. The statements before Inspector Morse appeared to confirm the bald, simple truth. After leaving home to return to school, teenage Valerie Taylor had completely vanished, and the trail had gone cold. Until two years, three months and two days after Valerie's disappearance, somebody decides to supply some surprising new evidence for the case.

Featuring:
John Shrapnel as Morse
Robert Glenister as Lewis

Dramatized by Guy Meredith and directed By Ned Chaillet.

It appears that none of the BBC full-cast radio drama productions of Inspector Morse are available at this time for purchase.

#126 The Sittaford Mystery (BBC)

From the mind of Agatha Cristie, the queen of crime fiction, comes The Sittaford Mystery. Inspector Narracott investigates the death of Captain Trevelyan after he's found lying on the floor of his bungalo. To make matters worse there is no phone in Sittaford and a snow storm has made travel impossible. Time is of the essence if the killer is to be found before he or she strikes again. Not one of Christies best stories but it is well produced by the BBC.

From the BBC:
A blizzard has hit England. In the tiny village of Sittaford, on the fringes of Dartmoor, a party of six is gathered in Sittaford House, home of Captain Trevelyan. He has rented the house out for the winter and is staying in a nearby village. As evening draws in, a seance is proposed. But it reveals more than they had anticipated - TREVELYAN DEAD, spells out the board. Slowly the table begins to rock again, spelling out the word M-U-R-D-E-R. Is it true? And who would kill a man who doesn't have an enemy in the world? John Moffatt and Stephen Tompkinson star in a BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of a classic from the Queen of Crime.

http://www.amazon.com/Sittaford-Mystery-BBC-Radio-Presents/dp/0553472739

#125 Three Act Tragedy - Hercule Poirot (BBC)

It's the incomparable Hercule Poirot in Three Act Tragedy another gem from the BBC featuring John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective. During a cocktail party being given by actor Sir Charles Cartwright an elderly clergyman drops dead after only having a sip of a dry martini. His death is believed to be from  natural causes and so Poirot dismisses the case. Unconvinced that the death was from natural causes Sir Cartwright along with his love interest the much younger Lady "Egg" Lytton Gore and his good friend Mr. Satterthwaite begin their own investigation. However, when it happens again at another party with the same guests in attendance it's feared a killer is indeed on the loose and Poirot joins the investigation. Listeners will find this Agatha Christie story a bit different than usual as Poirot is present only minimally in the first Act and he doesn't make a full investigative appearance until the second Act.

From the BBC:

Hercule Poirot, his amateur detective acquaintance Mr Satterthwaite, and the distinguished Harley Street nerve specialist Sir Bartholomew Strange are amongst the guests at a weekend party being given by the celebrated actor Sir Charles Cartwright at his clifftop house in Cornwall. On the first evening after their arrival there is a cocktail party - at which an elderly clergyman, who's only had a sip of dry martini, falls dead. Was it through natural causes - or murder?

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Act-Tragedy-Agatha-Christie/dp/0563494077

Philip Marlowe - Private Detective

In 1946 Humphrey Bogart played hard-boiled private detective Philip Marlowe in the movie adaptation of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. That performance would spark interest in Philip Marlowe for decades to come and etch an expectation of Bogey's style and presence into the conscious fabric of fans of the character. Though Bogey never played Marlowe on radio his voice is the one that comes to mind first. When it comes to voices it's next to impossible to beat Bogart's.

Gerald Mohr took on the role of Philip Marlowe in the radio series The Adventures of Philip Marlowe on September 26, 1948. The series had been on the air for nearly 6 months with actor Van Heflin in the role of Marlowe. Heflin's portrayal, however, was flat leaving both Chandler himself and listeners disappointed. Mohr's impact on the series was immediate. He breathed new life into series. With his bold personality, tough voice and gritty take on Marlowe the series would run 3 more years ending on September 15, 1951. The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Gerald Mohr is a work of greatness still available and still appreciated by Marlowe fans to this day.

Raymond Chandler’s immortal private eye Philip Marlowe would once again make a return to radio. This time the BBC adapting Chandler's first 6 novels (The Big Sleep, The High Window, Farewell My Lovely, The Lady in the Lake, The Little Sister, and The Long Goodbye). UK-based American character actor Ed Bishop took on the role of Marlowe in these 90-minute presentations which would be produced and broadcast  between 1977 and 1988. Bishop's voice takes a bit of getting used to in the role of Marlowe but once that happens his performance is actually quite good. The production of these 6 Marlowe stories is very enjoyable and well worth listening to. The only downfall to these productions is that the female voices don't always fit the parts. Often times the women sound much older than the character being portrayed. This exception aside, these are very well made dramas.

In 2011 the BBC would once again commission the production of Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels. This time producing all eight of his works (The Big Sleep, The High Window, Farewell My Lovely, The Lady in the Lake, The Little Sister, The Long Goodbye, Playback and Poodle Springs which was finished 30 years later by author Robert B. Parker). Toby Stephens would take on the role of hard-boiled P.I. Philip Marlowe and bring his own brand of toughness to the role. Stephens fits the part well and does the character justice. These productions are crisp, sharp and filled with kick your door in, knock your teeth out adventure. Marlowe fans will find these productions most enjoyable. The only downfall to this series is the sound effects. They're mixed well but the sound engineer missed on many of the period effects. Cars, trains, guns and at times telephone sound effects are often not from the era of the Marlowe stories. Anyone who's ever heard a 38 Packard or an Oldsmobile, Buick, Ford or Chevy from the 30s, 40s or 50s knows it doesn't sound like a Toyota or a Fiat. Most listeners probably won't notice these sounds being from the wrong time period but those with a trained ear will pick up on it immediately. Voice casting for this series was very good and the female voices were exceptional. Marlowe fans should be very pleased with the BBC's efforts to capture the essence of the hard-boiled detective created by Chandler.

#121 The New Adventures of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Vol 1

Hammer's back. The hard nosed smash 'em in the mouth detective from the mind of Mickey Spillane returns in full-cast audio splendor. Featuring Stacey Keach from the Mike Hammer TV series that aired on CBS in the 1980s, stories written by the original staff and music from the series. It's hard boiled detective fun in these two presentations.

From Blackstone:

Everybody loves a mystery, and nobody solves them like Mike Hammer. While other detectives bend and manipulate the law, Hammer holds it in total contempt, seeing it as nothing more than an impediment to justice, the one virtue he holds in absolute esteem. Now, the no-holds-barred private eye returns, along with his gorgeous secretary, Velda, and a collection of New York City characters, in two fully dramatized “theater-of-the-mind” audio adventures. “Dangerous Days” and “Oil and Water.”
Narrated by Stacy Keach, the acclaimed actor who starred in the original Mike Hammer TV series, these new mysteries are written by the writers of that show and enhanced with a full supporting cast, sound effects, and music. Even the show’s jazzy theme song is back to set the gritty tone for each episode.



http://www.blackstoneaudio.com/audiobook.cfm?id=4858

For more Mike Hammer see the other two posts on this blog.

Encore For Murder
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/37-mike-hammer-encore-for-murder.html

The Little Death
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/24-mike-hammer-little-death.html

#120 Instead of Evidence - Nero Wolfe (CBC)

Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are back in Instead of Evidence. When Eugene Poor suspects his business partner is out to kill him he turns to Nero Wolfe. Not to protect him but to make sure his killer is caught after the fact. It's murder and mayhem in this mystery full of twists and turns. Mavor Moore and Don Francks star in this CBC production. Though the series is not available for purchase it can be found online.


From Nero Wolfe:

Eugene Poor suspected his partner Conroy Balney of planning to kill him. He’ll pay Wolfe $5000 — not to keep Blaney from murdering him, but to be sure that he doesn’t get away with it.
Eugene’s premonition of death was right on the money. The ink was hardly dry on the receipt when Poor was killed . . . by an exploding cigar! Naturally, though the client is dead, Wolfe is determined to solve the murder and earn the fee.
Conroy Blaney claims his innocence. Helen Vardis claims that the newly widowed Martha Poor had killed her husband because she was jealous of their relationship, but Joe Groll was also very interested in Helen. A brutal hit-and-run claims Arthur Howell. All these people had connections with Blaney and Poor.

#116 Dead Man's Folly - Hercule Poirot (BBC)

Dead Man's Folly again features John Moffatt as Hercule Poirot in another of the BBC's oustanding productions of Agatha Christies famous Belgian detective. This time Poirot's friend Ariadne Oliver (Julia McKenzie) has been asked to create a murder mystery game for a party. Fearing that somehow the game may become a reality she calls on Poirot to help her. Dead Man's Folly has been selected as one of Audio File Magazines 10 best in the "voices of 2011 full-cast category" along with another production spotlighted on this post, The Mark of Zorro. This is one of Christie's best written Poirot stories and a wonderful audio production.

From the BBC:
Ariadne Oliver, Queen of Crime Fiction, has been asked to devise a Murder Hunt for a fete at Nasse House, the home of Sir George Stubbs. But she begins to suspect that someone is manipulating the scenario of her game and fears that something very sinister is being planned. She sends for her old friend Hercule Poirot. At first he is not inclined to take her very seriously but soon a series of events propels him to change his mind. Then suddenly all Ariadne's worst fears are realised when the girl playing the part of the murder victim is found strangled in the boat-house. For Hercule Poirot, the Murder Hunt has become a grim reality. This is a BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation starring John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective, with Julia McKenzie as Ariadne Oliver.  



http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Folly-Full-Cast-Radio/dp/1405677201

#115 The Collected Memoirs of Sherlock (BBC)

The Collected Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. The next in the series of the Conan Doyle canon of Sherlock Holmes stories dramatized for radio by the BBC. They feature Clive Merrison and Michael Williams as Holmes and Watson in 12 more great full-cast audio dramas. Merrison and Willliams make a dynamic-duo that make the characters come to life before your every ears.

1. Silver Blaze
2. The Yellow Face
3. The Stockbroker's Clerk
4. The Gloria Scott
5. The Musgrave Ritual
6. The Reigate Squires
7. The Crooked Man
8. The Resident Patient
9. The Greek Interpreter
10. The Naval Treaty
11. The Second Stain
12. The Final Problem

http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Memoirs-Sherlock-Holmes-Audio/dp/140567802X

#114 The Collected Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Twelve of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes short stories come to vivid sonic life in The Collected Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. This magnificently produced BBC series features Clive Merrison as Sherlock Holmes and Michael Williams as Dr. Watson. The combination of great writing and acting make this entire series a true masterpiece. Fans of Holmes and fans of great mystery are sure to enjoy these wonderful shows.

1. A Scandal in Bohemia
2. The Redheaded League
3. A Case of Identity
4. The Boscombe Valley Mystery
5. The Five Orange Pips
6. The Man with the Twisted Lip
7. The Blue Carbuncle
8. The Speckled Band
9. The Engineers Thumb
10. The Noble Bachelor
11. The Beryl Coronet
12. The Cooper Beeches 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collected-Adventures-Sherlock-Holmes-Audio/dp/1405678011

#112 Five Little Pigs - Hercule Poirot (BBC)

Carla Lemarchant is engaged to be married. But before she does she feels it is of the utmost importance to clear up a very disconcerting point in her family history. Sixteen years ago her mother, Caroline Crale, was convicted of murdering her husband Amyas Crale. The facts presented to the jury said her mother was a murderess. Yet shortly before her death her mother, from her jail cell, penned a letter proclaiming her innocence. Now afraid that she may inherit this murderous tendency and not wanting to lose her soon to be husband's love for her, Carla approaches Poirot asking him to investigate the case. 

Poirot conducts his investigation through a series of interviews with the five persons who were there at the time the events of Amyas Crale's death took place. Labeling them the five little pigs, for each one was supposedly doing something different at the time of the murder, the great detective sets out to reconstruct the crime. However, his "little grey cells" will be put to the test in order to solve this mystery. For without access to the scene of the crime he must solve the case purely by reflecting upon the testimony of the participants.

John Moffatt once again stars as Poirot in the well made, thoroughly entertaining BBC full-cast audio drama production.

From the BBC:

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, but just like the nursery rhyme, there were five other “little pigs” who could have done it: Philip Blake (the stockbroker), who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist), who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcée), who had her roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess), who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister), who cried all the way home. Sixteen years later, Caroline’s daughter is determined to prove her mother’s innocence, and Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind.

http://www.amazon.com/Five-Little-Pigs-Hercule-Dramatization/dp/1602837309

#111 Nemesis - Miss Marple (BBC)

June Whitfield reprises the role of the delightful Miss Jane Marple in Nemesis. The sharp-witted spinster sleuth receives a letter from Jason Rafiel, a recently deceased millionaire, asking her to investigate a compelling murder mystery. However, Mr. Rafiel has left her with very few clues, failing to even tell her where or when the crime that was committed took place. He has not even furnished her with the knowledge of who was involved in the matter only that if she succeeds in solving the crime she will inherit £20,000. Her only real starting point for investigation is is a tour of famous houses and gardens of Great Britain, arranged for her by Mr. Rafiel prior to his death. On the tour she is accompanied by fourteen other people who may have had some connection to the deceased millionaire. One of the fourteen people in the group Miss Marple suspects may be her nemesis.

Agatha Christie's Nemesis is classic BBC radio drama at its best. 

From the BBC:

Miss Marple is totally shocked to receive a letter from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel, an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. The letter leaves instructions for Miss Marple, whom Mr Rafiel had recognised as a natural detective, to investigate a crime after his death. There are absolutely no details about the crime, however, nothing about who is involved, or where or when it had been committed. Miss Marple, of course is thoroughly intrigued and sets out to solve a compelling murder mystery.

http://www.bbcshop.com/drama+arts/agatha-christie-nemesis/invt/9780563494249/

Sherlock Holmes

Who is the world's greatest consulting detective? It's elementary my dear Watson..... Sherlock Holmes. Basil Rathbone was not the first to portray Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective but his performance on screen and radio established him as the quintessential Holmes. Undoubtedly he set the standard for all other actors who would follow. Unfortunately most of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio drama series which starred Rathbone and Nigel Bruce no longer exist. Though a few can still be purchased online, in book stores or downloaded through various OTR websites. This great radio drama series not only captured the imagination but the heart as well.

In the modern era Holmes continues to live on in the world of audio drama. In the past couple of decades or so there have been a number of outstanding Sherlock Holmes productions. If you're a Holmes aficionado then here are some great shows worth looking into.

The BBC produced the entire Conan Doyle Holmes canon featuring Clive Merrison as Holmes and Michael Williams as Watson. As Holmes and Watson, Merrison and Williams are dynamic. Each episode is absolutely stellar. For authenticity and quality it's impossible to top this wonderful series.

The Sherlock Holmes Theatre produced by Hollywood Theatre of the Ear (Yuri Rasovsky) features Martin Jarvis as Holmes and Kristoffer Tabori as Watson. In this edition William Gillette's Sherlock Holmes play is brought to life along with the Conan Doyle story The Speckled Band. As a side point Star Trek and A-Team fans will recognize Dwight Schultz as Dr. Roylott in The Speckled Band. Conan Doyle would have loved this production and so will Holmes fans.

Jim French Productions (Imagination Theater) has produced a half hour Holmes series for several years. Originally this series starred John Gilbert as Holmes and later John Patrick Lowrie. Larry Albert plays Dr. John H. Watson. This show faithfully portrays the great detective along with his friend and helper with pinpoint accuracy and the finest quality. 

If you have a challenging case and need the assistance of the great detective you can call on him at his lodgings located at 221B Baker Street London, England. Perhaps you can persuade him to take on your endeavor. Or if you have no mystery for Holmes to solve but still wish to be kept abreast of his cases you could pick up a copy of The Strand. Dr. Watson is sure to detail every adventure for readers of this periodical. Or you could listen to one of his exceptionally dramatized audio adventures by any of these wonderful production groups.

The game is afoot!

Imagination Theater Sample Shows

Imagination Theater offers radio drama fans the opportunity to hear two of their productions free every week. You can access their "Listen Now" feature by simply going to the Jim French Productions website.

Among the shows you'll hear on the listen now feature are Sherlock Holmes, Harry Nile, Raffles the Gentleman Thief, Hilary Cane Mysteries, Kincaid the Strange Seeker and more. The Sherlock Holmes series is one of the best ever made. From time to time you will also hear an episode of CRT's western series Powder River.

You're sure to enjoy the works of Imagination Theater so don't miss out. Check out their "Listen Now" feature on the website. Also check their radio station listing and schedule to find how to tune into each weeks broadcast episodes as well.

http://jimfrenchproductions.com/zc137m/index.php?main_page=page&id=2&chapter=0

#108 The Valley of Fear - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Sherlock Holmes is pitted against Professor Moriarty, the world's greatest criminal mastermind, when a coded warning of imminent danger sends Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to the fortress-like country house of the reclusive Jack Douglas. When they arrive too late to prevent a tragic death, the great detective and his chronicler must follow a series of bewildering clues to find a murderer who has vanished into thin air. Only then will they solve the mystery of the dead man's desperate plea: 'Am I never going to get out of the valley of fear?'

From the BBC:
What is the connection between a corpse with a missing face and a ruthless secret society which once terrorized a desolate region of the United States? With the aid of a local guidebook, a missing dumb-bell and Dr Watson's umbrella, Holmes unravels a tangled web which stretches over fifteen years and two continents; and in the center of that web lurks the sinister presence of the most brilliant criminal mind in all England - Professor James Moriarty. Clive Merrison stars as Holmes with Michael Williams as Watson in this adventure, part of the unique fully dramatized BBC canon of Conan Doyle's short stories and novels featuring the world-famous sleuth.

http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Valley-Fear-Dramatized/dp/B0007WAASI

#107 A Study in Scarlet - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Clive Merrison and Michael Williams are Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in this classic tale of mystery. If you've never heard how Holmes and Watson came to be a team then it's time to tune in to this great detective story and learn how it all began. Excellent dramatization of the Holmes chronology by the BBC as always.

From the BBC:
The story in which Conan Doyle first unleashed the most famous partnership in the history of criminal detection. An unmarked corpse, a wedding ring and a mysterious message scrawled in blood are Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson's only clues as they follow the trail of a man driven to fulfill a terrible oath he swore more than twenty years before. Clive Merrison stars as Holmes with Michael Williams as Watson in this adventure, part of the unique fully dramatised BBC canon of Conan Doyle's short stories and novels featuring the world-famous sleuth.

http://www.amazon.com/Study-Scarlet-BBC-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/0553525530

#106 At Bertram's Hotel - Miss Marple (BBC)

When Jane Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she’s looking for at Bertram’s: a restored London hotel with traditional decor, impeccable service -- and an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Yet not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric guest makes his way to the airport on the wrong day.

From the BBC:
Miss Marple, Agatha Christie s deceptively mild spinster sleuth, is being treated to a few days holiday by her niece, staying at Bertram s Hotel, a dignified, unostentatious establishment tucked away in a back street of busy Mayfair. Here is a place where sedate upper class ladies, retired military gentlemen and the higher echelons of the clergy can indulge in the comforts of a bygone age. But Miss Marple begins to feel uneasy. Something sinister lurks beneath the polished veneer. Why are so many major crimes associated in some way with the hotel or somehow implicate eminently respectable people staying there? June Whitfield stars as Miss Marple in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of a classic brain-teaser from the Queen of Crime.

http://www.amazon.com/Bertrams-Hotel-BBC-Radio-Collection/dp/0563524499/ref=pd_sim_m2