#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. 

Looking For The Best Professionally Produced Audio Dramas

Here's a dozen GREAT ones. These twelve are among the best professionally produced full-cast audio dramas from the modern era of radio drama.


1 . The greatest space-action sci-fi ever created:
     The Star Wars Trilogy - A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
     Starring Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, Brock Peters, Perry King and
     a star studded cast.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/1-star-wars-original-radio-drama.html
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/2-empire-strikes-back-radio-drama.html
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/3-return-of-jedi.html
http://www.highbridgeaudio.com/starwarslimitededitiontrilogy.html

2. Swashbuckling's greatest audio drama adventure:

    Zorro fights injustice and oppression in Spanish California in the Grammy nominated
    The Mark of Zorro starring Val Kilmer, Ruth Livier, Armin Shimerman, Meshach
    Taylor and Elizabeth Pena.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/4-mark-of-zorro.html
http://www.blackstoneaudio.com/audiobook.cfm?id=5603
http://www.irasov.com/Zorro.htm

3. More great sci-fi space saga this time in the Star Trek Universe.
    Star Trek Borg - John de Lancie is back as the infamous Q.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/7-star-trek-borg.html
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Borg/dp/B0000547GJ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310753790&sr=1-1

4. Hard-boiled detective adventure:

   The Maltese Falcon - Dashell Hammett's hard-boiled detective Sam Spade returns to radio
   drama with this Grammy nominated production that features a great cast of Hollywood
   actors.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/8-maltese-falcon.html
http://www.blackstoneaudio.com/audiobook.cfm?id=4876
http://www.irasov.com/Falcon.html

5. It's Murder! But fear not, Poirot is on the case:

    Agatha Christie's most ingenious mystery The Murder of the Orient Express featuring
    John Moffatt as the great Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/5-murder-on-orient-express-bbc.html
http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Orient-Express-BBC-Dramatization/dp/1602830436

6. It's elementary my dear Watson... The Game is afoot!
   Sherlock Holmes investigates in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular story of all-time...
   THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/9-hound-of-baskervilles-bbc.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hound-Baskervilles-Full-cast-Dramatisation-Collection/dp/0563478330

7. Louis L'Amour brings you the old west at its best:

    Riding For The Brand featuring The Highwaymen (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny
    Cash and Kris Kristofferson).

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/27-riding-for-brand-louis-lamour.html
http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Brand-Starring-Highwaymen-Kristofferson/dp/155935173X

8. It's a far out, spaced out, groovy trip through the cosmos man.
    It's the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/93-hitchhikers-guide-to-galaxy-bbc.html
http://www.amazon.com/Hitchhikers-Guide-Galaxy-Complete-Radio/dp/1602834792


9.  It's swashbuckling fun with the BBC's The Three Musketeer's. Ride into action
     and adventure with Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan as they try to save
     the King and Queen of France.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/12/123-three-musketeers-bbc.html
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Musketeers-Full-Cast-Radio-Drama/dp/product-description/1609984854


10. South of Deadwood by Louis L'Amour:
      Ride into wild west adventure with Texas Ranger Chick Bowdrie. This is one lawman
      you don't want to shoot it out with.

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/11-south-of-deadwood-louis-lamour.html
http://www.louislamour.com/audio/southof.htm

11. Emma:
     Jane Austen's classic tale of misconstrued romance is perfectly presented by the BBC

http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/53-emma-by-jane-austen-bbc.html

12. Jehovah's Name To Be Declared In All The Earth:
      The Almighty God, Jehovah, brings ten plagues on haughty Pharaoh when he refuses to
      let his people go in this accurately based Bible presentation.

 http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/69-jehovahs-name-to-be-declared-in-all.html



These are just a few of the many great radio drama titles produced in the modern era of audio drama which are highlighted here on the Radio Drama (Audio Drama) Spotlight.

#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

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

#92 The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volumes 1-4 (Imagination Theater)

Jim French Productions brings you the immortal Sherlock Holmes. These are great productions well worth listening to. If you haven't heard this production of Holmes you need to. You'll be in for a wonderful treat. If you have heard this group's version of Holmes you know this is a top flight show.

From IMT:

The Greatest of Them All: Sherlock Holmes, the name conjures pictures of gas-lit streets and dark mysteries from a bygone age. Along with his trusted friend Dr. John H. Watson, Holmes is without doubt the most famous sleuth the world has ever known with countless literary works, stage plays, films, television and radio programs all centering around this icon and spanning over 117 years. And now, with full authorization from the estate of Dame Jean Conan Doyle, daughter of Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jim French Productions brings you 10 episodes from our long running dramatic radio series starring John Patrick Lowrie and John Gilbert as Holmes with Lawrence Albert as Dr. Watson.

The Tuttman Gallery (Double Length Episode)
The Estonian Countess
The Adventure of the Silver Siphon** (Double Length Episode) John Gilbert is Holmes
The Adventure of the Missing Link** John Gilbert is Holmes
The Mystery of the Patient Fisherman
The Diary of Anthony Moltaire
The Bee and The Spider
The Wizard of Baker Street
The Living Weapon
School For Scoundrels

http://jimfrenchproductions.com/zc137m/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=47

#64 The Gloria Scott - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Sherlock Holmes, just down from university, solves his very first case.

Holmes on leave from college spends a month with his friend, Victor Trevor, at his father's estate in Norfolk. While there, Holmes amazes Victor's father, a former Justice of the Peace and wealthy landowner who had made his fortune in the goldfields of Australia. While giving a display of his powers of deduction Holmes's deduces that the elder Mr. Trevor was once connected with someone with the initials J. A. whom he wanted to forget. Overcome with emotion his host faints. After coming to the old man explains the reason for having 'taken ill' saying that J. A. had been an old lover. Holmes unconvience by Mr. Trevor's explanation and realizing he has made his host uncomfortable decides to take his leave. Before Holmes leaves the estate a visitor arrives causing Mr. Trevor to drink heavily. Soon the man has moved in with the Trevors and within a few days the old man is found dead

Clive Merrison starring as Sherlock Holmes in the classic Conaan Doyle tale from the BBC.


http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Sherlock-Holmes-Radio-Presents/dp/0553471821

#49 The Empty House - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Three years after his sleuth friend's final encounter with Moriarty, Watson faces more tragedy - and murder. With Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.

This first installment In the continuation of the classic collection of Sherlock Holmes stories will charm Sir Arthur Canon Doyle's many fans with four more lavish episodes featuring the inimitable partnership of Holmes and Watson as portrayed by the well-loved pair, Clive Merrison and Michael Williams. Presented in a stunning dramatization originally conceived for BBC broadcast and produced by the world's foremost creators of radio entertainment, this lush production combines a full cast with stirring music and sound effects to bring these classic mysteries to life.

http://www.amazon.com/Return-Sherlock-Holmes-Radio-Presents/dp/0553473492

#43 The Secret of the Fives - Sherlock Holmes (Imagination Theater

The American Government asks Sherlock Holmes to find out who is threatening Congress and President McKinley in The Secret of the Fives. Though not a feature length show this 22 minute episode from the first season of Imagination Theater's ongoing Sherlock Holmes radio drama series is very entertaining to say the least. The late John Gilbert stars as Holmes, Larry Albert is Dr. John H. Watson, with special guest Russell Johnson ("the professor" on Gillian's Island). John Patrick Lowrie, who currently plays the role of Holmes, is the narrator.

This episode is reminiscent of the 1940s movie Sherlock Holmes In Washington which starred the quintessential Holmes, Basil Rathbone.

http://jimfrenchproductions.com/zc137m/

#41 Silver Blaze - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Clive Merrison and Michael Williams return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in another great production in this BBC radio drama mystery series.

A missing racehorse, a murdered horse trainer, a silk cravat and the curious incident of the dog in the night time...all of these things are featured in Silver Blaze, a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Volume One from the BBC. This radio drama collection also includes The Yellow Face, The Stockbroker's Clerk, and The Gloria Scott. All great productions particularly The Gloria Scott.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Memoirs-Sherlock-Holmes-Stockbrokers-Collection/dp/0563406356

#23 The Sign of the Four - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Clive Merrison and Michael Williams are at their finest reprising their audio roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson of 221B Baker St. Tales of intrigue and adventure will keep your rapt attention in this Conan Doyle classic.

Since her father disappeared ten years ago, Mary has received annually and anonymously a pearl. When she is finally requested to meet the sender she is accompanied by Holmes and Watson. The stranger relates to them a tale of secrecy, hidden treasure and sudden death.

 http://www.amazon.com/Sign-Four-Sherlock-Holmes-BBC/dp/0553526405

#15 The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sherlock Holmes (Imagination Theater)

The Hound of the Baskervilles produced by Jim French's Imagination Theater stars John Patrick Lowrie as Holmes and Lawrence "Larry" Albert as Dr. John H. Watson. This full length feature is a must for radio drama lovers and Holmes fans alike. Imagination Theater's production of half hour Sherlock Holmes episodes is reminiscent of the great show from the OTR era. If you loved Rathbone and Bruce as Holmes and Watson or John Stanley and Alfred Shirley in the role of the famous pair then you're sure to love Lowrie and Albert. It's some of the best modern era radio drama available.

From IMT:
In 1893 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle “killed “ off his greatest creation and the world’s first consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, in fear that the Holmes stories would over shadow his more serious work. The public outcry over the “death” of a fictional character was unprecedented with some folks wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning. In 1901 Doyle relented and wrote what is considered to be the best of all the Holmes tales “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” In the one hundred plus years since then no other detective story has been reproduced more times as a motion picture, a television program or a radio play, and now here in the 21st century Sherlock Holmes along with his friend and biographer Dr. John H. Watson will once again reach out from the gas lit streets of Victorian England to take you on a journey involving legends, romance and death. Sit back and enjoy this two disc feature length full cast production, complete with music and sound effects; let your imagination see and hear Baker Street, the Great Grimpen Mire and the hound from hell.

http://jimfrenchproductions.com/zc137m/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=689

#10 Sherlock Holmes Theatre

This full-cast radio drama production is a flawless work of art by the master of radio drama greatness Yuri Rasovsky. In this feature he expertly taps the genius of Conan Doyle to recreate the world of the immortal detective Sherlock Holmes. Martin Jarvis' performance as Holmes would surely have brought a smile from Basil Rathbone himself. Kristoffer Tabori is the perfect Watson. The Sherlock Holmes Theatre once again displays the genius that is Rasovsky. A must have for any mystery lover.

From HTE:
The first audio recordings ever of the only two Holmes plays written by his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in new, specially commissioned productions of The Hollywood Thater of the Ear starring Audio Award Winners Martin Jarvis as Holmes and Kristoffer Tabori as Watson. 

http://www.irasov.com/Holmes.htm

#9 The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sherlock Holmes (BBC)

Clive Merrison brings the great detective, Sherlock Holmes, to life in this classic Conan Doyle tale. Michael Williams is perfect as the steady and reliable Dr. Watson. For fans of radio drama, mystery or Sherlock Holmes this is a can't miss production. Be ready for adventure because... The game is afoot!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hound-Baskervilles-Full-cast-Dramatisation-Collection/dp/0563478330