BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA
A Case For Dr Morelle
Ep 1/13
128K
This is a 1957 BBC radio drama series about a criminal psychologist, Dr Morelle, who solves murder cases which are too complex for the police. Morelle is played by English film actor Cecil Parker, and is alternately helped and hindered in his investigations by his secretary Miss Frayle, played by film actress Sheila Sim.
The series was created by writer Ernest Dudley, who conceived the character during an air raid in 1942. The curmudgeonly and sarcastic psychologist is thought to be based on Hollywood actor and producer Erich von Stroheim; and as played by Cecil Parker the character certainly has a touch of the aristocrat about him.
In a nod to the Baker Street residence of Sherlock Holmes, Morelle's London office is situated at 221b Harley Street. Most of the stories begin there, with his long-suffering secretary patiently enduring her employer's endless sarcasm.
Each of the stories is self-contained, with Morelle solving the mystery in the final scene. Unusually for the time, he solves each case not by hunting for clues in the manner of Sherlock Holmes, but instead through a psychiatrist's insight into the personality of the killer: using his professional experience to consider the suspects, in order to determin which of them matches the deduced personality of the murderer.
Thirteen episodes were broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1957, aired weekly from April 23rd to July 16th.
Worth pointing out too, sound quality on the first one is pretty good. As
the announcer says "thanks to listener Steve Arnold for providing the
cleaned up, recovered audio in this series".
A Case for Doctor Morelle - 01 - Alarm Call
Wednesday 11 September
6.00-6.30am
Long after Sherlock Holmes had vacated the premises, Dr Morelle and his
long-suffering assistant Miss Frayle moved in to 221b Baker Street to
continue the science of solving crime.
Following on from the success of the 1949 Hammer Film Dr Morelle: The
Case Of The Missing Heiress, this is the first of 13 radio episodes
where the cantankerous criminal psychologist hunts down murderers by
deducing their felonious personalities.
In this first part, a wealthy French baroness is bumped off in a London
hotel, with the doctor instantly seeing through the carefully staged
accidental-death scenario.
Dr Morelle is played by British movie veteran Cecil Parker and the
glamorous Miss Frayne by Sheila Sim.
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1957.
Series 1
Series 1 - 1. Alarm Call
By Ernest Dudley. Psychiatrist-sleuth Dr Morelle investigates a mysterious death at a hotel....
A Case for Doctor Morelle - 02 - Threat to Kill
Duration:
30 minutes
First broadcast:
Thursday 12 September 2013
When a temperamental film starlet receives a death threat, the psychiatrist-sleuth is called in. Stars Cecil Parker. From May 1957.
A Case for Doctor Morelle - 3 - The Sleepwalker
Duration:
30 minutes
First broadcast:
Friday 13 September 2013
A man tormented by nightmares visits Dr Morelle over fears he'll kill his mother. Stars Cecil Parker and Sheila Sim. From May 1957.
A Case for Doctor Morelle - 4 - The Will
Duration: 30 minutes
First broadcast: Monday 16 September 2013
A young man in distress and an old man in danger. Ernest Dudley's 1957 thriller stars Cecil Parker as Dr Morelle.
FIRST BROADCAST: 16 Sep 2013
A Case for Doctor Morelle - 5 - Act of Violence
Duration: 30 minutes
First broadcast: Tuesday 17 September 2013
Local amateur dramatics bring back memories for a man accused of murder. Ernest Dudley's 1957 thriller with Cecil Parker.
6/ The Gambler
The psychiatrist-sleuth tackles a desperate gambling addict in a case of murder.
FIRST BROADCAST: 18 Sep 2013
7/ Poisoned Air
The psychiatrist-sleuth tackles a case of risky experiments and thwarted love.
FIRST BROADCAST: 19 Sep 2013
8/ Mr X
A man loses his memory and a woman gets nuisance calls, in a case for the psych-sleuth.
A Case for Dr Morelle on BBC7 & BBC Radio 7
info extracted from BBC7 newsletter 22 June 2007
_______________________
A Case For Dr. Morelle
BBC 7 PREMIERE
I heartily recommend this much deserved radio renaissance of this curmudgeonly psychiatrist - who proves to be a vital link in our detective thrillers. Our very own technical sleuth Mik has been busy polishing up this 5-part series for your inspection! Its all terrribly theatrical and a real blast from the past! Dr. Morelle was the creation of writer Ernest Dudley, who died last year. His sinister and sarcastic character made his debut in 1942, having been conceived during an air raid. He's said to be based on Hollywood actor/producer Erich von Stroheim. In deference to London's Baker Street resident Sherlock Holmes, Morelle's office is at 221b Harley Street. Its here that his long suffering assistant Miss Frayle patiently puts up with her employer's endless sarcasm. The lead role is played by the aristocratic Cecil Parker and the long-suffering assistant by Sheila Sim.
Monday to Friday at 9am, 8pm and 1am
Peter Reed
Senior Reversioning Producer
BBC 7
_______________________
The 5 episodes were first broadcast the week of:
Monday 25 - Friday 29 June 2007
A Case for Dr Morelle: Confession of Guilt
A woman wants absolving from a murder, but will the psychiatrist turned detective agree?
FIRST BROADCAST: 25 Jun 2007
A Case for Dr Morelle: The Blackmailer
The psychiatrist turned detective probes the dealings of a mysterious Spanish count.
FIRST BROADCAST: 26 Jun 2007
A Case for Dr Morelle: Voice in the Night
The psychiatrist turned detective probes death threats made to an elderly spinster.
FIRST BROADCAST: 27 Jun 2007
A Case for Dr Morelle: The Black Ruby
The psychiatrist turned detective probes a fabled gem's authenticity. From February 1957.
FIRST BROADCAST: 28 Jun 2007
A Case for Dr Morelle: The Wedding Dress
The psychiatrist turned detective investigates a terror campaign against a bride-to-be.
FIRST BROADCAST: 29 Jun 2007
Position in the original Light Programme broadcasts in brackets.
1/ Confession Of Guilt (2of13)
2/ The Blackmailer (5of13)
3/ Voice In The Night(6of13)
4/ The Black Ruby(9of13)
5/ The Wedding Dress (10of 13)
These 5 episodes were rebroadcast 2008-2011 and these recordings come from 2011.
Replies
Excellent! Thank you, Rick.
Roger
You're welcome Roger and Gerald, may you enjoy them all. ----------------------- R
Great stuff!
Thank you, Rick!
Excellent Rick!!! Blagodaria mnogo!!!
James me boy, Look in UFO, Art Bell is back with a new show on Sirus XM satellite and I have the first 4 from last week. He is still the King and were they good and the sound is great. ----------------------- R
Thanks, Rick. I was missing Threat to Kill and The Sleepwalker from my collection. Now it's complete, thanks to you.