By Francis Durbridge
192/44K
Firstly, I’m going to admit that I’m not unbiased about Paul Temple; I think he’s great – daring, dashing, sophisticated and brave. I often imagine myself as him: effortlessly dodging explosions (and the occasional gunshot) to track down a ruthless killer and unravelling a complex mystery in the process. The killer works under a pseudonym such as “the Marquis” which means that we’re left guessing until the last episode as to his identity.
Whilst the BBC has a reasonable proportion of actual recordings, many of the broadcasts were never recorded or, if they were, the recordings were subsequently destroyed. Many of the original scripts and stories do survive though. So, given the popularity of the re-released available recordings, the BBC commissioned a few abridged stories which were read by Anthony Head. By not recreating full-cast dramatisations, these cases provided a new and sufficiently different vehicle for Durbridge’s private detective.
Around the same time, the BBC also re-recorded an original script of the 1947 production of “Paul Temple and the Sullivan Mystery” using vintage sound effects and original incidental music. Crawford Logan and Gerda Stevenson make creditable performances as Paul and Steve.
Re-makes of “Paul Temple and the Madison Mystery” and “Paul Temple and Steve” followed in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The current (2011) remake of “A Case for Paul Temple” is currently being aired on Radio 4. Like all the modern era Paul Temple programmes, it stars Crawford Logan and Gerda Stevenson. New production of Francis Durbridge's 1946 detective serial. Private detective Paul Temple and his journalist wife Steve are on the trail of a mysterious West End drug dealer.
A Case For Paul Temple LINK
Replies
I totally agree about Paul Temple - he's superb!
I clearly remember when the BBC first started to release stuff on tape, one of the early entries into the "BBC Radio Collection" headed cassette double packs was Paul Temple and the Conrad Case. I LOVED it! But for what seemed like forever - it was the only Temple that was available! This was before the internet and google (I'd have been about 20, so we're talking 23 years ago) and I didn't have the faintest idea he was a famous radio detective with numerous series under his belt!
When Francis Durbridge was 80 - Radio 4 broadcast Paul Temple and The Spencer Affair. At that point in time the 11.00pm slot on Thursday nights was very typically given over to thriller or sci-fi type drama. But slap bang during the middle of this 8 episode run, I was on holiday in Devon!!! I came home 2 days early so I could record an episode!
Then, some more years down the line - before I really understood Ebay, a dealer was selling something called a Paul Temple OTR MP3 CD! I didn't really understand Ebay, and I certainly didn't have a clue what an MP3 disc was - but it listed about 7 or 8 other complete BBC Temple dramas! I sussed out Ebay, emailed the seller to ask what was an MP3 disc, does it play on normal CD players etc - and I ended up with this set of (not great quality audio) Paul Temple's that I could only listen to on my computer!
In recent years, as well as re-issues of all the archived stuff, we've got great new drama's, and the Anthony Head readings are now in double figures. It's brilliant!
The DVDs are pretty cheap now too. The 70s TV series is probably worth watching - but it doesn't touch the radio version. It's not even close. The B&W were a slight disappointment to me too. They're good, but (for different reasons) they're in same boat as the TV series - good, but not essential.
Another thing that I really like about Temple, it's great that his sidekick is actually his wife! I dunno why I think that adds greatly to it, but I do!
It was also probably the great Coronation Scot that got me into TV and Radio themes, and subsequently sparked a considerable interest in British Light Music! My interest in that often raises an eyebrow amongst people who know me well, because my musical roots are largely based on punk and 2-Tone!
In fairness, if you wanted to be critical, the stories are much of a muchness and if you've heard one, you have a fair idea of what the flavour of the rest of them will be, with similar twists and turns along a roller-coaster route - but I don't care. I'm a fan of the character and the books. End of! :-)
Cheers Rick!
DK