Oct 18, 2014
“that strange wireless” [LION]
In Episode 68, we explored some of the early
days of Sherlock Holmes on radio with Bert Coules. We're pleased to
present the second part of that episode as we make a deeper dive
into Sherlock Holmes as portrayed in radio productions.
The bulk of our conversation with Bert centers — appropriately so
— around the BBC Radio 4 series starring Clive Merrison and
Michael Williams (Amazon). After selling a dramatized
version of The Hound of the Baskervilles to the BBC (which
starred Roger Rees), Bert was given the green light to dramatize
all 60 Sherlock Holmes stories, serving as the head writer.
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| The striking resemblance between Sidney Paget's Sherlock Holmes (r) and Clive Merrison in the role (l). |
Bert discusses the casting of the new series, including what was
required in a Watson that was an equal partner — and a zinger
aimed at Nigel Bruce — as well as the increased comfort felt
by the characters and actors over the course of the series
recording. You may be surprised to learn how the stories were
assigned to the writing team (a scientific method from the BBC, no
doubt) and how the writers were "imaginatively faithful" to the
stories. Not to mention the backstory behind an alternative ending
to "The Solitary Cyclist."
Of particular interest for us in this show is a multitude of sound
clips from the BBC series - including the music that played such a
prominent role in some episodes. We did a bit of our own sound
design in this episode in keeping with the spirit of the theme.
We also discuss some of the more intriguing guest stars on the
series, such as Peter Sallis, Desmond Llewelyn, Brian Blessed and
Tom Baker, as well as the "new" Watson during The Further
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Andrew Sachs. Bert has a great
story about how he ended the series in a manner than ensured it
will not be continued.
CONTEST ALERT: This episode contains a contest.
We mentioned Denis Quilley and Patrick Allen as two actors who
have been in the BBC Sherlock Holmes radio shows (as Bob Carruthers
[SOLI] and Leon Sterndale [DEVI], respectively) and who have also
been guest stars in the Granada series (as Leon Sterndale [DEVI]
and Col. Sebastian Moran [EMPT], respectively.
There are at least two other actors who have also had guest
starring roles in each series. The first individual who emails us the names and their
respective roles and stories in each series will win a copy of Bert
Coules' book, 221 BBC: Writing for the World's Only Complete
Dramatized Canon and Beyond.
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| The Baker Street Regulars - recurring members
of the cast (L to R): Clive Merrison (Holmes), Stephen Thorne (Inspector Lestrade), Joan Matheson (Mrs. Hudson), Michael Williams (Watson), John Hartley (Mycroft Holmes). |
Our Gas-Lamp this episode, we return to The Baker Street
Journal of January 1952 (Vol. 2 No. 1 (New Series)) for Edgar
Rosenberger's poem "Four Ages," representing the evolution of
Sherlock Holmes as portrayed by various actors.
Links:
- BertCoules.co.uk
- The unofficial BBC Radio series website, maintained by Bert Coules.
- 221 BBC: Writing for the World's Only Complete Dramatized Canon and Beyond - a new editions, revised and expanded - by Bert Coules
More links available on on Facebook, Twitter and of course, our web-
and app-based Flipboard magazine.
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Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (ihearofsherlock AT gmail DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).
And above all, please let our sponsors know that you heard us rant and rave about their excellence during the programme: Wessex Press and The Baker Street Journal - and as always, a very special sponsor.
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| Available from theWessex Press |