A Case for Dr Morelle: Thirteen full-cast vintage crime dramas

Thirteen classic crime dramas featuring Dr Morelle - 'the man you love to hate!'

Psychiatrist-detective Dr Morelle is arrogant, sarcastic and rude - but when it comes to catching criminals, he is unparalleled. Using deduction, psychological profiling and his keen, analytical mind, he solves cases ranging from blackmail to murder, aided by his devoted and long-suffering secretary Miss Frayle.

Over the course of this series, he investigates the unexplained death of a wealthy French baroness, receives a visit from a man tormented by nightmares, probes the authenticity of a fabled gem and helps a young man in distress - and an old man in danger. Whether it's a terror campaign against a bride-to-be, death threats made to a temperamental film star, or a case of deadly experiments and thwarted love, no mystery is too baffling and no villain too cunning for the Harley Street sleuth.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1957, these 13 detective dramas are collected together here for the first time. British film veteran Cecil Parker stars as Dr Morelle, with Sheila Sim as Miss Frayle.

Also included is a bonus documentary programme, The Radio Detectives: A Case for Dr Morelle, in which Professor Jeffrey Richards delves into the casebook of the cantankerous criminal psychologist.

These episodes have been restored from the original 1957 recordings. Due to the vintage nature of these recordings, the sound quality varies.

Cast and credits Written by Ernest Dudley Produced and directed by Leslie Bridgmont

Starring Cecil Parker as Dr Morelle and Sheila Sim as Miss Frayle

Alarm Call Hotel waiter - Sydney Tafler Mam'selle Rolin - Tonia Bern Anthony Winter - Hugh Manning Hotel receptionist - Molly Rankin Miss Shawcroft - Kathleen Helm Audio recovered by BBC Radio 4 Extra listener, Steve Arnold First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 23 April 1957

Confession of Guilt Inspector Hood - Philip Ray Paula Webb - Mary Law Other parts played by Maurice Sweden, Norman Wynne, Hugh Manning, Betty Linton and Alan McClelland First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 30 April 1957

Threat to Kill Rosalind Knight - Helen Desmond Miss Curtis - Cecile Chevreau Ronnie Cavanagh - John Horsley Maid - Annette Kelly Mr Ashton - Norman Wynne Hal Digby - John Sharplin First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 7 May 1957

The Sleepwalker Helen Keen - Moira Lister Richard Wilson - Hugh Burden Inspector Hood - Philip Ray First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 14 May 1957

The Blackmailer Inspector Hood - Philip Ray Sir Clifford Forbes - Douglas Young Lady Forbes - Madeleine Christie Cynthia Forbes - Ruth Trouncer Hotel waiter - Haydn Jones Hotel manager - Humphrey Morton Lily the maid - Beryl Calder Matron - Molly Rankin Harry Fox - Ian Sadler First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 21 May 1957

Voice in the Night Miss Nicholson - Hester Paton Brown Billy Boy the dog - Percy Edwards Mr Nicholson - Alan McClelland Superintendent Denham - Fred Yule Station officer - Alan Keith Julian Smith/Taxi driver - John Baker First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 28 May 1957

The Will David Beaumont - David Spenser Henrietta Vickers - Nan Kenway Herbert Vickers - Douglas Young Darryl - Will Leighton First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 4 June 1957

Act of Violence Major Penfold - Ralph Truman Robert Benson - Trevor Martin Professor Stenberg - Martin Miller Girl - Louise Gainsborough Clerk of the Court - Will Leighton First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 11 June 1957

The Black Ruby Guy Hampton - Norman Woodland Sonia Hampton - Virginia Winter Helen Reynolds - Louise Gainsborough Bill Reynolds - Richard Bebb Aubrey Green - Desmond Carrington Airline captain/various - John Baker First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 18 June 1957

The Wedding Dress Audrey Templeton - Sulwen Morgan Evelyn Lambert - Mary Law Edna Lambert - Olwen Brookes Mrs Vezey - Peggy Thorpe-Bates Commercial Traveller/Ames - Trevor Martin First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 25 June 1957

The Gambler Mrs Ludlow - Harriet Johns Mr Ellis - Desmond Carrington Felix Grey - Jimmy Lavall Simmons - Arthur Young Man - Simon Lack Girl - Beryl Calder First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 2 July 1957

The Poisoned Air Kurt Emmanuel - David Hurst Bella Goodwyn - Maureen Riscoe Mrs Atkins - Elsa Palmer Hugo Russell - John Horsley Sgt Hammond - Haydn Jones First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 9 July 1957

Mr X Paula Maitland - Lana Morris Nurse - Maureen Riscoe Mr X - David Spenser Mr Maitland - Simon Lack Matron - Joan Sanderson Inspector Hood - Fred Yule First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 16 July 1957

A Case for Dr Morelle Written and presented by Jeffrey Richards Produced by Helen Williams Contributors: Ernest Dudley, Brian Doyle Reader: Owen Oakshott First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 June 1999

Copyright © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

© 2021 BBC Digital Audio (Lydbog): 9781529142822

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 27. maj 2021