T H E B B C P R E S E N T S S H E R L O C K H O L M E S ----- ----- --------------- --------------- ----------- Hobbs and Shelley Version 1952 - 1969 First Show: 15 Oct, 1952 Last Show: 26 May, 1983 Number Shows: 64 Audition Show: none Series Description: Sherlock Holmes may very well be the most often played character on radio. The best remembered radio version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character was done by Basil Rathbone as Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as Watson. The Holmes character was not only a favorite in the United States. He was, and still is, portrayed in the United Kingdom by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC produced a number of short series, unlike the shows in the US, where they were produced as long-running series. Many actors have portrayed Holmes and Watson for the BBC, but the Hobbs and Shelley duo is the longest running. The first time Carleton Hobbs, as Holmes, and Norman Shelley, as Watson, were heard was on 15 October, 1952 on a children's series, THE BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR PROGRAMME. Hobbs had previously played the part of Watson on 3 July, 1943, for the BBC's presentation of "The Boscombe Valley Mystery". Arthur Wontner played Holmes in that adventure. THE BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR PROGRAMME was broadcast each week night, from 5 to 6 PM and consisted of talks and items of interest to children of 9 upwards. The second half was usually a play, which could be a book broken up over several weeks. The Sherlock Holmes stories were ideal as they could be done in a single 30-minute play. There were 17 Holmes plays done in the series. Scripts were done by Felix Felton. The first Hobbs & Shelley "adult" Holmes show was on 3 January, 1953. This was an adaptation of the William Gillette / Arthur Conan Doyle play, which was repeated January 8. In 1955, Holmes came to life with Sir John Gielgud as the great detective accompanied by Sir Ralph Richardson As Watson. This series of 12 shows aired 5 October to 21 December, 1954 in the UK and 2 January to 5 June, 1955 (some shows were duplicates in the US). The series was produced in London by Harry Allen Towers (Towers of London Syndication). After this, Hobbs and Shelley were BBC radio's Holmes and Watson until 1969. There were only two exceptions. One was a 5-part series, "The Sign of Four" starring Richard Hurndall as Holmes and Bryan Coleman as Watson, which aired 16 May to 13 June, 1959. It was adapted for radio by Felix Felton, who adapted 6-part "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" (with Hobbs & Shelley in 1958). The other was "The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes", a 30 minute bio- graphical drama written by Michael and Molly Hardwick, that aired on 19 Dec, 1963, with Alan Weatley as Holmes and James McKechnie as Dr. Watson. As you scan the list below, you'll often notice that Michael Hardwick was responsible for adapting the works for radio. In fact, he's responsible for all the shows except for the 1958 6-part "Hounds" series. He was still adapting Sherlock Holmes for the radio after Hobbs and Sheley's last show. He adapted "A Study In Scarlet" (25 Dec, 1974) which is the last radio entry mentioned in Allen Eyles book (which covers through 1986). The Hobbs and Shelley Holmes adventures were all direct adaptations of Doyle's work (the Sherlock Holmes canon). All of their shows aired on "The Light Programme" which, in 1967, became BBC Radio 2. The last time the team of Hobbs and Shelley was heard live as Holmes and Watson, on 10 July, 1969, was entitled "His Last Bow". Although this was their last live performance, the BBC repeated some shows in the UK, some aired on the BBC World Service, some were made available via transcription and some were offered for sale on tape to the public. Identifying The Shows: From comments in the Description above and from the log below, you'll notice that there are different series, repeats and transcribed versions of the shows. In addition, the BBC offers some on tape that are slightly different from the versions that they aired. Below are some notes you can use to identify what version you have (refer to the log where necessary). 1. The BBC Radio Collection (3 volumes of 4 shows each) - all music was removed. 2. SHERLOCK HOLMES RETURNS series - all shows go straight into the story. 3. SHERLOCK HOLMES AGAIN series - violin, trailed segment, Watson's intro and then mood music. Ends with barrel-organ music. One exception is "The Adventure of the Final Problem" which starts straight into the story. 4. 1983 repeat series - end credits being spoken by the announcer on duty that day. 5. Transcribed shows - 90 minute shows modified for 3 30-minute episodes. The openings and closings were edited and background music was added. Typically, the show would open with Watson talking to the listening audience, saying he was about to recount a Holmes adventure. 6. SHERLOCK HOLMES (1962) series) - open with Watson hailing a cab and saying something to the effect of "221B Baker Street, cabbie". List Comments: The list is based on a BBC document, offering transcribed versions of some of the shows, and the Allen Eyles book (see "Other Logs and Books" below). Reader feedback has also greatly added to this log. A note at the bottom of the first page of the BBC document says: "FIFTY-THREE episodes of dramatized classic excitement re-edited to the tempo of today's radio. Each episode, including Dr. Watson's personal introduction and close, lasts less than twenty-six minutes and leaves room for four breakes inside the programme." The BBC show lists consists of 40 single shows and 4 3-part serials. The 90-minute shows were broken into 3-parters. Unless otherwise noted, all shows were 30 minutes long. (Actually, the BBC listing says they are each approximately 25 minutes, 50 seconds.) This makes 52 shows. There may have been one more not included in the list. These shows are indicated in the list by a asterisk in the "T" (transcribed) column that follows the title field. Broadcast dates were only found in the Radio Showcase catalog and first/last dates in the Eyles book. Many were supplied by reader comments. I've used titles from the Holmes canon throughout the log. The exception to this are the shows from THE BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR PROGRAMME, were shortened title was used to save space as well as shortening the series name to BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR. The duplicate titles for the Children's Hour are not repeats of earlier shows. Except for Hobbs and Shelley, they feature new casts. Chronological Log: Date Day Num Title T ------------ --- --- ----------------------------------------------- - 15 Oct, 1952 Wed BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Naval Treaty 12 Nov, 1952 Wed BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Five Orange Pips 10 Dec, 1952 Wed BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Blue Carbuncle 03 Jan, 1953 Sat Sherlock Holmes Adaptation of the Gillette/Doyle play. Adapted by Raymond Raikes. Length of broadcast not known. 04 Feb, 1953 Wed BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Three Students 01 Jul, 1953 Wed BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Red-Headed League 07 Oct, 1954 Thu BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Norwood Builder 04 Nov, 1954 Thu BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Bruce Partington Plans 06 Jan, 1955 Thu BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Missing Three-Quarter 03 Feb, 1955 Thu BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Copper Beeches 03 Mar, 1955 Thu BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Final Problem 29 Apr, 1955 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Mazarin Stone 11 Oct, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Naval Treaty 18 Oct, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Five Orange Pips 25 Oct, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Blue Carbuncle 01 Nov, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Red-Headed League 08 Nov, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Three Students 15 Nov, 1957 Fri BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR: The Final Problem ... ---------- Six Part Series ---------- ... ... adapted by Felix Felton ... 06 Apr, 1958 Sun 1 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 1 13 Apr, 1958 Sun 2 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 2 20 Apr, 1958 Sun 3 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 3 27 Apr, 1958 Sun 4 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 4 04 May, 1958 Sun 5 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 5 11 May, 1958 Sun 6 The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 6 ... --- Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES --- ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Frederick Bradnum ... ... 6 shows, May 12 thru Aug 25 ... 12 May, 1959 Tue 1 The Man With The Twisted Lip * 30 Jun, 1959 Tue 2 The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet * 04 Aug, 1959 Tue 3 The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier * 11 Aug, 1959 Tue 4 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches * 18 Aug, 1959 Tue 5 The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor * 25 Aug, 1959 Tue 6 The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place * ... --- Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES --- ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Martyn C. Webster ... ... 7 shows, Feb 23 thru May 31 ... 23 Feb, 1960 Tue 1 The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk * 22 Mar, 1960 Tue 2 The Adventure of the Naval Treaty 05 Apr, 1960 Tue 3 The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter * 19 Apr, 1960 Tue 4 The Adventure of the Cardboard Box 03 May, 1960 Tue 5 The Disappearance Of Lady Frances Carfax * 17 May, 1960 Tue 6 The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb * 31 May, 1960 Tue 7 The Adventure of the Illustrious Client 31 Dec, 1960 Sat The Valley of Fear * Originally aired in 90 minutes, divided into 3 30-minute parts for transcription. Adapted by Michael Hardwick. 05 Mar, 1961 Sun Black Peter A 30-minute presentation. Script by A. Wilson. Not mentioned in the Eyles book. 05 Aug, 1961 Sat The Hound Of The Baskervilles * Originally aired in 90 minutes, divided into 3 30-minute parts for transcription. Not found in the Eyles book. ... --- Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES --- ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Robin Midgley ... ... 7 shows, Nov 27 thru Jan 08 ... 27 Nov, 1961 Mon 1 The Adventure of the Empty House * 04 Dec, 1961 Mon 2 The Adventure of the Reigate Squires * 11 Dec, 1961 Mon 3 The Adventure of the Resident Patient * 18 Dec, 1961 Mon 4 The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton * 25 Dec, 1961 Mon 5 The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 01 Jan, 1962 Mon 6 The Problem of Thor Bridge 08 Jan, 1962 Mon 7 The Adventure of the Priory School * ... --- Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES --- ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Robin Midgley ... ... 8 shows, Jul 17 thru Sep 04 ... 17 Jul, 1962 Tue 1 The Adventure of the Speckled Band 24 Jul, 1962 Tue 2 The Adventure of Silver Blaze * 31 Jul, 1962 Tue 3 The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual 07 Aug, 1962 Tue 4 The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez * 14 Aug, 1962 Tue 5 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter * 21 Aug, 1962 Tue 6 The Adventure Of The Abbey Grange * 28 Aug, 1962 Tue 7 The Adventure Of The Devil's Foot * 04 Sep, 1962 Tue 8 The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone * 22 Dec, 1962 Sat A Study in Scarlet * Originally aired in 90 minutes, divided into 3 30-minute parts for transcription. Adapted by Michael Hardwick, produced by Norman Wright. ... 3-show, title not known ... ... May be repeats from Jul 17 thru ... ... Sep 04, 1962 series. ... 27 Dec, 1962 Thu 1 The Adventure of the Speckled Band 03 Jan, 1963 Thu 2 The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter 10 Jan, 1963 Thu 3 The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual 02 Mar, 1963 Sat The Sign Of The Four * Originally aired in 90 minutes, divided into 3 30-minute parts for transcription. Adapted by Michael Hardwick. ... Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES RETURNS ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Graham Gauld ... ... 10 shows, Aug 07 thru Oct 09 ... 07 Aug, 1964 Fri 1 The Adventure of the Abbey Grange (repeated from previous series) 14 Aug, 1964 Fri 2 The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone (repeated from previous series) 21 Aug, 1964 Fri 3 The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist * 28 Aug, 1964 Fri 4 The Adventure of the Bruce Partington Plans * 04 Sep, 1964 Fri 5 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs * 11 Sep, 1964 Fri 6 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder * 18 Sep, 1964 Fri 7 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire * 25 Sep, 1964 Fri 8 The Red-Headed League * 02 Oct, 1964 Fri 9 The Adventure of the Three Gables * 09 Oct, 1964 Fri 10 The Adventure of the Retired Colourman * ... 5-show series, title not known ... ... May be repeats from Aug 07 thru ... ... Oct 09, 1962 series. ... 28 Dec, 1964 Mon 1 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (09-04-64) 29 Dec, 1964 Tue 2 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder (09-11-64) 30 Dec, 1964 Wed 3 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire (09-18-64) 31 Dec, 1964 Thu 4 The Red-Headed League (09-25-64) 01 Jan, 1965 Fri 5 The Adventure of the Three Gables (10-02-64) ... Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES AGAIN ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Martyn C. Webster ... ... 9 shows, Nov 21 thru Jan 16 ... 21 Nov, 1966 Mon 1 A Scandal In Bohemia * 28 Nov, 1966 Mon 2 The Five Orange Pips * 05 Dec, 1966 Mon 3 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons * 12 Dec, 1966 Mon 4 The Boscombe Valley Mystery * 19 Dec, 1966 Mon 5 The Adventure of the Crooked Man 26 Dec, 1966 Mon 6 The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge * 02 Jan, 1967 Mon 7 The Adventure of the Dying Detective * 09 Jan, 1967 Mon 8 The Adventure of the Second Stain * 16 Jan, 1967 Mon 9 The Adventure of the Final Problem * ... --- Series title: SHERLOCK HOLMES --- ... ... adapted by Michael Hardwick ... ... directed by Graham Gauld ... ... 6 shows, Jun 24 thru Jul 10 ... 24 Jun, 1969 Tue 1 The Adventure of the Dancing Men 26 Jun, 1969 Thu 2 A Case of Identity 01 Jul, 1969 Tue 3 The Adventure of Black Peter * 03 Jul, 1969 Thu 4 The Adventure of the Red Circle * 08 Jul, 1969 Tue 5 The Adventure of the Lion's Mane * 10 Jul, 1969 Thu 6 His Last Bow ... -- Series title: HOLMES AND WATSON -- ... ... repeat broadcast on Radio 4 ... ... (original dates follow title) ... ... 10 shows, Mar 17 thru May 26 ... 17 Mar, 1983 Thu 1 The Red-Headed League (09-25-64) 24 Mar, 1983 Thu 2 The Adv. of the Retired Colourman (10-09-64) 07 Apr, 1983 Thu 3 The Adventure of the Copper Beeches (08-11-59) 14 Apr, 1983 Thu 4 The Adventure of the Six Napoleons (12-05-66) 21 Apr, 1983 Thu 5 The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (09-04-64) 28 Apr, 1983 Thu 6 The Adv. of the Greek Interpreter (04-05-60) 05 May, 1983 Thu 7 The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire (09-18-64) 12 May, 1983 Thu 8 The Boscombe Valley Mystery (12-12-66) 19 May, 1983 Thu 9 The Five Orange Pips (11-28-66) 26 May, 1983 Thu 10 The Adventure of the Final Problem (01-16-67) References: * "Sherlock Holmes on the Radio", Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514 * "Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration", by Allen Eyles, ISBN 0-06-015620-1, copyright 1986, Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., NY Reader Feedback: * Ian Beard supplied the 1983 series info, two repeat series, director names, some corrections and much additional info. * Reverend Gregory Venables supplied corrections for the series of Nov 27 - Jan 8 1962 and Aug 07 - Oct 09 1964 plus a number of title errors. * Cheniston K. Roland supplied the missing dates, additional shows from THE BBC CHILDREN'S HOUR PROGRAMME and other material. * Paul Urbahns added much information on the US airing of these shows and caught an error in the length of "The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes. He also suggested indicating the transcribed shows (the "T" column now in the list). * Bill Boucher supplied the correct show title for December 25, 1961. Last Update: May 20, 2004 This log informational only and does not imply that I have these shows for trade or sale. The shows may still be protected under copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers. The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis. Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M. Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).