Mikes Mess Old Time Radio Marathon - This Week - The Black Museum (repeat)

From: "Michael Gorman" <mpgorman2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mikesmess2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <internet-radio@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <winamp4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <cheryljackmorgan1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:37:18 -0700
Hi all

 

I am reposting this from last week as we had a technical problem and we are
going to run it again this weekend (the internet went down and I was not
able to reset it remotely, Thanks Comcast.)  So if you missed it you can
hear it again and hopefully it will run all weekend as described on this
post.  So check it out and enjoy

 


THE BLACK MUSEUM



Opening in 1875, the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard is the oldest museum in
the world purely for recording crime. The name "Black Museum" was coined in
1877 by a reporter from "The Observer", a London newspaper, although the
museum is still referred to as the Crime Museum. It is this museum that
inspired The Black Museum radio series, produced in London by Harry Alan
Towers.

From Jay Hickerson's "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and
Guide To All Circulating Shows", the earliest US broadcast date was January
1, 1952. Thirty nine shows, from the full syndication of fifty two shows,
aired over Mutual stations from January 1, 1952 through June 24, 1952 and
September 30, 1952 through December 30, 1952.

This may be the earliest broadcast of the series worldwide. It was later
broadcast over Radio Luxembourg starting May 7, 1953. Radio Luxembourg
broadcast sponsored programs at night to England (the BBC was state-owned
and had no commercials). The shows were sponsored by Dreft and Mirro
(cleaning products).

The series continued to be offered in syndication and was heard on AFRTS
broadcasts and in the US on NPR stations through the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
Some shows were broadcast by the BBC in England in 1994.

This murder mystery series was based on true life cases from Scotland Yard's
files. Each episode was based on an item or items of evidence in the museum.

Orsen Welles hosted and narrated the shows. Mr. Welles opened each show
slightly differently but followed a standard format. For example, the show,
"The Bathtub", open as follows:

"This is Orson Welles speaking from London." (Big Ben starts himing in the
background). "The Black Museum, repository of death... Here, in this grim
stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard, is a warehouse of
homocide, where everyday objects, a piece of wire, a chemist's flask, a
silver shilling, all are touched by murder." (dramatic music)



Following the opening, Mr. Welles would introduce the museum's item or items
of evidence that was central to the case, leading into the dramatization. He
also provided narration during the show and ended each show with his
characteristic closing from the days of his Mercury Theater of the Air,
remaining "obediently yours".

Harry Alan Towers produced the series from scripts written by Ira Marion.
Music was composed and conducted by Sidney Torch.

The museum was not open to the general public. It's purpose was then, and
still is, for police training, although it did receive a considerable number
of famous people, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is currently used as
a lecture theater for the police and like bodies in various subjects of
Criminology. But, thanks to Mr. Towers and Mr. Welles, we can still get a
glimpse of what secrets are housed in The Black Museum.



This show can be heard by going to  <http://www.mikesmess.com/theater.html>
http://www.mikesmess.com/theater.html and
pick the Mikes Mess Live stream and pick the player that fits your needs.
This stream will start at 7:00PM Friday the 18th of July and run until the
21st of July at 7:00PM PDT. (That's Friday 10:00PM to Monday 10:00PM EDT.).
If you wish to drop me an email please do so at
<mailto:theater@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> theater@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
< mailto: <mailto:theater@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> theater@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> .  I would
love to hear your openion
regarding this show or any shows we present on Mikes Mess Old Time Radio
Stream.



So join me for 72 hours of classic radio and enjoy

 

Bye for now
Mikes Mess Old Time Radio Marathon - This Week - The Black Museum (repeat)

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