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 homicide, 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.
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1 The Black Museum Intro - Doug Hopkinson & Roger Hohenbrink - 04:13
2 Orson Welles Biography - Doug Hopkinson & Roger Hohenbrink - 06:02
3 The 22 Caliber Pistol - The Black Museum - 29:20
4 A .32 Caliber Bullet - 23:42
5 The Bath Tub - The Black Museum - 27:14
6 The Gladstone Bag - The Black Museum - 27:29
7 The Bloodstained Brick Bat - The Black Museum - 24:59
8 The Brass Button - The Black Museum - 29:27
9 A Can Of Weedkiller - 26:49
10 The Canvas Bag - 24:43
11 The Car Tire - The Black Museum - 24:57
12 The Champagne Glass - The Black Museum - 23:49
13 The Claw Hammer - 25:41
14 The Door Key - The Black Museum - 29:13
15 The Faded Tartan Scarf - The Black Museum - 30:10
16 Four Small Bottles - The Black Museum - 26:15
17 A French-English Dictionary - The Black Museum - 25:48
18 The Gas Receipt - The Black Museum - 25:35
19 Glass Shards - The Black Museum - 29:50
20 The Hammerhead - The Black Museum - 23:46
21 The Jack Handle - 27:04
22 A Jar Of Acid - The Black Museum - 26:56
23 The Khaki Handkerchief - The Black Museum - 24:25
24 A Lady's Shoe - 25:59
25 The Leather Bag - The Black Museum - 28:39
26 A Letter - The Black Museum - 24:37
27 The Mandolin String - The Black Museum - 29:51
28 Meat Juice - The Black Museum - 29:46
29 The Notes - 25:13
30 The Old Wooden Mallet - 26:05
31 The Open Ended Wrench - The Black Museum - 24:48
32 The Pair Of Spectacles - 27:34
33 A Piece Of Iron Chain - The Black Museum - 25:00
34 The Pink Powder Puff - The Black Museum - 29:41
35 The Post Card - The Black Museum - 26:17
36 A Prescription - The Black Museum - 27:39
37 The Raincoat - The Black Museum - 29:02
38 The Sash Cord - 25:07
39 A Service Card - The Black Museum - 25:51
40 The Sheath Knife - 29:27
41 The Shopping Bag - The Black Museum - 27:13
42 A Shilling - The Black Museum - 25:17
43 A Silencer - The Black Museum - 28:01
44 The Small White Boxes - The Black Museum - 26:22
45 The Spotted Bedsheet - 23:46
46 The Straight Razor - The Black Museum - 29:06
47 The Tan Shoe - The Black Museum - 24:34
48 The Telegram - 25:35
49 A Trunk - 25:53
50 Two Bullets - The Black Museum - 25:24
51 The Walking Stick - 25:26
52 A Woman's Pigskin Glove - The Black Museum - 27:08
53 The Wool Jacket - The Black Museum - 29:55
