The Black Museum - Single Episodes Old Time Radio http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

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 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.
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR. ]]> https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MrRar/otr2podcast/master/output/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles.jpg en false Old Time Radio Researchers Group Old Time Radio Researchers Group https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles https://github.com/MrRar/otr2podcast The Black Museum Intro https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/01TheBlackMuseumIntro.mp3 The Black Museum Intro 4:13 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/01TheBlackMuseumIntro.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Black Museum Intro Orson Welles Biography https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/02OrsonWellesBiography.mp3 Orson Welles Biography 6:2 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/02OrsonWellesBiography.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes Orson Welles Biography The 22 Caliber Pistol https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-01-The22CaliberPistol.mp3 The 22 Caliber Pistol 29:20 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-01-The22CaliberPistol.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The 22 Caliber Pistol A .32 Caliber Bullet https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-02-A32CaliberBullet.mp3 A .32 Caliber Bullet 23:42 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-02-A32CaliberBullet.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A .32 Caliber Bullet The Bath Tub https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-03-TheBathTub.mp3 The Bath Tub 27:14 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-03-TheBathTub.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Bath Tub The Gladstone Bag https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-04-TheBlackGladstoneBag.mp3 The Gladstone Bag 27:29 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-04-TheBlackGladstoneBag.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Gladstone Bag The Bloodstained Brick Bat https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-05-TheBloodstainedBrickBat.mp3 The Bloodstained Brick Bat 24:59 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-05-TheBloodstainedBrickBat.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Bloodstained Brick Bat The Brass Button https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-06-TheBrassButton.mp3 The Brass Button 29:27 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-06-TheBrassButton.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Brass Button A Can Of Weedkiller https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-07-ACanOfWeedkiller.mp3 A Can Of Weedkiller 26:49 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-07-ACanOfWeedkiller.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Can Of Weedkiller The Car Tire https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-09-TheCarTire.mp3 The Car Tire 24:57 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-09-TheCarTire.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Car Tire The Champagne Glass https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-10-TheChampagneGlass.mp3 The Champagne Glass 23:49 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-10-TheChampagneGlass.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Champagne Glass The Claw Hammer https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-11-AClawHammer.mp3 The Claw Hammer 25:41 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-11-AClawHammer.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Claw Hammer The Door Key https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-12-TheDoorKey.mp3 The Door Key 29:13 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-12-TheDoorKey.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Door Key The Faded Tartan Scarf https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-13-TheFadedTartanScarf.mp3 The Faded Tartan Scarf 30:10 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-13-TheFadedTartanScarf.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Faded Tartan Scarf Four Small Bottles https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-14-FourSmallBottles.mp3 Four Small Bottles 26:15 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-14-FourSmallBottles.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes Four Small Bottles A French-English Dictionary https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-15-AFrench-EnglishDictionary.mp3 A French-English Dictionary 25:48 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-15-AFrench-EnglishDictionary.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A French-English Dictionary The Gas Receipt https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-16-TheGasReceipt.mp3 The Gas Receipt 25:35 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-16-TheGasReceipt.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Gas Receipt Glass Shards https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-17-GlassShards.mp3 Glass Shards 29:50 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-17-GlassShards.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes Glass Shards The Hammerhead https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-18-TheHammerhead.mp3 The Hammerhead 23:46 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-18-TheHammerhead.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Hammerhead The Jack Handle https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-19-TheJackHandle.mp3 The Jack Handle 27:4 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-19-TheJackHandle.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Jack Handle A Jar Of Acid https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-20-AJarOfAcid.mp3 A Jar Of Acid 26:56 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-20-AJarOfAcid.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Jar Of Acid The Khaki Handkerchief https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-21-TheKhakiHandkerchief.mp3 The Khaki Handkerchief 24:25 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-21-TheKhakiHandkerchief.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Khaki Handkerchief A Lady's Shoe https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-22-ALadysShoe.mp3 A Lady's Shoe 25:59 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-22-ALadysShoe.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Lady's Shoe The Leather Bag https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-23-TheLeatherBag.mp3 The Leather Bag 28:39 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-23-TheLeatherBag.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Leather Bag A Letter https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-24-ALetter.mp3 A Letter 24:37 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-24-ALetter.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Letter The Mandolin String https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-25-TheMandolinString.mp3 The Mandolin String 29:51 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-25-TheMandolinString.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Mandolin String Meat Juice https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-26-MeatJuice.mp3 Meat Juice 29:46 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-26-MeatJuice.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes Meat Juice The Notes https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-27-TheNotes.mp3 The Notes 25:13 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-27-TheNotes.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Notes The Old Wooden Mallet https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-28-TheOldWoodenMallet.mp3 The Old Wooden Mallet 26:5 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-28-TheOldWoodenMallet.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Old Wooden Mallet The Open Ended Wrench https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-29-TheOpenEndedWrench.mp3 The Open Ended Wrench 24:48 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-29-TheOpenEndedWrench.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Open Ended Wrench The Pair Of Spectacles https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-30-ThePairOfSpectacles.mp3 The Pair Of Spectacles 27:34 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-30-ThePairOfSpectacles.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Pair Of Spectacles A Piece Of Iron Chain https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-31-APieceOfIronChain.mp3 A Piece Of Iron Chain 25:0 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-31-APieceOfIronChain.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Piece Of Iron Chain The Pink Powder Puff https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-32-ThePinkPowderPuff.mp3 The Pink Powder Puff 29:41 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-32-ThePinkPowderPuff.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Pink Powder Puff The Post Card https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-33-ThePostCard.mp3 The Post Card 26:17 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-33-ThePostCard.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Post Card A Prescription https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-34-APrescription.mp3 A Prescription 27:39 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-34-APrescription.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Prescription The Raincoat https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-35-TheRaincoat.mp3 The Raincoat 29:2 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-35-TheRaincoat.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Raincoat The Sash Cord https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-36-TheSashCord.mp3 The Sash Cord 25:7 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-36-TheSashCord.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Sash Cord A Service Card https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-37-AServiceCard.mp3 A Service Card 25:51 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-37-AServiceCard.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Service Card The Sheath Knife https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-38-TheSheathKnife.mp3 The Sheath Knife 29:27 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-38-TheSheathKnife.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Sheath Knife The Shopping Bag https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-39-TheShoppingBag.mp3 The Shopping Bag 27:13 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-39-TheShoppingBag.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Shopping Bag A Shilling https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-40-AShilling.mp3 A Shilling 25:17 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-40-AShilling.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Shilling A Silencer https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-41-ASilencer.mp3 A Silencer 28:1 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-41-ASilencer.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Silencer The Small White Boxes https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-42-TheSmallWhiteBoxes.mp3 The Small White Boxes 26:22 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-42-TheSmallWhiteBoxes.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Small White Boxes The Spotted Bedsheet https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-43-TheSpottedBedsheet.mp3 The Spotted Bedsheet 23:46 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-43-TheSpottedBedsheet.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Spotted Bedsheet The Straight Razor https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-44-TheStraightRazor.mp3 The Straight Razor 29:6 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-44-TheStraightRazor.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Straight Razor The Tan Shoe https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-45-TheTanShoe.mp3 The Tan Shoe 24:34 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-45-TheTanShoe.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Tan Shoe The Telegram https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-46-TheTelegram.mp3 The Telegram 25:35 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-46-TheTelegram.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Telegram A Trunk https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-47-ATrunk.mp3 A Trunk 25:53 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-47-ATrunk.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Trunk Two Bullets https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-48-TwoBullets.mp3 Two Bullets 25:24 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-48-TwoBullets.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes Two Bullets The Walking Stick https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-49-TheWalkingStick.mp3 The Walking Stick 25:26 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-49-TheWalkingStick.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Walking Stick A Woman's Pigskin Glove https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-50-AWomansPigskinGlove.mp3 A Woman's Pigskin Glove 27:8 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-50-AWomansPigskinGlove.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes A Woman's Pigskin Glove The Wool Jacket https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-51-TheWoolJacket.mp3 The Wool Jacket 29:55 https://archive.org/download/OTRR_Black_Museum_Singles/BlackMuseum-51-TheWoolJacket.mp3 The Black Museum - Single Episodes The Wool Jacket