| Australian Episodes | |
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The Adventures of Ellery Queen Grace Gibson Radio productions Fridays 7:30 - 8:00 pm 1954-1955 (episodes 1-34) Director: John Saul ... Stars: Charles Tingwell (Ellery), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harp McGuire (Richard Queen), Lloyd Berrell (Velie) Grace Gibson Radio productions Fridays 7:30 - 8:00 pm 1955 (episodes 35-52) Director: John Saul ... Stars: Harp McGuire (Ellery), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Edward Howell (Richard Queen), Nigel Lovell and Lloyd Berrell (Velie) |
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Above right: Charles Tingwell who plays Ellery
The first
episode to be re-staged in Australia was "The Man Who Could Vanish"
(original US broadcast Jan 8, 1947). Production
order differed from the actual broadcasting order, it was aired as episode
4. We know from notes on the early scripts that at first it was still under consideration if the role of the armchair
detective was to be included. Certainly the first scripts were
written/worded so that the part of the armchair detective could have been
easily edited from the final product. |
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| 01* |
"The Crooked Man" 07-16-54: 30:00* Production date 06-18-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Kevin Brennan (Grumm), Guy Doleman (Chalis), Don Hrosby (Buttwin) Guest Armchair Detective: Harry Messel (professor Sydney University) He received a 12 months subscription to EQMM for his appearance. Original US broadcast 03-12-47 (episode 313) Likely adapted as an episode from Dumont TV-series The Adventures of Ellery Queen, 11/30/50 A private eye is blackmailing culprits of crimes, many of them have committed suicide. Ellery sets a trap by framing himself for Nikki's murder. The evidence is in a safe with a time bomb. The clue to to the combination is the second verse of the nursery rhyme "Simple Simon"  In the tick of the studio clock at 2UE on
Friday night Ellery Queen deduced the combination of a safe
from a nursery rhyme. The solution, involving a knowledge of the
mathematical symbol pi, baffled, we hazard, not only Professor Messel
(right), but
also rather more than 3.14159 of listeners.Yet, a few minutes before, the great detective had airily supposed that a disinterred skeleton would be mistaken for a corpse barely a week old. Tsk! Tsk! (Al Godon - 07-21-54) "Professor Harry Messel, atomic scientist didn't score when he tried to work out the combination of a safe in the first of 3 DB's Ellery Queen crime stories. Clue to the combination was a line from a nursery rhyme: "Said Simple Simon to the pie man, show me first your penny". The professor trotted out a series of numbers in a deliberate fashion that showed he had a "system" - but the system wasn't the same as Ellery Queen's. Perhaps that mechanical brain the professor is working on at Sydney University could be invited to appear on the session some time?" (Saturday July 24th 1954) |
| 02* |
"The
Man Who Was Afraid"
07-23-54 : 30:00* Production date 05-06-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Guy Doleman as Dred/Sid, Margaret Christensen (Pearl), Owen Weingott (Nigel), William Rees (Gooby), Howard Craven (Narrator) Guest Armchair Detective: Adrian Quist (Former Davis Cup representative) He received a 12 months subscription to EQMM for his appearance. According to The ABC Weekly Mr. Mill Thomas, Director of the United States Information Service, acted as Armchair Detective on July 23 from 2UE and 4BK-AK at 7.30 p.m. Original US broadcast 09-05-45 (episode 240) |
| 03* |
"The Private Eye" 07-30-54 : 30:00* Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ/Groz), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Bruce Stewart (Clubb), Don Crosby (Murray), Georgie Sterling (Lyinka), John Alden (Vazni), James Mills (Stronnik)  Guest
Armchair Detective: Bill Thoman (director of the US
Information Service in
Australia)He received a 12 months subscription to EQMM for his appearance. According to The ABC Weekly Mr. Bill Thoman (right), Director of the United States Information Service, initially intended to be the Armchair Detective on July 23 from 2UE and 4BK-AK at 7.30 p.m. Original US broadcast 01-22-48 (episode 337) A baffling mystery which calls for concentrated listening has been chosen for The Private Eye. This, the third episode of the series, also draws an illuminating comparison between the two classic methods of crime detection, intelligence versus brute force. Contestants in this grim battle are Cam Club, a private eye, and Ellery Queen, the perfect gentleman detective. Each seeks in his own way to track down the murderer of ex-Premier Stronnik, former leader of a small European country, in exile. |
| 04* |
"The
Man who could Vanish"
  08-06-54
: 30:00* Production date 11-27-53Producers John Saul, Ron Roberts. Adaptation: John Saul Guest Armchair Detective: Frank Clune (right) (Australian author) Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Ron Roberts(Announcer/man), Walter Sullivan (Tony), Alan Herbert (Cab Driver), David Netthein (Doorman), Betty Leggo (Juliet) Original US broadcast 01-08-47 (episode 304) Mr. Revenant enters the police station to confess to a murder and says he can disappear at will. Put in jail he subsequently disappears without a trace. |
| 05* |
"Big Time
Prize Fight" aka "The Adventure of the Fallen Gladiator" 08-13-54 : 30:00* Production date 07-07-1954 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Ron Whelan (Steam), Alan Trevor (Vecchoni), Sheila Sewell (Ivy), Joe McCormick (Coyle/Day), Ken Wayne (Hawks/Mike) Guest Armchair Detective: Jimmy Carruthers (retired undefeated Batam weight boxing Champion of the World) Original US broadcast 07-07-40 (episode 56) "In tonight's story we take you to a big time prize fight..." The story centers on a big-time prize fight. There is intrigue and the murder of a former champion who was hound to have "thrown" the fight. Jimmy Carruthers solved the problem by means of the logic he says boxing taught him. He is the first successful guest detective. |
| 06* |
"Other Side
of The Grave" aka "The Dead House" 08-20-54 : 30:00* Production date 07-14-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Margo Lee (Madge), Barrie Cookson (George), Rupert Chance (Staffing), Owen Ainley (Brett), Charles Tasman (Dr. Wyne), John Alden (Grue). Guest Armchair Detective: Chips Rafferty (Film Star) Original US radio broadcast (?) "The Death Trap" 05-27-43 or 05-29-43 (episode 127). Repeated as "The Death House" 01-29-48 (episode 338) "Good evening, ladies and gentleman, tonight we tackle the problem of a man who apparently committed a murder from the other side of the grave..." Ellery is naturally skeptical and proceeds by brilliant deduction to trace the guilt home to the actual murderer - who is very much alive. |
| 07* |
"The
Ninth Mrs.Pook" aka "Who Died First" 08-27-54 : 30:00* Production date 07-21-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), John Meillon (Merton/Doc/Cor/Man), Lola Brooks (Lucy/Woman), Ossie Wenban (Homer), Laurel Mather (Lavinia/Martha). Originally Laurel Mather's role would have been played by Fifi Banvard. Guest Armchair Detective: Jim MacDougall (Newspaper columnist) Original US radio broadcast 02-27-46 (episode 265) Homer Pook, an elderly Bluebeard, having disposed of eight wives, marries his ninth, only to discover that his bride is Lavinia Angley, who has disposed of five husbands. However, both die when their honeymoon cottage is burnt to the ground in what appears to be an accident. The problem - one of great interest to their heirs - is who died first, since both made wills leaving everything to the other? |
| 08* |
"Murdered
In The Dark" aka "The Adventure of the Blind Bullet" 09-03-54 : 30:00* Production date 07-28-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Richard Ashley (Farnum/the Conductor), Jerry Jerold Wells (Brocco), Richard Davies (Max), June Salter (Joanna), John Ewart (Hawley). Guest Armchair Detective: Arthur Morris (test cricketer)* Original US radio 06-30-40 (episode 55) A bear and a millionaire are hit. A ruthless tycoon feels threatened as he received a precise minute and day of his death. The magnate turns to Ellery to protect him from this anonymous enemy. Multi-millionaire business-tycoon, Farnum is shot through the mouth and killed in his private railway coach in pitch darkness while his train is going through a three mile tunnel. The lights had failed and, although he is guarded by Ellery and no one sees any light except the flash of a gun, still the murderer uncannily aimed and did not miss! How was it done? That is the problem that confronts Ellery Queen. |
| 09* |
A famous artist paints his masterpiece, The Lost Soul, and in doing so loses his own soul. He worships his masterpiece and refuses to paint any more; he even refuses to have any other paintings in his house. His wife calls in a psychiatrist, Dr. Zeltz, and their old friends Ellery Queen and Nikki Porter. Then the painting is found slashed. Who ruined it and why? |
| 10* |
"The
Sword of Damocles" aka "Instruments of Death" 09-17-54 : 30:00* Production date 08-18-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Joan Landor (Christine), Moray Powell (Milton), Ken Wayne (Kelcey), Edward Howell (Ponder), Walter Sullivan (Gibbs). Guest Armchair Detective: Hal Missingham (artist, director of the New South Wales National Art Gallery) Original US broadcast 03-21-45 (episode 219) Ellery pits his wits against an invisible killer in this murder mystery and both wins and loses. An octogenarian art collector suddenly turns from the old masters and rare books to something that might appeal to kids - a collection of historic weapons and instruments of torture. He gets a great kick of it until he finds that someone is using his collection of lethal instruments to set death traps for him. Mr. Ponder, a little old man with a strange hobby - collecting instruments of death and torture. Someone is trying to kill Mr. Ponder by making booby-traps of these ancient but still lethal instruments. Is it his middle-aged son, Milton, 51, embittered because he has to wait until his father dies before coming into money? His granddaughter, Christine? Or his bodyguard, Kelcey? (4) |
| 11* |
"The Blue
Egg Mystery" 09-24-54 : 30:00* Production date 08-04-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harvey Adams (Chadwick), John Ewart (Blake) Guest Armchair Detective: Jim Bendroit (entrepreneur) Bendroit says he dabbles in lots of things. He mentioned he fights for prevention of cruelty to Animals and he owns a restaurant. Sydney Identity. He opened a restaurant/night club and owned racehorses. He is known for his decision to implement a no whipping policy on his horses. Original US broadcast 09-12-45 (episode 241) As Ellery Queen says: "There's no such thing as an impossible crime." But the mystery of the disappearance of the Blue Egg, a sapphire worth £65.000 comes very close to proving that even Ellery can be wrong. We see the sapphire placed in a safe. Immediately the safe is reopened - no sapphire. No one has left the room: everyone is searched; still - no sapphire! The culprit admits quite cheerfully that he has planned this extraordinary crime, and challenges Ellery to find the gem. How Ellery solves this really puzzling mystery makes exciting entertainment. (4) Australian script had a lot of cuts which would seem to indicate it being very different from the original US version. (2) |
| 12* |
The mystery to be solved centers on "The Slicer," who claimed 29 victims a week since he launched a one-man terror wave, attacking them at night while they are alone. He attacks with a sharp instrument, cutting his victim's face and wrists. The suspects are narrowed down to four; but all have alibis that appear to be watertight. The identity of "The Slicer" is quite a surprise. (3) (4) The location of the story, the Bronx New York, has not not been changed to an Australian location. It would be interesting to know if the actors used American accents through out the series. Unfortunately there are no notes pertaining to accent on any of the scripts. (2) |
| 13* |
"The
Hollywood Mystery" 10-08-54 : 30:00* Production date 09-01-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harp McGuire (Vick/Director), Guy Doleman (Niger/Waiter), Dinah Shearing (Neela), Audrey Teesdale (French Maid), Joe McCormick (Hap), Max Osbiston (Clerk) Guest Armchair Detective: Joseph Kaufman (Hollywood film producer) Possibly based on a original US radio broadcast known as "The Hollywood Murder Case" 05-22-46 (episode 277) Ellery and Nikki in Hollywood. Ellery wants to write a screenplay based on the murder of a famous director. Another director claims to have a piece of the movie soundtrack that implicates a famous actress of the crime. Then soundtrack is stolen and the second director murdered. Ellery, in the course of a writing assignment in Hollywood, uncovers a 13-year-old murder committed by on of Hollywood's top line but fading stars, Neela Noona. Neela announces her retirement from the screen, and threatens to blacken the reputation of several friends by writing her memoirs. She is found dead of a heart attack, caused by a diabolical trick engineered by - ? (4) |
| 14* |
"The Needle
Hole Mystery" aka "The Poisoned Slipper" 10-15-54 : 30:00* Production date 09-08-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Rod Taylor (Eaton/ Man 3), Margo Lee (Monica), David Nettheim (Kennswoth), Owen Weingott (Merritt), Nigel Lovell (McLean/ Man 2), Richard Ashley (Manfield/ Man). Guest Armchair Detective: Mrs. Lucille Christen (Principle/Manager of "World Famous" school of dance.) Original US radio broadcast 03-14-45 (episode 218) How did the city editor of a large newspaper get a needle-like hole in the sole of his right foot. The editor was found murdered, seated at his desk in a crowded room. (4) |
| 15* |
"The
Lynching of Mr. Cue" 10-22-54 : 30:00* Production date 09-15-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harp McGuire (Macklin), Joe McCormick (Purch/ Givens), Margaret Christensen (Mrs. Givens), Bruce Stewart (Sloper/Wolf), Owen Ainley (Guff/ Conductor), Don Crosby (Citizen). Guest Armchair Detective: Clay Hake (President of the American Society) Original US broadcast 03-11-48 (episode 344) "The Lynching of Mr. Q" Ellery is arrested for murder in a small town. They take him for "Scarface Ellery Cue," a notorious gangster and a lynch mob forms. Ellery Queen fights not only crimes of violence and dishonesty, but also the sins of intolerance, discrimination, and bad citizenship. He finds himself framed with a murder charge in a small western town which is ruled by a crooked mayor and his henchman, where the ideals of democracy have, through the rule of fear, slipped into discard. Faced with imminent lynching, Ellery fights for his life and for our ideals of justice. (4) |
| 16* |
"The
K.I. Case" 10-29-54 : 30:00* Production date 09-22-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harp McGuire (RQ, Choo Choo), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Rodney Taylor (Santos/ Lieutenant), Ken Waybe (Manx), Myrna Dodd (Gloria), Guy Doleman (Ingram/ Zipper) Guest Armchair Detective: Senhor Carlos Zalapa (Consul for Brazil, negotiates trade) Original US broadcast 04-08-48 (episode 348) "The K.I. Case" aka "The Sad Case of Joe Manx" Big Joe Manx is back in town with a Latin bodyguard. Nobody seems particularly afraid of him. A blank piece of stationery with the letters "K. I." are the clues to $50,000 and incriminating evidence when Manx is shot. |
| 17* |
 "The
Curious Thefts"11-05-54 : 30:00* Production date 09-29-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Georgie Sterling (Phyllis), Lynne Murphy (right) (Clara), Ossie Wenban (Matthews), Len Bullen (Cornelius). Guest Armchair Detective: Ernest Burbridge (British Arts Council) Original US broadcast 12-19-45 (episode 255) From Cornelius Benedict, a top novelist, first a shoe is stolen, then a glove, then his dental plate, and finally his reading glasses. Ellery is called in, and senses a growing pattern in these thefts. He is correct, for the ultimate thing stolen from Cornelius is his life. (4) |
| 18* |
"The Curse
of the Pharaohs (Mystery)" aka "The Egyptian Tomb" 11-12-54 : 30:00* Production date 10-06-54 Producers John Saul, Wendy Playfair Charles Tingwell (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Harp McGuire (RQ, Norgard), Ossie Wenban (Professor Mack), Jocelyn Hernfield (Corinne), Ken Hannam (Tafts), Ken Wayne (Perkins), Len Bullen (Kidder). Guest Armchair Detective: Norman Von Nida (Famous golfer) Original US broadcast "The Pharaoh's Curse" 08-25-40 (episode 63) Repeated as "The Pharaoh's Tomb" on 07-06-44 and 07-08-44 (episode 185) This case from Ellery Queen's files takes us to the land of the Nile where an archaeological expedition is digging into the secrets of the Egyptian desert. The "Curse of the Pharaohs" is placed upon the party by a mysterious voice after they have succeeded in opening an ancient tomb. Three members of the expedition die in strange ways. Is the age old curse responsible, or, perhaps some more material suspect? (4) An archeological expedition leads to disaster when a party discovers a famed tomb they clearly hear a voice speak out a curse.."Before two seasons are past the ghouls who touched this sacred grave shall die". Soon after Kidder, on party member freaks out in a desert storm en dies. Tremo, yet another party member falls overboard and Smith died in his bed of some kind of an insect bite. Some remaining members ask Ellery to look in. They already know the curse is bogus as some other competitors tried to scare them off. But their contract which states one year after their findings they're to divide everything is even scarier. Professor Kareem is suspect number one, although he also is afraid and sleeps in a locked room guarded by photoelectric cells. Even so Kareem is murdered... (US Broadcast description, visit to the LoC 4/29/2005) |
| 19* |
"Nikki Porter, Suspect"
Nikki, suffering amnesia, gets blamed for a murder after stepping off a train just as the loot from a train robbery disappears from her compartment and a bank robber with a broken nose is murdered |
| Gypsy Rose Lee arrived in Australia on Saturday Sep 25 1954. Starting October 1st until October 14th she performed at the Nicholson's Palladium in Sydney. Miss Lee is introduced as appearing at the Sydney Palladium. | |
| 20* |
"The
Diamond Fence" 11-26-54 : 30:00* Production date 10-15-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Moira Redmond (Love), John Meillon (Berndorf/Hackett), Joe McCormick (Stoney/ Julius) Guest Armchair Detective: Jenny Howard (stage star) Original US broadcast 01-24-45 (episode 211) A composer who thinks he's a second Gershwin, a once-famous radio singer and a notorious "fence" for whom all New York is searching figures in the mystery that takes place in a shabby rooming house in Greenwich Village. When Nikki Porter entices Ellery into a telephone booth to trick him into kissing her, he stumbles on an unusual crime involving murder and the theft of five diamond rings. Eventually his deductions lead to the arrest of the perpetrator of the crimes. (4) Initially announced in The ABC Weekly as one of two episodes broadcast that night. Queensland listeners (4BK-AK) would enjoy "The Diamond Fence" whilst N.S.W. (2UE) would get to listen to "The Mystery of the Strangler's Ghost". In the end the latter was broadcast on 12-17-54 see episode 23 |
| 21* |
"The
Man in the Street" aka "Ten Thousand Suspects" 12-03-54 : 30:00* Production date 10-20-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Edward Howell (Elias), Ray Barrett (Room Clerk/Manager), Al Thomas (Bell Hop/ Italian Waiter). Guest Armchair Detective: Jack Crawford (tennis star) In addition he discusses Australia's chances in the Davis Cup matches. (4) Original US Broadcast 12-04-47 (episode 330) "We'll tell you about a man who was surrounded by enemies - ten thousand of them, I call it 'The man in the Street'..." The two Marners brothers swindled several people out of their savings. Elias Marner is caught and police has a handful keeping him from an angry mob. Elias escapes and Ellery gets called in. Joe sends a Morse message in a newspaper to his brother Elias: they are set to meet in the Universal hotel. Not only does Joe appear to be killed a few days ago but also Elias is killed from a room in a hotel right across the street... In the crime to be solved there are 10,000 suspects. Elias Marner is murdered - shot in a hotel bedroom on the 14th floor of the hotel across the street. All those who had lost money in Elias Marner's real estate swindle - all 10,000 of them - are suspected of the murder. (4) |
| 22* |
"The
Specialist in Cops" Nutsy Yapp specializes in killing police officers for hire, now has kidnapped Ellery. Yapp lets him
write a note to his father. Can
Ellery include a clue to his whereabouts? |
| 23* |
"Mystery of
the Strangler's Ghost"
"Dead Man's Cavern" aka "Thirteen Year Old Murder"  12-17-54 : 30:00*
Production date 10-27-54Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Aileen Britton (Grace), Nigel Lovell (Withers), Sheila Sewell (Hulda), Syd Chambers (Hank), Edward Howell (Gabriel). Guest Armchair Detective: Franquin (stage hypnotist, quiz master) Original US broadcast 10-22-39 (episode 19) "The Haunted Cave" aka "Dead Man's Cavern" Ellery spends the weekend at Tecumseh Lodge with Nikki, Inspector Queen and Velie. While investigating a cave haunted by a strangler Colin Montague is murdered... Weird moans have been coming from a mountain cave where, 100 years ago, wayfarers were strangled by a crazy mountaineer. Two psychic research workers go to investigate and one of them is killed, apparently by supernatural means. (4) Initially announced in The ABC Weekly as one of two episodes broadcast for Friday, November26.. Queensland listeners (4BK-AK) would enjoy "The Diamond Fence" whilst N.S.W. (2UE) would get to listen to "The Mystery of the Strangler's Ghost". |
| 24* |
"Bubsy" Again The ABC Weekly for December 24 announced two different episodes. 2UE listeners would hear episode 13 "The Hollywood Mystery" with Joseph Kaufman as armchair detective. 4BK-AK listeners would get the "Busby" (sic) episode. We believe it was the "Busby" episode which made both networks. |
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| 25* |
"Peddler of
Death" 12-31-54 : 30:00* Production date 11-10-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ, Larry), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Margaret Christensen (Wanda), Joe McCormick (Schultz/ Waiter), Bruce Stewart (De Salva/ Doctor), Rodney Taylor (Etna/ Sergeant) Guest Armchair Detective: Ben Reyes (American entrepreneur/ booking agent/Promoter) who has brought to Australia such famous music-hall personalities as Johnny Ray, Artie Shaw and Ella Fitzgerald, and who will mention arrangements in hand to bring out other such stars. Originally Lee Gordon was listed as armchair detective. Original US broadcast 12-05-45 (episode 253) The problem Ellery Queen needs to solve hinges on the syllable "et", gasped by a dying man. Does it refer to the dance-band leader Eddie Etna? (4) |
| 26* |
"The Three Fencers"
(4) aka "The Three Fences" 01-07-55 : 30:00* Production date 11-10-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Lynne Murphy (Constance), Richard Davies (Capri), Guy Doleman (Stadt), John Meillon (Jim), Dinah Shearing (Julienne) Guest Armchair Detective: Bert Oldfield (famous cricket player) will have something to say about the Test machines. Original US broadcast 02-20-46 (episode 264) A female fencer from France was stabbed to death with a foil. Ellery investigates. When an expert woman fencer who is also a blackmailer is murdered, Ellery puts his finger on three suspects, all pupils at the woman's fencing school. (4) |
| 27* |
"The
Doodling of Mr. O'Drew" The mystery arises from the murder of a phony talent-scout, Timothy O'Drew, and the seven numbers he has doodled on a date pad. From these numbers Ellery deduces who killed O'Drew. (4) |
| 28* |
"Questions
of Colour" 01-21-55 : 30:00* Production date 11-17-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Ken Wayne (Roy/ Referee), Don Crosby (Doc/ Jones/ Referee), Joe McCormick (Hookie/ Jacks/ Fight Announcers), Dorothea Dunstan (Inez), FiFi Banvard (Sadie). Guest Armchair Detective: William Constable (well known artist, set designer) will also have something to say about color television. Original US broadcast 02-12-48 (episode 340) "A Question of Color" Gamblers have set up a colored boxer into taking a fight beyond his abilities, so they can win big. The boxer's trainer has been made drunk, severely limiting the chances the boxer can win. Who gave Doc the whiskey? The mystery itself revolves around a color question of a different kind, a colored boxer, Roy Candy, who is built up by a bunch of big-time gamblers, then put up against Lecky, a good boxer. But there is a stooge in Candy's camp who does everything to stop Candy from winning. (4) |
| 29* |
"Red Death" 01-28-55 : 30:00* Production date 11-24-54 (12-09-54 Charles Tingwell did an extra 30 minutes recording). Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Bruce Stewart (Tex), Lynne Murphy (Bella), Margo Lee (Laura), Guy Doleman (Andy Gibson/ Show Announcer), Joe McCormick (Buck) Guest Armchair Detective: Billy Cook (Jockey) he will say something about horses he has ridden and mentions one of his luckiest wins. Original US radio broadcast 03-28-45 (episode 220) The mystery concerns horses, in a big-time rodeo. A four-legged killer, the Red Death, is in the spotlight. But after a man's life has been ticked off in a matter of seconds, Ellery finds the real killer - and he doesn't wear a saddle. (4) |
| 30* |
"The
Adventure of Queen Solomon" 02-04-55 : 30:00* Production date 12-15-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Georgie Sterling (Trixie/ Dusty), Myrna Dodd (Hazel), Aileen Britton (Mrs. Heather), Ken Wayne (Barnstream). Guest Armchair Detective: Mrs.C.T. Lorenz (founder and honorary member of the National Opera Company) Original US radio broadcast originally "The Three Mothers" aka "The Dead Man's Chest" 11-26-42 or 11-28-42 (episode 101) aka 01-22-47 (episode 306) "The Queen Solomon" Mrs. Heather found a baby on her doorstep eight months previously. Two women claim to be the real mother. Ellery Queen finds out both the identity of the real mother, and of the murderer who kills her. The Character of Nikki Porter was originally scripted, however it appears to have either been crossed out complete or had the lines altered to be delivered by other characters. |
| 31* |
"The One
Who Was Going To Die" 02-11-55 : 30:00* Production date 12-08-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Walter Sullivan (Dr. Best), Lynne Murphy (Faye), Max Obsiston (Dr. Wander), Jocelyn Hernfield (Francine), FiFi Banvard (Mrs. Linthrup), Kevin Brennan (Mr. Linthrup). Guest Armchair Detective: Mr. Aage Thaarup (Millner to the Queen), the armchair detective was originally to be a singer/belly dancer but there is no name for this intended guest. Original US radio broadcast unknown |
| 32* |
"Repentant
Thief" 02-18-55 : 30:00* Production date 12-1-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Alan Trevor (Philip), Georgie Sterling (Arabella), Ossie Wenban (Dr. Atlas), Bruce Stewart (Porson). Guest Armchair Detective: Sunny Marshall (manufacturer, country club proprietor) Original US radio broadcast 10-24-45 (episode 247) Ellery misses death by an inch three times. Three times he is shot at and three times the bullet whizzes past his head, only an inch away. Who is responsible? There are three possibilities but each time he is fired at a different person is the only one who could have fired. Surely all three are not prospective murderers - or are they? (4) |
| 33* |
"The Lost
Card" possibly as "The Lost Card Game" 02-25-55 : 30:00* Production date 12-22-54 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Ken Wayne (Jack), Moray Powell (McNulty), Kevin Brennan (Blodgett), Owen Weingott (Wadsworth), Dinah Shearing (Sally), Owen Ainley (Conductor). Guest Armchair Detective: Emile Mercier (Cartoonist) will explain the origin of his "gravy" drawings. He also mentions who is his favorite cartoonist and gives an idea of how he goes about his work. Original US broadcast 02-07-45 (episode 213) The problem to be solved centers on a card-sharper, who discloses the identity of a murderer by hiding a card up his sleeve the card used to play his last trick. (4) |
| 34* |
"The
Man Who Loved Trouble" 03-04-55 : 30:00* Production date 01-19-55 Producers John Saul, Charles Tingwell Charles Tingwell (EQ), Harp McGuire (RQ/Scream), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Nigel Lovell (Steve), Wynne Nelson (Eleanor), Guy Doleman (Syne), Joe McCormick (Zobo) Guest Armchair Detective: Rene Paul (French singer/actor) male lead in Call Me Madam. Original US radio broadcast 12-26-45 (episode 256) "The Man Who Loved Murders" aka "Mr. Gregory Snye" 05-27-48 (Episode 355). The crime revolves around Gregory Snye, whom Ellery Queen calls "the most unpleasant character I've ever met". This man gets a peculiar thrill out of causing trouble - enticing others to commit murder. Then Gregory Snye is himself murdered - a crossbow arrow through the neck (4). |
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The Adventures of Ellery Queen Grace Gibson Radio productions Fridays 7:30 - 8:00 pm 1955 (35-52) Director: John Saul ... Stars: Harp McGuire (Ellery), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Edward Howell (Richard Queen), Nigel Lovell and Lloyd Berrell(Velie) |
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 As of this week the role of Ellery Queen is played by Harp McGuire (right), the role of the inspector was written out of the first two scripts. |
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| 35* |
"Man
without a Heart" 03-11-55 : 30:00* Production date 02-15-55 (02-05-55?) Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Kevin Brennan (Judge), Len Bullen (D.A.), Joe McCormick (Crawn), David Nettheim (Clerk/ Crimp), Owen Weingott (Billings/ Fornacci), Queenie Ashton (Mrs. Billings), Ken Wayne (Harry), Ward Leopold (Prouty) Guest Armchair Detective: W.E. Pidgeon "Wep" (artist, cartoonist) Original US broadcast 08-18-40 (episode 62) "The Meanest Man in the World", repeated 08-03-44 or 08-05-44 (episode 189) "The Man without a Heart" Ellery Queen and Nikki Porter find themselves in an unusual setting -serving on the jury in a murder case. A brilliant stroke of pure deduction enables Ellery not only to obtain the acquittal of an innocent man, but also to pinpoint the actual criminal. (4) |
| 36* |
"The Wine Machine" 03-18-55 : 30:00* Production date 02-13-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), David Nettheim (Dr. Rabetto), Nigel Lovell (Velie), Georgie Sterling (Lois), Gordon Glenwright (Townsend), Myrna Dodd (Linda), Joan Landor (Miss Harris). The role of Lois was originally to be played by Margo Lee. Guest Armchair Detective: Geoffrey Toon (English actor) has been in Australia for about six months. Original US broadcast 02-14-45 (episode 214) One of Ellery Queen's oddest adventures. Here is a scientist with a machine which will turn young raw wine into a fully matured vintage wine of the best quality - all in a matter of seconds! However at a demonstration of this alleged miracle, a young woman drinks a glass of the treated wine, and falls dead - poisoned! (4) |
| Edward Howell plays the inspector. | |
| 37* |
"The Case
of the Green Eye" aka "The Adventure of the Green Eye" 03-25-55 : 30:00* Production date 02-24-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Bruce Stewart (Branson), Georgie Sterling (Cecily), Ossie Wenban (Irvine), Harvey Adams (Sir Hugh), Nigel Lovell (Petrel/ Diggers) Guest Armchair Detective: Lewis Hoad (Davis Cup tennis star) Original US broadcast 01-16-46 (episode 259) as "The Green Eye" |
| 38* |
"The
Airport Disaster" 04-01-55 : 30:00* Production date 03-10-55 Producers L.W. Cecil ? John Saul's signature is missing from Producer line. There is a small comment on bottom of page:"different show results good". (2) Harp McGuire (EQ), Lloyd Berrell (Velie), Edward Howell (Inspector/ Voice 4), Ken Wayne (Bartender/ Voice 2), Bruce Stewart (Kerwin/ Waiter/ Voice 3), Nigel Lovell (Count/ Voice 1), Dinah Shearing (Frenchwoman). Guest Armchair Detective: Ken Rosewall (Australian tennis star) Original US radio broadcast 10-19-44 or 10-21-44 (episode 200) "THE Airport Disasters". |
| 39* |
"The Crime
In The Snow" 04-08-55 : 30:00* Production date 03-24-55 (?) Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Ron Whelan (Derby), John Meillon (Jack/ Man), Richard Meikle (Lars), Moira Redmond (Mrs. Fulton). Guest Armchair Detective: John Treloar (Olympic Champion sprinter) Original US radio broadcast 02-21-45 (episode 215) Nikki Porter accepts Ellery's invitation to spend a week- end at the ski lodge. |
| 40* |
"The
Old Man's Darling" 04-15-55 : 30:00* Production date 03-24-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Bill Dalzell (Thor), Ethel Lang (Sarah), Owen Weingott (Doctor), Dinah Shearing (Wanda), Lou Vemon (John). Guest Armchair Detective: Mr. F.W. Shephard (Managing director of Redex Products) will speak about The forthcoming around Redex Australia Car Trial (race). Original US broadcast 12-11-46 (episode 300) as "The Old Man's Darling". Ellery has the chance to earn $ 5,000 for a children's fund to investigate if old John Spuyten's young nurse has been stealing. During the investigation the nurse is murdered. Ellery Queen sets out to collect money for the Under-privileged Children's Fund. At his first stop he runs into a mystery. Was old John Spuyten's attractive young nurse a thief? If Ellery can prove she is he is promised a five thousand dollar donation for the fund. Naturally, he goes to work - with unexpected results. (4) |
| 41* |
"The
Kid Glove Killer"
(4) aka "Question of Size" 04-22-55 : 30:00* Production date 03-31-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Myrna Dodd (Miss Gray), David Nettheim (Maghan), Grant Taylor (Knonk), Kevin Brennan (Fly), Owen Weingott (Benvenuto). Guest Armchair Detective: Professor A. Grove Day (Professor of English at University of Hawaii). Original US radio broadcast 10-10-45 (episode 245) "The Kid Glove Killer" The Kid Glove Killer seems to be four men in one. Each time he strikes the eye-witness description is different - but always at the scene of the crime is found a man's kid glove, size 8. (4) |
| 42* |
"The Absent
Automatic"
aka "The Missing Automatic" 04-29-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-05-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Len Bullen (Mark), Alan Trevor (Harvey), Joe McCormick (Stephen), Margaret Christensen (Flora). Guest Armchair Detective: Lionel McFadyen (President of the Sydney Torchbearers for Legacy) Original US radio broadcast 06-20-45 (episode 231) "The Absent Automatic" |
| 43* |
"The Case
of Entwhistle" 05-06-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-07-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Moira Redmond (Laura), Ken Hannam (Gifford/ Man), Walter Sulivan (Hartley), Richard Ashley (Butler/ Elevator Man) Guest Armchair Detective: Sir James Bissett (Former Captain of the Queen Mary) Original US broadcast 06-13-45 (episode 230) as "The Corpse of Mr. Entwhistle" |
| 44* |
"The
Armchair Detective" 05-13-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-14-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Pat Martin (Miss Wollen), Kevin Brennan (Dr. McKing), Moira Redmond (Rosemary), Alan Trevor (Bud). Guest Armchair Detective: Freddie Bamberger & Pam (Comedy team) Original US radio broadcast 03-27-46 (episode 269) , Repeated on 3-18-48 (episode 345) The Armchair detective is murdered whilst Ellery Queen is on the air. Ellery finds the solution before the show ends. A large amount of sound effects were used in the interrogation scene. |
| 45* |
"The Dark
Cloud" 05-20-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-21-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Kevin Brennan (Crockett), Alan Trevor (Valentine), Owen Ainley (Bye), Amber Mae Cecil (Margaret), Stewart Ginn (Percy). Guest Armchair Detective: Donald McClean (author, teacher) Original US broadcast 06-23-40 (episode 54) Repeated on 09-02-43 or 09-04-43 (episode 141) When Ellery Queen, the Inspector and Nikki set out for a weekend's cruising in the luxurious private yacht The Dark Cloud, adventure seemed the last thing that could happen. But a murderer strikes, and Ellery solves one of his most intriguing problems. (4) |
| 46* |
"Ellery
Queen: Gigolo" 05-27-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-26-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Margo Lee (Ruth), Guy Doleman (Buck), Ken Hannam (Ramon), Tom Farley (Matson), FiFi Banvard (Sheba). Guest Armchair Detective: Hugh Hastings (Play write) Original US radio broadcast 12-04-46 (episode 299) When Inspector Queen suspected that the Sully Escort Bureau was behind the epidemic of jewel robberies and wanted to plant a man "on the inside" to get evidence he picked his son Ellery. The story tells how Ellery got a job as a professional gigolo, and what happened when his "boss", the notorious Madam Sully, was murdered. (4) The script directs Nikki to say 'Gigolo' with distaste when her and Ellery introduce the name of the program. |
| 47* |
"The
Millionaires' Club" 06-03-55 : 30:00* Production date 04-28-55 Producers John Saul Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Moira Redmond (Polly), Kevin Brennan (Mason), Joe McCormick (Nicodemus/ Intern), Tom Farley (Forrester), Bill Dalzell (Steward), Deryk Barnes (Taylor), FiFi Banvard (Mrs. David), Richard Ashley (Gilbert). Guest Armchair Detective: Frederick Ward (Librarian to consolidated press). Original US radio broadcast 04-23-42 or 04-25-42 (episode 83), aka "The Inner Circle" 12-28-44 and 12-30-44 (episode 210) Super-sleuth Ellery Queen, who never fails to get his man, plunges into high finance. Ellery intervenes when four members of a subgroup within a larger club if twelve rich men are seemingly threatened by a series of fatal accidents. |
| 48* |
"The
Laughing Woman" 06-10-55 : 30:00* Production date 05-12-55 and 12-12-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire (recording on 5th, John Saul (recording on 12th) Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector/Patron), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Dinah Shearing (Frances), Don Crosby (Mason/ Stoolie), Ken Wayne (Tiger/Police Radio), Joe McCormick (Mitch/ Blatsky). Guest Armchair Detective: Mrs. Adelaide Scully (former wardrobe mistress of JC Williamsons' theatre). Original US radio broadcast 05-29-46 (episode 278). A neurotic wife leaves her husband for a racketeer. The husband becomes prime suspect when that racketeer is murdered. Originally scheduled for the 5th, however due to a number of factors (recording interview of armchair detective from ep. 47, some cast running late and then doing a run through) recording of the actual episode was pushed back until 12th. |
| 49* |
"The Prizefighter's
Birthday" 06-17-55 : 30:00* Production date 05-10-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Grant Taylor (Velie), Ken Wayne (Billy), Len Bullen (Smitty), Dinah Shearing (Connie), Nigel Lovell (Mitch), Albert Garcia (Orman). Guest Armchair Detective: George Caiger (noted authority on international issues specifically Asian affairs). Original US radio broadcast 11-20-46 (episode 297) A prizefighter is asked to throw his 26th fight, he refuses and gets a bomb package which nearly kills him. The mystery centers around the most unusual birthday present ever sent to anyone. Young Bill Sharn, topnotch welterweight, was to fight his 26th fight on his 26th birthday, with death in view if he didn't throw it. The story tells of the shortest prize-fight on record, and of a birthday party afterward. (4) |
| 50* |
"Torture Victim" 06-24-55 : 30:00* Production date 05-12-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Joe McCormick (High), Margaret Christensen (Rita), Ken Wayne (Miggles/ Cop) Guest Armchair Detective: Ken Hall (one of Australia's best known film directors) Original US radio broadcast 07-25-45 (episode 236) A sheet is found with the baffling message "They're Torturing me" written in blood. The mysterious disappearance of the body of Herbert Frink poses the problem Mr. Hall is to help Ellery Queen solve. A building containing forty flats is sealed off by the police. Everybody in it is checked. Finally, a body is found. But Ellery proves that this is not the body of Herbert Frink. Yet Herbert Frink's body is still in the building. Where? (4) |
| 51* |
"Cokey and the Pizza" 07-01-55 : 30:00* Production date 05-19-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), Joe McCormick (Sergeant Owen), Weingott (Pucci), Gordon Glenwright (Bambimbo), Al Thomas (Cholly), Max Obiston (Cokey/ Gangster). Guest Armchair Detective: Emery Barcs (journalist, lecturer) recently returned from a three months' trip through South-East Asia, tells us something about conditions in this part of the world. Original US radio broadcast 06-19-46 (episode 281) Whilst Ellery is investigating how a gangster trapped in a room above an Italian restaurant gets his supplies of cocaine, the man is murdered... by a Penguin. Inspector Queen wants Cokey Cox to sing in the worst way... Cokey is no Caruso, his song will jail a dangerous mob The mystery concerns a mixture of that savory Italian pie, called Pizza, and cocaine. Eventually Ellery Queen solves the problem - who killed Cokey? (4) |
| 52* |
"Green
Gorillas" 07-08-55 : 30:00* Production date 05-26-55 Producers John Saul, Harp McGuire Harp McGuire (EQ), Edward Howell (Inspector), Wendy Playfair (Nikki Porter), John Meillon (Bobby), Rod Jacobs (Nucks), John Parker (Shimmy), John Godfrey (Jeep), Al Garcia (Rack). Guest Armchair Detective: John Caldwell (Young American Sailor, sailed across the Pacific in 36 foot boat). Original US radio broadcast 02-12-47 (episode 309), repeated 06-01-47 (episode 319) A program about juvenile delinquents. Who is behind the street gang "The Green Gorillas." Ellery uses a teen-ager "Bob Brown" to get the goods on the gang. |
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Page first published July 2011 Last updated May 22, 2021 |
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