A Case for Dr Morelle

Apr 29, 2025 6:18 AM

Author:Ernest Dudley,Full Cast,Cecil Parker,Sheila Simms

Thirteen classic crime dramas featuring Dr Morelle - 'the man you love to hate!'

Psychiatrist-detective Dr Morelle is arrogant, sarcastic and rude - but when it comes to catching criminals, he is unparalleled. Using deduction, psychological profiling and his keen, analytical mind, he solves cases ranging from blackmail to murder, aided by his devoted and long-suffering secretary Miss Frayle.

Over the course of this series, he investigates the unexplained death of a wealthy French baroness, receives a visit from a man tormented by nightmares, probes the authenticity of a fabled gem and helps a young man in distress - and an old man in danger. Whether it's a terror campaign against a bride-to-be, death threats made to a temperamental film star, or a case of deadly experiments and thwarted love, no mystery is too baffling and no villain too cunning for the Harley Street sleuth.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1957, these 13 detective dramas are collected together here for the first time. British film veteran Cecil Parker stars as Dr Morelle, with Sheila Sim as Miss Frayle.

Also included is a bonus documentary programme, The Radio Detectives: A Case for Dr Morelle, in which Professor Jeffrey Richards delves into the casebook of the cantankerous criminal psychologist.

These episodes have been restored from the original 1957 recordings. Due to the vintage nature of these recordings, the sound quality varies.

Cast and credits

Written by Ernest Dudley

Produced and directed by Leslie Bridgmont

Starring Cecil Parker as Dr Morelle and Sheila Sim as Miss Frayle

Alarm Call

Hotel waiter - Sydney Tafler

Mam'selle Rolin - Tonia Bern

Anthony Winter - Hugh Manning

Hotel receptionist - Molly Rankin

Miss Shawcroft - Kathleen Helm

Audio recovered by BBC Radio 4 Extra listener, Steve Arnold

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 23 April 1957

Confession of Guilt

Inspector Hood - Philip Ray

Paula Webb - Mary Law

Other parts played by Maurice Sweden, Norman Wynne, Hugh Manning, Betty Linton and Alan McClelland

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 30 April 1957

Threat to Kill

Rosalind Knight - Helen Desmond

Miss Curtis - Cecile Chevreau

Ronnie Cavanagh - John Horsley

Maid - Annette Kelly

Mr Ashton - Norman Wynne

Hal Digby - John Sharplin

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 7 May 1957

The Sleepwalker

Helen Keen - Moira Lister

Richard Wilson - Hugh Burden

Inspector Hood - Philip Ray

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 14 May 1957

The Blackmailer

Inspector Hood - Philip Ray

Sir Clifford Forbes - Douglas Young

Lady Forbes - Madeleine Christie

Cynthia Forbes - Ruth Trouncer

Hotel waiter - Haydn Jones

Hotel manager - Humphrey Morton

Lily the maid - Beryl Calder

Matron - Molly Rankin

Harry Fox - Ian Sadler

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 21 May 1957

Voice in the Night

Miss Nicholson - Hester Paton Brown

Billy Boy the dog - Percy Edwards

Mr Nicholson - Alan McClelland

Superintendent Denham - Fred Yule

Station officer - Alan Keith

Julian Smith/Taxi driver - John Baker

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 28 May 1957

The Will

David Beaumont - David Spenser

Henrietta Vickers - Nan Kenway

Herbert Vickers - Douglas Young

Darryl - Will Leighton

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 4 June 1957

Act of Violence

Major Penfold - Ralph Truman

Robert Benson - Trevor Martin

Professor Stenberg - Martin Miller

Girl - Louise Gainsborough

Clerk of the Court - Will Leighton

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 11 June 1957

The Black Ruby

Guy Hampton - Norman Woodland

Sonia Hampton - Virginia Winter

Helen Reynolds - Louise Gainsborough

Bill Reynolds - Richard Bebb

Aubrey Green - Desmond Carrington

Airline captain/various - John Baker

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 18 June 1957

The Wedding Dress

Audrey Templeton - Sulwen Morgan

Evelyn Lambert - Mary Law

Edna Lambert - Olwen Brookes

Mrs Vezey - Peggy Thorpe-Bates

Commercial Traveller/Ames - Trevor Martin

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 25 June 1957

The Gambler

Mrs Ludlow - Harriet Johns

Mr Ellis - Desmond Carrington

Felix Grey - Jimmy Lavall

Simmons - Arthur Young

Man - Simon Lack

Girl - Beryl Calder

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 2 July 1957

The Poisoned Air

Kurt Emmanuel - David Hurst

Bella Goodwyn - Maureen Riscoe

Mrs Atkins - Elsa Palmer

Hugo Russell - John Horsley

Sgt Hammond - Haydn Jones

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 9 July 1957

Mr X

Paula Maitland - Lana Morris

Nurse - Maureen Riscoe

Mr X - David Spenser

Mr Maitland - Simon Lack

Matron - Joan Sanderson

Inspector Hood - Fred Yule

First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 16 July 1957

A Case for Dr Morelle

Written and presented by Jeffrey Richards

Produced by Helen Williams

Contributors: Ernest Dudley, Brian Doyle

Reader: Owen Oakshott

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 June 1999

(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

A hugely entertaining first novel for lovers of traditional crime fiction, taking us from Kolkata to Brick Lane. I can't wait to read more about disgraced detective Kamil and his wonderfully drawn companion Anjoli.

—— Ann Cleeves

Superb... Chowdhury paces the novel like an old hand, juxtaposing chapters set in the East End with flashbacks to Calcutta... [an] outstanding debut

—— Joan Smith , Sunday Times

From the mean streets of Kolkata to the kitchens of Brick Lane...this is a rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish. In Kamil Rahman, Ajay has created a quixotic and all too human protagonist who is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world of detective fiction. One of my favourite reads of the year.

—— Abir Mukherjee, author of the Wyndham & Banerjee mysteries

The Waiter is a heady mix of murder, intrigue and all things Indian. Weaving together a dual narrative with aplomb, Ajay Chowdhury's neatly-drawn detective Kamil Rahman relives his failure to solve the murder of a Bollywood A-lister in Kolkata whilst trying to solve the killing of an Indian industrialist in London. Could the two murders be connected? An accomplished crime debut that offers something a little different.

—— Vaseem Khan, author of the Malabar House Baby Ganesh Agency crime series

An authentic and enthralling debut with an original new lead detective.

—— G.R. Halliday

The Waiter is beautifully written and gloriously transporting. I really loved the glimpse into life as a Kolkata homicide detective and the vibrant and mouth-watering depiction of the Bengali restaurant trade on London's Brick Lane. Ajay Chowdhury is a refreshingly different voice in the crime genre and I can't wait to read more.

—— Emily Koch

In a swiftly-moving energetic narrative that takes you from the decaying grandeur of Kolkata and the bustle of London's Brick Lane to the outward calm of the stately homes near Hampstead Heath, Ajay Chowdhury weaves a remarkable tale about the unlikely turns the life of police officer Kamil Rahman has taken, as he confronts his past, surrounded by the smells of spices and constant lurking danger.

—— Salil Tripathi

Kamil Rahman is down on his luck. He's lost his job, smashed his dreams and fled Kolkata for London. Ajay Chowdhury deftly weaves a tale of two murders, two countries, two times - past and present - and binds them together into a single web of intrigue, money, corruption and death. He paints a bleak picture but brings it to life with a keen eye for texture, detail and an enticing love of music and good food. No book as ever made me as hungry as this enjoyable, fast-paced thriller.

—— Georgia Kaufmann

Excellent

—— Literary Review

[An] accomplished debut...intricately plotted, gripping... This is a sizzler of a crime novel, full of spice and authentic flavour

—— Richard Hopton , Country & Town House

Chowdhury's accomplished novel moves easily between different cultures, displaying the versatility of contemporary crime fiction

—— Joan Smith , Sunday Times, *Books of the Year*

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