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.
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
chiming 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.
52/01/15 3 The Shoe (Tan Shoe) (Orson Welles hosts the series)
52/01/22 4 The Raincoat
52/01/29 5 The Receipt (Gas Receipt)
52/02/05 6 The Mallet (Old Wooden Mallet)
52/02/12 7 The Jack Handle
52/02/19 8 The White Boxes (Small White Boxes)
52/02/26 9 The Sheet (Spotted Bedsheet)
52/03/04 10 The Telegram
52/03/11 11 The Center Fire .32 (Center Fire Bullet)
52/04/01 14 The Bath Tub
52/04/08 15 The Weed Killer [A Can (or Tin) of Weed Killer]
52/04/15 16 The Leather Bag
52/04/29 18 The Glass Shards
52/05/13 20 The Hammer (A Claw Hammer)
52/05/20 21 Four Small Bottles
52/06/03 23 The Letter (A Letter)
52/06/10 24 The Gladstone Bag (Black Gladstone Bag)
52/10/14 29 The Khaki Handkerchief
xx/xx/xx 22 Caliber Pistol, The
xx/xx/xx A French-English Dictionary
xx/xx/xx A Jar of Acid
xx/xx/xx A Lady's Shoes
xx/xx/xx A Piece of Iron Chain
xx/xx/xx A Prescription
xx/xx/xx A Service Card
xx/xx/xx A Shilling
xx/xx/xx A Silencer
xx/xx/xx A Trunk
xx/xx/xx A Woman's Pigskin Glove
xx/xx/xx Meat Juice
xx/xx/xx The Blood Stained Brickbat
xx/xx/xx The Brass Button
xx/xx/xx The Canvas Bag
xx/xx/xx The Car Tire
xx/xx/xx The Champagne Glass
xx/xx/xx The Door Key
xx/xx/xx The Faded Tartan Scarf
xx/xx/xx The Hammerhead
xx/xx/xx The Mandolin String
xx/xx/xx The Notes
xx/xx/xx The Open End Wrench
xx/xx/xx The Pair of Spectacles
xx/xx/xx The Pink Powder Puff
xx/xx/xx The Post Card
xx/xx/xx The Sash Cord
xx/xx/xx The Sheath Knife
xx/xx/xx The Shopping Bag
xx/xx/xx The Straight Razor
xx/xx/xx The Walking Stick
xx/xx/xx The Wool Jacket
xx/xx/xx Two Bullets