In this episode, we delve into the fascinating history of how the iconic British series, The Avengers, made its way to South Africa despite the absence of a national television service until 1976. We explore the unique challenges and creative solutions that allowed South African audiences to experience this cultural phenomenon through film rentals, while the rest of the world enjoyed it on television. This episode highlights the impact of The Avengers on international markets, particularly in the United States, where it became a rare British series to secure a network transmission slot.
We also immerse ourselves in a classic Sherlock Holmes radio drama, featuring the legendary detective and his companion, Dr. Watson, as they unravel a mysterious case involving cryptic newspaper messages and a woman in distress. The episode captures the essence of old-time radio storytelling, complete with suspenseful moments and intriguing plot twists. Join us as we journey back in time to experience the golden age of radio and the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes.
(00:30) The Avengers' Impact in South Africa
(01:20) Sherlock Holmes Radio Adventures
(10:23) The Mystery of Mrs. Warren's Lodger
(18:43) Unraveling the Code
(25:20) The Final Message and Conclusion
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
[00:00:00]
Unknown:
Taxes was taxing. Now taxes is relaxing when you file for free. I can file for free? TurboTax
[00:00:07] Unknown:
free edition. Roughly 37% of filers qualify. Simple form ten forty returns only. See if you qualify at turbotax.com/free. I can file for free.
[00:00:19] Unknown:
Now this is taxes. File for free with TurboTax free edition and get your maximum refund. No schedules except for earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and student loan interest. See if you qualify at TurboTax.com/free.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed Adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:01:21] Unknown:
Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Ratcliffe and Michael Bruce. The makers of bromo guanine cold tablets bring you another adventure of Sherlock Holmes with and one purpose only, to help relieve the common misery of a cold. The ache, the pain, fever, and nasal stomach. That's why they do such an effective job. Give yourself the advantages of specialized Now here we are again in our official armchair in front of Doctor. Watson's fireplace waiting for the good doctor to, put down the tape. Oh,
[00:02:17] Unknown:
perfect. You're fine, mister Manning. I didn't see you coming.
[00:02:20] Unknown:
I was reading about your latest emergency in gang shooting. Yes. Fine. Seems to be riding high wide in Hampton in most of our big
[00:02:38] Unknown:
I remember just one case we handled back in 'ninety four.
[00:02:57] Unknown:
Had one man taken for a ride. That's what you call it. That sounds interesting. Why don't you tell it about it? Well, the first story, let me see.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
In November, in the year 1894, Holmes and I were sitting in our rooms in Vegas. Well, I'd like to tell this story about the head of a New York gang. Oh, so I did miss Penny. So I just want to interrupt. Even famous gangsters have been known to travel about from time to time. Well, as I was saying, Holmes and I were sitting
[00:03:38] Unknown:
little
[00:05:09] Unknown:
But
[00:06:44] Unknown:
No, sir. Do you have any letters or colors? No, sir. Where did he retire when you or the girl going to do his this morning? We don't go in, sir. Go for him, sir. Why, he is interesting.
[00:06:55] Unknown:
And, you say nothing has come out of that room? Absolutely
[00:08:07] Unknown:
Well, he went out the first night, mister Waugham told you. But did Now, missus Brown, there seems to be nothing more to be done for the moment. I hardly think the situation is dangerous, at least not for the person. Uh-huh. But keep us informed of any further developments. Oh, thank you, mister Holmes.
[00:08:47] Unknown:
I believe you're my man already.
[00:09:03] Unknown:
You never know. Whoever he is, he's living in terror. Terror of what I want. Rubbish. Science. Science.
[00:09:12] Unknown:
What do you expect to get out of a case like this? Education?
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Look. Pursuit of knowledge wasn't as my best hobby. Pursuit of knowledge was first. Curiosity. That's what it is. Plain, uncalculated curiosity. Part of me wasn't. Part of me. Education, pursuit of knowledge, curiosity. Yes. They all announce the same things. We're even looking for your education in this case, if I may ask. In the daily Gazette, my dear fellow, in the daily Gazette, newspaper is often a very storehouse of knowledge.
[00:09:52] Unknown:
At the home, every time I look at you, you have your nose buried in a copy of of the Daily Gazette. Why the fondest collect this yellow rag?
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Yeah. The Daily Gazette is the paper, missus Warren's mysterious mother asked for. Remember? What what are we? What can you discover from a common
[00:10:23] Unknown:
We interrupt this program to bring you a special photo from the NBC newsroom in New York. President Roosevelt will address the joint session of Congress at noon tomorrow. We'll return you now to the defense of Sherlock Holmes.
[00:10:36] Unknown:
My key is imminent to the hiding place of the
[00:10:45] Unknown:
the
[00:10:52] Unknown:
See now. How can you tell which notice is the one we are after?
[00:10:56] Unknown:
By elimination, Watson. By elimination. Take this paper, for instance. The musician which appeared two days after the lodge had took up his residence with Perhaps my dear Watson, perhaps, nevertheless, An invaluable hunting ground for these searches after the education. Well, I'll go on. The first one
[00:11:25] Unknown:
reads, surely Jimmy will not break his mother's heart. Listen to this. It's the lady who fainted in the footsteps of Disregard that. The lady doesn't interest me. Here's another.
[00:11:38] Unknown:
Every day, my heart lost. Oh, bleach, Watson. Unmitigated. Bleach. Go on. No. No. No. No. It's
[00:11:45] Unknown:
be patient. We'll find some means of communication. Meanwhile, watch this column. It's sign g.
[00:11:53] Unknown:
Sounds more plausible, Are there any other? Yes. Three days later, we picked up the fill again. Here it is. No. That one. And making successful arrangements,
[00:12:02] Unknown:
patience and prudent, the trials will pass the CGM.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
There's nothing to prove each other back. Then come something more definite. Yeah. The path is
[00:12:35] Unknown:
Well, well, well, well, what is it? We have two copies of the gazette.
[00:13:05] Unknown:
That's definite enough, Watson. That's definite enough. Hello. Hello. What's that? Look out of the window, Willie Watson. We
[00:13:12] Unknown:
we go, Brandon.
[00:13:33] Unknown:
Sir. Home, sir. I come as fast as I could. Well, yeah. Let's take a chair and get your bread. Oh. Now wait a minute. Wait a minute. Sit down. Oh. That's it. Now then. What's happening? It's a breeze. Not that that's what it is. I'll have no more of it at home. I'll cost you my bag and baggage. I'm at the end of my patience, I add. When it Well,
[00:15:45] Unknown:
Just a moment. We'll rejoin Sherlock Holmes as he endeavors to solve the mystery of missus Warren's laughter. Ladies and gentlemen, in every American city, town, or village, you'll find a group of people who are worthy of the highest praise. The American druggist, men and women who are always on the job to serve our needs day and night. This evening, we have a very welcome guest, a druggist from the city of the famous Mardi Gras, telephone New Orleans, mister Wally Schweickart of the Chapin Schweickart Pharmacy at Carlton And Genex. Now here's what happened the other day when a friend of mine visited the Schweichert Pharmacy.
Miss Schweichert, you certainly have a fine modern drugstore. How long have you been serving this neighborhood? About twenty five years. Oh, good. It's a long time. Say, what were those big buildings I just passed on the way out? Why, the famous Tulane and Loyola University. And we're proud to have some of the students among our best customers. And I suppose you have an occasional professor stopping in too, Yes. We do. College students and professors buy medicines just like anyone else. And that brings up a question I'd like to ask. What do most of your customers buy when they want to relieve the usual That's just the way it happened, isn't it?
Yes. That's right. It's been a pleasure to have you with us, miss Schweickart. And your statement bears out the results of a coast to coast survey conducted by one of America's leading research organizations and taken among over 2,000 American druggers just like yourself. It It was found that more than eighty seven percent, that's about nine out of every ten druggers, recommend bromoclinine cold tablets as an effective aid in the release of the usual cold system. And in addition, the majority of these druggers said that bromoclinine cold tablets were their largest selling tablets made exclusively for the common distress of cold.
Friends, when you have the usual symptoms of cold, get the separation your drug is probably recommended. Time proven bromoclinine cold tablets can take only as directed. Bromo, b r o m o. Quinine, q u I n I n e. Bromoquinine cold tablets. I, a red house with Whitestone facing.
[00:18:46] Unknown:
Of course.
[00:18:48] Unknown:
A message?
[00:18:49] Unknown:
Yes. Watson. That is undoubtedly the signal station. Notice the select sign in the window. An ideal spot, my dear fellow. I spot. I suppose we got in time to give him, missus Warren awaiting. Right. But in fact, it's as usual. No, missus Warren. Not now. I I don't roughly know, sir. I suppose you can come back and look at this What I did not foresee was that we should find a woman at no point in a woman watching. No. Of course not. Dark, young, handsome, but her face set with terror. Terror? Did you think she saw us? I think she suspected our prison. Well, what what we do now? Put on our shoes. They're going to spend the next few minutes on the front door. Why? Put another message said that you could communicate with the lady at dusk today. Please keep an eye on the window opposite. Yes. Just two. Almost done. Now come along.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Holmes, we've been here for half an hour. I think this is packed
[00:22:44] Unknown:
T. Another T. Another T. What's the word? How do you use?
[00:22:56] Unknown:
It's another T.
[00:22:57] Unknown:
Renee, It's another piece. It's not or surely that's not all. At ten, at 10:10 tonight. That's it's my record. I have it. I have it. PA initial. Let's go again. Why do you got a race like that? I have to talk to Buckley with it. The same It's the same message over again. Sure is, Watson. That's the incipile. Not a very impipile, Watson. It's Italian. Means to where. Must be late. Maybe this gift. Still the same message. Hello? You put them off. The Oh, look. On the floor, That's the question in the costume lady from across the street. You should be here any moment.
I signal her to come. There she is.
[00:25:27] Unknown:
That is true. I have a come.
[00:26:12] Unknown:
I will get the final message. Oh, I think we can arrange the British point of view. What's It's been an interesting case, Holmes, but I still can't rely on to see what you expect to get out of that education, Watson. A little more education. Always seeking knowledge of the old university. Just a moment. Doctor Watson will be back to tell us about next week's story. Ladies and gentlemen, when colds are prevalent, act wisely. Don't neglect the cold. Rest and avoid exposure. Member is neglected, even a so called light cold, may lead to more serious illness. But if a cold attacks with its headache, pain, nasal distress, and fever, they thromoquinine cold damage. They go right to work to help relieve the usual miseries of a cold. They specialize medication and they work internally.
They bring prompt release, playful release, and they are time proven. They're known and sold everywhere to help relieve the common discomforts of cold. Yes, you can take them with confidence. So when you have the usual symptoms of of the toll, get busy and take bromoquinine toll dabblers. Use only a direct and be sure to get the real thing. Look for the letters LBQ on the tablet and always ask for them by name. Bromo, b r o m o. Quinine, w u I n I n e. Romo, Quinine, Toll, Gather.
[00:29:33] Unknown:
Now if you're watching, what about next week? Next week, I think I'll send you an extension that puts me on a wild goose case halfway across the continent of Europe. A case that shows
[00:30:13] Unknown:
for gold at rest. This is not manifestation. Christmas deals are the stamps that helped fight the Berkeley, your contribution to the health and strength of our nation. Buy your Christmas deals today. This is the Red Network from the National Broadcasting Company.
[00:30:38] Unknown:
Hello. Discover here to explain our cashback match. Here's how it works. We give you cashback for using your Discover card on the things you were going to buy anyway. Then we match that cashback in your first year, and that's why we call it cashback match. Now to recap and say cashback one more time, we match all the cashback you've earned at the end of your first year automatically. Discover, exceptionally common sense. Learn more at discover.com/match. Limitations apply.
Taxes was taxing. Now taxes is relaxing when you file for free. I can file for free? TurboTax
[00:00:07] Unknown:
free edition. Roughly 37% of filers qualify. Simple form ten forty returns only. See if you qualify at turbotax.com/free. I can file for free.
[00:00:19] Unknown:
Now this is taxes. File for free with TurboTax free edition and get your maximum refund. No schedules except for earned income tax credit, child tax credit, and student loan interest. See if you qualify at TurboTax.com/free.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed Adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:01:21] Unknown:
Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Ratcliffe and Michael Bruce. The makers of bromo guanine cold tablets bring you another adventure of Sherlock Holmes with and one purpose only, to help relieve the common misery of a cold. The ache, the pain, fever, and nasal stomach. That's why they do such an effective job. Give yourself the advantages of specialized Now here we are again in our official armchair in front of Doctor. Watson's fireplace waiting for the good doctor to, put down the tape. Oh,
[00:02:17] Unknown:
perfect. You're fine, mister Manning. I didn't see you coming.
[00:02:20] Unknown:
I was reading about your latest emergency in gang shooting. Yes. Fine. Seems to be riding high wide in Hampton in most of our big
[00:02:38] Unknown:
I remember just one case we handled back in 'ninety four.
[00:02:57] Unknown:
Had one man taken for a ride. That's what you call it. That sounds interesting. Why don't you tell it about it? Well, the first story, let me see.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
In November, in the year 1894, Holmes and I were sitting in our rooms in Vegas. Well, I'd like to tell this story about the head of a New York gang. Oh, so I did miss Penny. So I just want to interrupt. Even famous gangsters have been known to travel about from time to time. Well, as I was saying, Holmes and I were sitting
[00:03:38] Unknown:
little
[00:05:09] Unknown:
But
[00:06:44] Unknown:
No, sir. Do you have any letters or colors? No, sir. Where did he retire when you or the girl going to do his this morning? We don't go in, sir. Go for him, sir. Why, he is interesting.
[00:06:55] Unknown:
And, you say nothing has come out of that room? Absolutely
[00:08:07] Unknown:
Well, he went out the first night, mister Waugham told you. But did Now, missus Brown, there seems to be nothing more to be done for the moment. I hardly think the situation is dangerous, at least not for the person. Uh-huh. But keep us informed of any further developments. Oh, thank you, mister Holmes.
[00:08:47] Unknown:
I believe you're my man already.
[00:09:03] Unknown:
You never know. Whoever he is, he's living in terror. Terror of what I want. Rubbish. Science. Science.
[00:09:12] Unknown:
What do you expect to get out of a case like this? Education?
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Look. Pursuit of knowledge wasn't as my best hobby. Pursuit of knowledge was first. Curiosity. That's what it is. Plain, uncalculated curiosity. Part of me wasn't. Part of me. Education, pursuit of knowledge, curiosity. Yes. They all announce the same things. We're even looking for your education in this case, if I may ask. In the daily Gazette, my dear fellow, in the daily Gazette, newspaper is often a very storehouse of knowledge.
[00:09:52] Unknown:
At the home, every time I look at you, you have your nose buried in a copy of of the Daily Gazette. Why the fondest collect this yellow rag?
[00:10:01] Unknown:
Yeah. The Daily Gazette is the paper, missus Warren's mysterious mother asked for. Remember? What what are we? What can you discover from a common
[00:10:23] Unknown:
We interrupt this program to bring you a special photo from the NBC newsroom in New York. President Roosevelt will address the joint session of Congress at noon tomorrow. We'll return you now to the defense of Sherlock Holmes.
[00:10:36] Unknown:
My key is imminent to the hiding place of the
[00:10:45] Unknown:
the
[00:10:52] Unknown:
See now. How can you tell which notice is the one we are after?
[00:10:56] Unknown:
By elimination, Watson. By elimination. Take this paper, for instance. The musician which appeared two days after the lodge had took up his residence with Perhaps my dear Watson, perhaps, nevertheless, An invaluable hunting ground for these searches after the education. Well, I'll go on. The first one
[00:11:25] Unknown:
reads, surely Jimmy will not break his mother's heart. Listen to this. It's the lady who fainted in the footsteps of Disregard that. The lady doesn't interest me. Here's another.
[00:11:38] Unknown:
Every day, my heart lost. Oh, bleach, Watson. Unmitigated. Bleach. Go on. No. No. No. No. It's
[00:11:45] Unknown:
be patient. We'll find some means of communication. Meanwhile, watch this column. It's sign g.
[00:11:53] Unknown:
Sounds more plausible, Are there any other? Yes. Three days later, we picked up the fill again. Here it is. No. That one. And making successful arrangements,
[00:12:02] Unknown:
patience and prudent, the trials will pass the CGM.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
There's nothing to prove each other back. Then come something more definite. Yeah. The path is
[00:12:35] Unknown:
Well, well, well, well, what is it? We have two copies of the gazette.
[00:13:05] Unknown:
That's definite enough, Watson. That's definite enough. Hello. Hello. What's that? Look out of the window, Willie Watson. We
[00:13:12] Unknown:
we go, Brandon.
[00:13:33] Unknown:
Sir. Home, sir. I come as fast as I could. Well, yeah. Let's take a chair and get your bread. Oh. Now wait a minute. Wait a minute. Sit down. Oh. That's it. Now then. What's happening? It's a breeze. Not that that's what it is. I'll have no more of it at home. I'll cost you my bag and baggage. I'm at the end of my patience, I add. When it Well,
[00:15:45] Unknown:
Just a moment. We'll rejoin Sherlock Holmes as he endeavors to solve the mystery of missus Warren's laughter. Ladies and gentlemen, in every American city, town, or village, you'll find a group of people who are worthy of the highest praise. The American druggist, men and women who are always on the job to serve our needs day and night. This evening, we have a very welcome guest, a druggist from the city of the famous Mardi Gras, telephone New Orleans, mister Wally Schweickart of the Chapin Schweickart Pharmacy at Carlton And Genex. Now here's what happened the other day when a friend of mine visited the Schweichert Pharmacy.
Miss Schweichert, you certainly have a fine modern drugstore. How long have you been serving this neighborhood? About twenty five years. Oh, good. It's a long time. Say, what were those big buildings I just passed on the way out? Why, the famous Tulane and Loyola University. And we're proud to have some of the students among our best customers. And I suppose you have an occasional professor stopping in too, Yes. We do. College students and professors buy medicines just like anyone else. And that brings up a question I'd like to ask. What do most of your customers buy when they want to relieve the usual That's just the way it happened, isn't it?
Yes. That's right. It's been a pleasure to have you with us, miss Schweickart. And your statement bears out the results of a coast to coast survey conducted by one of America's leading research organizations and taken among over 2,000 American druggers just like yourself. It It was found that more than eighty seven percent, that's about nine out of every ten druggers, recommend bromoclinine cold tablets as an effective aid in the release of the usual cold system. And in addition, the majority of these druggers said that bromoclinine cold tablets were their largest selling tablets made exclusively for the common distress of cold.
Friends, when you have the usual symptoms of cold, get the separation your drug is probably recommended. Time proven bromoclinine cold tablets can take only as directed. Bromo, b r o m o. Quinine, q u I n I n e. Bromoquinine cold tablets. I, a red house with Whitestone facing.
[00:18:46] Unknown:
Of course.
[00:18:48] Unknown:
A message?
[00:18:49] Unknown:
Yes. Watson. That is undoubtedly the signal station. Notice the select sign in the window. An ideal spot, my dear fellow. I spot. I suppose we got in time to give him, missus Warren awaiting. Right. But in fact, it's as usual. No, missus Warren. Not now. I I don't roughly know, sir. I suppose you can come back and look at this What I did not foresee was that we should find a woman at no point in a woman watching. No. Of course not. Dark, young, handsome, but her face set with terror. Terror? Did you think she saw us? I think she suspected our prison. Well, what what we do now? Put on our shoes. They're going to spend the next few minutes on the front door. Why? Put another message said that you could communicate with the lady at dusk today. Please keep an eye on the window opposite. Yes. Just two. Almost done. Now come along.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
Holmes, we've been here for half an hour. I think this is packed
[00:22:44] Unknown:
T. Another T. Another T. What's the word? How do you use?
[00:22:56] Unknown:
It's another T.
[00:22:57] Unknown:
Renee, It's another piece. It's not or surely that's not all. At ten, at 10:10 tonight. That's it's my record. I have it. I have it. PA initial. Let's go again. Why do you got a race like that? I have to talk to Buckley with it. The same It's the same message over again. Sure is, Watson. That's the incipile. Not a very impipile, Watson. It's Italian. Means to where. Must be late. Maybe this gift. Still the same message. Hello? You put them off. The Oh, look. On the floor, That's the question in the costume lady from across the street. You should be here any moment.
I signal her to come. There she is.
[00:25:27] Unknown:
That is true. I have a come.
[00:26:12] Unknown:
I will get the final message. Oh, I think we can arrange the British point of view. What's It's been an interesting case, Holmes, but I still can't rely on to see what you expect to get out of that education, Watson. A little more education. Always seeking knowledge of the old university. Just a moment. Doctor Watson will be back to tell us about next week's story. Ladies and gentlemen, when colds are prevalent, act wisely. Don't neglect the cold. Rest and avoid exposure. Member is neglected, even a so called light cold, may lead to more serious illness. But if a cold attacks with its headache, pain, nasal distress, and fever, they thromoquinine cold damage. They go right to work to help relieve the usual miseries of a cold. They specialize medication and they work internally.
They bring prompt release, playful release, and they are time proven. They're known and sold everywhere to help relieve the common discomforts of cold. Yes, you can take them with confidence. So when you have the usual symptoms of of the toll, get busy and take bromoquinine toll dabblers. Use only a direct and be sure to get the real thing. Look for the letters LBQ on the tablet and always ask for them by name. Bromo, b r o m o. Quinine, w u I n I n e. Romo, Quinine, Toll, Gather.
[00:29:33] Unknown:
Now if you're watching, what about next week? Next week, I think I'll send you an extension that puts me on a wild goose case halfway across the continent of Europe. A case that shows
[00:30:13] Unknown:
for gold at rest. This is not manifestation. Christmas deals are the stamps that helped fight the Berkeley, your contribution to the health and strength of our nation. Buy your Christmas deals today. This is the Red Network from the National Broadcasting Company.
[00:30:38] Unknown:
Hello. Discover here to explain our cashback match. Here's how it works. We give you cashback for using your Discover card on the things you were going to buy anyway. Then we match that cashback in your first year, and that's why we call it cashback match. Now to recap and say cashback one more time, we match all the cashback you've earned at the end of your first year automatically. Discover, exceptionally common sense. Learn more at discover.com/match. Limitations apply.
