Long Time No See - Joan Sadler - Inspector Burgess - BBC Saturday Night Theatre

A writer is murdered in his own house during his wife's absence- evidently by someone he knew.
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Several people seem to have visited his house that night - but he was supposed to have gone to Paris with his wife.
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[@artmoss6889]

I don't know if other people have noticed this, but it seems to me that the older programs like this one (pre 2001) have a warmer, softer, richer sound quality than more modern BBC productions. Maybe it was when they switched from analog to digital recording formats? In any respect, i find the older productions much more satisfying aurally.

[@dianapeek6936]

You have described exactly how I feel when listening.

[@Mounhas]

Pluses and minuses re the switchover. I remember listening to plays whilst driving around the country& often missing vital parts due to interference and signal,corruption, not now. Also I have a DAC (digital to analog converter):to get that warmth back. 🙂

[@timothyaldridge5363]

There was a utube video about frequency of music. New frequency makes you more aggressive. Could be something similar.

[@rodpettet2819]

Thanks for keeping good plays alive. How far the BBC has fallen. 😢

[@ChestertonRadio]

Thanks for listening and the kind comments. We have more plays on our 24/7 live stream linked here: Listen.ChestertonRadio.com We also have over 900 Saturday Night Theater shows on-demand in this player: Plays.ChestertonRadio.com

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

Ah but it's not just the BBC plays, unfortunately. There are American plays muddled through it and I'm afraid that they are just simply unlistenable! Could you really put all your BBC plays together in one list? There's obviously a demand for the BBC ones as there are plenty of little channels that pop up with just a few, all the time.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

Much better than most of today's TV shows

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

With audio dramas, you are free to use your imagination.

[@andreasmith9261]

I'm from Chicago and as far as I know we have nothing like this anymore. I love it. Thank you for sharing this wonderful genre.

[@emilythompson3605]

Wonderful escape from the wasteland of television. Thank you for providing them for us.

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

I agree. Been listening to many BBC Radio shows and new fiction podcasts recently, mostly sci-fi and mysteries.

[@deborahrobertson8606]

These wonderful productions remind me of what the BBC used to be like - civilised, adult, high quality. What my country was like when I was young. Sane!! Than you for posting these very much.

[@BlazerManiacNumber96]

I guarantee you when you were young, old people were complaining about how much better things were in their youth

[@deborahrobertson8606]

@@BlazerManiacNumber96 Of course!! But we had far fewer people, a more culturally coherent nation. We had far fewer material possessions and more physical hardship but much better music, and the BBC was our own university and music hall and debating chamber.!!There were bad things...but it was saner and culturally, there was more genuine excellence. Big business hadn'r come in and ruined the integrity of universities etc.

[@zedalis]

@@deborahrobertson8606 "...culturally coherent" = Matchy Matchy, at best.

[@fredjones7307]

@@BlazerManiacNumber96 That is to say the least disingenuous, also, no one was born wise..

[@fredjones7307]

I absolutely concur, the BBC is a divisive organisation that is not to be trusted.

[@LibbySlaughter101]

This is great when you're tired & can't keep your eyes fixed on a screen! Just sit back & close your eyes - quality drama. - Love from Sydney♡

[@nyy1960]

Exactly like I use it Elizabeth. It relaxes me.

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

Audio dramas allow to shut your eyes and imagine and relax.

[@d.Arbelles]

BBC Radio 4 FM, 15 May 1982 Writer: Joan Sadler Directed by: Margaret Etall Inspector Burgess: Michael McStay Harriet Bell: Jean Trend Alan Bell: Steve Hodson Dora Pollak: Sheila Reid Ernest Pollak/Ramos: Ronald Herdman Col Charles Fergusson: Philip Voss Commander Henry Morgan: Michael Miller Hilda Morgan: Lisa Daniely Elaine Stoner: Elaine Mitchell Donald Stoner: Hugh Dickson Beaty Fuller: Miranda Forbes Police Sgt: Alex Jennings Radio Announcer/Harbor Police: Patrick Healy

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Very little info on Joan Sadler available. She did write at least one other play in early 60s. ? Rather sad she appears to be forgotten .

[@QPRTokyo]

This was broadcasted on BBC Radio 4 Saturday 15th May 1982 8.30 pm. 📻 Over forty years ago 😮 Listening in 2023. 🇬🇧🇯🇵

[@nellietv1968]

Great story, well acted. You cant beat a good whodunit. Excellent.

[@531katie]

Where can I find more of these ???

[@madammim694]

Actual dialogue , well written, clear and clean diction , I am thrilled !

[@talesoftheheart8625]

Excellent

[@janefitton1198]

Thank you for the download. Wonderful play. Adelaide South Australia. 24.8.21.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@maxinejacobson4006]

Very good. It’s a pleasure to listen to proper diction without any foul language.

[@lorrainevanlelyveld8065]

Agree.

[@allenhonaker4107]

Real English !!! What a concept!!!!!

[@roses9339]

I thoroughly agree, it really annoys me watching movies tv series when very coarse language is just used to shock. No need for any bad language, it certainly didn't add anything to the story. Cheers Rosemary Perth Western Australia (70 yrs)

[@Bambisgf77]

Yes! I wholeheartedly agree! Such a treat for the ears.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

That's for sure.

[@ruthiecraycray]

I am in California but love these shows. I am grateful they were archived since I did not get to hear them on the radiol

[@dilyssewell1907]

Used to love afternoons on radio 4 - woman’s hour 2-3, then afternoon theatre 3-4. Always good, understandable and entertaining. I must admit I listen to radio 4 less and less.

[@riverbilly64]

1 June 2024 - Listening from Central Kentucky. Great story. I so love these shows…as long as commercials are at the beginning and the end. 🙃

[@JC-ft9ez]

Listening to radio shows is like theater for the mind

[@Oxford322]

Listening in Birmingham, AL while my 4 dogs sleep peacefully. ❤all is well - hello everybody, these shoes are so comforting

[@derekwilson4291]

Absolutely perfect, proper stories that get you gripped and make you think. Who done it? Brilliant, thank you.

[@susanhepburn6040]

I do like these Inspector Burgess stories - thank you very much.

[@lorrainevanlelyveld8065]

I am so happy that I found your channel. This was wonderful. I grew up listening to plays and radio drama. Springbok Radio here in South Africa was fantastic. We even went to live taping in the Sea Point studios in Cape Town. So thank you for the memories. Looking forward to many more. Love from South Africa.

[@cathystrydom8731]

Yes springbok radio luv it. Sat mornings Philinon um Kaka. Ouma cath. S.a.

[@humbalapa]

Radio Jacaranda in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe had a great serialized radio drama every day. Valley of the Vines by Joy Packer was my favorite.

[@chrishintz1077]

The dulcet tones of the bbc, an oasis of calm civility.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

It USED to be....

[@chrishintz1077]

@@2msvalkyrie529 oh dear. Days of yore. Before the dark times, before the empire. ;)

[@dianapeek6936]

Sadly it's not like that any longer, the BBC has declined beyond all recognition, just like huge parts of the UK .

[@followyourheart7818]

My lucky day! So happy to have stumbled upon your channel. Thank you for sharing these wonderful radio plays.

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

So nice that Authors didn't use foul language, explicit sex, or violence to get the true meaning across. Just goes to show how a whole generation has lost imagination through visual effects. I'd rather read a book, so good you can visualize the scene, hear the characters voices, and where sex doesn't have to be explained in any detail, except the anticipation of of the expectectation...isn't that the journey?

[@iggaborra]

Fabulous night listening. A beautiful alternative to the daily news🤓

[@kfitzpatrick2719]

Agree!!

[@steviegaga]

I agree with your assessment - and 🖤 your comment re an alternative to daily news!

[@donniedickerson8077]

Honestly , This Is Better Than anything Hollywood Has zOffered In A Long Long Time as Far as Entertaining , Glad I Stumbled Across Chesterson Theatre , Thanks To Orson Welles Radio Shows That's How I Found The Channel , The " War Of The Worlds" That Halloween Night Radio Show That Panicked Those who heard the broadcast Is My All Time Favorite Radio Show , I've Listened to it counties Times , I Have Enjoyed Chesterson Theatre Much Since I Found Y'all, Thanks For The GREAT Entertainment

[@cousinsister69]

Very entertaining. I just checked out the Chesterton Radio channel site. Wow. He certainly is a busy man. I don't believe I have seen such a full site! So many fabulous choices. Really impressive. Thanks for this theatre show. From a newby Ossie fan. 👇💜🙃

[@ChestertonRadio]

Thanks for listening and sharing comments!

[@sallyperzanowski6625]

Very good. I love the classic- ness of this. Thank you for sharing 🌺

[@cathystrydom8731]

Is this free?? Vto listen?. Ihopecso do tellvouma cath.

[@0reozsgaming995]

Absolute bliss. Thank you to whomever has given us access to this fantastic medium for our imaginations’ delight. I am so grateful to you.

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

When you're ready or listen to your favorite tales, you can picture the scenes in your head. See yet cannot see at the same time.

[@historicusjoe121]

Very good! And the actors are excellent!

[@ajcbng8289]

Wonderful. I love these radio dramas. ❤️

[@gabriellemcguinness6095]

Great brilliant drama wonderful to listened to Great to use the imagination keep on the Great work

[@warrenalexander5285]

An excellent drama.

[@davelawday6609]

A Saturday night theatre gem. All thanks to Chesterton radio...thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@davelawday6609]

Brilliant drama.. I just love the Saturday night theatre radio plays..thanks for sharing.. regards Dave 😁👍👍👍👍

[@lauralake7430]

As far as i know, we never had radio plays like this in America. At least, not lately. Its quite lovely to close my eyes and imagine!

[@magicbulletdancers]

the list of my favorite listening experiences just keeps growing ... ty for the amazing top quality ( endless :) hrs of entertainment that you bring to us. you are a ⭐

[@willimacdo]

enjoyed this immensely. no women tortured, which is fantastic for a change and so many possible baddies. Good stuff. many thanks.

[@alicecobb7763]

P

[@jeffsassoon6263]

Aiiŵo

[@jamesgalvin9609]

Loo

[@lindadobson9854]

Thank you so much.....🌷💐🌸

[@lydiamarks8577]

I LOVED this play 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 More like this please 🙏🏻

[@JC-ft9ez]

I've always liked listening to radio shows like old time radio and especially Mystery Theater television for the mind.

[@lydiamarks8577]

I LOVED this play 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻More like this please 🙏🏻

[@Gillby47]

A slow start building to a smashing story.

[@brendanmac5141]

Thank you 👍

[@ggray1180]

Great story! Thank you.

[@RB-yk3tx]

Loved it. Thank you. Much better than the new stuff on Radio 4😊

[@kleavy5828]

Super and very enjoyable throughout

[@mrmkgrdy8065]

Just love these,such great stories

[@timoruimteaapje4384]

With a very young Alex Jennings as a police sergeant. The play is from 1982, the same year he made his television debut in a small speaking part in part one of Smiley's People (with sir Alec Guiness) and with an incredible career ahead of him

[@buriedstereo6959]

WITH OBI WAN?! THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT?!

[@timoruimteaapje4384]

@@buriedstereo6959 jennings is the guy who throws up when they roll over the body.

[@emcarver8983]

I don't have a television, by choice, I prefer to live my way and refuse to move with ALL of the times.

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

I think there are more of us than we think.

[@brennykins8823]

Lovely stuff! Thanks.

[@mrbazzabee4013]

Thanx Uncle Chesterton...HEY ! ---- My money was actually on BEN..'.the Dog'- What a fearless Chappie he was ! . He always seemed to be around when the going got 'Wuff'.....and had such a Fearless and Snappy way with him and seemed to be able to retrieve a good situation from a bad one....! Ah....such is life.

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

Very funny! 😂👍👊🏻

[@alansawden7345]

So good to listen to. Just looked at recent Radio 4 dramas in the afternoon . Oh boy, no thanks.

[@stephenhowad8073]

She was not to upset when her husband died

[@tinapeters5725]

I thought I had missed something, I re-listened to the start of the play

[@stepheng8779]

Get that chip off your shoulder Alan, you're missing some good stuff. Stone, for example

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Radio 4 . New criteria for Radio Drama : See box ; Tick box !

[@craffte]

Same . it's June 2021 ad I just put on BBC Sounds.....what. A joke . sad. True engrossing entertainment like this...passing an afternoon thoroughly enjoying something like this....those days are gone. Even with the internet. It's just not the same. Everyone tries to be like HBO.

[@jacquiround1193]

Great upload. Thanks

[@kathryn1050]

Nail-biting stuff at the end! Thank you

[@elizabethroberts8829]

Brilliant 😊❤️❤️👏🏼👏🏼

[@ragdolly22]

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. 👍

[@01322521959]

Really excellent. Edge of the seat.

[@spanishDoll1]

Love these so much.

[@joansavage1857]

That was brilliant! Thank you....

[@SFNightOwl]

Just wonderful. Thank you so much for these uploads. They keep me company during my long slogs on the farm. In this particular one, it was amusing to hear the actor struggle with an Austrian accent...I didn't know Austria was on the Greco-Iberian peninsula!

[@dianapeek6936]

Some how or another you can forgive them though can't you?

[@SFNightOwl]

@@dianapeek6936 Absolutely, but really they have nothing to be forgiven for by me, I found it amusing. If anyone it's the Austrians that need to forgive the characterization of their accent.

[@neilmiller3220]

Wife is not too bothered

[@dinahjackson8146]

I LOOOVE this ! ❤ in USA, BUT, my heart is mostly in WONDERFUL ENGLAND !!! 😘

[@dianapeek6936]

The UK is deteriorating out of all recognition, so woke that you can hardly breathe without offending someone. You walk on eggshells in some quarters, and it's becoming lost to strangers who are taking over. Tragic. These plays are an oasis.

[@jerribee1]

​@@dianapeek6936 The past does seem to be our only refuge.

[@pamelamyers9613]

Good story!

[@DenisePoole-Closet-Crafts]

Very good 👍 Thank you for sharing them with us 😀

[@shantibel]

Very entertaining and intriguing. Thank you.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Lovely! Thanks!

[@AlmaGumundsdottir-gz1ik]

Innerly thanks. Wonderful manuscripts and acting. Best regards from Reykjavik, Iceland.

[@gordonshewan9892]

When bbc cared

[@TheMrgoodmanners]

Thanks so much for these

[@mikewellwood1412]

Very good & thanks for uploading. Kept me guessing until near the end, even if I had heard it before (maybe a slightly different version? Can't be sure now).

[@Firecracker66]

Gracias

[@spanishDoll1]

Ready to listen

[@andrewarthurmatthews6685]

Yes another super presentation from the BBC

[@BrownlandPictures]

Audio dramas...My favorite place to be.

[@cousinsister69]

Same. I'm somewhat addicted! I just now downloaded a free app "BBC Sounds". I am finding many podcasts of vintage radio shows thru that. Hi from Oz! 👇💜🙃

[@BrownlandPictures]

@@cousinsister69 haha that’s good to hear. I love listening whenever I’m animating or editing, it stirs up your imagination.

[@michealburnettis2]

Jolly good. There is a well designed clue here....😜

[@granthurlburt4062]

Thanks for posting!

[@wendy6512]

Superb thank you for posting

[@hermajesty52]

John Castle has to be the announcer in the beginning and at the end. Very distinctive voice!

[@MichealBurnett5]

The BBC has not fallen It is not the 1950s anymore The BBC along with all other TV stations, Have to stay relevant to the audience of the day.... 🎂🎉🎊🎊🎁🤣😘🍀🇮🇪 Do give us more drama and less dramatics! .....

[@helenamcginty4920]

The irony of people using the internet on their smartphones to praise the good old days before tec took over. 😉🤭🙂❤❤

[@donwardell4605]

A world that doesn't and never will exist.

[@kellygnow1]

Thank you

[@craffte]

WARNING!! You must play this at EXACTLY two minutes past three.😉

[@camelia9802]

Superb play 👍

[@willowwobble]

Much better entertainment than modern BBC radio plays....the contemporary plays are far too intense, they try too hard to be clever and sensational, pretentious, also the authors seem to think it's their responsibility to educate the rest of the population about the latest politically correct thinking attitude we are forced to adopt.

[@hermajesty52]

agree 100%

[@bettyjohnson5441]

]p]]p] +

[@evangelinamurray147]

When the media is used as an instrument of propaganda and social engineering rather than entertainment

[@daviddecoste9682]

Pretentious perfectly describes the slant in too much modern day programming.

[@jayceewedmak9524]

Thank you! 😊

[@American-Nobody]

I think the man, the Police were chasing, towards the end, got screwed. 😉 Great listen, thank you.

[@neilmiller3220]

Thanks for ruining it

[@American-Nobody]

I didn't say how or in what do I mean "screwed"? Some guy the cops were chasing is a bit vague. I really don't think I have anything away but I may be wrong. It's happened before.

[@daftirishmarej1827]

@@neilmiller3220 "the man" is vague enough!

[@yvonnewalesuk8035]

​@@American-Nobody I think you did it on purpose...but I may be wrong. It's happened before.

[@American-Nobody]

@@yvonnewalesuk8035 What Neil Miller said.

[@user-zn7of3bd6o]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ChestertonRadio]

Thank you for listening! We invite you to listen to more plays on our all-day live stream here: Listen.ChestertonRadio.com We also have a player with over 900 Saturday Night Theatre shows! Plays.ChestertonRadio.com

[@heatherrichmond2984]

Fabulous

[@valcolvera]

The pictures are so much better on the radio.

[@dianepeck3470]

It was quite a thrilling play, but sadly at the end I didn’t know who the killer was so I won’t be listening to it again 😢

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

I will read on in the comments, but I too was puzzled at the end. It seemed abrupt to me and who was the woman screaming? I think it needed a more detailed ending. If anyone could enlighten me I would be grateful. Please state “SPOILER” to begin your response. Otherwise, a well constructed who-done-it! The actors, production and direction were all top notch. BRAVO!

[@bp311able]

SPOILER ALERT / QUESTION : xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx So did person who turned out to be the baddie jump into the sea at the end? And got chopped up by the wake of the freighter?

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

It left me wanting to know more, also. And the woman screaming at the very end. What was that all about? 🤔

[@TheSilvercue]

Those that love this…what others do you recommend that are similar?

[@ChestertonRadio]

Thanks for listening! We have a collection of radio plays including Saturday Night Theatre in this playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5fEkJ2Vm8eil5Y

[@ChestertonRadio]

We play the best of @ChestertonRadio all day long on Elfland Radio - our 24/7 Live Stream anytime! Listen.ChestertonRadio.com

[@TheSilvercue]

@@ChestertonRadio thanks yes, I do listen…what I mean is…can anyone recommend any really similar in style to this one….I loved it.

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

I’ve recently listened to these… ** “The Reluctant Spy” ** “The Dead List” (two parts) ** “Last Chapter” ** “Coverup” ** “ Neighborhood Watch” ** “Deep Six” ** “Dead Fall” Also, anything by R. D. Wingfield. Please let me know if you fancied any of these. ❤️☮️🙏🏽

[@AGMundy]

I enjoyed this though the ending was a little disappointing as it was not clear as to motive and I did think it was rather feeble to have the wife suspect all along but give no hint of it.

[@sailorsquatandhisseaman]

I highly agree.

[@yutub6928]

Mr. Chesterton, could it be possible to give the date the play was performed? For example, on this one they keep mentioning mid sixties years and having a reference date would help to follow the play. Of course I know there are some plays where they mention the “present” date hence no need to do so. Thank you a lot for downloading all this material. They are excellent .

[@alexandras2670]

I think it is about 1978, because of the music playing in the sisters flat. They talk about the 60s as being quite some time ago in the dialogue.

[@yutub6928]

@@alexandras2670 , thanks and congratulations. Had not thought of doing this , mind you, I don’t know if I had “the ear “ for doing so. Take care

[@alexandras2670]

@@yutub6928 Following your kind reply, I googled the play and it was actually first broadcast in April 1982 on BBC Radio 4.

[@samk861]

Super!

[@arabellacox]

You wouldn't know Harriet's husband has just been murdered!

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Yes, her upper lip did remain fairly stiff.

[@bp311able]

She seemed far more concerned about the dog Ben who seemed to be barking through every scene with Harriet Bell. And yet let his master get stabbed to ribbons. Some watchdog!

[@trace-elementz1343]

Early going for me but, when I heard the sister say he, (Allen?) was the green thumb in the family yet, others say he wasn't really good with plants I started thinking he (the writer) isn't really who he is pretending to be. Seems odd he hasn't seen his ex or children since the day he left...hmmmm. Well, we shall see 🤔🤓🤔

[@kimmccabe1422]

BBC at its best. I mean it.