SATURDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2012

SAT 00:00 The Price of Fear (b007jn3p)
The Family Album
Horror legend Vincent Price introduces a tale of faceless commuter Arthur, who proves to be a formidable adversary as danger strikes.
Stars Maurice Denham as Arthur Goodby, Liz Fraser as Rose Goodby, James Kerry as Harry, Aubrey Morris as Mr Martin and Anthony Newlands as The Coroner.
Scripted by William Ingram.
Producer: John Dyas
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1983.
SAT 00:30 The Mortal Immortal by Mary Shelley (b007jw60)
A young man works for a powerful alchemist. Feeling jilted in love and consumed with jealousy towards a rival, he secretly drinks one of his Master's potions hoping to cure himself of these emotions.
Instead, he’s soon facing a living hell…
Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley's fantastical tale explores man's fascination with eternal life and elixirs.
Read by Shaun Dooley.
Producer: Gemma Jenkins
Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2005.
SAT 01:00 Hercule Poirot (b01b3fdv)
Mrs McGinty's Dead
Episode 5
The chaos of Long Meadows provides Hercule Poirot with his final clue to unveiling the pitiless murderer.
But there's also another surprise in store for the Belgian detective...
Conclusion of Agatha Christie's whodunit starring John Moffatt.
Hercule Poirot ...... John Moffatt
Ariadne Oliver ...... Julia MacKenzie
Superintendent Spence ...... George Baker
Robin Upward ...... Nick Waring
Maud Williams ...... Beth Chalmers
Maureen Summerhayes ...... Molly Gaisford
Major Summerhayes ...... Ian Masters
Eve Carpenter ...... Angela Sims
Guy Carpenter ...... Dominic Colchester
Mrs Rendell ...... Susannah Corbett
Dramatised by Michael Bakewell.
Director: Enyd Williams.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.
SAT 01:30 Russell Thorndike - The Last of Doctor Syn (b00pl15k)
Episode 1
The King's Men are out to catch the smugglers and their elusive ringleader. Russell Thorndike's adventure read by Rufus Sewell.
SAT 02:00 Fat Chance (b01b3fp9)
Weighty Matters
A TV star turns up at Wendy Bottomley's slimming club and Graham unwisely divulges his secret to Lee...
Jenny McDade's high-fat bittersweet comedy for those believing there's a thin person inside them begging to get out.
Graham Pitscottie ..... Gareth Corke
Wendy Bottomley ..... Janine Duvitski
Clive Bottomley ..... Michael Troughton
Soo Pitscottie ..... Anne Reid
Tina Tattersall ..... Julia Deakin
Kelly Chambers ..... Tilly Gaunt
Lee Dubs ..... Harry Myers
Mrs Enright ..... Frances Jeater
Producer: Sally Avens
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1999.
SAT 02:30 We've Been Here Before (b00g1rsp)
Series 2
Episode 4
Clive Anderson hosts the panel show that pokes fun at events of the past.
The topical historical satirical panel show setting out to prove that there's nothing new under, or in, The Sun.
Nick Revell and Gyles Brandreth battle it out against Helen Atkinson-Wood and John O'Farrell.
Producer: Ed Morrish
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2004.
SAT 03:00 Charles Dickens (b01b3fqd)
Little Dorrit
Episode 5
After her father's death Little Dorrit is still in Italy when the newly-married Fanny has a strange visit from Mr Merdle.
Arthur is struck by disaster and Mrs Clennam is forced to reveal the family secret at last.
Conclusion of Charles Dickens's masterpiece of social satire and imprisonment.
Starring Sir Ian McKellen as Charles Dickens.
Recorded on location in London.
Charles Dickens ...... Ian McKellen
Arthur Clennam ...... Julian Wadham
Mrs Clennam ...... Margaret Tyzack
Little Dorrit ...... Jasmine Hyde
Fanny Dorrit ...... Indira Varma
John Chivery ...... Ben Crowe
Flintwinch ...... Ioan Meredith
Mr Pancks ...... Philip Joseph
Mr Doyce ...... Jonathan Keeble
Mr Merdle ...... Kenneth Cranham
Chivery ...... Gordon Reid
Dramatised by Doug Lucie.
Music by Mia Soteriou
Director: Janet Whitaker
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2001.
SAT 04:00 Short Stories by John McGahern (b00nvyzb)
The Stoat
A man compares a stoat's steadfast quest for a rabbit to a shy woman's pursuit of his hopeless father. Read by Sean McGinley.
SAT 04:15 Peter Tinniswood (b007jw6t)
Mr Reliable
It's Mr Openshaw's job to listen to people. He goes to their houses to listen to them talk.
Mrs Flenswick is one of his visitees. But he doesn't listen to her at all...
Peter Tinniswood's drama stars Peter Sallis as Mr Oakenshaw and Edna Dore as Mrs Flenswick.
Director: Enyd Williams
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2001.
SAT 05:00 Desmond Olivier Dingle's Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare (b007k390)
Episode 6
The Royal Dingle Company re-enact the Bard's great cinematic moments. Stars Patrick Barlow and Lionel Blair. From October 1995.
SAT 05:30 Smelling of Roses (b007jrrq)
Series 1
A Good Cause
Rosie’s company is tasked to put together a charity gala concert in aid of the Afghans.
But there’s confusion over whether it’s for the people or the dogs?
Prunella Scales in Simon Brett's sitcom.
The trials and tribulations of Rosie Burns and her event management company, based in Brighton.
Rosie ...... Prunella Scales
Kate ...... Arabella Weir
Jo ...... Rebecca Callard
Bob ...... Duncan Preston
Tess ...... Annette Badland
Ginnie ...... Joanna Munro
Lady Helen ...... Celia Imrie
Producer: Maria Esposito
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2000.
SAT 06:00 Peter Tinniswood (b01bl25p)
A Touch of Daniel
Young Carter Brandon struggles for love in a world preoccupied with Cheshire cheese, individual trifles, dominoes, outbreaks of wireworm and vests; where strong women fight grimly to maintain their hold on a traditionally matriarchal society and where the only person who really understands Carter is his cousin, the baby Daniel.
Peter Tinniswood's Northern drama about the Brandon family.
Starring Christian Rodska as Carter, Liz Smith as Mrs Brandon, Eileen Derbyshire as Auntie Lil, George A Cooper as Mort, Graham Roberts as Mr Brandon and Judy Bennett as Daniel.
Directed by Tony Cliff at BBC Manchester
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1977.
SAT 07:30 The World of Percy Edwards (b01bl27c)
The wildlife impressionist muses on the countryside and brings us birdsong and monologues. With Eric Morecambe. From May 1974.
SAT 08:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01bl28v)
Series 7
Episode 16
From Minnesota, the American funny man welcomes string maestro Sam Bush, plus the latest news from Lake Wobegon. From 2011.
SAT 09:00 Comedy Greats (b007jtk4)
The 1960s
Episode 2
Decade by decade, Barry Cryer showcases some of the funniest and finest shows ever broadcast by the BBC.
Six more favourites plucked from the groovy 1960s schedules of the BBC Light Programme:
* Whack-O!
From 15/03/1962
Crooked headmaster Professor Jimmy Edwards holds auditions for Chiselbury School's charity concert in aid of a retiring teacher. With Vera Lynn. From March 1962.
* The Men From the Ministry
Series 2 (2/13) Something about a Soldier
The bumbling civil servants find a 20-year-old demob letter. Stars Richard Murdoch, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Norma Ronald and Warren Mitchell. From August 1965.
* The Ken Dodd Show
From 19/07/1964
The King of Knotty Ash offers tips for nude photography and the hunt for a Scottish lake-bound monster. With Judith Chalmers, John Laurie and Patricia Hayes. From July 1964.
* Steptoe & Son
Series 1 (11/13) The Lead Man Cometh
The rag and bone men get an irresistible offer. Adapted from TV with Wilfrid Brambell, Harry H Corbett and Leonard Rossiter. From September 1966.
* The Embassy Lark
Series 1 (6/13) A Trip to London
The staff of the British Embassy panic over the expiry of their lease in Tratvia. Stars Derek Francis, Frank Thornton and Francis de Wolff. From April 1966
* Round the Horne
Series 4 (12/16)
Kenneth Horne makes Fleet Street headlines, and calls round to Julian and Sandy's 'Bona Private Detective Agency'. With Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick and Betty Marsden. From May 1968.
Produced and scripted by Peter Reed
Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in May 2003.
SAT 12:00 The Diary of Samuel Pepys Omnibus (b01bl2dx)
1662
Kris Marshall returns as Samuel Pepys in this dramatisation of his diary for 1662. The year begins badly when he accidentally elbows Elizabeth in the eye as he's waking up.
SAT 13:10 Storytime (b01cdqtq)
What's your favourite story? Can't decide? Radio 4 Extra hears from people who have.
SAT 13:15 McLevy (b007k0y3)
Series 2
The Wild Spark
When an Edinburgh tobacco warehouse goes up in smoke, the Victorian detective sets out to investigate. Starring Brian Cox.
SAT 14:00 The Original Godfather (b009kgnd)
Legendary writer and TV presenter Denis Norden chats to Paul Jackson about the legacy of his radio comedy partnership with Frank Muir.
The history of British sitcom is peppered with outstanding writing teams, not least Galton & Simpson, Clement & La Frenais, French & Saunders, Curtis & Elton and Aherne & Cash. But the very first - the veritable Godfathers of broadcast comedy - were Denis Norden and Frank Muir.
Born within two years of each other (Frank in 1920, Denis two years later), they shared similar RAF backgrounds and entertainment apprenticeships. After the Second World War, Muir landed a job with the BBC, writing for fellow ex-airman Jimmy Edwards and Norden joined a variety agency, writing for as many as 163 comedians.
Finally in 1947 they were brought together over lunch by Charles Maxwell (other reports claim it was fellow scriptwriter Ted Kavanagh) in the hope that they might hit it off. Thus started a 40 (plus) year partnership which kicked off with Take It From Here (1947-58) – still to be heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Their partnership continued into the early 1990s via My Word! (1956-1990) and My Music (1967-1991). Both series are still repeated in Australia and USA.
In between they wrote for countless stars from Bernard Braden and Peter Sellers to Benny Hill and Bob Monkhouse.
Paul Jackson explores their legacy with Denis himself, and hears from their long suffering secretary, Brenda Talbot and fellow writers Dick Vosburgh, Eric Sykes, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais.
Frank Muir passed away in 1998 and Denis Norden in 2018.
Producer: Paul Kobrak
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2007.
SAT 15:00 Garrison Keillor's Radio Show (b01bl28v)
[Repeat of broadcast at 08:00 today]
SAT 16:00 Peter Tinniswood (b01bl25p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 06:00 today]
SAT 17:30 What's So Funny? (b01b3fkk)
Series 2
Episode 18
Ed Byrne is joined by Hugh Dennis, Paul Sinha and Steve Hughes to discuss the best of British comedy from radio and screen.
SAT 18:00 Blake's 7: The Early Years (b00sm5lg)
The Trial
Scheming Max manipulates Jenna and Nick's evidence at their trial. Stars Carrie Dobro, Benedict Cumberbatch and Stephen Lord.
SAT 18:30 Ursula K Le Guin - The Diary of the Rose (b00ncgg3)
Episode 1
The political awakening of psychiatrist Rosa Sobel. Ursula K Le Guin's award-winning powerful tale set in the near future. Read by Laurel Lefkow.
SAT 19:00 Comedy Greats (b007jtk4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]
SAT 22:00 Eddie Izzard - Glorious (b007m6jm)
Episode 1
More quirky hilarity and off-beat observations as the stand-up comedian entertains an audience at London's Hammersmith Apollo. From November 1997.
SAT 22:45 Creme de la Crime (b008f8hc)
Series 3
This Carriage for Justice
Michael Feydeau and David Pershore probe a murder and false accusations. Stars Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis. From April 2003.
SAT 23:00 Andrew Sachs - The Revenge (b007jr11)
Que? Andrew Sachs's pioneering thriller featuring sound effects and 11 actors, but no written dialogue.
This experimental play for radio an attempt to tell a story in terms of sounds alone. There is no dialogue, and no coherent speech, yet the play is a thriller with a straightforward storyline full of action and dramatic tension.
Recorded on location using the naturalistic recording techniques of binaural stereo.
Written and interpreted by Andrew Sachs, The Revenge, was the world's first radio drama without words...
With Andrew Sachs, Sean Barrett, Fraser Kerr, Graham Ashley, Paul Rosebury, Michael Deacon, Blain Fairman, John Rye, Melody Sachs, Frances Jeater and Leonard Fenton.
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978.
SAT 23:30 Johan Theorin - The Darkest Room (b01bl2mf)
Episode 5
As a harsh blizzard descends, Tilda must face a desperate gun battle.
Johan Theorin's supernatural thriller concluded by Nigel Cooke.
Winner of the Crime Writer's Association International Dagger 2010.
Producer: Clive Brill
Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra by Brill Productions and first broadcast in 2012.