Audiobooks narrated by Ian Carmichael

Play it Cool: A Vintage BBC Radio 4 Comedy

"The complete series of the fast-moving 1960s sketch show A leading light of British stage and screen from the 1950s onwards, Ian Carmichael made a career out of playing the amiable, bumbling nincompoop in films such as Private's Progress and I'm All Right Jack, and TV shows including Bachelor Father and The World of Wooster. This dithering persona was expanded and amplified in his first radio comedy, Play It Cool. Written in 1964 by Beyond Our Ken's Eric Merriman, it sees him joined by Carry On's Joan Sims and radio veteran Hugh Paddick (Beyond Our Ken, Round the Horne) for a series that mixes music and comedy to provide a slice of 1960s cool. These six episodes feature a plethora of comic characters, and situations ranging from the potty to the pompous. Join our frolicsome trio as they send up big business and women's magazines; expose the behind-the scenes worlds of ballroom dancing and boxing; and turn the pages of history back to the Edwardian era in 'Scrapheap of 1907'. There's also international affairs, revealing tales of Hollywood, and the life of William Shakespeare - plus an insight into what might happen if the Cannes Film Festival came to Britain... Light-hearted, witty and slyly satirical, this sparkling series showcases all three of our comedy stars' skills, ably assisted by guest stars Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar. Musical interludes are provided by Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra. Production credits Written by Eric Merriman Starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims and Hugh Paddick With Gordon Faith and Anthony Sagar Produced by John Simmonds With music from Rosemary Squires, The Mike Sammes Singers and The Ken Thorne Orchestra First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 26 July-30 August 1964 © 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Eric Merriman (Author), Hugh Paddick, Ian Carmichael, Joan Sims (Narrator)

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The Small Intricate Life of Gerald C. Potter: A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

"The convoluted chronicle of an optimistic crime writer 'Basil Boothroyd's quietly comic classic' Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph Gerald C Potter is the proud author of Death in the Arboretum, described by the Bournemouth Echo as 'well-written'. He works hard on his books, and worries about every comma, adjective and unfortunate typo: but somehow, he never seems to get very much done. However, his wife and fellow novelist, Diana (aka Magnolia Badminton) is positively prolific - much to his chagrin. These four series recount his daily activities and struggles for inspiration, as he tries to solve the mystery of his missing briefcase; goes up against his wife as they compete to publicise their new books; takes a holiday abroad that's far from relaxing; and receives a double-edged surprise on United Potter Day. And in special festive episode 'The Cousin', an unexpected message in a Christmas card leaves Gerald and Diana scrambling to prepare for a last-minute visitor... Written by celebrated humorist Basil Boothroyd, this witty, quick, clever sitcom ran for five years on Radio 4 between 1976 and 1981. It stars Ian Carmichael (The World of Wooster, Lord Peter Wimsey) as Gerald C Potter, with Charlotte Mitchell (Waggoners' Walk, The Adventures of Black Beauty) as Diana. Production credits Written by Basil Boothroyd Produced by Bobby Jaye Cast Gerald C Potter - Ian Carmichael Diana, his wife - Charlotte Mitchell With Michael McClain, James Thomason, Trader Faulkner, Robin Browne, Michael Deacon, Jo Manning Wilson, Margaret Robertson, Peter Craze, Anthony Smee, Michael Goldie, Penelope Reynolds, Geoffrey Matthews, Edward Kelsey, Betty Huntley-Wright, Fiona Mathieson, Garard Green, Brian Carroll, Danny Schiller, Douglas Blackwell, Patricia Hughes, Margot Boyd, Pauline Letts, Brian Haines, Lolly Cockerell, Jane Knowles, Michael Spice, Preston Lockwood, Charles Colville, Paddy O'Byrne, John Church, Judy Franklin and John McAndrew First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 22 March-26 April 1976 (Series 1), 9 November-14 December 1977 (Series 2), 26 December 1977 (Christmas Special, 'The Cousin'), 24 September-29 October 1979 (Series 3), 27 April-1 June 1981 (Series 4) ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Basil Boothroyd (Author), Charlotte Mitchell, Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Lord Peter Wimsey: BBC Radio Drama Collection Volume 3: Four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

"Ian Carmichael stars as Lord Peter Wimsey in these classic BBC radio dramatisations of Dorothy L Sayers' Golden Age crime novels. Gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey starred in a number of novels and short stories by Dorothy L Sayers. These full-cast adaptations – first broadcast on BBC radio between 1979 and 2010 – are cherished by crime aficionados worldwide. Murder Must Advertise sees Lord Peter going undercover in an advertising agency to investigate the death of a copywriter. The Nine Tailors finds the aristocratic detective stranded in a remote village, where he is drawn into a case of stolen jewels and an unidentified body. Gaudy Night takes place at Harriet Vane’s old Oxford college, where a series of spiteful pranks and poison-pen letters have torn apart the academic community. With Lord Peter’s help, can she uncover the perpetrator? In Busman’s Honeymoon, newlyweds Harriet and Peter have their marital bliss disturbed by a body in the basement – and are once again embroiled in a murder investigation. These evocative dramas also feature Allan Cuthbertson, Peter Jones, Joanna David and Sarah Badel."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Lord Peter Wimsey: BBC Radio Drama Collection Volume 2: Four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

"Ian Carmichael is Lord Peter Wimsey in these consummate BBC radio dramatisations of Dorothy L Sayers' much-loved mysteries Elegant, erudite and sharp-witted, aristocratic detective Lord Peter Wimsey featured in numerous novels and short stories by ‘Queen of Crime’ Dorothy L Sayers. These full-cast adaptations – first broadcast on BBC radio between 1975 and 1981– are loved by mystery fans all around the world. In The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, when General Fentiman is found dead at his club, Wimsey suspects foul play. Could he have been murdered for his money? Strong Poison introduces Harriet Vane – a crime novelist on trial for murdering her lover. Wimsey knows Harriet is no femme fatale, but an innocent victim embroiled in a diabolical plot… Five Red Herrings sees Peter faced with six men, all of whom have a motive for killing argumentative Scottish painter Sandy Campbell. But who was the culprit? In Have His Carcase, when Harriet Vane finds a body on the beach with his throat cut, Lord Peter must work out whether it was murder or suicide. These classic dramas also feature Peter Jones, Joan Hickson, Miriam Margolyes and Warren Clarke."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Lord Peter Wimsey: BBC Radio Drama Collection Volume 1: Three classic full-cast dramatisations

"Ian Carmichael stars as Lord Peter Wimsey in these definitive BBC radio dramatisations of Dorothy L Sayers' classic crime novels Aristocratic amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey was the master creation of Dorothy L Sayers, widely acknowledged as one of the four original ‘Queens of Crime’. These full-cast adaptations – first broadcast on BBC radio in the 1970s, and presented here in their entirety – are admired by fans of the genre worldwide. Whose Body? is the tale that first introduced Lord Peter to the world, and sees him investigating the case of a corpse in a Battersea bathtub and a vanished oil millionaire. In Clouds of Witness, Lord Peter’s eldest brother stands accused of murder. In collaboration with Inspector Parker, Wimsey slowly uncovers a web of lies and deceit within his own family... Unnatural Death finds Peter probing the mysterious death of an elderly lady. He suspects foul play, and with the help of the indomitable Miss Climpson, sets about his investigations in deepest Hampshire... Produced by Simon Brett (author of the ‘Charles Paris’ series), these acclaimed dramas also feature Peter Jones, Patricia Routledge, Miriam Margolyes and Garard Green."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael, Peter Jones (Narrator)

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Have His Carcase

"Two years after the trial for the murder of her lover, the blaze of publicity surrounding mystery writer Harriet Vane has begun to die away and Harriet decides it's time for a break. But the peace of a North Devon walking tour is rudely shattered when she discovers the body of a man on the beach, his throat slit from ear to ear. The moment the story breaks, Harriet’s old friend Lord Peter Wimsey is on the scene to lend his powers of detection. Can the two of them discover who the murderer is?"

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Strong Poison

"The elegant, intelligent amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey is one of detective literature’s most popular creations. Ian Carmichael is the personification of Dorothy L. Sayers’ charming investigator in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. When mystery writer Harriet Vane is accused of the murder of her lover, the evidence seems pretty damning. But Lord Peter Wimsey is not convinced – and when, five hours later, no verdict has been returned, it seems the jury may not be either. But if Harriet didn't murder Philip Boyes, who did?"

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Whose Body?

"Ian Carmichael is Lord Peter Wimsey, with Patricia Routledge as his mother, in this BBC radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. Dorothy L. Sayers’ first Lord Peter Wimsey tale introduces many of the author’s best-known characters. Wimsey’s mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver, rings her son with news of ‘such a quaint thing’. She has heard through a friend that Mr Thipps, a respectable Battersea architect, found a dead man in his bath - wearing nothing but a gold prince-nez. Lord Wimsey makes his way straight over to Mr Thipps’, and a good look at the body raises a number of interesting questions. Why would such an apparently well-groomed man have filthy black toenails, flea bites and the scent of carbolic soap lingering on his corpse? Then comes the disappearance of oil millionaire Sir Reuben Levy, last seen on the Battersea Park Road. With his beard shaved he would look very similar to the man found in the bath - but is Sir Levy really dead?"

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael, Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Five Red Herrings

"The elegant, intelligent amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey is one of detective literature’s most popular creations. Ian Carmichael is the personification of Dorothy L. Sayers’ charming investigator in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation. When Sandy Campbell's body is found at the foot of a cliff near the small town of Kircdubright, the local constabulary are convinced that the argumentative painter is the victim of a tragic accident. But when Lord Peter Wimsey turns up, the hunt begins for an ingenious killer. Faced with six men, all of whom have a motive for murder, the aristocratic amateur sleuth must deduce which are the five red herrings and which has blood on his hands."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Busman's Honeymoon

"Society’s eligible women are in mourning. Lord Peter Wimsey has married at last, having finally succeeded in his ardent pursuit of the lovely mystery novelist Harriet Vane. The two depart for a tranquil honeymoon in a country farmhouse but find, instead of a well-prepared love nest, the place left in a shambles by the previous owner. His sudden appearance, dead from a broken skull in the cellar, only prompts more questions. Why would anyone have wanted to kill old Mr Noakes? What dark secrets had he to hide? The honeymoon is over, as Lord Peter and Harriet Vane start their investigations. Suspicion is rife and everyone seems to have something to hide, from the local constable to the housekeeper. Wimsey and his wife can think of plenty of theories, but it’s not until they discover a vital fact that the identity of the murderer becomes clear."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael, Sarah Badel (Narrator)

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Clouds Of Witness

"In a shocking scandal, the like of which has not been seen in the English aristocracy since the eighteenth century, Lord Peter Wimsey's elder brother, the Duke of Denver, stands accused of murder. Lord Peter is determined to prove his brother's innocence, yet finds him strangely uncooperative. Furthermore, other family members apparently oppose Peter's attempts to get to the truth. His sister, Lady Mary, seems to know more than she is letting on - could the Duke be protecting her? In collaboration with Inspector Parker, Wimsey slowly uncovers a web of lies and deceit within his own family, and finds himself faced with the unhappy alternative of sending either his brother or his sister to the gallows. Until he himself becomes a target... Patricia Routledge plays the Dowager Duchess in this classic dramatisation, alongside Maria Aitken as Lady Mary and Miriam Margolyes as Mrs Hardraw."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael, Patricia Routledge (Narrator)

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Unnatural Death

"This was the second Lord Peter Wimsey story to be adapted for radio in the mid-seventies. Broadcast May 5th to June 16th 1975, it was adapted by Chris Miller and produced by Simon Brett. The case of Agatha Dawson is closed, but Lord Peter Wimsey is not satisfied. With no clues to work on, he begins his own investigation. Then Agatha's maid is suddenly murdered. The episode titles are: 1) ‘No Sign of Foul Play’ 2) ‘Death in Epping Forest’ 3) ‘The Will’ 4) ‘Hallelujah’ 5) ‘The Property Act’ 6) ‘Vera Findlater’ and 7) ‘Miss Climpson Investigates’. This will be the ninth, and probably the last, Radio Collection release of the Lord Peter Wimsey stories starring Ian Carmichael."

Dorothy L. Sayers (Author), Full Cast, Ian Carmichael (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Ian Carmichael