12 episodes of the BBC Radio 4 drama

Dixon of Dock Green

David Calder and David Tennant star in these BBC Radio 4 adaptations of the original TV series.

Ted Willis (1914-1992) was a British playwright, novelist and screenwriter who was also politically active in support of the Labour Party.He was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific writer for television, and also wrote 34 stage plays and 39 feature films. 
 
Sue Rodwell is a British writer who has written original and adapted works for BBC radio.

David Calder, David Tennant and Hamish Clark star in these BBC Radio 4 dramas based on the original TV series. 
 
George Dixon became one of the best-known and most-loved fictional policemen during the course of three decades of BBC TV's Dixon of Dock Green, in which he was played by Jack Warner. In these 12 radio adaptations he once again upholds the law on the streets of 1950s Dock Green. 
David Calder stars as PC George Dixon, with David Tennant and Hamish Clark as PC Andy Dixon. Running time: 6 hours approx.

Ted Willis

Miriam Margolyes

Maurice Denham

Elizabeth Proud

Alex Jennings

Frances Jeater

Jeremy Clyde

Annette Crosbie

Leslie Sands

Mary Wimbush

Mary Miller

Trevor Martin

Christopher Scoular

Hugh Burden

Adrian Egan

Deryck Guyler

Full Cast

Five Full-Cast BBC Radio Vintage Thrillers

A collection of full-cast dramatisations from the renowned screenwriter and novelist Ted Willis 
 
"There are great actors and intriguing premises in every one of the stories ... If you’d forgotten what an ingenious mind Ted Willis had, and what a gifted writer he was for espionage plots, then this collection is a timely reminder." Entertainment Focus 
 
Ted Willis began his creative life in amateur theatre and journalism before moving into writing for films, TV and radio, and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific writer for television. His best-known creation was the hit police procedural Dixon of Dock Green which he based on the stories told to him by a policeman friend. This radio anthology includes five of his best-loved crime tales from the 1960s, '70s and '80s. 
 
The Buckingham Palace Connection - Summer, 1976. A question in the House of Lords leads Ted Willis to uncover the extraordinary true story of a 1918 mission to rescue the Romanovs... Maurice Denham, Jeremy Clyde and Miriam Margolyes star in this exciting drama, based on real events and adapted by Ted Willis from his own novel. 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3-31 May 1981 
 
The Left-Handed Sleeper - Ted Willis' neighbours have become embroiled in scandal. MP Mark Ritchie has gone on the run, suspected of being a spy, and MI5 are on his trail. Can his wife Christine prove his innocence? Dramatised by the author from his 1975 novel, this gripping espionage thriller stars Ted Willis as the narrator, with Annette Crosbie as Christine. 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 November-12 December 1982 
 
Death May Surprise Us - Attending a country fair, the Prime Minister and his wife are kidnapped in broad daylight, within yards of a huge crowd. With the country reeling, the hunt is on to find them and bring them home safely... Leslie Sands and Mary Wimbush star in this suspenseful tale, adapted by Ted Willis from his 1974 novel. 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 August-30 September 1984 
 
The Blue Lamp - This vintage drama by Ted Willis and Jan Read was based on their original treatment for the 1950 Ealing Studios film that introduced the character of PC George Dixon, who went on to appear in TV's Dixon of Dock Green. Deryck Guyler stars as the veteran London copper who faces up to an armed robber. 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 December 1962 
 
And No Birds Sing - Philip Brooks is quietly reading at home, but a knock on his front door may change his life forever... This intriguing play stars Hugh Burden as Philip Brooks, Mary Miller as Ann Brooks and Adrian Egan as Detective Sergeant Syms. 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 May 1979 
 
Credits 
Written and dramatised by Ted Willis 
 
The Buckingham Palace Connection: Directed by Glyn Dearman 
The Left-Handed Sleeper: Produced by Christopher Venning 
Death May Surprise Us: Directed by Graham Gauld 
The Blue Lamp: Produced by David H. Godfrey; Written by Ted Willis and Jan Read; Adapted for radio by Jan Read 
And No Birds Sing: Directed by David Johnston 
 
With special thanks to Keith Wickham 
 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Ted Willis

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