Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes - "A Scandal in Bohemia"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia (Rathbone & Bruce) 12/10/1945
Original Air Date: December 10, 1945
Summary Prepared For: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this classic radio adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia," Dr. Watson recounts a particularly memorable case featuring Sherlock Holmes’ brilliant deduction skills and the enigmatic Irene Adler, “the woman” who outsmarted the master detective. This episode explores themes of reputation, love, cleverness, and the limits even Holmes cannot surpass.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Mysterious Letter

• Dr. Watson visits Holmes at 221B Baker Street after receiving a curious, unsigned letter requesting Holmes' assistance.
• Holmes deftly deduces the origin of the letter (Bohemia), its writer (German), and its urgency.
  ("If a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver on his right forefinger... I should be dull indeed if I didn't pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession." — Holmes, 03:27)

2. A Royal Client

• The masked visitor is revealed as none other than the King of Bohemia (06:47), who confesses his troubles with Irene Adler, a woman in possession of a potentially scandalous photograph.
• The King recounts attempts (theft, bribery) to retrieve the photo, all of which have failed.
• Holmes learns that the King's impending marriage makes the retrieval critical (08:58).

3. Holmes and Watson Investigate Irene Adler

• Holmes and Watson disguise themselves as stable hands to gather information at a local pub (11:10).
• They discover Adler is admired locally and has a frequent visitor, barrister Geoffrey Norton, suspected to be important to the case.

4. A Rapid Marriage

• Holmes and Watson follow Adler and Norton in a dramatic chase to the Church of St. Monica (14:46), where Holmes, in disguise, acts as their witness at a hasty wedding (16:49).
  "The bride gave me the sovereign as a memento. I think I'll wear it on my watch chain in memory of the occasion." — Holmes, 17:12

5. Holmes’ Devious Plan

• Holmes plans to enter Adler's house disguised as a "simple-minded nonconformist clergyman" (17:55) and engineers a ruse involving a feigned street altercation, fake injury, and a smoke rocket (18:44).
• When a false fire alarm is raised, Holmes observes Adler rushing to retrieve her most prized possession: the photograph.

6. The Final Confrontation and The Twist

• Holmes deduces the photo’s hiding place but does not take it immediately (22:33).
• The next morning, Holmes, Watson, and the King return to Adler’s house only to discover she has fled England with her new husband (23:46).
• Holmes finds a letter and a different photograph left by Adler. The letter reveals she saw through Holmes' disguise and assures the King she will not use the incriminating photo (24:34).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Holmes’s Deduction Methods:
  "Elementary, my dear chap..." — Holmes, 03:27

• On Irene Adler’s Character:
  "Her name was Irene Adler, but I never knew Holmes referred to her by any other name than the woman." — Dr. Watson, 02:14

• On Holmes Being Outwitted:
  "What a woman, Watson. What a woman. What a magnificent woman. She fooled me completely." — Holmes, 25:37

• Irene Adler's Letter:
  "My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you really did it very well... May I congratulate you on your disguise as the dear old clergyman?" — Adler’s letter, read by Holmes, 24:34

• On Holmes’ Reward:
  "This is something I shall treasure all my life... They will remind me that I was once tricked by a woman. A woman that I shall never forget." — Holmes, 26:15

Timestamps of Critical Segments

• [02:14] — Irene Adler’s first mention
• [06:47] — The King of Bohemia reveals his identity
• [07:55] — The threat: a scandalous photograph
• [11:10] — Pub investigation and discovery of Geoffrey Norton
• [14:46] — Chase to church and wedding
• [16:49] — Holmes as wedding witness
• [17:55] — Holmes devises new disguise and plan
• [18:44] — Explanation of the smoke rocket ruse
• [22:33] — Holmes discovers hiding place of photo
• [23:46] — Return to Adler’s house; she has fled
• [24:34] — Irene Adler’s letter read aloud
• [25:37] — Holmes praises Adler's cleverness and expresses admiration
• [26:15] — Holmes chooses his reward: Irene’s photograph

Episode Tone & Style

• The episode maintains a witty, respectful tone with touches of admiration for Irene Adler’s cleverness.
• Holmes and Watson's camaraderie is evident, featuring classic Holmesian logic, dry humor, and humility in defeat.

Conclusion

This adaptation is a showcase for one of Holmes’ most famous cases and one of his rare defeats. Irene Adler’s wit, daring, and honor outmaneuver even Holmes, but her mercy spares the King. Holmes’s respect for “the woman” is palpable, making this a beloved entry in the Sherlock Holmes legacy.

For fans of detective fiction, this is a witty, suspenseful, and ultimately human story—filled with sharp dialogue, disguises, and the rare humility of Sherlock Holmes.