Sherlock Holmes: "Hampstead Heath Killer" (Rathbone & Bruce)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Original Airdate: January 7, 1946
Summary Date: January 30, 2026
Featured Cast:

• Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone)
• Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce)
• Inspector Lestrade
• Monsieur Leveque
• Host: Harry Bartel

Episode Overview

In this atmospheric old-time radio episode, Dr. Watson recounts to an audience of GIs at Camp Roberts the disturbing case of the "Hampstead Heath Killer"—a macabre series of murders haunting Edwardian London. Holmes and Watson are enlisted by a desperate Scotland Yard to track down a cunning mass murderer. The episode blends suspenseful investigation with a chilling climax in a Chamber of Horrors, culminating in a confrontation with a killer whose pride and obsession drive his crimes—and his downfall.

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. The Setting: Murders Shock London

• [02:01-02:56] Dr. Watson sets the stage: the summer of 1900, Hampstead Heath is plagued by late-night killings of young women, all with their throats cut, each crime more baffling than the last.
• "It concerns one of the most sinister mass murderers who ever threatened the peace of London." (Dr. Watson, 02:01)
• Scotland Yard, led by Inspector Lestrade, is at its wit’s end and comes to Holmes in desperation.

2. Recalling the Murders

• [03:34-07:06] Lestrade recounts a chronology:
  • Details the murders, focusing on Bessie Oakley’s killing, witnessed by her companion, who is initially suspected.
  • Another killing: even an upper-class couple on the Heath falls victim, heightening fear and scandal.
• Each victim is a young woman, mostly accompanied by men, except the last, Rose Bishop, who was attacked alone.

3. Analysis of the Evidence

• [07:23-10:34] Holmes interrogates Lestrade about police procedures and clues.
  • Key find: a knife left in the latest victim, "a collector’s item" over 100 years old.
  • Holmes’ analysis under the microscope reveals a deposit of colored wax, hinting at a connection to waxworks exhibitions.
  • "The handle of this knife is corrugated… a minute deposit… it's wax. Colored wax." (Holmes, 09:39)
• Holmes theorizes the knife is from a wax museum, possibly tied to the murderer’s identity.

4. Visiting Waxworks Exhibitions

• [11:02-13:06] Holmes and Watson visit several waxworks, ending at "Leveque's Museum".
  • The Chamber of Horrors features a veiled figure labeled "The Hampstead Heath Murderer."
  • They meet the proprietor, Monsieur Leveque, who reveals the veiled figure is a publicity stunt—with no features beneath the veil.

5. The Wager and Subterfuge

• [13:12-15:04] Holmes expresses interest in a wager: a £100 reward for spending the night among the murderers’ effigies.
  • Holmes volunteers Watson (to Watson’s comic protest) but intends to go himself, disguised as Watson.
  • "No, but Dr. Watson would like to." (Holmes, 14:21)
  • Holmes notes a connection: "Leveque is the French word for Bishop," linking Leveque to Rose Bishop’s murder.

6. Night in the Waxworks: The Trap is Set

• [16:23–19:16] Holmes, disguised as Watson, is locked into the Chamber of Horrors by Leveque.
  • Leveque confiscates his revolver, promises to return in the morning, and seals the doors—raising the stakes.
  • "Midnight, the bet is on, Doctor. You still wish to go through with it?" (Leveque, 19:06)

7. Showdown in the Chamber

• [20:01–23:08] Watson arrives early, worried for Holmes’ life after a fresh murder.
  • They investigate the veiled waxwork—revealing Leveque’s own face underneath.
  • Suddenly, Leveque himself confronts them, brandishing a knife: "Which is more than either of you will be in a few minutes." (Leveque, 21:33)
  • In the darkness, Holmes ingeniously sets fire to a waxwork with a newspaper torch, forcing Leveque to attack—and enabling their escape as the museum is consumed by flames.
  • "Wax on a wooden frame should blaze brilliantly. There we are." (Holmes, 22:36)

8. Case Resolution and Aftermath

• [23:08–26:43] Scotland Yard (Lestrade) captures Leveque as the wax museum burns.
  • Leveque is revealed as Rose Bishop’s father, who, driven by mania and hatred, killed his own daughter and the others; he is committed to an asylum.
  • Holmes reflects with self-criticism on his own delay in cracking the case: "I hope that my name has not been used in that newspaper report." (Holmes, 25:43)
  • "If you should have occasion to chronicle this story, Watson... I would like you to entitle it the Education of an Idiot." (Holmes, 26:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the nature of the killer:
  • "A morbid madman obsessed by a hatred of love. He'll be hard to catch." (Holmes, 07:57)
• On the evidence:
  • "This knife is a collector’s item... at least a hundred years old." (Holmes, 08:39)
• Holmes’ revelation:
  • “Leveque is the French word for Bishop.” (Holmes, 17:20)
• Confrontation with Leveque:
  • "Which is more than either of you will be in a few minutes." (Leveque, 21:33)
• Holmes’ humility:
  • "I solved by circumstance and melodrama what should have been a purely intellectual problem. I’m not pleased with myself, Lestrade." (Holmes, 25:32)
  • "If you should have occasion to chronicle this story, Watson... I would like you to entitle it the Education of an Idiot." (Holmes, 26:18)
• Inspector Lestrade’s pun:
  • "You've solved the case in a blaze of glory. Get the point, sir? A blaze of glory." (Lestrade, 23:08)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:01] – Dr. Watson introduces the Hampstead Heath murders
• [03:34] – Lestrade summarizes crime chronology
• [07:23] – Discovery of the knife/clue
• [09:39] – Holmes finds colored wax evidence
• [11:02] – Tour of waxwork exhibitions
• [13:06] – Encounter with Leveque in the Chamber of Horrors
• [14:21] – The wager to spend the night in the museum
• [17:20] – Holmes connects Leveque and the murdered Rose Bishop
• [19:06] – Holmes is locked in for the night
• [21:18] – Unveiling of Leveque’s wax figure
• [22:36] – Holmes sets torch, burning the museum
• [23:08] – Case wrap-up and Lestrade’s summary
• [26:18] – Holmes titles the adventure “The Education of an Idiot”

Tone & Style

The episode captures the suspense and period flavor of classic Sherlock Holmes. The chemistry between Rathbone’s sharp, contemplative Holmes and Bruce’s affable Watson is evident, leavened by wit (“Let us say I’ll take it under advisement. I’ll do my best, Lestrade, I’ll do my best.” – Holmes, 08:49) and moments of humility. The horror elements in the wax museum are evocative, contributing to the dramatic tension.

Episode Takeaway

"Hampstead Heath Killer" is an exemplar of Golden Age radio drama—a tale of jealousy, madness, and grisly pride set amid foggy London streets and a Chamber of Horrors. In unraveling the case, Holmes navigates both criminal psychology and physical danger, unveiling not just the murderer but the tragic roots of his crimes.

For Sherlock Holmes fans and OTR enthusiasts alike, this is a gripping, suspense-filled mystery—best enjoyed in the dark!