Episode Overview

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: The Viennese Strangler (Rathbone & Bruce)
Original Air Date: April 9, 1945
Summary Date: October 31, 2025

Main Theme:
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, staying in a pension in Vienna, become embroiled in the murder investigation of a notorious blackmailer, Chandor Apardy. As the great detective unravels the web of suspects—each with motive, and opportunity—the case pivots on artistic personalities, long-held secrets, and ultimately, a deadly confrontation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene in Vienna

• [02:23] Dr. Watson reminisces about the case’s setting:
  “It began in Vienna in 1889, many, many years before the insane house painter named Schickel Gruber had converted that gay city into a place of fear and oppression.”
• Holmes and Watson, in Vienna for "important investigations," are surrounded by students and artists at their pension.

Introduction of the Case

• [03:49] Fräulein Léo Uhlenstein, a gifted pianist, seeks Holmes’s help. She reveals she’s being blackmailed by fellow resident, Chandor Apardy, who possesses an incriminating letter about her brother.
• Holmes assures her:
  “Most blackmailers are cowards at heart. I think Dr. Watson and I will call on the gentleman.” [05:49]

Entry to Apardy’s Studio and Discovery of Murder

• Holmes, Watson, and Léo find Apardy’s studio door locked; they enter to discover him strangled at his desk.
• Holmes instantly deduces:
  “Judging from his appearance... I think Sandora Paradi had other enemies besides yourself. Less scrupulous enemies.” [07:46]
• Watson notes the violence:
  “He’s been strangled. Look at the finger marks on his throat.” [07:53]

Unraveling Blackmail and Initial Suspicions

• The search of Apardy’s effects reveals blackmail material targeting several residents, including Fräulein Uhlenstein, Madame Janssen (sculptress), and Lai Tung Fo (Chinese actor).
• Watson casts initial suspicion on Uhlenstein:
  “A pianist would have unusual strength in her fingers. And look how unnaturally calm she was when she realized the man was dead.” [10:13]

Interviewing the Suspects

Lai Tung Fo (Chinese Actor)

• Claims to know Apardy only by sight, but slips up on Apardy’s first name—Holmes notices the inconsistency [11:54].
• Hints he heard angry voices and a cry "about an hour ago" [11:34].

The Porter

• Reveals that aside from the known guests, only Madame Janssen and Signora Violetti (opera singer) are present in the boarding house, and no one has left during the time frame [13:07].

Signora Violetti (Opera Singer)

• Over-the-top and flirtatious, Violetti laughs off Apardy’s advances and claims to be uninvolved [14:43].
• Her dramatic personality amuses Watson, but Holmes notes her black hair and visible vanity.

Key Discoveries in Apardy’s Room

• Holmes notices footprints in cigar ash leading to a closet and finds long black hairs on a hook—strengthening the theory the killer hid there [16:18].
• Watson reasons:
  “The long black hair, the long nails that caused the peculiar marks... It was a woman!” [16:44]
• Holmes narrows suspects: piano players and sculptors have short hair and nails—attention focuses on Violetti.

The Plot Thickens: Another Murder

• Holmes and Watson return to Lai Tung Fo’s room to find him strangled—"with his own cue" [17:33].
• Holmes realizes the killer is eliminating witnesses, confirming the murderer must still be in the house.

Confrontation & Confession

• Holmes sets a trap in Violetti’s room, instructing Watson to act as bait, enduring her repeated singing [20:16-21:07].
• Holmes disguises himself as Lai Tung Fo; when he enters, Violetti, in panic, confesses in front of Watson.
  Signora Violetti: “You devil. I kill you once. I kill you again.” [22:32]
  Holmes: “Thank you for the confession, Signora Violetti. You can testify to it, Watson.” [22:38]
• Violetti faints as Holmes disarms her [22:52].

Holmes’s Explanation

• Deduction process:
  • Only someone with long nails and black hair could’ve left the evidence and strangled two victims.
  • Uhlenstein and Janssen are excluded by profession; Violetti is left.
  • Lai Tung Fo was murdered as the only eye-witness: “The long black hairs in the closet were from his cue.” [23:44]
• Motive: Blackmail—Apardy possessed incriminating documents on all but Violetti, which she removed after his murder [24:00].
• Holmes orchestrated the confession with a last clever disguise [24:18].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes exasperated at the violin:
  “Sounds like a fiddler at an Irish wake.” (Holmes) [03:23]
• Watson, sarcastic as ever:
  “Great Scot, Holmes, you can’t ask me to be alone with that dreadful woman.” [20:34]
• Holmes, on deduction:
  “Elementary, my dear fellow.” [23:44]
• Violetti’s dramatic confession:
  “You devil. I kill you once. I kill you again.” [22:32]
• Holmes, wrapping up:
  “I only wish that all our adventures could end so melodiously.” [25:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:23] – Dr. Watson introduces Vienna and the setting
• [03:49] – Fräulein Uhlenstein requests Sherlock’s help
• [07:46] – Discovery of Apardy’s body
• [10:13] – Watson suspects Fräulein Uhlenstein
• [11:54] – Holmes catches Lai Tung Fo’s contradiction
• [13:07] – Porter account of house residents
• [14:43] – Violetti’s dismissive attitude toward Apardy
• [16:18] – Holmes finds evidence: black hair, footprints
• [17:33] – Discovery of Lai Tung Fo’s murder
• [20:16] – Holmes sets the final trap
• [22:32] – Violetti’s confession
• [23:44] – Holmes’s summary and explanation
• [25:06] – Holmes asks for a Mozart sonata to close the case

Closing

The episode highlights classic Holmes logic, Watson’s stalwart support, and a dramatically satisfying unmasking of the murderer. Packed with clever interrogations, atmospheric music, and tongue-in-cheek banter, "The Viennese Strangler" is a true relic of the Golden Age of Radio—and a showcase of the iconic Rathbone-Bruce partnership.