Orson Welles’ Great Mysteries

1 9 7 3 – 1 9 7 4 (UK)
26 x 30 minute episodes

This 26-part anthology series of half-hour tales of mystery and suspense from Anglia Television included stories by such well-known authors as O Henry, Wilkie Collins and WW Jacobs, with a specially written excursion into the supernatural by the author of Quatermass, Nigel Kneale.

All episodes were introduced by Orson Welles himself, though, in actuality, the great man provided little more than window dressing.

Actors in the series included Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, Joan Collins, Michael Gambon, Dean Stockwell, Hannah Gordon, Victor Buono, Susannah York, Jack Cassidy, Patrick Macnee, Joss Ackland, Geoffrey Bayldon, Bill Maynard, Megs Jenkins, Ed Devereaux, Ed Bishop, and Shane Rimmer.

The haunting theme tune was provided by John Barry.

The series received critical acclaim both on American TV, where it debuted and at home in Britain when it was eventually aired there.

Episodes

Captain Rogers | The Leather Funnel | A Terribly Strange Bed | La Grande Breteche | The Dinner Party | Money to Burn | In the Confessional | Unseen Alibi | Battle of Wits | A Point of Law | The Monkey’s Paw | The Ingenious Reporter | Death of an Old-Fashioned Girl | For Sale – Silence | The Inspiration of Mr Budd | An Affair of Honour | Farewell to the Faulkners | The Power of Fear | Where There’s a Will | A Time to Remember | Ice Storm | Come Into My Parlour | Compliments of the Season | Under Suspicion | Trial for Murder | The Furnished Room