Dick George: Private Investigator

Francis Matthews stars in this trilogy of crime capers spoofing 1930s Hollywood movies

Paul Temple star Francis Matthews gives his best Cary Grant impression as suave PI Dick George in these three comedy adventures, with Margaret Robertson channelling Katherine Hepburn as his glamorous ex-wife Dora, ''Man in Black'' Edward de Souza as his valet, Blore, and Ronald Herdman as Pasta the dog.

The Case of the Cool Canary - Dick George''s leisurely breakfast is disturbed by the arrival of a mysterious, satin-clad beauty, who promptly passes out on his doorstep. Heiress Ruth-Anne Rogers is in trouble - can Dick and Dora protect her from gangsters intent on stealing her fortune? Starring Lisa Jacobs, Nigel Anthony and Harry Towb.

The Case of the Substitute Spouse - Married once more, the Georges are spending a weekend in Maine with Dora''s old school pal, Connie Morgan. But, arriving at her holiday cottage, they find a sheriff''s car parked outside, a body on the rug, and Connie under suspicion of murder. It''s up to Dick and Dora to clear her name - and find the killer. Starring Bonnie Hurren, Liza Ross, Bob Sherman and Don Fellows.

The Case of the Vanishing Vamp - Dick and Dora are on the brink of divorce - again - and Dick''s planning to make film star Loretta Raine the next Mrs George. But his romance with ''The Oops Girl'' takes a back seat when he sets out to trace missing ingenue actress Irene Smith. Meanwhile, Dora''s playing the leading role in a drama of her own... Starring Liza Ross, Ed Bishop and Nicky Croydon.


Cast and credits
Written by Susan Maxwell
Directed by Glyn Dearman

Starring Francis Matthews as Dick George, Margaret Robertson as Dora, Edward de Souza as Blore and Ronald Herdman as Pasta the dog

The Case of the Cool Canary
Ruth-Ann Rogers/Lucille Lamont - Lisa Jacobs
Louie - Nigel Anthony
Mugsy Moran - Harry Towb
Charlie - Alan Tilvern
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 September 1986

The Case of the Substitute Spouse
Antony Legrange - Liza Ross
Barrett Legrange - Blain Fairman
Zebediah - Don Fellows
Connie Morgan/Operator/Librarian - Bonnie Hurren
Sheriff Johnson - Bob Sherman
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 February 1989

The Case of the Vanishing Vamp
Mugsy Moran - Harry Towb
Loretta Raine - Liza Ross
Harry Loomis - Ed Bishop
Jonathan Dane - Peter Whitman
Marie Celeste - Nicky Croydon
Central Casting - Bonnie Hurren
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 July 1992

© 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
(p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd