The Innocence of Father Brown Vol. 1

By: M. J. Elliott, G. K. Chesterton

Narrated by: J.T. Turner and the Colonial Radio Players

Length: 1 hr and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

From London to Cornwall, then to Italy and France, a short, shabby priest takes on bandits, traitors, and killers. Why is he so successful? The reason is that after years spent in the priesthood, Father Brown knows human nature and is not afraid of its dark side. Thus he understands criminal motivation and how to deal with it. The award-winning Colonial Theatre on the Air has dramatized G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories from The Innocence of Father Brown with a full cast, music score, and sound effects.

Included in Vol. 1:

"The Blue Cross"

Father Brown is traveling to London to attend a meeting of priests, and he is carrying with him a priceless silver cross, studded with blue sapphires. Flambeau, the thief, plans to steal it.

"The Secret Garden"

Father Brown is called to investigate the beheading of a man, committed in a closed garden. How did the murderer escape?

"The Queer Feet"

Father Brown investigates a death at the Vernon Hotel.

"The Flying Stars"

Father Brown has been invited to a Christmas masquerade, which becomes the target of a robbery.

Starring J.T. Turner and The Colonial Radio Players

Executive Producer Mark Vander Berg

Dramatized for Audio by M. J. Elliott

Based on The Innocence Of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

Produced by M.J. Cogburn

Directed By Jerry Robbins

Cover Illustration by Jeff Hayes

(P) 2014 The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air

©2014 The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air (P)2014 The Colonial Radio Theatre on the Air

As good as the BBC version

This is a fantastic production. Old time radio style. Loved it. Fun and cute. I enjoyed it more than the actual novel by Chesterton.

Disappointed

Disgraceful adaptation of GK Chesterton’s wonderful story-Very summarized and pretty bad acting. Oh sigh

Not as good as I hoped

The actor playing Father Brown is good, the rest of the cast variable. The sound effects are exaggerated and irritating. The choice of music is inappropriate. But the stories are good. My advice is to try the BBC dramatisations instead.

Radio show great fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed this radio show. Great fun! It gave a great atmosphere that was very in keeping with the original stories!

Insulting to skeptics, freethinkers, scientists

What would have made The Innocence of Father Brown Vol. 1 better?

Less insults to reason and skepticism in the first story.Too many "science is less worthy than religion" tropes.

Would you ever listen to anything by M. J. Elliott and G. K. Chesterton again?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

no

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Innocence of Father Brown Vol. 1?

n/a

Any additional comments?

I wasted my money when I bought the second book at the same time

Great entertainment!

The mechanics of mystery were very well done. Somewhat reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. Offers a classic "explanation" of the solution just before completion.

If you are looking for a new neat set of stories that are clean and safe for older children (decapitations in storyline), these are worth your time and money.

If I had anything negative to say it would be the overreach of a couple of character's accents (not that I could do near as well). At times it was difficult to make out what was being said. Also, sound effect overwhelmed speech from time to time. These had little impact on a great storyline!

Clever, fun, entertaining, and interesting!!

Entertaining and fun

A milder form of the Sherlock Holmes type of crimes, though from the equally keen Father Brown. A fun listen with a chocolate loving Father.

Not the most exciting sleuth stories ever.

Any additional comments?

The cast reading is really enjoyable. However, the stories come through a little flat and bland.

The All Nice Cheeky Father Brown

A nice way to spend an hour or so with the cheeky Father Brown.
Quite straight work, but a welcome treat without full on the face depressive violence in most genres of today.