Dick Barton: Special Agent!

by Edward J. Mason, Noel Johnson (Narrator)

The very first adventure of radio legend and national hero Special Agent Dick Barton. Captain Richard Barton, late of the Commandos, made his radio debut on the Light Programme in 1946 and quickly went on to become Britain's most popular hero. For years the nation tuned in to hear the famous signature tune, Devil's Gallop, herald another cliff-hanging adventure for the smooth, crime-busting Barton and his friends Snowey and Jock. In 1972, as part of the BBC's Golden Jubilee celebrations, the team came together once more to re-record the very first adventure. The episodes were not stored in the BBC Archives but, thanks to private tapes, these 'lost' recordings can be heard once more. And here they are, in this fast-moving story about a stolen secret weapon, complete with dark caves, deadly spiders, lifts with no floors and - most intriguingly - a tall and mysterious man in a black Homburg...Guaranteed to have Barton fans, old and new, on the edge of their seats.

Genres: Espionage, Adventure

2 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 4, 2001

About the author

Edward John Mason was a scriptwriter for radio, television and films for both the BBC and its rival Radio Luxembourg. In the 1950s and 60s Mason was involved in the creation of some of the best known radio programmes in the UK including Dick Barton, The Archers - the world’s longest running radio soap opera - and the panel shows My Word! and My Music.

[With thanks to Wikipedia]

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not A great book, but full of old memories

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daring do with the amazing Dick Barton - Special Agent! Great fun albeit of a dated variety provided courtesy of the original scriptwriters for The Archers.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
The Cave of Secrets
Dick Barton - Special AgentEpisode 1 of 10

Ex-commando Dick Barton uncovers an enemy plot to capture a British secret weapon.

Noel Johnson stars as Dick Barton, with John Mann as Snowey White, Alex McCrindle as Jock, William Fox as Colonel Gardiner and Margaret Robertson as Jean Hunter.

From 1946 to 1951, Dick Barton - Special Agent thrilled millions of listeners to the BBC Light Programme. The daily serial followed the exciting adventures of ex-commando Captain Richard Barton and his wartime mates Snowey White and Jock Anderson, who must solve all manner of intriguing crimes and mysteries.

Heralded by an iconic signature tune (Devil's Galop by Charles Williams) each gripping episode left listeners with a torrid cliff-hanger.

Sadly many of Dick's adventures didn't survive in the BBC archive. But in 1972 as part of celebrations for the BBC's Golden Jubilee, Dick's very first ten-part adventure by Edward J Mason was recreated with many of the original cast.

With Heron Carvic as The Professor, Derek Birch as Jimmie Law, Richard Hurndall as Sir Archie Wrangle and Geoffrey Collins as the Corporal.

Producer: Raymond Raikes

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1972.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...