On this day, Oct. 20, in 1930, “Sherlock Holmes” premieres on NBC radio, introducing the adventures of “The World’s Greatest Detective” into America’s living rooms.
Few figures loom larger in old time radio mystery than Holmes. He was not radio’s first mystery character, that was the evil Dr. Fu Manchu and the detective Nayland Smith in 1929. Holmes may not even be the detective most associated with radio, that would be “The Shadow.”
But for class and enduring popularity, no creation could top Holmes, which featured some of the era’s finest actors.
The half-hour drama was the inspiration of Edith Meiser, an actress and mystery lover who was convinced the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classics would make great listening.
The program debuted with William Gillette as Holmes but used an ever-changing cast.
The radio program reached the height of its popularity from 1939 to 1946 with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce portraying Holmes and Dr. Watson. The pair also played the characters in several films during that same time.
— Scott McCabe
