Dick George: Private Investigator

Francis Matthews stars in this trilogy of crime capers spoofing 1930s Hollywood moviesPaul 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 creditsWritten by Susan MaxwellDirected by Glyn DearmanStarring Francis Matthews as Dick George, Margaret Robertson as Dora, Edward de Souza as Blore and Ronald Herdman as Pasta the dogThe Case of the Cool CanaryRuth-Ann Rogers/Lucille Lamont - Lisa JacobsLouie - Nigel AnthonyMugsy Moran - Harry TowbCharlie - Alan TilvernFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9 September 1986The Case of the Substitute SpouseAntony Legrange - Liza RossBarrett Legrange - Blain FairmanZebediah - Don FellowsConnie Morgan/Operator/Librarian - Bonnie HurrenSheriff Johnson - Bob ShermanFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 February 1989The Case of the Vanishing VampMugsy Moran - Harry TowbLoretta Raine - Liza RossHarry Loomis - Ed BishopJonathan Dane - Peter WhitmanMarie Celeste - Nicky CroydonCentral Casting - Bonnie HurrenFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16 July 1992(c) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd