The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Terrifying Cats" (2026)
100 Greatest Old Time Detective StoriesShow Notes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes presents “The Terrifying Cats,” originally broadcast February 25, 1946. Also known as “Murder at the Opera,” this Mutual Broadcasting System drama stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Eric Snowden as Dr. Watson, substituting for the ill Nigel Bruce.
Holidaying in Rome, Holmes and Watson attend a performance of Verdi’s La Traviata and are drawn backstage when celebrated soprano Gina Valcasi seeks help for her overwhelming fear of cats. Amid opera-house rivalries and mounting unease, Holmes investigates the secrets behind the theater’s glittering façade. Written by Denis Green and Anthony Boucher, the story was suggested by an incident in Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of Black Peter.”
100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters: 00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction 00:52 Original Broadcast 32:39 Closing
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