Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Cradle That Rocked Itself 11/30/1947 (Stanley & Shirley)
Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travel to the Cornish Peninsula to investigate a series of unsettling events at Trevining Water. The mystery
Key takeaways
- Dr. Dennis Trevining used antimony (tartar emetic) to poison his uncle and the nurse, Matty Fennelly.
- The 'supernatural' rocking of the cradle was actually caused by Timothy, the black cat, entering through a broken window pane.
Main topics
- The Case of the Cradle That Rocked Itself
- Antimony poisoning and forensic deduction
Notable quotes
The cradle that rocked itself.
Conclusion
A classic demonstration of Holmesian deduction, where scientific obser
Transcript preview
Speaker 1 (0:00) Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. The Speaker 6 (0:24) makers of clipper-craft clothes for men and 924 leading retail stores from coast to coast present the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Speaker 6 (0:46) Our stories are based upon the character of Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes is portrayed by John Stanley, Dr. Watson by Alfred Shirley, and the dramatizations are by Edith Miser. Speaker 6 (1:01) Well, here we are again in front of Dr. Watson's cheerful fireplace, ready for another story about the fabulous Mr. Sherlock Holmes. What's it to be tonight, Dr. Watson? Speaker 3 (1:10) Personally, I always refer to tonight's adventure as the Cornish Horror, or the case of the cradle that rocked itself. Speaker 6 (1:16) The cradle that rocked itself? Why, that sounds fairly fantastic, Dr. Watson. Speaker 3 (1:20) Not only fantastic, Mr. Harris, sinister. But before we become further involved in the exceptional events that occurred on the Cornish Peninsula... Suppose you tell us of something exceptional that goes on all the time in the United States. I allude, of course, to the clipper craft plan. Speaker 6 (1:38) With a great deal of pleasure, Dr. Watson. The clipper craft plan really is something exceptional, and it goes on in the hometown of every man listening in. As a matter of fact, the great big idea behind the clipper craft plan is to give you the finest clothes at prices far less than you expect to pay at your own local independent store. at the store you can trust. Now, here's how it works. The remarkable Clipper Craft plan concentrates the buying power of 924 leading stores across America, making tremendous savings in manufacturing and distribution costs. It passes on those savings to you. That's why you can buy beautifully tailored Clipper Craft suits that look like twice the money at only $40 and $45. Topcoats and overcoats are only $40. The values are so amazingly outstanding that we urge you to compare them with clothes selling for many dollars more. Speaker 6 (2:36) And now to return to Cornwall. What were you and Sherlock Holmes doing down there, Dr. Watson? Speaker 3 (2:41) Recuperating. Holmes had spent a particularly active autumn solving three dangerous and exhausting cases in rapid succession. And a vacation was indicated. I had visions of basking in the south of France or sunny Italy. But not Holmes. He elected to return to the small cottage near Poldew Bay, which we had occupied once before. Speaker 6 (3:01) During the adventure of the Devil's Foot, if I'm not mistaken, Doctor. Right. Speaker 3 (3:05) Now, the bays and inlets of the Cornish Peninsula are green and sheltering in the sunny summer weather, but in December, the blustering gales whip the surge-swept reefs and blacken sinister cliffs. Well, one particularly violent Speaker 6 (3:20) morning, Speaker 3 (3:21) Holmes and I were ensconced on either side of the fireplace. Holmes was engrossed in a consignment of books on philology, which had just arrived from London. Speaker 5 (3:36) Watson, has it ever occurred to you that the ancient Cornish language is akin to the Chaldean? Speaker 3 (3:40) Well, inasmuch as I understand neither Cornish nor Chaldean, I can't say it has. Speaker 5 (3:45) It's quite logical, you know. These shores were undoubtedly visited by early Phoenician traders in Tyne. In fact, many historians believe that the pirates who later operated from this coast had more than their share of the old Phoenician heritage. Speaker 3 (3:56) You'll find his reputable background for any district. Profitable Speaker 5 (3:59) is the word, Watson. Hello, who's this fighting his way up the path at the teeth of the gale? Speaker 3 (4:04) Looks like your old tongue friend and fellow archaeologist, Mr. Roundhay, the vicar. I wonder Speaker 5 (4:10) what's occurred to bring the good Dominy out in this weather. I'd sooner expect to see a cat go swimming in a millrace. Well, don't let him stand there in the wet. Speaker 3 (4:17) Well, I'm going, I'm going. But you couldn't answer the door now and then. Why, Mr. Roundhay, delighted to see you, old man. Come in, come in. You look half-proud. Speaker 4 (4:29) Not half-proud. Totally and entirely soaked to the skin. Speaker 5 (4:33) Morning, Roundhane. How about a spot of hot grog with the tea kettles boiling on the hearth? Watson, fix the dicker a drink. Thank you. Speaker 4 (4:38) I'm afraid I need it as much for my nerves as I do for the chill, you know. Oh? Yes, Mr. Holmes. I have a problem, a rather serious problem, and I really don't know whether to come to Dr. Watson for help or to you. Speaker 3 (4:51) Well, why not consult both of us? It's not the first time we've collaborated on a case, eh, Holmes? Quiet, Watson. Don't interrupt. Speaker 5 (4:57) Just what is your problem, Mr. Roundhane? Speaker 4 (4:59) Well... It seems that the cradle at Trevining, Water, has been rocking again. Speaker 5 (5:04) Is that Speaker 4 (5:05) so unusual? You don't understand, Mr. Holmes. That cradle has been in the family for over five centuries. All the young Trevinings have placed in it at birth. It hasn't been used, however, since Wilfrida Trevining, the present Mrs. Gregory, was a child. In fact, the nursery has been kept locked ever since old Matty, the Trevining nurse, was sent off to the home for indigent females at Redruth three months ago. She'd been in the family for nearly 60 years, you see. Speaker 3 (5:27) Well, it seems rather heartless to get rid of her, eh, Speaker 4 (5:29) Holmes? My thought exactly. But Mortimer Gregory, he's the one who is married to Wilfrida Trevining, was quite determined about the matter. He said that old Matty was making his wife quite ill with her talk about the rocking cradle. Speaker 5 (5:41) What sort of talk? Speaker 4 (5:42) Well, you see, there's a sort of legend in the Trevining family that when one of them is about to die, the cradle starts to rock all by itself. Speaker 3 (5:52) Nice, eerie little superstition, eh, Holmes? Speaker 4 (5:55) As a matter of fact, the cradle had been heard rocking once or twice, but inasmuch as old Matty was still sleeping in the nursery, the family took it as a rather grim practical joke, all except Wilfrida. She became quite ill and upset, at which point her husband, who has a violent temper, said the old nurse had to go. Dr. Dennis Trevining, who is Wilfrida's cousin and physician as well, was inclined to agree with him, so they sent for a nurse from Mr. Dive's hospital to take over. On the day that she arrived, I was summoned to drive Mattie to the old lady's home in Redruth. I can't say I look forward to the event. Were your fears justified? Completely justified, Mr. Holmes. When I arrived at Trevining Water, the old woman was sitting on her boxes just inside the front door. Mr. Gregory and Dr. Trevining were endeavoring to quiet her catawar. Speaker 7 (6:48) babies into the world. I've given three generations of trebinings the whack that drove the breath of life into their bodies. Speaker 6 (6:57) After all, Matthew, I am a doctor. When Wilfreda's baby arrives, I expect to be on hand too, you know. Speaker 7 (7:03) You a doctor? I wouldn't trust you to treat my Timothy here. Hey, Timmy.