Rippercast- The Jack the Ripper Podcast

[Jeff Leahy]

The list of shows we covered was BY NO MEANS exhaustive, even with the knowledge at the time of making it. I think we left out the James Mason because it was only about 90 seconds and we all know about it.

I would have been happy to have spoken further about the Ustinov one, which is one of my favourites and I didn't even mention The Trial Of Jack The Ripper where the late, great Beadle managed to hoodwink everyone into agreeing it was Maybrick.

I do have the other Channel Four programme you speak of, Billy, and I too can't remember its name. Nor did we cover the superb Central TV show from 1988 on The Black Museum, showing the mortuary shots on TV for the first time. This was the programme that got me into true crime. Everything stems from there for me.

PHILIP

Sounds like the start of a new book called "Jack the Ripper A to TV"

[BillyE]

...the superb Central TV show from 1988 on The Black Museum, showing the mortuary shots on TV for the first time. This was the programme that got me into true crime. Everything stems from there for me.

PHILIP

And grateful we should all be for this program, Philip for sparking your interest, and leading you to the work you do. I'll still look for the title of the History Channel's show about Scotland Yard. I see it advertised every so often, so you'd think I could remember it.

According to IMDb.com the "Secrets of the Unknown:Jack the Ripper" a 1989 production, had a run time of 28 minutes, so my 30 minute guess wasn't too far off the mark. At any rate it was remarkable in the fact of one of the commentators was Robert Bloch, who I don't remember being in any other JtR documentary.

[George Hutchinson]

The list of shows we covered was BY NO MEANS exhaustive, even with the knowledge at the time of making it. I think we left out the James Mason because it was only about 90 seconds and we all know about it.

I would have been happy to have spoken further about the Ustinov one, which is one of my favourites and I didn't even mention The Trial Of Jack The Ripper where the late, great Beadle managed to hoodwink everyone into agreeing it was Maybrick.

I do have the other Channel Four programme you speak of, Billy, and I too can't remember its name. Nor did we cover the superb Central TV show from 1988 on The Black Museum, showing the mortuary shots on TV for the first time. This was the programme that got me into true crime. Everything stems from there for me.

PHILIP

[jmenges]

For those just tuning in, the episodes currently missing from the RSS feed are:

2- Capturing the Victims with RJM

3- Final Cut w/ Justin Dombrowski

4- Sour Grapes w/ Dan Norder

5- The Barrister of Bright Talent w/ Andy Spallek

7- Tour Guide From Hell w/ Philip Hutchinson

9- Is the Solution at Hand? w/ Stan Russo

I'll try to get them reupped tomorrow.

The missing episodes in iTunes problem should now be fixed and all past shows available.

JM

[Jeff Leahy]

I looked into this a few years ago, and saw the production files for Farson's series at the British Film Institute, among other things.

There were two series of Farson's Guide to the British. The first was broadcast weekly from 2 July to 10 September 1959, and the second of 18 programmes started on 5 November and 12 November, with the two programmes on Jack the Ripper, entitled "The Wave of Terror" and "Curious Incident at the Tombstone". Farson says that originally there were intended to be three programmes (Jack the Ripper, p. 117).

During the first series (possibly in the first episode, "The London River") Farson broadcast an appeal for information about Jack the Ripper, having been shown "the Ripper's haunts" by Colin Wilson [Never a Normal Man, p. 267]. It was in response to that appeal that Farson apparently received the famous letter from Mr Knowles, which mentioned the mysterious publication, "The East End Murderer - I Knew Him".

Apparently Farson already knew Lady Rose McLaren. He says in his book on Jack the Ripper that he was staying with her in North Wales when he mentioned his research on the Ripper, and she remarked that it was a coincidence because they were going to visit her mother-in-law Lady Aberconway that afternoon. It was during that visit that she produced her copy of Macnaghten's memoranda. Farson's visit to Lady Rose may have been connected with one of the programmes in his first series, entitled "British and Gardens", in which she appeared (broadcast 13 August). Lady Aberconway later appeared in another episode entitled Cats" (broadcast 3 December). I believe the "Cats" episode (or at least part of it) still survives at the BFI.

The second series was sold to the Australian Broadcasting Commission for broadcast between 1 July 1960 and 30 June 1965 from stations in or near Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, but unfortunately the contract specified that the prints should be destroyed when the contract expired, and a certificate of destruction supplied. I suppose you can never be sure, though.

That's the only sale to a foreign broadcaster noted in the files. But it seems that they did sometimes supply copies of programmes for private viewing, so maybe there's a very slim chance that something has survived.

Many thanks for clarifying that information Chris. I didn't know about the distruction clause on the Australian copies..it would be quite a find if one still exists by the sound of it.

Do you know if any accurate script, running order, edit script or content break down of the progrm exists anywhere? which would indicate the exact content of the program's?

Many thanks for your time

Jeff

[BillyE]

Hi Jonathan, Philip, and Mike. Great show. With me it ranks right up there with the Docklands show. So much fun.

A few words I had on some of the subjects touched upon in the podcast:
I have seen some of the Barlow and Watt Jack the Ripper on YouTube, even had some saved to my favorites there, but almost as soon as they're up on YouTube they are pulled, I'm sure because of copyright laws.

It was my understanding Stephen Knight worked as a researcher for the Barlow and Watt program when he met Joseph Gorman "Sickert" which led to his book "Final Solution". I could be mistaken, but that was my take on what happened.

I do have the documentary on the second "From Hell" disk, and also the "Final Solution" on VHS, if you're interested.

Both "The Diary of Jack the Ripper" and "In Search of" with Leonard Nemoy are on YouTube, and are worth watching, if only for fun. I did enjoy the roundtable discussion on "Diary" with Martin Fido, Paul Begg, Donald Rumbelow, Colin Wilson, and other Ripper luminaries. The second version of "In Search of" was hosted by Mitch Pileggi, and was shown on American television on the Sci-Fi Channel. Every so often they'll replay the single season it had.


I have the A&E Biography "Jack the Ripper: Phantom of Death" on VHS, from I'm guessing the 90's. It has Stewart Evans talking about Tumblety, and one of my favorite authors Caleb Carr adding commentary. The intro and closing thoughts still feature Peter Graves on the copy I have.

The History Channel did two documentaries featuring JtR, one "The Hunt for Jack the Ripper" and the other about the famous cases of Scotland Yard. Can't place my finger on the title just yet. But both were hosted by Arthur Kent, and narrated by David Ackroyd.

I do have a copy of "Secrets of the Unknown" with Edward Mulhare that I have sandwiched between a copy of the Michael Caine mini-series and the movie Time After Time, both of which I now have on DVD. I remember it being at least 30 minutes, or so I thought. I'll have to see if I can find it again to watch and time.

The Travel Channel's program was called "Top Ten Places of Mystery" and the murder sites of JtR was the number one choice. The JtR segment only lasted about 10 minutes, and didn't go into any real detail of the case. Fun to watch, though.

The final thing I'd like to mention is the absence of mention of the 1967 James Mason walking tour of London called "The London Nobody Knows" featuring the back yard of No. 29 Hanbury Street.

Anyway, the show was great to listen to, and I did learn a lot. I'll be searching for some more documentaries now.

[Chris]

Re: The Farson program. As far as I'm aware Farson met Lady Abber Conway while interviewing her about her 'CATS' in an unrelated earlier program.

I looked into this a few years ago, and saw the production files for Farson's series at the British Film Institute, among other things.

There were two series of Farson's Guide to the British. The first was broadcast weekly from 2 July to 10 September 1959, and the second of 18 programmes started on 5 November and 12 November, with the two programmes on Jack the Ripper, entitled "The Wave of Terror" and "Curious Incident at the Tombstone". Farson says that originally there were intended to be three programmes (Jack the Ripper, p. 117).

During the first series (possibly in the first episode, "The London River") Farson broadcast an appeal for information about Jack the Ripper, having been shown "the Ripper's haunts" by Colin Wilson [Never a Normal Man, p. 267]. It was in response to that appeal that Farson apparently received the famous letter from Mr Knowles, which mentioned the mysterious publication, "The East End Murderer - I Knew Him".

Apparently Farson already knew Lady Rose McLaren. He says in his book on Jack the Ripper that he was staying with her in North Wales when he mentioned his research on the Ripper, and she remarked that it was a coincidence because they were going to visit her mother-in-law Lady Aberconway that afternoon. It was during that visit that she produced her copy of Macnaghten's memoranda. Farson's visit to Lady Rose may have been connected with one of the programmes in his first series, entitled "British and Gardens", in which she appeared (broadcast 13 August). Lady Aberconway later appeared in another episode entitled Cats" (broadcast 3 December). I believe the "Cats" episode (or at least part of it) still survives at the BFI.

I understand that copies of Farsons 'Jack the Ripper' program were made, as it was distributed abroad. If anyone is reading from Australia or Ripperroo, then that could be the best chance of digging up a copy.( I heard somewhere it has interveiws with relatives of Martha Tabram but I'm not certain if this is true?)

The second series was sold to the Australian Broadcasting Commission for broadcast between 1 July 1960 and 30 June 1965 from stations in or near Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, but unfortunately the contract specified that the prints should be destroyed when the contract expired, and a certificate of destruction supplied. I suppose you can never be sure, though.

That's the only sale to a foreign broadcaster noted in the files. But it seems that they did sometimes supply copies of programmes for private viewing, so maybe there's a very slim chance that something has survived.

[Jeff Leahy]

Did they miss this one? (Haven't listened yet as I'm still on the one before). I saw that alone late one night, somewhat intoxicated on something herbal from memory, and it completely gave me the willies! Since I'd heard very little on the diary at that stage, and certainly heard nothing against it, I was fairly convinced at the time, and the bloke who did the diary voiceovers did a wonderfully creepy reading.

I've watched it several times since, including very recently, and it's a good watch - very entertaining, and of course featuring several notable Ripperologists. It was here that I first encountered the larger than life personality of Martin Fido, pack of Marlboros in his pocket, saying things like "Oh dear, oh dear, it's not good enough!"

Cheers,
B.

Tom Baker is a legend..the best 'Doctor Who', The best 'Little Britain' and the best legless Pirate

[Jeff Leahy]

We could just film a documentary, have Jonathon do the voice over in his velvet tones, and post it on youtube, with a link to the Rippercast website!

Yep, it could be done that way. However, I do rather enjoy the live feel of the podcasts and the spontanious comments etc. It would be a shame to lose the 'podcast' feel.

Which is why I thought webcams at the sites.

Perhaps i'm just being over adventurous..I'm happy to film a mini doc with a link if that is the preffered route. Its Rippercasts call.

We have access to Three cameras..(DV CAM)

jeff

[Bailey]

RE: Maybrick. I was curious what happened to Tom Bakers documentary on Maybrick? Must have been early 90's?

Jeff

Did they miss this one? (Haven't listened yet as I'm still on the one before). I saw that alone late one night, somewhat intoxicated on something herbal from memory, and it completely gave me the willies! Since I'd heard very little on the diary at that stage, and certainly heard nothing against it, I was fairly convinced at the time, and the bloke who did the diary voiceovers did a wonderfully creepy reading.

I've watched it several times since, including very recently, and it's a good watch - very entertaining, and of course featuring several notable Ripperologists. It was here that I first encountered the larger than life personality of Martin Fido, pack of Marlboros in his pocket, saying things like "Oh dear, oh dear, it's not good enough!"

Cheers,
B.

[Mike Covell]

We could just film a documentary, have Jonathon do the voice over in his velvet tones, and post it on youtube, with a link to the Rippercast website!

[Jeff Leahy]

Broadband schmoardband!!

Skype has the ability to be twinned with your mibile phone, so you could go to a ripper site and have Jonathon call you! Not sure of the cost though!

Reeves picked Tumblety!! Thanks, that was really bugging me!

I just thought if we could find a near by Internet Cafe that might make things easier..and of course while our men are at murder sights it would be rather useful if we could also see what they are talking about..however I have no idea whether webcams are possible or would even work..

Or could the podcast be linked to video content on Utube in some way?

Another idea that may work, is that I film the guys on site..you make the podcast..I import podcast to FCP..paste picture over the top..however sinking V/O would be difficult..I could add photos however.

You've got to admit if there on sight doing a sought of virtual Ripper tour it would be great to see whats happening and what they are saying?...

all best mike

[Mike Covell]

Broadband schmoardband!!

Skype has the ability to be twinned with your mibile phone, so you could go to a ripper site and have Jonathon call you! Not sure of the cost though!

Reeves picked Tumblety!! Thanks, that was really bugging me!

[Sam Flynn]

Re: Barlow and Watts. I may have this wrong as I was quite young at the time, But I believe Barlow and Watts characters started in the BBC series 'Dixon of Dock green' and then later 'Z cars'. They were later given their own spin off series called Softly Softly. And the Barlow and Watts 'Jack the Ripper' was a spin off from that program.

I don't think B&W appeared in Dixon of Dock Green, Jeff, although I stand to be corrected. You're certainly right about Z-Cars (that's definitely "ZED-Cars", by the way, for all our friends in the States ), which has to have featured one of the best theme tunes in the history of television.

All together now: "A-rum-tum-tum, triddle-um-tum-tum, triddle-um-tum-diddle-iddle-um-tum-tum... Dah dah daaah, da-dah dah dah daah, dah-dah-daaah, da-dah dah daah..."

[Jeff Leahy]

Just listened to the TV documentary episode. Which I must say is one of the best podcasts so far. And for obvious reasons held my attention:

Just some quick observations:

Re: The Farson program. As far as I'm aware Farson met Lady Abber Conway while interviewing her about her 'CATS' in an unrelated earlier program.

I understand that copies of Farsons 'Jack the Ripper' program were made, as it was distributed abroad. If anyone is reading from Australia or Ripperroo, then that could be the best chance of digging up a copy.( I heard somewhere it has interveiws with relatives of Martha Tabram but I'm not certain if this is true?)

Re: Barlow and Watts. I may have this wrong as I was quite young at the time, But I believe Barlow and Watts characters started in the BBC series 'Dixon of Dock green' and then later 'Z cars'. They were later given their own spin off series called Softly Softly. And the Barlow and Watts 'Jack the Ripper' was a spin off from that program.

RE: Vic Reeves..He narrowed it down to Tumbelty.

RE: Atlantic 'The First Serial Killer'. The main premise of the program was to try and extract DND from a Shawl that most experts believe to be fake.

RE: Maybrick. I was curious what happened to Tom Bakers documentary on Maybrick? Must have been early 90's?

Anyway thanks for this podcast guys..its given me loads of ideas on documentaries I have not seen and should now track down.

I'm still keen to get involved in a live broadcast from the Ripper sites..Richard was trying to find out if we could get Broadband connections in the areas. Given some recent questions and confussion could be one for Rob and Philip?

Many thanks again. Keep up excellent work.

Jeff