'Edward Blaire, a young experimental chemist who discovers a remarkably cheap and powerful substitute for petrol; his patron, Sir Anthony Atherton-Wayne, a wealthy armaments manufacturer; Elizabeth Blaire, his sister engaged to Robert Ashton, secretary to Sir Anthony — and a mysterious criminal known as "The Owl" because of his habit of moving out after nightfall and giving a melancholy cry reminiscent of the hoot of an owl — these are but a few of the Intriguing characters of the new serial.'
Source:
'National Programme: "Fly by Night",' Katoomba Daily, 18 March 1937, p.4.
For a list of episodes, see Notes.
Fly by Night : A Jeffery Blackburn Adventure
London
:
John Long
,
1942
Z814322
1942
single work
novel
detective
'A series of daring jewel thefts, each preceded by a written warning. . .
The discovery of a new formula for a chemical able to replace petrol at a fraction of the cost. Then another warning threatening the theft of that formula by a mysterious criminal who wear a billowing costume and a sinister bird-like mask. . .
Then the bodies start piling up!
The public are suddenly aware of the nefarious nocturnal crimes of the Owl, who seems to be able to appear and vanish at will in the mansions of the wealthy.
Chief Inspector William Read of New Scotland Yard conscripts freelance sleuth Jeffery Blackburn to assist him in tackling this eerie mystery. There are suspects aplenty in the home of wealthy baronet Atherton-Wayne. Can Read and Blackburn clip the wings of the Owl before it's too late?' - Back cover, Ramble House ed.
List of episodes:
1. Formula Number Four
2. Design for Death
3. The Gentleman from Buenos Aires
4. Mixed Doubles
5. To the Highest Bidder
6. Ashton Learns the Truth
7. Black and White Evidence.
8. The Intriguing Mr. Todhunter
9. Terror by Night
10. The Secret of the Vault
11. Ashes to Ashes
12. Find the Woman
13. The Owl Unmasked
Broadcast on 2FC from 7 April 1937 (weekly instalments at 7:40pm on Wednesdays).
Producer: Charles Wheeler.
Cast: James Raglan (Jeffrey Blackburn), Vivian Edwards (Chief Inspector Read), Hilda Scurr (Elizabeth Blaine), Max Osbiston (Edward Blaine), John Weston (Robert Ashton), and Ben Lewin (Sir Anthony Atherton-Wayne).
Source:
'Mystery of the Sinister "Owl"', Daily Examiner, 2 April 1937, p.7.
