By Wireless Telegraphy : The Story of a Celebrated Case single work   drama   crime   - 2 acts (11 scenes)
Issue Details: First known date: 1910... 1910 By Wireless Telegraphy : The Story of a Celebrated Case
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A dramatic recreation of the events surrounding the infamous murderer Dr Hawley Crippen, including his attempt to flee from England to America by ship, his capture by a Scotland Yard detective in a Canadian port and his eventual trial and execution in London.

Although attributed to 'Anson Grave' the authorship was in fact a play the names Anderson (Anson) and Redgrave (Grave). This is supported by a brief note in the Adelaide Advertiser which reads: 'The new drama founded on the Crippen case (to be staged at the King's Theatre, Melbourne) is written by Messrs. William Anderson and Roy Redgrave' (1 October 1910, p9).

The two biggest scenes, according to the Advertiser were set in London's Royal Music Hall and aboard the R.M.S. "Richmond" at sea (22 October 1910, p20). Chief among the "thrills" and incidents played out in the drama, too, was "an ocean fight for the possession of a wireless apparatus" (Queenslander 29 October 1910, p3). Redgrave naturally played Crippen, with George Cross as Inspector Walter Dew (Scotland Yard), and Max Clifton as the ship's captain. Other principal parts were taken by Bert Bailey, Edmund Duggan, Fred Kehoe and Olive Wilton. The music hall scene is believed to have incorporated vaudeville performances from several artists including Ida Gresham.

The advertised scenes are:

  • Scene 1. Interior of the Royal Music-hall, London. The Message from Mid-Channel.
  • Scene 2. Outside 105 Camberwell Road.
  • Scene 3. Interior of 105 Camberwell Road. The Wireless in the Cellar - The Discovery. The Murder.
  • Scene 4. Room in Dr Crippen's house.
  • Scene 5. Outside Charing Cross Station.
  • Scene 6. Entrance Hall of the Hotel des Frides. Bloodhounds on the trail.
  • Scene 7. The R.M.S. Richmond at the Quay.
  • Scene 8. The Richmond in Mid-ocean. The Struggle at the Masthead for the Mastery of the Wireless. One of the Most Thrilling Sensations Ever Presented.
  • Scene 9. Crippen's Cell in the Old Bailey.
  • Scene 10. Corridor in the Old Bailey.
  • Scene 11. Court-room in the Old Bailey. The Trial - Ethel speaks in her own defence - Dr Crippen's big move - The Verdict.

Notes

  • Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen (1862-1910) was an American homeopathic physician hanged in in London on 23 November 1910 for the murder of his wife. After being interviewed by Scotland Yard Crippen immediately left England and sailed back to America. He was arrested, however, when the ship called into Canada. The case is historically significant as he was the first criminal to be captured with the aid of wireless communication.

  • Another drama based on the Crippen case called Tracked by Wireless, had already been given its first production at the Grand Opera House in Los Angeles in September - a few months before Crippen was hanged. There is no relationship between that play and the Williams/Redgrave production apart from the subject matter.

  • The Argus advertisements refer to the protagonist as Dr Hawley Hippon. It is unclear whether this is a typographical error on the part of the newspaper or whether Anderson and Redgrave changed the name from Crippen to Hippon. If the latter is correct this would appear to be incongruous given the public's awareness of the case through the significant press coverage it received in Australia and around the world. Redgrave also apparently refers to his practice as a mesmerist. The real Crippon was a homeopathic physician.

    This entry is currently referring to the principal character as Crippen unless further research indicates otherwise.

Production Details

  • 1910: King's Theatre, Melbourne; 22 October - 3 November. Producer William Anderson; Director J. H. Nunn; Scenic Art Rege Robins; Music Director George Sutch; Business Manager Julius Grant.

    Cast: Roy Redgrave (Dr Hawley Crippen), George Cross (Inspector Drew), Olive Wilton (Ethel Lenore), Rutland Beckett (Ned Yorke), Max Clifton (Max Clifton), Bert Baily (Ikey Barney), Temple Harrison (Mickey Bernstein), Edmund Duggan (Captain of the R.M.S. Richmond), Mary Lang Meason (Bella Belmont, a music hall star and Crippen's wife), Edwin Campbell (Dr McAlister of the R.M.S. Richmond), Fred Kehoe (Bob Courtney, Manager of the Royal Music Hall), Gus Franks (Monsieur Ferron, Manager of the Hotel des Frides), J. H. Nunn (Herr Von Wertzebheimer), Frank Rossmore (Justic Chumleigh), Fanny Erris (Lottie Bashall), Nellie Bramley (Maggie Bashall), Ida Millet (Marmaid at the Royal), Lillie BRyer (Madame Blamage, a music hall artist).

    • Other characters included policemen, passengers, warders, guests, Gendarmes etc.

  • Entries connected with this record have been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written theatre and film being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

King's Theatre : 'Tracked by Wireless Telegraphy' 1910 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 24 October 1910; (p. 5)

— Review of By Wireless Telegraphy : The Story of a Celebrated Case Anson Grave , 1910 single work drama
King's Theatre : 'Tracked by Wireless Telegraphy' 1910 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 24 October 1910; (p. 5)

— Review of By Wireless Telegraphy : The Story of a Celebrated Case Anson Grave , 1910 single work drama
Last amended 16 Sep 2011 08:57:48
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