DVDs in the Works

It is with deep personal sadness that we note the passing of Sir Ian Carmichael last week at the ripe old age of 89. Sir Ian, who began his career in British film made an indelible impression on public television audiences with his iconic portrayal of Lord Peter Wimsey. The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries were so popular when they began broadcasting on Masterpiece Theatre in 1973 that WGBH decided to launch the Mystery! strand. So in his unassuming way, Sir Ian ushered in that golden age of British television mysteries on American screens. Those of you looking to re-experience those wonderful shows have no doubt noticed they’ve been off the market for a year or more (although on a certain website–named for a long South American river–you can find used copies at eye-popping prices) so we’re pleased to see two of the five, Clouds of Witness and The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, scheduled for a March 30th re-release. BBC didn’t manage to film the “Harriet Vane” novels with Sir Ian (that series went to Edward Petherbridge) but we did do audio recordings of those novels with Sir Ian and we’re working on getting them released. For a wonderful, late-life performance (when he was nearing 80), you can see him as the amiable aristocrat Lord Connor in our classic presentation of Wives and Daughters.