The Crime Wave at Blandings
Encyclopedia
"The Crime Wave at Blandings" is a short story
by P. G. Wodehouse
, which first appeared in the United States
in two parts, in the October 10 and October 17, 1936 editions of the Saturday Evening Post
, and in the United Kingdom
in the January 1937 issue of the Strand
. It was included in the collection Lord Emsworth and Others
, (1937), and provided the title to the U.S. equivalent of that collection.
The story was a rewritten version of an older piece, entitled "Creatures of Instinct", which had appeared in the Strand
in October 1914, and in the U.S. in McClure's
that same month. It is set at Blandings Castle
, home of Lord Emsworth
, and features several other well-known characters; the story is considered something of a classic, and is included in many "Best of Wodehouse" collections.
has decided that Lord Emsworth
's grandson George needs a tutor to keep him in line over the summer holidays—and chooses the efficient Rupert Baxter
. Meanwhile, his niece Jane wants him to employ her fiancé, George Abercrombie, the position of Estate Manager at Blandings, much to the dismay of Connie. Emsworth, who would rather be reading Whiffle's 'On the Care of the Pig', cannot imagine a way out, until an air gun
confiscated from young Master George shows the way.
, broadcast in March 1967 as the third of six half-hour episodes, under the title "Lord Emsworth and the Crime Wave at Blandings". The series starred Ralph Richardson
as Lord Emsworth and Stanley Holloway
as Beach. The master tapes of all but the first part were wiped, and no known copies of the other five episodes exist.
In 1985, the story was adapted into the final two episodes of the BBC Radio 4 series "Blandings", starring Richard Vernon
as Lord Emsworth and Margot Boyd
and Lady Constance. The adaptation also included Helen Atkinson-Wood
as Jane and Michael McClain as Mr. Baxter.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehouse
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE was an English humorist, whose body of work includes novels, short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics, and numerous pieces of journalism. He enjoyed enormous popular success during a career that lasted more than seventy years and his many writings continue to be...
, which first appeared in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in two parts, in the October 10 and October 17, 1936 editions of the Saturday Evening Post
The Saturday Evening Post
The Saturday Evening Post is a bimonthly American magazine. It was published weekly under this title from 1897 until 1969, and quarterly and then bimonthly from 1971.-History:...
, and in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the January 1937 issue of the Strand
Strand Magazine
The Strand Magazine was a monthly magazine composed of fictional stories and factual articles founded by George Newnes. It was first published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950 running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890.Its immediate...
. It was included in the collection Lord Emsworth and Others
Lord Emsworth and Others
-External links:* , with a list of characters and publication dates* , with details of published editions, photos of book covers and links to used copies...
, (1937), and provided the title to the U.S. equivalent of that collection.
The story was a rewritten version of an older piece, entitled "Creatures of Instinct", which had appeared in the Strand
Strand Magazine
The Strand Magazine was a monthly magazine composed of fictional stories and factual articles founded by George Newnes. It was first published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950 running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890.Its immediate...
in October 1914, and in the U.S. in McClure's
McClure's
McClure's or McClure's Magazine was an American illustrated monthly periodical popular at the turn of the 20th century. The magazine is credited with creating muckraking journalism. Ida Tarbell's series in 1902 exposing the monopoly abuses of John D...
that same month. It is set at Blandings Castle
Blandings Castle
Blandings Castle is a recurring fictional location in the stories of British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse, being the seat of Lord Emsworth , home to many of his family, and setting for numerous tales and adventures, written between 1915 and 1975.The series of stories which take place at the castle,...
, home of Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth
Clarence Threepwood, 9th Earl of Emsworth, or Lord Emsworth, is a recurring fictional character in the Blandings stories by British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. He is the amiable and somewhat absent-minded head of the large Threepwood family...
, and features several other well-known characters; the story is considered something of a classic, and is included in many "Best of Wodehouse" collections.
Plot introduction
Lady ConstanceLady Constance Keeble
Lady Constance Keeble is a recurring fictional character in the Blandings stories by British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse, being Lord Emsworth's most formidable sister, a strikingly handsome woman, with a fair, broad brow, and perfectly even white teeth...
has decided that Lord Emsworth
Lord Emsworth
Clarence Threepwood, 9th Earl of Emsworth, or Lord Emsworth, is a recurring fictional character in the Blandings stories by British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. He is the amiable and somewhat absent-minded head of the large Threepwood family...
's grandson George needs a tutor to keep him in line over the summer holidays—and chooses the efficient Rupert Baxter
Rupert Baxter
Rupert Baxter is a fictional character in the Blandings stories by P. G. Wodehouse. Often called The Efficient Baxter , he is Lord Emsworth's secretary, and an expert on many things, including Egyptian scarabs...
. Meanwhile, his niece Jane wants him to employ her fiancé, George Abercrombie, the position of Estate Manager at Blandings, much to the dismay of Connie. Emsworth, who would rather be reading Whiffle's 'On the Care of the Pig', cannot imagine a way out, until an air gun
Air gun
An air gun is a rifle , pistol , or shotgun that fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm, which burns a propellant. Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are classified as airsoft...
confiscated from young Master George shows the way.
Adaptations
The story was adapted for television by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, broadcast in March 1967 as the third of six half-hour episodes, under the title "Lord Emsworth and the Crime Wave at Blandings". The series starred Ralph Richardson
Ralph Richardson
Sir Ralph David Richardson was an English actor, one of a group of theatrical knights of the mid-20th century who, though more closely associated with the stage, also appeared in several classic films....
as Lord Emsworth and Stanley Holloway
Stanley Holloway
Stanley Augustus Holloway, OBE was an English stage and film actor, comedian, singer, poet and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady...
as Beach. The master tapes of all but the first part were wiped, and no known copies of the other five episodes exist.
In 1985, the story was adapted into the final two episodes of the BBC Radio 4 series "Blandings", starring Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon
Richard Vernon was a British actor. He appeared in many feature films and television programmes, often in aristocratic or supercilious roles...
as Lord Emsworth and Margot Boyd
Margot Boyd
Margot Boyd , born Beryl Billings, was an English stage, television and radio actress. She grew up in Bath and trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art...
and Lady Constance. The adaptation also included Helen Atkinson-Wood
Helen Atkinson-Wood
Helen Atkinson-Wood is an English actress and comedian born in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Cheshire.Atkinson-Wood studied fine art at the Ruskin School, Oxford University, where she performed with Rowan Atkinson...
as Jane and Michael McClain as Mr. Baxter.
See also
- List of Wodehouse's Blandings shorts
- Complete list of the Blandings books