A BBC Radio series, dramatising five true cases of Sir Edward Marshall Hall
, a famous barrister of the early twentieth century.
This show contains examples of:
- Composite Character: In "The Camden Town Murder", Sir Edward cross-examines a baker. In the real case, this was done by the instructing solicitor, Arthur Newton.
- Downer Ending: "A Death at Christmas". Sir Edward's client is sentenced to death, his appeal fails, and the law on criminal insanity is not reformed for another thirty years.
- Insanity Defence: "A Death at Christmas".
- Large Ham: Sir Edward was well-known for his theatrical style. Tom Baker plays him to the hilt.
- Narrator: Each show is introduced and narrated by John Mortimer.
- Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: "Leave. The brief. Here."
- Unconventional Courtroom Tactics: Sir Edward demonstrates various methods of distracting the jury when the prosecution makes a telling point. Among them are noisily blowing his nose, knocking over a carafe of water, and blowing up an inflatable cushion.
- The Watson: Mostyn, Sir Edward's clerk.
