The Black Museum
The Sheath Knife
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The Black Museum is a crime anthology presented by Orson Welles, who introduces each story from the perspective of Scotland Yard’s collection of objects connected to real criminal cases. The objects—a weapon, a piece of clothing, or another item held as evidence—provide the starting point for a dramatized account of the crime surrounding them.
In “The Sheath Knife,” the featured object is a knife sheath. Welles’s narration frames the story, while actors bring the case to life through dialogue and sound. The program combines a documentary-style premise with the suspense and atmosphere of a radio crime drama.
Its appeal lies in the contrast between the museum’s quiet, factual setting and the disturbing events suggested by each exhibit. Welles’s measured introductions give the series a distinctive, ominous tone, making the objects themselves feel like unsettling witnesses to the crimes they represent.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.