Orson Welles was both host and narrator for stories of horror and mystery based on Scotland Yard's collection of murder weapons and various ordinary objects once associated with historical true crime cases. The show's opening began:

This is Orson Welles, speaking from London. (sound of Big Ben chiming) The Black Museum ... a repository of death. Here in the grim stone structure on the Thames which houses Scotland Yard is a warehouse of homicide, where everyday objects ... a womans shoe, a tiny white box, a quilted robe ... all are touched by murder.

Walking through the museum, Welles would pause at one of the exhibits, and his description of an artifact served as a device to lead into a wryly-narrated dramatized tale of a brutal murder or a vicious crime. In the closing:

"Now until we meet again in the same place and I tell you another tale of the Black Museum", Welles concluded with his signature radio phrase, "I remain, as always, obediently yours".

In the United States, the series aired on the Mutual Network between (January 1 and December 30, 1952). Beginning May 7, 1953, it was also broadcast over Radio Luxembourg sponsored by the cleaning products Dreft and Mirro. Since the BBC carried no commercials, Radio Luxembourg aired sponsored programs at night to England.


Episode Listing for the Black Museum programs included in this collection:

Black Museum - 01 - The 22 Caliber Pistol
Black Museum - 02 - The Center Fire Bullet
Black Museum - 03 - The Bath Tub
Black Museum - 04 - The Gladstone Bag
Black Museum - 05 - The Brickbat
Black Museum - 06 - The Brass Button
Black Museum - 07 - The Can Of Weed Killer
Black Museum - 08 - The Canvas Bag
Black Museum - 09 - The Car Tire
Black Museum - 10 - The Champagne Glass
Black Museum - 11 - The Claw Hammer
Black Museum - 12 - The Door Key
Black Museum - 13 - The Faded Tartan Scarf
Black Museum - 14 - The Four Small Bottles
Black Museum - 15 - The French-English Dictionary
Black Museum - 16 - The Receipt
Black Museum - 17 - The Frosted Glass Shards
Black Museum - 18 - The Hammerhead
Black Museum - 19 - The Jack Handle
Black Museum - 20 - The Jar of Acid
Black Museum - 21 - The Khaki Handkerchief
Black Museum - 22 - The Lady's Shoe
Black Museum - 23 - The Leather Bag
Black Museum - 24 - The Letter
Black Museum - 25 - The Mandolin String
Black Museum - 26 - The Meat Juice
Black Museum - 27 - The Two Scribbled Notes
Black Museum - 28 - The Wooden Mallet
Black Museum - 29 - The Open End Wrench
Black Museum - 30 - The Spectacles
Black Museum - 31 - The Chain
Black Museum - 32 - The Pink Powder Puff
Black Museum - 33 - The Postcard
Black Museum - 34 - The Doctor's Prescription
Black Museum - 35 - The Raincoat
Black Museum - 36 - The Sash Cord
Black Museum - 37 - The Service Card
Black Museum - 38 - The Sheath Knife
Black Museum - 39 - The Shopping Bag
Black Museum - 40 - The Shilling
Black Museum - 41 - The Silencer
Black Museum - 42 - The Little White Boxes
Black Museum - 43 - The Spotted Bedsheet
Black Museum - 44 - The Straight Razors
Black Museum - 45 - The Tan Shoe
Black Museum - 46 - The Telegram
Black Museum - 47 - The Trunk
Black Museum - 48 - The Two Bullets
Black Museum - 49 - The Walking Stick
Black Museum - 50 - The Women's Glove
Black Museum - 51 - The Woolen Jacket