Well worth a listen for die hard fans!

Definitively 'of an era', but nevertheless an enjoyable listen. This is the story of how Paul met Steve, right back at the beginning. Good stuff.
Great quality sound reconstruction, dubious acting abilities and quick paced story.

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Not Paul Temple.

I was disappointed in this version. mainly because of the voices and over acting. The voice of Paul Temple was totally wrong. He sounded too old, older than Sir Graham Forbes. The actor who played Dale would have been better suited to play Paul. The actor playing Miss Parchment over acted it and ruined the performance. The sound effects were of the period, as was the music. I love Francis Durbridge plays and it was the story that kept me listening not the actors. listen to Anthony Head's version instead, you'll enjoy it far more than this one.

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1 person found this helpful

An historic curio for Paul Temple fans

Paul Temple stories were popular in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. They involve an author/amateur sleuth, who is so effective at detective work that Scotland Yard regularly ask for his help in solving criminal mysteries. Paul Temple’s lifestyle is upper middle class with live-in servant, foreign travel, posh cars, evening cocktail parties and night clubs. It seems rather suave and sophisticated. The plots often involve cryptic clues and are well constructed, however, they can seem quite clichéd, but in a charming and lost era kind of way.

If you are a Paul Temple fan then this will be a curio that may interest you. It is the first Paul Temple story and involves his meeting with Steve prior to their marriage. It is in the same vein as later radio plays in this series, but the characters seem even more wooden than expected. It also includes an insightful interview with Peter Coke (in his later years) where he reminisces about the Paul Temple radio series that he starred in.

If you are not a Paul Temple fan then I would advise listening to any of the Peter Coke and Marjory Westbury radio plays before listening to this one. Coke and Westbury are the definitive interpreters of the Paul and Steve Temple characters and if they cannot entertain you then this historic recording probably will not either.

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3 people found this helpful

Good Old British Drama - Original Oldie

A nice edition to own in ones Paul Temple collection. Nostalgic old style early original. However; this is not as funny as the later versions staring Marjory Westbury as Stevie and Peter Cook the chauvinist hilarious Paul. I have them all and each and every one is ideal for curling up and listening on a cold windy Sunday afternoon. Do not miss out on this one, it is still good old British drama with Bernard Braden & Peggy Hassard (I know nothing about these old actors) their style is much more tapered down than Westbury & Cook and more serious. But still good.

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brilliant!

I love Paul Temple, it's just a pity it's not a Peter Cook dramatised version.

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1 person found this helpful

Great don't miss it.

Where does Send for Paul Temple rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this was good as the rest relax sit back and enjoy

What was one of the most memorable moments of Send for Paul Temple?

when you think i have it wrong its not them.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Steve is great backing up Paul

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Nostalgia & Murder - a perfect combination

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If I was to recommend this to a friend I would have to pick that friend carefully, but for some of my acquaintances of a certain age, like myself, the whole thing, from the signature tune to the actual performance via the story is a little bit of heaven.

What did you like best about this story?

Classic easy writing, pitch perfect for the genre, and without any of the hidden agendas or psychological agonising that modern writers seem to think is an essential part of 'communicating with the reader'. Some may feel that the characters are a little too sharply drawn - perhaps too 'black and white' if I can use that phrase, but this was written for radio in a particular period, when for example a gentleman would never have left home without a hat - so what else would you expect?

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The Paul Temple series was a radio drama, so finding this and the others in the series has been a joy. Radio paints pictures in your mind, creates characters that live, and so you get a more direct connection which would otherwise have to be filled by pages of print. Having read a Paul Temple novel I prefer the audio books of the broadcasts for easy listening.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither laughter nor crying, but a pang for an age long since gone, when things seemed by comparison to be a lot simpler, and manners were a lot more in evidence!

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Excellent

Was really happy to hear it. Bonus fun was I live in the Simon's Town area mentioned in the play lol.

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Brilliant 50s drama

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this audio 'performance' rather than book it is just so 1950's cocktails dressing for dinner and a bonkers plot

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paul Temple and Steve these are the main characters in what is one their first ever stories together.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I kept doing more ironing just to find out what happens

Any additional comments?

Because this made in the 1950's and is an original recording some of the language used is perhaps not as correct as it would be now and the fact the women in the story are perhaps not as strong as they might be now. It should be listened to in the context of when it was performed, so enjoy

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Very poor editing!

The editing is awful... duplication of chapters and odd inclusions of music, adverts for other programmes. Very disappointed

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