The Fourth Tower of Inverness is a radio series that made its debut back in the fall of 1972. The series follows the adventures of Jack Flanders as he unravels the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of his uncle, the great explorer, Lord Henry Jowls and the strange incidents that keep occurring around the Inverness estate.
I first heard the radio drama back around 1981 when I was in the 7th grade. One way or another I stumbled across public radio and quickly discovered that on Sunday nights, they aired radio dramas. The ones that most stand out in my memory are the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Lord Peter Wimsey, a BBC production of The Lord of the Rings, and the Fourth Tower of Inverness. There were two radio stations that featured radio dramas that I could pick up on my FM stereo: KQED from San Francisco and KCSM in San Mateo. The broadcasts would start around 7pm and go until 11pm (well past my bedtime, but I would listen with my headphones to avoid getting caught).
The radio shows really pushed my imagination – something I wasn’t used to. Although I have always been an avid reader, the TV was an always present source of entertainment as I grew up. When I listened to these radio shows it opened up an entirely new dimension.
I recently rediscovered ZBS Foundation, who produces a number of modern radio dramas, to include the Forth Tower of Inverness. It has been a pleasure to dive back in. The Forth Tower of Inverness stands the test of time – ZBS’s other offering are also worthy. Check ’em out.
