Professor Branestawm

Story

Professor Branestawm might sound like a genius but his inventions never seem to work quite as they should. His elixir of life animates the waste paper in the bin and the burglar-catcher can’t quite decide who is a burglar and who isn’t. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment when the Professor is around.

Why we chose it

The eccentric Professor has enjoyed a number of revivals over the years. The humour in his dysfunctional inventions and his absent- minded blunders have kept him in print for decades. Although the first book was published in 1933, the most recent television adaptation was in 2015.

Where it came from

After volunteering for service during World War I, Hunter wrote books on advertising, brain-teasers and conjuring. He then turned his hand to performing as a stage magician. It was during that time he decided to write Professor Branestawm, originally for the radio. Its original publication included illustrations by W Heath Robinson.

Where it went next

There are thirteen books in total in the Professor Branestawm series, written over the course of fifty years. There have been two television adaptations, one in 1969 and the other produced by the BBC in 2014/5, starring Harry Hill. Although originally intended for radio, the stories didn’t make it on air until 2001, 68 years after publication.

Associated stories

Other stories in the series include Professor Branestawn’s Treasure Hunt (1937), Professor Branestawn’s Perilous Pudding (1979), Professor Branestawn’s Pocket Motor Car (1981), Professor Branestawn’s Mouse War (1982) and Professor Branestawn’s Hair-Raising Idea (1983).