I remember listening to this one when it was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4, cassette tape machine's microphone leaning against the radio's speaker. Happy days and an excellent documentary.

See also:

https://www.lashtal.com/aleister-crowley-documentary-on-bbc-radio-4-extra/

And: http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f0ae37cfd2fb4194b26539c57e5d2c9c

The Mischief Makers

BBC Radio 4 FM, 26 April 1986 22.30
Synopsis

Five studies in talent and perversity

4: Aleister Crowley

'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.' 'Love is the law - law under will.'

Crowley, poet, mountaineer and black magician, looms in some ways larger and more sinister today than at the time of his death in a seedy Hastings boarding-house nearly 40 years ago. With help from those who knew him or have written about him - Arthur Calder-Marshall, Robin Cecil, Francis King, Angela Yorke - and the voice of the master himself. Frances Donnelly tries to disinter the facts from the fiction obscuring the life of a man who delighted in being styled 'the wickedest man in the world'.

Producer GRAHAM TAYAR
Contributors

Unknown: Aleister Crowley
Unknown: Arthur Calder-Marshall
Unknown: Robin Cecil
Unknown: Francis King
Unknown: Angela Yorke
Unknown: Frances Donnelly

There was also a good documentary on Radio 4 in 1975, marking the 100th anniversary of Crowley's birth, including interviews with some who had known him. I have it on cassette tape somwehere, rather poor quality, since someone had taped it for me from Radio 4 Longwave.

I remember listening to this one when it was first broadcast

yeah there's some very interesting snippets that give great examples of Crowley's social interactions.

@dom

I thought the most interesting contribution came from Angela Yorke, talking about how Crowley used to visit them for Sunday lunch. The most risible contribution was that of Arthur Calder-Marshall, who was so paranoid that Crowley was going to seduce him that he turned up with his girlfriend.

This must be earlier programme: http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/134218da005746f4a46ed6b7375baad4

@michaelstaley

The most risible contribution was that of Arthur Calder-Marshall, who was so paranoid that Crowley was going to seduce him that he turned up with his girlfriend.

Risible? Why? Wasn't that a good example of 'the demon Crowley' at work?

@dom

Have you heard Calder-Marshall's contribution? It's both risible and hilarious. I've no idea whether or not it is a "good example of 'the demon Crowley' at work" as you suggest, and frankly I care even less. However, it certainly is comedy gold to hear the pompous, self-important twerp relate it.

Have you heard Calder-Marshall’s contribution? It’s both risible and hilarious. I’ve no idea whether or not it is a “good example of ‘the demon Crowley’ at work” as you suggest, and frankly I care even less. However, it certainly is comedy gold to hear the pompous, self-important twerp relate it.

This is the guy who said that Crowley was trying to take advantage of him by getting him alone and then plying him with brandy? Right?

@dom

This is the guy who said that Crowley was trying to take advantage of him by getting him alone and then plying him with brandy? Right?

Yes, right.

What are you saying that the guy is a liar?

@dom

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/risible?

I'm open to believing that story. I suggest you reread Colin Wilson's bio on AC. He was perpetually on the run from reality encroaching upon his oversized addict ego.

That doesn't take away his more lucid moments of creative writing, insights and philosophy but get some perspective here. You wouldn't have lent this guy money if you have any sense that is.

@dom

I’m open to believing that story. I suggest you reread Colin Wilson’s bio on AC. He was perpetually on the run from reality encroaching upon his oversized addict ego.

That doesn’t take away his more lucid moments of creative writing, insights and philosophy but get some perspective here. You wouldn’t have lent this guy money if you have any sense that is.

I have no difficulty whatever in believing that the incident happened. What I found risible was Arthur Calder-Marshall himself. When you say "but get some perspective here" you seem to be under the impression that I am some Crowley fan-boy who suppurates Crowleyanity from every pore and who cannot believe anything bad about his guru.

Puh-leaze.

@ Michael Staley
Haven’t you learned to vilipend the posts that pose as an authority, and even poses as a shrink from time to time ?

@Tiger

By and large yes, but there are times when I cannot resist, as in this case.

Yeah yeah yeah.

Michael follow your own advice and be more lucid then and we wouldn't have Tiger interjecting with his usual silliness and argument stirring.

@dom

Pot, kettle, black.

The most risible contribution was that of Arthur Calder-Marshall, who was so paranoid that Crowley was going to seduce him that he turned up with his girlfriend.

Your implication Michael is that there were no grounds for paranoia. He said he tried to ply him with whisky when his girlfriend left the room and he was alone with AC. Now maybe this guy was a paranoid little gossip monger and AC didn't want to do anything to him. We don't know either way but Regardie was also "paranoid" about AC's sexual intentions towards him. I dunno maybe Regardie was also unreasonably homophobic and overly insecure.