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The Treasure of Abbot Thomas
"The Treasure of Abbot Thomas" is a ghost story by British writer M. R. James. It was published in his book Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904). Plot summaryThe tale tells the story of Somerton, a scholar of medieval history, who tells a rector the frightening tale of how, while searching an abbey library, he found clues leading him to the hidden treasure of a disgraced abbot. AdaptationsIn 1974, the story was adapted as part of the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas strand by John Bowen as The Treasure of Abbot Thomas.[1] It was first broadcast on 23 December 1974 at 11.35.[2] The adaptation stars Michael Bryant as Somerton, and it was directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. In creating his adaptation, Bowen changed a number of elements of M. R. James's story, such as including another character – Peter, Lord Dattering (Paul Lavers)[3] – as Somerton's protégé, with whom he shares his investigation. The story is not told in flashback, and also includes a scene in which Somerton exposes two fraudulent mediums, which acts as a demonstration of Somerton's rational approach to the supernatural.[4] A parody, written by Stephen Sheridan and named The Teeth of Abbot Thomas, was made for radio broadcast. References
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