right|thumb|150px|Cross-promotion of sponsor and radio series
Tales of Fatima is an old-time radio transcribed show that was broadcast on CBS from January 8, 1949, to October 1, 1949.
Basil Rathbone starred as himself in the program, with Francis DeSales portraying Lieutenant Farrell Princess Fatima was a "sultry woman" who inspired Rathbone as she spoke to him in dreams. At the beginning of each episode, Princess Fatima (in a voice that was altered by an echo chamber) gave the audience an "obscure tidbit" as a clue to help listeners solve that night's mystery.
Adventurous situations were played for broad comedy. References to the sponsor, Fatima Cigarettes, were embedded in the storylines, and Rathbone delivered the commercials. That concept ended after about 10 episodes, when the series changed to what critic John Crosby described as "more orthodox lines, which is to say the plots are downright fantastic." Another change in format occurred beginning on August 27, 1949. Each episode featured a guest star, and Rathbone played varied roles rather than being heard as himself. Guest stars included John Garfield, Rex Harrison, Bela Lugosi, and Lilli Palmer.
Critical reception
A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety described the program as "a weird combination of hard and often taut dramatics", with the mood often broken up by Rathbone's interactions with Fatima. It concluded, "According to the debut stanza, the show's elements are too diverse to jell."