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Bob Bailey & Virginia Gregg in front of an old Microphone

Bob Bailey & Virginia Gregg

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio! A podcast featuring the best vintage detective radio programs. Each week from Monday through Saturday, we feature six of Old Time Radio's great detective series from the beginning of the show to its very last episode. And as a bonus, twice a month we also post a public domain movie or TV mystery or detective show video.

Along the way, I'll provide you my commentary and offer you opportunities to interact.

Subscribe to the show by clicking your favorite podcatcher in the sidebar.

And don't forget to follow me on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

- Your host, Adam Graham

Listen to "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" on Spreaker.

Currently Featuring

Amazing World of Radio

The War

OTR Superman Show

Detective Video Theater

Recent Posts

Squad Room: Old Woman Found Shot (EP4384)


Today’s Mystery:

A late-night distress call from a professional building sends Detectives Scanlon and Grady into the depths of a crime that defies expectations. Amidst the echo of multiple shots fired, they find themselves piecing together the fragments of a life lived in the shadows. An old woman’s untimely death in an empty office, a janitor with a story that doesn’t quite fit, and a switchboard operator who knows more than she’s telling.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: Mid-1950s

Originating in New York

Starring: Bill Zuckert as RJ Scanlon; Chuck Webster as James Brady; Charlotte Manson; Arthur Cole

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Patreon supporter since November 2018

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

The Falcon: The Case of the Invisible Thug (EP4383)

Les Damon

Today’s Mystery:

The Falcon is hired by a man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s husband who hopes to dupe Mike into pinning the murder on his ex.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 7, 1951

Originating from New York

Starring: Les Damon as the Falcon; Maurice Tarplin

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Dragnet: The Big Gangster, Part One (EP4382)

Today’s Mystery:

Friday and Romero have to find out who is trying to kill a major gang kingpin before they succeed and start a gang war.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 23, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero; Stacy Harris; Herb Butterfield

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day:

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again on Monday for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Squared Circle Matter (EP4381)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny goes to Joplin, Missouri to investigate an insurance agent’s suspicious about an insured boxer.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 30, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Harry Bartell; Herb Ellis; Vic Perrin; Jack Kruschen; Les Tremayne; Lawrence Dobkin

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Wendy and Steve, Patreon Supporters Since May 2019

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of the Conceited Murderer (EP4380)

Karl Swenson

Today’s Mystery:

A famous photographer is murdered.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 29, 1949

Originated from New York City

Starring: Karl Swenson as Mister Chameleon

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day:Dan, Patreon

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Dangerous Assignment: Strategic Base Sabotaged (EP4379)


Today’s Mystery:

Steve goes to New Guinea in search of a dock worker who is suspected of sabotaging the construction of a joint U.S.-Australia-New Zealand strategic base.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 29, 1953

Originating in Hollywood

Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell; Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner; Ben Wright; Betty Lou Gerson; Martha Wentworth; Paul Frees

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Joshua, Patreon Supporter Since Fberuary 2016

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Squad Room: Mother of Two Murdered (EP4378)


Today’s Mystery:

Scanlon and Webster are called in to investigate when a woman is found dead in a dirty manufacturing loft.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 22, 1954

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Originating in New York

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Peter, Patreon Supporter since March 2023

Starring: Bill Zuckert as RJ Scanlon; Chuck Webster as James Brady

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.