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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.

Amazing World of Radio

The War

OTR Superman Show

Detective Video Theater

Recent Posts

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silent Queen Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4345)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

It turns out a murdered penny arcade owner was the long-thought-dead husband of a silent movie queen. That’s the first of many lies Johnny has to sort through to find the truth.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 31, November 1 and 2, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paula Winslowe; Virginia Gregg; Vic Perrin; Paul Dubov; Frank Gerstle; John Dehner; Lawrence Dobkin; Chester Stratton

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

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

Mr. Chameleon: The Forbidden Marriage Murder Case (EP4344)

Karl Swenson

Today’s Mystery:

Mr. Chameleon investigates the murder of a young actress who was forbidden by her aunt and uncle to marry her older, scandal-plagued leading man.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 18, 1949

Originating from New York City

Starring: Karl Swenson as Mister Chameleon

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: George, Patreon Supporter since October 2015

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

Gallant American Women: Women, the Providers (AWR0242)

Amazing World of Radio

Today’s Episode:

A look at the role women played in nutrition and providing quality food from the time of the pilgrims to the then-modern time.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 21, 1939

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Brought to you by the support of our Patreon listeners…http://patreon.greatdetectives.net

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Becky, Patreon Supporter since March of 2018

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Dangerous Assignment: Stolen Information Group (EP4343)


Today’s Mystery:

Steve goes to Norway to impersonate a captured courier who was about to collect a payoff from a gang that dealt in stolen information. Steve arrives to find someone’s beaten him to the punch – and got murdered for his effort.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 18, 1953

Originating in Hollywood

Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell; Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner; Betty Lou Gerson; Dan O’Herlihy; GeGe Pearson; Paul Frees

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Candyce, Patreon Supporter since October 2021

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

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

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silent Queen Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4342)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny Dollar goes to Venice, California to investigate the murder of a penny arcade operator who named a silent movie star as his beneficiary.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 29 and 30, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paula Winslowe; Virginia Gregg; Vic Perrin; Paul Dubov; Frank Gerstle; John Dehner; Lawrence Dobkin; Chester Stratton

Also a discussion of all the possible origins of the phrase, “The Real McCoy”

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

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Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jesse, Patreon Supporter since March 2016

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.

The Falcon: The Case of the Rich Racketeer (EP4341)

Les Damon

Today’s Mystery:

A racketeer hires The Falcon to protect him in a forest cabin, but is killed before Waring arrives from New York.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 5, 1950

Originating from New York

Starring: Les Damon as the Falcon

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Anton, Patreon Supporter since December 2023

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.

Dangerous Assignment: The Missing Diplomat Story (Video Theater 267)

Steve Mitchell embarks on a high-stakes mission to locate a missing European diplomat and recover top-secret records. As tensions rise and loyalties are questioned, join Mitchell in the bustling streets of Barcelona, where every corner could hold a clue or a deadly trap.

Season 1, Episode 17

Original Air Date: December 1951

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