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
YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR THE FALCON DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT DRAGNET MR. CHAMELEON MEET MISS SHERLOCK… and more!
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Recent Posts
Book Review, Golden Age Article, Nero Wolfe
Book Review: Trio for Blunt Instruments
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Trio for Blunt Instruments was the last Nero Wolfe novella collection published during Stout’s lifetime and contained three stories.
“Kill Now-Pay Later” Originally published in 1961 sees Wolfe’s bootlack dead and suspected of murder. The police theory was that he committed suicide because he found his daughter had been sleeping around. His daughter doesn’t buy it and neither does Wolfe. Begrudgingly fears for the daughter’s safety and takes her in the brownstone.
He commits himself to solving the case. and he believes that the person who impugned the dead man’s daughter’s honor is no doubt the one behind it. His solution is to get his client to sue her co-workers and Inspector Cramer for spreading the rumor. Some great reactions from Cramer in this one.
Rating: Satisfactory
“Murder is Corny” was first published in the Novella collection and was the last novella Stout wrote.
When a mutual acquaintence of Archie’s and a murdered man tells police that she and Archie were scheduled to meet in the alley where the murdered man is found dead, Archie finds himself in a pickle. Wolfe at first declares himself uninterested but when Archie going to jail becomes a real possibility, he digs in.
This one could have been better, but still has the mark of a master detective story with Wolfe insisting that a bad delivery of corn to Wolfe’s house is a vital clue, one that Cramer ignores.
Rating: Satisfactory
In 1963’s “Blood Will Tell,” Archie receives a bloody tie in the mail and a mysterious phone call. When he inspires into the case, he finds a body and a house full of people with soap operatic lives. However, unlike in the other two stories, Wolfe finds a client and has to unravel this mystery with a good bit of detective work.
Rating: Satisfactory
Overall, there were no great stories, but all of them good and solid Wolfe entries that delivered solid detection, and well-told plots with some great moments, particularly with Inspector Cramer.
Rating: Satisfactory
You can find all the Nero Wolfe books in Kindle, Audiobook, and book form on our Nero Wolfe page.
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CBS, Podcast, Procedural, The Line Up
EP0962: The Line Up: The Fur Flaunting Floozy
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Ben and Matt investigate the murder of a woman with a sordid love life.
Original Air Date: September 26, 1951
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Golden Age Article
Radio Drama Review: Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 1 Comment
The first Tarzan radio serial, Tarzan of the Apes doesn’t exist in its complete form. It ran for 286 episodes from 1932-34, of which only the first 70+ are available. The Diamond of Asher is the earliest complete Tarzan serial available.
Tarzan (Carlton Kadell) has reclaimed his rightful title as a British Lord. He’s mistaken for the missing Brian Gregory and abducted. Tarzan learns that Gregory was an explorer who his captors believe hold the key to the possession of the Father of Diamonds. Tarzan escapes his captors and runs into the father and sister of Gregory who seek his aid in locating their brother.
Tarzan sets off for Africa and has to keep his party safe while facing challenges from man while dealing with intrigue from within and without his party.
Overall, this was actually a great serial, even though it had a bit of a downbeat ending. Tarzan amazed friend and foe like with his ability to handle every challenge. In many ways, the Tarzan portrayed here was a forerunner of the modern day superhero. The program featured several dialects, most of them well-done.
Tarzan and the Diamond of Asher doesn’t always live up to modern sensibilities in its dealing with racial, but there has been much worse heard in golden age productions. Tarzan himself remains humane and honorable to all. A truly great hero in a solid golden age adventure.
Overall, this is a well-written and engaging production.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
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CBS, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
EP0961: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Amy Bradshaw Matter, Part Five and Nightmare for Knight
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Knight breaks into the Prince’s headquarters with a French criminal and bad results.
Original Air Date: 1958 or ’59
The wind up of the Bradshaw Matter and who really is behind the threats against Amy Bradshaw.
Original Air Date: November 25, 1955
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NBC, Podcast, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Old Time Radio
EP0960: Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 2 Comments
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A young woman whose sister died from a mysterious poisoning asks Holmes and Watson to help, fearing her stepfather may kill her next.
Original Air Date: March 20, 1955
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CBS, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
EP0959: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Amy Bradshaw Matter, Parts Three and Four
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Johnny begins to get too close to the case as motives for threatening Amy Bradshaw begin to multiply.
Original Air Date: November 23 and 24, 1955
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Forgotten Detectives, NBC, Podcast, The Big Guy
EP0958: The Big Guy: The Case of the Villanious Friend
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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A man in prison for robbery escapes with the help of a lifer…but why?
Original Air Date: August 27, 1950
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