Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Bob Bailey & Virginia Gregg in front of an old Microphone

Bob Bailey & Virginia Gregg

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio is 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 Carman Kringle Matter (EP4870)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny is called to a small desert town where an old prospector is determined to change his life insurance beneficiary…to his burrow.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 22, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Herb Vigran; Howard McNear; Jeanne Tatum; Junius Matthews; Lawrence Dobkin; Forrest Lewis; Jack Kruschen; Richard Crenna; Bill James

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.

Screen Guild Theater: Christmas in Connecticut (AWR0289)

Amazing World of Radio

Today’s Story:

A writer who has cast herself as America’s favorite homemaker in her columns faces ruin when her publisher and a war-hero sailor are set to visit her non-existent farm. She agrees to marry a long-time suitor and use his farm for a Christmas celebration. Complications ensue when she falls for the sailor.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 5, 1946

Starring: Jane Wyman; Ronald Reagan; Leon Belasco

Related: Revisionist History: A Very Terminator Christmas

Newspaper Heroes of the Air: Radio Christmas in Connecticut

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Dragnet: The Big Little Jesus (EP4869)

Today’s Mystery:

Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate the theft of a statue of the child Jesus from a church nativity scene.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 22, 1953

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith; Harry Bartell; Ralph Moody; Herb Vigran

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Pat, Patreon supporter since February 2024b

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

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

Broadway’s My Beat: The Pablo Morari Murder (EP4868)

Larry Thor

Today’s Mystery:

A young man is found murdered outside a club.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 30, 1951

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Larry Thor as Lieutenant Danny Clover; Charles Calvert as Sergeant Gino Tartaglia; Jack Kruschen as Sergeant Muggavan; Richard Crenna; William Tracy; Peggy Webber; Michael Ann Barrett

Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Tom, Patreon supporter since January 2021.

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.

The Big Story: The Case of the Cornered Cat (EP4867)

Today’s Mystery:

America’s public enemey #1 is interested in turning himself in to Walter Winchell to be handed over to the FBI. But will he actually do it?

Original Radio Broadcast: September 17, 1947

Originating from New York

Starring: Ward Wilson as Walter Winchell; Ed Begley as J. Edgar Hoover; Don Appell; Alan Hewitt; Mildred Clinton

Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

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

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.

Danger with Grainger: Phony Photographer Case (EP4866)

Harp McGuire

Today’s Mystery:

A female nightclub photographer turns to Steve Grainger for help.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: 1956 or 1957

Originating from Australia

Starring: Harp McGuire as Steve Grainger

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Katherine, Patreon supporter since June 2021.

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.

The Casebook of Gregory Hood: The Forgetful Murderer (Encore) (EP4865e)

Gale Gordon
Someone is murdering night watchmen and leaving odd clues behind.

Original Air Date: July 29, 1946

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Gale Gordon as Gregory Hood

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

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.