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, Podcast

Lux Radio Theater: The Pied Piper (AWR0298)

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This week in our summer series featuring old-time radio appearances by actors who later played killers on Columbo, we spotlight Roddy McDowall. McDowall stars as young Ronnie Cavanaugh in a radio adaptation of The Pied Piper, the story of an elderly Englishman who reluctantly becomes the protector of a growing band of refugee children as they struggle to escape Nazi-occupied France and reach safety in England during the darkest days of World War II.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 21, 1942

Program: Lux Radio Theatre

Starring Frank Morgan as Mr. Howard, Roddy McDowall as Ronnie Cavanaugh, Anne Baxter as Nicole, and Ralph Morgan.

Also featuring Doris Lloyd, George Sorel, Eric Snowden, Leo Cleary, Norman Field, Hal Gerard, Alec Harford, Claudine Leger, Noreen Gammill, Meryl Roden, Florette Zama, Maurice Tauzin, Mary Raymond, Vernon Steele, and Barbara Jean Wong. Music directed by Louis Silvers. Produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Announcer: John M. Kennedy.

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Broadway's My Beat, CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast

Broadway’s My Beat: The Lynn Halstead Murder Case (EP4993)

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Today’s Mystery:

When a young woman is pulled from the river and identified by her grieving father, the case appears closed before it begins. But when a second woman claiming to be the victim turns up alive, Danny Clover must untangle a web of secrets surrounding a private secretary who carefully concealed her life from everyone who knew her.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 19, 1952

Originated in Hollywood

Stars: Larry Thor as Lieutenant Danny Clover, Charles Calvert as Sergeant Gino Tartaglia, Jack Kruschen as Sergeant Muggavan.

Featured in the cast were William Conrad as John Martin, Herb Butterfield as Dr. Halstead, Hy Averback, Joyce McCluskey, and Bob Bruce. Music composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis.

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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, CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast

The Big Story: Bobby Sox Hustling (EP4992)

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Today’s Mystery:

City editor Paul Schoenstein becomes determined to uncover the forces behind a wave of juvenile crime, gambling, vice, and exploitation spreading through New York City. Following a trail of mysterious names, frightened witnesses, and hidden nightspots, he and his reporters begin a dangerous investigation into a powerful criminal network.

Original Radio Broadcast: November 8, 1950

Originating in New York

Starring Walter Greaza as Paul Schoenstein.

Also featuring Pat Hosley, Grace Keddy, Joan Alexander, Mandel Kramer, Nat Polen, Gil Mack, Grant Richards, and George Petrie.

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Lawrence, Patreon supporter since January 2025.

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

NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Saint

The Saint: The Death of the Saint (EP4991)

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Today’s Mystery:

A mysterious woman arrives at Simon Templar’s apartment claiming that ruthless pursuers are after her life and begging for his help. Before long, The Saint finds himself caught between rival groups hunting a seemingly worthless whiskey glass that may hold the key to exposing a notorious fugitive from the Second World War.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 16, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Vincent Price as Simon Templar

Also featuring Sammy Hill, Lou Merrill, Gil Stratton Jr., Charlie Lung, Ed Max, and Ted de Corsia

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

ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast

Counterspy: Statue of Death (A0094)

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Today’s Adventure:

When a respected Mexican businessman suddenly reappears at the home of the woman he loves, it is only because a mysterious religious statue he once gave away may now be carrying a deadly secret. As a pair of ruthless spies race to recover it, David Harding and the counterspies investigate the theft of radioactive material from a Tennessee atomic plant before it can be smuggled out of the country.

Original Radio Broadcast: August 16, 1949

Originating from New York

Starring: Don McLaughlin as David Harding; Mandel Kramer as Peters

Also featuring Jesse Crawford (music)

Produced by the Phillips H. Lord Productions

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Give us a call at 208-991-4783

CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Fatal Filet Matter (EP4990)

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Today’s Mystery:

Johnny Dollar accepts a dinner invitation from an insurance executive friend who seems troubled by something he can’t quite bring himself to discuss. When the evening takes a tragic turn, Johnny discovers that a mysterious steak delivery and an angry claimant with a grudge may hold the key to what really happened.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 10, 1959

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar

Also starring Virginia Gregg, D. J. Thompson, Jack Edwards, Marvin Miller, Larry Dobkin, Harry Bartell, and Frank Gerstle

Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone

Announcer: Dan Cubberly

When making your travel plans, remember Johnny Dollar Air

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Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural

Dragnet: The Big Evans (EP4989)

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Todays Mystery:

A boarding house operator accuses a young police officer of assault, battery, and soliciting a bribe after a narcotics arrest. As Friday and Jacobs investigate, conflicting witness statements and questions about the complainant’s injuries force them to determine whether an officer crossed the line—or whether someone is trying to frame him.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 6, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs

Also featuring Whit Connor

Script by Jim Moser

Music by Walter Schumann

Announcer: Hal Gibney

Support the show monthly at Patreon

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Judith, Patreon supporter since March 2016.

Support the show on a one-time basis at Support the Show

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

Take the listener survey at Listener Survey

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

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THE GREAT DETECTIVES of Old Time Radio

With Host Adam Graham

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Currently Featuring

Check out our other shows:

Amazing World of Radio

The War

OTR Superman Show

Detective Video Theater