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 BROADWAY’S MY BEAT DRAGNET MR. AND MRS. NORTH BULLDOG DRUMMOND… and more!
View all shows
Check out our other shows:
Recent Posts
Dragnet, napodpomo, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural
Dragnet: The Big Make (EP4538)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Today’s Mystery:
Friday and Romero investigate a robbery and shooting at a bakery.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 14, 1950
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero; 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
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Join us again on Monday for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Audio Drama Review, Golden Age Article
Audio Drama Review: Imagination Theatre: The Investigators
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
A version of this article was posted in 2019.
The late Jim French is best remembered for his greatest creation, the Seattle-based, modern private eye Harry Nile. However, French produced many detective and crime shows during his remarkable four-decades-plus in radio. Imagination Theatre: The Investigators (affiliate link) from Radio Spirits is a sampler pack of nine different crime shows that French produced over the years as part of his Imagination Theatre
The set kicks off with three episodes of Harry Nile. These shows come from 1999, towards the tail end of the run of Phil Harper (the original actor to play Harry Nile). We’ve reviewed this series extensively before, but for those who haven’t heard of it, Harry Nile is a period piece set in late 1939 through the late 1950s. Initially, the titular detective worked out of Los Angeles, but then he moved to Seattle, where French’s research and attention to detail really shine. The episodes are superb. They’re tailored to provide a complete, compelling mystery in just about twenty minutes.
Next come three episodes of The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which isn’t to be confused with the BBC Radio series of the same name. This stars John Patrick Lowrie as Holmes and Lawrence Albert as Watson. I’d listened to one of these before and hadn’t thought much of it. However, I did enjoy these. While they’re not the greatest of the Holmes pastiches, and a few of the British accents are a bit iffy, the stories do have a Doyle-esque feel to them. While I wouldn’t consider them in the same league as Big Finish’s or the BBC interpretations, it’s better than the 1947-49 radio version with John Stanley. If you enjoyed that take, you’ll enjoy this one as well.
Following that, we’re treated to two episodes of The Adventures of Dameron, which I was happy about. Dameron was French’s first radio detective. The episodes in this set aired in 1972 and were set in contemporary times. Dameron (Robert E. Lee Hardwick) is a freelance troubleshooter who takes on all sorts of cases. He’s like a 1970s Frank Race, though generally with better production quality. There’s a dearth of 1970s radio detectives, so the two in this set are a definite treat. We also get to hear actress Pat French, who later played the role of Harry Nile’s secretary and partner, Murphy.
We further get two episodes of Mr. Darnborough Investigates, starring David Natalie. These are cozy mysteries made in 2005 and 2015, but they could have been done in the Golden Age of Radio or over the BBC in the 1940s. Darnsborough is a gentleman detective who calls to mind Campion and Lord Peter Wimsey. If you enjoy those characters, you’ll like Darnsborough.
Then we get a couple episodes of Kerides the Thinker. This series has a different setting for a mystery series: third century BC Alexandria, Egypt. Kerides (Ulrick Dihle) is a travelling Greek student who goes around solving mysteries, accompanied by Adria, a former slave girl (Sarah Schenkkhan), who was freed after Kerides revealed her former master is a murderer. On one hand, I love the idea for the setting and it’s clear that the writers did their homework. On the other hand, the mysteries are so-so and the way Adria is written makes her seem insufferably whiny and unpleasant. Instead of being grateful for her freedom, she’s upset that she has lost her place in the world and has no idea what to do. It’s an interesting concept, but the way it’s realized doesn’t quite work for me.
Next up are three episodes of Kincaid, the Strange Seeker, starring Terry Rose. This one is a series about a TV reporter who investigates mysteries that always have a supernatural cause, such as bank robberies that turn out to be done by ghosts. I’m not a fan of supernatural mysteries, and I also wasn’t sure how to feel about these episodes. They aren’t scary and they don’t have a Twilight Zone-style twist. The stories seem off-the-wall more than anything else. In addition, I was bothered by how Kincaid gets hit with unwarranted skepticism despite a solid track record. Other than that, the production values are still good. This just wasn’t my thing.
Following this, we’re given three episodes of Raffles, the Gentleman Thief, starring John Armstrong. These are based on the character of A.J. Raffles, a brilliant gentleman thief created by E.W. Hornung. These were popular in their time but have faded from public consciousness. The adaptation does a good job of capturing the spirit of the original stories with good acting and good effects. The first two episodes are adaptations of Hornung’s original stories and the third is a solid pastiche. I’m not a huge fan of Raffles, but I could appreciate the way they handled the character. My only complaint is that Raffles, particularly as portrayed in these stories, isn’t an investigator of any sort, but plenty of people who enjoy detective fiction love Raffles. If you do, you will enjoy these stories.
Then we have the Hilary Caine Mysteries, which is my second favorite thing that Jim French Productions put out. It features Australian actress Karen Heaven as Hilary Caine, an on-staff “girl detective” for the British Tittle-Tattle Magazine. The series is set in the 1930s and finds Hilary stumbling into a crime scene being investigated by Inspector Finn (Randy Hoffmeyer). At first, she seems to be a bit silly, but ultimately she shows her cunning in solving the case. These are fun, light mysteries and Heaven is wonderful in the role of Hilary Caine.
The collection rounds up with two episodes (including one double-length episode) of the Anthony Rathe Chronicles, which is a modern British drama that follows the career of a guilt-ridden attorney who solves crimes to atone for a case he got wrong. It definitely has a modern BBC feel. It’s a bit soapy for my tastes, but the mysteries are well-written.
Overall, this was a fun mix of programs. While I liked some more than others, it was interesting to hear or re-listen to such a variety of detectives. It’s great to have a chance to appreciate all the audio dramas Jim French put out over nearly half a century, when most people thought audio drama was a thing of the past. I also think the success of this set may help Radio Spirits determine whether they release larger sets for Jim French series outside of the quite popular Harry Nile and Sherlock Holmes series.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
CBS, napodpomo, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Killers Brand Matter (EP4537)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Podcast (nanopodmo): Play in new window | Download
Today’s Mystery:
Johnny goes to a small town celebrating frontier days, where an insured promoter has had an attempt on his life.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 11, 1957
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Mary Jane Croft; Harry Bartell; Joseph Kearns; Lawrence Dobkin; Frank Gerstle; Barney Phillips
When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com
Become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Thank you to our Patreon Supporters of the Day: Jack, Jennifer, Bruce, Patreon Supporters since November 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.
CBS, Mr. and Mrs. North, OTR Detective, Podcast
Mr. and Mrs. North: The Norths Go to the Dogs (EP4536)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Today’s Mystery:
The Norths go to the dog show, where Pam is mistaken for a countess, and she and Jerry are both kidnapped.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 2, 1944
Originating from New York City
Starring: Joseph Curtain as Jerry North; Alice Frost as Pamela North
Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day:Sergey, Patreon supporter since May 2020.
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.
Broadway's My Beat, CBS, OTR Detective
Broadway’s My Beat: The Henry Baker Murder Case (EP4535)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS
Today’s Mystery:
A little man, who is trying to give away his fortune, is murdered.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 17, 1949
Originating in Hollywood
Starring: Larry Thor as Lieutenant Danny Clover; Charles Calvert as Sergeant Gino Tartaglia; Jerry Hausner; Rolfe Sedan; Byron Kane; Lou Merrill; Joan Banks
Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Bruce, Patreon Supporter since March 2024
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.
Bulldog Drummond, OTR Detective, Podcast, Syndicated
Bulldog Drummond: Death Has a New Look (EP4534)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Today’s Mystery:
Captain Drummond and Denny are summoned to a Carribean island to take on a devil-worshipping cult.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 23, 1948
Originating in New York
Starring: Ned Wever as Bulldog Drummond; Luis Van Rooten as Denny
Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Eliza, Patreon Supporter since July 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.
NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Falcon
The Falcon: The Case of Vanishing Varmint (EP4533)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Today’s Mystery:
A criminal with a grudge against The Falcon escapes prison.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 11, 1951
Originating from New York
Starring: Les Damon as The Falcon; Chuck Webster as Sergeant Corbett; Ralph Bell John Gibson
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Donna, Patreon Supporter since March 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
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.
Share this:
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)