Month: October 2022

Sam Spade: The Lawless Caper (EP3909)

Today’s Mystery:

Back in 1945, Sam overheard a thug threatening the life of his mob boss, for whom he was serving prison time. After being released from prison, the thug finds his boss murdered in his apartment, and calls Sam to prove his innocence.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 29, 1948

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Top Ten Police Foils in Old TIme Radio, Part Two

Continued from Part One

5) Detective Sidney Brooks (Larry Haines) from The Amazing Mr. Malone 

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, radio began to move away from the depiction of clowning police officers portrayed in many programs and towards a depiction of police as more competent. The Amazing Mr. Malone did a great job of this in its all-too-brief summer run in 1951. This was a series in which the police foil was allowed to be right, and our crime-solving hero lawyer John J. Malone would find this out the hard way. Larry Haines, a veteran star of many New York-based detective programs, did a great job making Brooks a slightly hard-boiled, yet believable and fun character.

4) Lieutenant LaSalle (Jack Webb) from The New Adventures of Michael Shayne

Before he played Joe Friday in Dragnet, and in the midst of starring in several other detective series, Jack Webb played the recurring police foil to Michael Shayne (Jeff Chandler) in one of the most hard-boiled radio detective series of them all. LaSalle was tough and often appropriately annoyed at Shayne, as well as being wise and street-smart. LaSalle was no one’s fool and made for a believable voice of authority in the wild world of Shayne’s New Orleans.

3) Lieutenant Walt Levinson (Multiple) from Richard Diamond, Private Detective 

Richard Diamond (Dick Powell) was an ex-cop and Levinson was his buddy on the force. At his best, Levinson was a combination of police foil and straight man to Diamond’s antics, while also struggling with the oafish Sergeant Otis (Wilms Herbert). However, when it came time to get down to business, Levinson was a capable and competent cop. The character managed to be both comedic and serious when needed. Four different actors played the role during the series’ run. In my opinion, the best portrayal was Ed Begley during Richard Diamond’s initial 52-episode run, followed by Arthur Q. Bryan (best know as Elmer Fudd).

2) Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher) from Let George Do It

Lieutenant Riley was a delightful character to listen to. He was friendly towards George Valentine, but not too chummy. He could lay down the law about where police jurisdiction should lie without feeling like he was acting out of some insecurity or being overbearing. He was smart and generally personable. However, when he got agitated, Wally Maher’s performance made it a delightful bit of comedy.

1) Captain Sam Sabayya (Jay Novello) from Rocky Jordan

Rocky Jordan is set in Cairo, Egypt, a setting different than any other old time radio detective series. In order for it to work, it requires a police foil unlike any other, and Captain Sabayya certainly fits the bill. He’s from an entirely different culture than expat Rocky Jordan, yet they have a grudging respect and even friendship between them. Sabayya is probably one of the most cunning characters in old time radio but plays his cards close to the vest. While Jordan usually starts out ahead, Sabayya catches up and as often as not, overtakes Jordan in getting to the criminal. While he upholds the law, he’s civil and sympathetic to human frailty. Most episodes of Rocky Jordan end with Jordan and Sabayya sharing a cup of Egyptian coffee, the strongest drink a devout Muslim like Sabayya would drink. Overall, Sabayya is one of the most interesting characters in old time radio and by far, the best police foil in old time radio.

Tales of the Texas Rangers: Birds of Feather (EP3908)

Today’s Mystery:

A petty robber is found by the side of the road near death, and provides a clue to the identity of his killers.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: January 6, 1952

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Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Dan Frank Matter (EP3907)

John Lund

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny investigates the murder of a small-town police chief.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 4, 1954

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Philo Vance: The Black Gold Murder Case (EP3906)

Today’s Mystery:

Philo Vance is called out west to investigate the murder of a dude ranch guest.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 4, 1949

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Dangerous Assignment: Find 100,000 Barrels of Missing Oil (EP3905)


Today’s Mystery: Steve is sent to Saudi Arabia to find out how 100,000 barrels of oil disappeared between the oil fields and the refinery.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 17, 1950

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I Hate Crime: Episode 44 (EP3904)

Today’s Mystery:

Larry is hired by a nationally infamous character to stop her downstairs neighbor from blackmailing her.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: 1950

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Join us back here tomoorw for another old time radio detective audio drama.