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.

Charlie Chan, OTR Detective, Podcast

Charlie Chan: The Landini Murder Mystery: The Second Bullet / A Conversation with Ah Sing (Ep5085e)

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In this episode, we continue our journey through the surviving episodes of Charlie Chan’s Landini Murder Case, a 39-part serialized mystery based on Earl Derr Biggers’ final Charlie Chan novel, The Keeper of the Keys. This omnibus brings together Episodes 29 and 30, as Inspector Charlie Chan closes in on the truth behind Ellen Landini’s murder.

Originating in Hollywood

Starring: Walter Connolly as Charlie Chan

The Second Bullet

Inspector Charlie Chan and Sheriff Don Holt examine a bullet found in the grounds at Pine View, one that may reveal how the killer tried to disguise the time of Ellen Landini’s murder. As suspicion shifts between Romano, Ryder, and the other guests, Chan uncovers troubling inconsistencies and prepares to confront those who may know more than they admit.

Original Air Date: 1935–1936

A Conversation with Ah Sing

With fear mounting at Pine View and secrets continuing to obstruct the investigation, Charlie Chan turns his attention to Ah Sing, Dudley Ward’s elderly servant. As Chan searches for the truth, another suspicious incident raises questions about who can be trusted—and whether the evidence is strong enough to identify the killer.

Original Air Date: 1935–1936

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Join us again for another adventure from the Golden Age of Radio.

ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast

Counterspy: The International Intrigue (A0132)

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Today’s Adventure: David Harding and Harry Peters travel to Switzerland after learning that a notorious international information broker is offering an American atomic scientist—and his knowledge of the nation’s nuclear secrets—to the highest bidder. With foreign intelligence agents competing for the scientist’s services, Harding must determine whether the scientist has betrayed his country and find a way to prevent America’s atomic secrets from falling into enemy hands.

Original Radio Broadcast: October 20, 1949

Originating in New York

Cast:

Don McLaughlin as David Harding
Mandel Kramer as Harry Peters
Marks B. Loeb, director
Palmer Thompson, writer
Jesse Crawford, music
Philip H. Lord, producer
Bob Shepard, announcer

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Shannon, Patreon supporter since January 2023.

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CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Loomis Matter (EP5085)

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Today’s Mystery:

When wealthy businessman Elmer Loomis vanishes without a trace, insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to New Jersey to find out what happened. With no clear leads and a wife who seems anything but heartbroken, Johnny begins to suspect that Elmer’s disappearance may be more than it appears. But a strange name, a missing yacht, and a few unexpected encounters may hold the key to the case.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 13, 1959

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
Virginia Gregg as Lena Loomis
Sergeant Louis Tommaso
Elmer Loomis

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Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural

Dragnet: The Big Hate

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Today’s Mystery:

Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the death of a 52-year-old music teacher whose body is discovered in an abandoned freight car, cradled in the arms of a young man who refuses to explain what happened. When the young man finally confesses to killing her, the detectives struggle to understand why he would murder a woman he claims to have loved deeply and who had devoted years to nurturing his musical ambitions.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 10, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday
Herb Ellis as Sgt. Frank Smith
Vic Perrin
Harry Bartell
Joyce McCluskey
Jim Moser, writer
Walter Schumann, music
Technical advice from the office of Chief W.H. Parker
Captain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance Brasher, technical advisors
George Fenneman, announcer

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Dolly, Patreon supporter since November 2025.

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

Broadway’s My Beat: The Mary Trevor Murder Case (EP5083)

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Today’s Mystery:

Detective Danny Clover investigates the stabbing of Mary Trevor, a young woman found dying on a crowded Times Square subway platform. With few reliable witnesses, Clover follows a trail leading to Mary’s estranged father, a wealthy socialite confined to a wheelchair, and a man whose romantic past may hold the key to her murder. But as conflicting stories emerge, Clover must uncover what happened during Mary’s final days—and why someone wanted her silenced.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 25, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Larry Thor as Lieutenant Danny Clover
Charles Calvert as Sergeant Gino Taglia
Jack Kruschen as Detective Mugavin
Betty Lou Gerson as Joan Hunt
Ben Wright as Robert Graham
Gene Bates
Tom Tully
Byron Kane.

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Ron, patreon supporter since March 2022.

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NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Big Story

The Big Story: Witness to Drama of Violence and Death (EP5082)

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Today’s Mystery:

A redheaded woman is found shot dead in a black sedan on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Reporter Johnny Kalen soon finds himself investigating a second killing, a missing man named Scott Whitty, and a tangled web of relationships that may connect them all. As more troubling details emerge, Kalen and Police Chief Warren race to piece together the truth behind a string of violent deaths.

Original Radio Broadcast: March 24, 1954

Originating from New York

Cast:

Michael O’Day as Johnny Kalen
Ed Begley as Police Chief Warren
Brenna Rayburn
Danny AcCO
Rita Lynn
Gilbert Mack
Billy Gray

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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: Ladies Never Lie (EP5081)

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Today’s Mystery:

When Claire Gordon arrives at Simon Templar’s apartment and confesses to murdering her husband, The Saint has reason to doubt her story—especially when James Gordon himself appears moments later, very much alive. But the mystery takes a deadly turn when Gordon is shot outside Templar’s door. As The Saint investigates, a midnight meeting in the park, a suspicious lawyer, and a substantial life insurance policy point to a dangerous scheme. Can Templar untangle the conflicting confessions and discover who is really behind the murder?

Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 7, 1951

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Vincent Price as Simon Templar
Joan Banks as Claire Gordon
Peter Leeds as James Gordon
Larry Dobkin as Louie
Jim Nusser as Timothy Kerrigan
High Upperback as the butler

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jim — Patreon supporter since January 2019

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

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Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

THE GREAT DETECTIVES of Old Time Radio

With Host Adam Graham

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

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Amazing World of Radio

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OTR Superman Show

Detective Video Theater