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

Cavalcade of America: Winner Takes Life (AWR0302)

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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 Jackie Cooper. Cooper stars as a young soldier whose life hangs in the balance after a dangerous heart infection resists every available treatment, while researchers at Rutgers University race to perfect a promising new antibiotic that could change the course of modern medicine.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 19, 1948

Program: Cavalcade of America

Starring Paul Lukas, Anne Rutherford, and Jackie Cooper.

Written by Bernard Victor Dryer. Narrated by Ted Pearson. Music composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Bryan.

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

Broadway’s My Beat: The Gordon Merrick Murder Case (EP5013)

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Today’s Mystery:

Broadway producer Gordon Merrick is found murdered in his penthouse apartment just as he was preparing for a champagne supper with actress Carol Royce. As Danny Clover investigates, suspicion falls on the jealous man who loves her—but a second murder soon raises troubling questions about whether the obvious suspect is really the killer.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 15, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

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

Featured in the cast were Rita Johnson as Carol Royce, Herb Butterfield as Jackie Scarn, Martha Wentworth as Mrs. Polk, and Paul Richards as Vic Kane

Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis

Musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Ian, Patreon supporter since August 2016

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

Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Big Story

The Big Story: The Case of the Cautious Killer (EP5012)

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Today’s Mystery:

Freshly hired cub reporter Ed Neumeier expects to spend his first day covering routine local stories while the veteran reporters chase a sensational double murder. Instead, a chance encounter with a nervous stranger thrusts the inexperienced reporter into the biggest story of his young career.

Original Radio Broadcast: March 14, 1951

Originating from New York

Starring Russell Thorson as Ed Neumeier

Also featuring Melba Rae, Amzie Strickland, Chet Stratton, William Keene, and Joe Helgeson

Based on the reporting of Ed Neumeier of the Humboldt Times

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Glenn, Patreon supporter since March 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: Reflection on Murder (EP5011)

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Today’s Mystery:

After actress Betty Ames witnesses a publisher’s murder, Simon Templar appoints himself her unofficial bodyguard. When a second attempt is made on Betty’s life during a stage rehearsal, The Saint realizes the killer is determined to silence the one witness who may hold the key to the case.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 13, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Vincent Price as Simon Templar

Also featuring Francis Cheney, Barbara Eiler, Eleanor Audley, Frank Gerstle, Stanley Farrar, and Arthur Q. Bryan

Script by Louis Vittes

Music composed and conducted by Vaughn Dexter

Produced by James L. Saphier

Directed by Helen Mack

Announcer: Don Stanley

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Lisa, Patreon supporter since August 2025

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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.

ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast

Counterspy: The Cold-Blooded Professor, Part One (A0102)

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Today’s Adventure:

Professor Emery Horn has spent years cultivating the reputation of a brilliant but reclusive scientist. When a counterspy agent arrives to question him about a daring bank robbery, Horn launches an elaborate escape that sets David Harding and Harry Peters on the trail of one of the most dangerous and ingenious criminals they’ve ever faced.

Original Radio Broadcast: August 30, 1949

Originating in New York

Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding and Mandel Kramer as Harry Peters

Also featuring Ralph Bell as Professor Emery Horn and Maurice Tarplin

Music by Jesse Crawford

Produced by the Phillips H. Lord Productions

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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Emmett, Patreon supporter since March 2018

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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

CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Wayward Heiress Matter (EP5010)

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Today’s Mystery:

When an old college friend asks Johnny Dollar to protect her husband from a former sweetheart she fears is bent on murder, Johnny finds himself caught in the middle of a tangled love triangle. But as he digs deeper, he begins to suspect that not everyone is telling the truth about the danger they’re facing.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 7, 1959

Originated from Hollywood

Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

Also starring Virginia Gregg, Les Tremayne, Sam Edwards, and James McCallion. Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone. Announcer: Dan Cubberly.

When making your travel plans, remember johnnydollarair.com

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

Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural

Dragnet: The Big Streetcar (EP5009)

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Today’s Mystery:

After a man is gunned down outside his home following a bitter domestic argument, Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs launch a search for the shooter’s wife, who has vanished after warning that she’ll kill anyone who tries to capture her. With the suspect making taunting phone calls while remaining one step ahead of police, the detectives race against time to track her down before violence erupts again.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 3, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs.

Also featuring Herb Ellis, Jack Kruschen, and Helen Kleeb. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Announcer: Hal Gibney. Technical advice from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Rochelle, Patreon supporter since April 2025.

Support the show on a one-time basis at support.greatdetectives.net

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

Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call 208-991-4783

Become one of our friends on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectives

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

Currently Featuring

Check out our other shows:

Amazing World of Radio

The War

OTR Superman Show

Detective Video Theater