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.
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Podcast
Studio One: Gentle Julia (AWR0306)
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Story Summary:
A charming young woman seems to have no shortage of admirers, but one shy suitor can’t bring himself to compete for her attention. Meanwhile, a sharp-witted younger cousin stirs up mischief that changes the course of several romances in this warmhearted adaptation of Booth Tarkington’s Gentle Julia.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 23, 1947.
Cast:
Ann Burr as Julia
Rosemary Rice as Florence
Michael Dreyfuss as Herbert
Edwin Bruce as Henry
Joyce Van Patten as Patty
Fletcher Markle as Noble Dill
Robert Dryden as Uncle Joe
Miriam Wolfe as Aunt Hattie
Also featuring Barbara Townsend, Lenka Peterson, Sybil Trent, Abby Lewis, Gregory Morton, Louis Quinn, and Ian McAllister
Adapted for radio by Peter Lyon
Original musical score composed by Wendell Adams
Music conducted by Alexander Semler
Produced and directed by Fletcher Markle
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Podcast
Broadway’s My Beat: The Lois Conrad Murder Case (EP5033)
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Today’s Mystery: Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of a young secretarial school student whose glamorous lifestyle concealed a complicated personal life. As conflicting stories emerge from those closest to her, an unexpected confession seems to close the case—until Clover discovers the truth is far more complicated.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 12, 1952
Originated in Hollywood
Cast:
- Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover
- Charles Calvert as Sgt. Gino Tartaglia
- Jack Kruschen as Detective Muggavan
- Paula Winslow as Sylvia Hewitt
- Ted Osborne as Carl Hewitt
- Lou Merrill as Mr. Conrad
- Featured: Truda Marson and Shep Mencken
- Written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin
- Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis
- Musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage
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Patreon Supporter of the Day:Jeff, Patreon supporter since May 2023
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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.
NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Big Story
The Big Story: Forty Minutes to Meet a Deadline (EP5032)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Story:
Cleveland Press reporter Bus Bergen believes he has an open-and-shut murder case wrapped up in just forty minutes. But as the trial unfolds, a nagging doubt – and an unlikely four-legged witness – forces him to reconsider everything he thought he knew.
Original Radio Broadcast: July 25, 1951
Originating from New York
Starring Nat Polen as Bus Bergen
Also featuring Kathleen Nadeau, Brad Barker, Mel Ruick, Phil Sterling, Larry Robinson, Court Benson, and Les Darcy (unconfirmed)
Based on the true experiences of Cleveland Press reporter Bus Bergen.
Support the podcast monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jeff, Patreon supporter since May 2023
Platinum Patreon Supporters: Ian, Michael, Gary, and Robert, supporting the podcast since August 2016
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Mail a donation to:
Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715
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Join us again next time for another true newspaper adventure on The Big Story.
NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Saint
The Saint: The Horrible Hamburger (EP5031)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
After a wrong turn leaves Simon Templar and taxi driver Louie dining at a lonely roadside restaurant, a flat tire leads them to discover a corpse in the trunk of Louie’s cab. When the body mysteriously disappears, The Saint sets out to uncover the truth behind the “Happy Hamburger.”
Original Radio Broadcast: September 10, 1950
Originating from Hollywood
Starring Vincent Price as Simon Templar, The Saint
Also featuring Louise Erickson, Noreen Gammill, Arthur Q. Bryan, Dave Light, and Larry Dobkin as Louie
Written by Louis Vittes
Music composed and conducted by Van Dexter
Directed by Helen Mack
Announced by Don Stanley
Based on characters created by Leslie Charteris
A James L. Saphier production
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Martin, Patreon supporter since September 2017
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Mail a donation to:
Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715
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Join us again next time for another adventure of The Saint.
ABC, Counterspy, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast
Counterspy: The Courageous Come-On (A0110)
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Today’s Adventure:
Counterspy chief David Harding investigates a charity that claims to help disabled veterans and workers prepare for new careers. When a courageous insider exposes the organization’s true purpose, Harding devises a plan to protect the legitimate cause while bringing a confidence man to justice.
Original Radio Broadcast: September 8, 1949
Originating from New York
Starring Don MacLaughlin as David Harding and Mandel Kramer as Peters
Also featuring Virginia Gregg
Directed by William M. Sweets
Dramatized by Palmer Thompson
Music by Jesse Crawford
A Philip H. Lord production for Pepsi-Cola
The program concludes with a special message prepared by Vice President Alvin W. Barkley regarding employment opportunities for disabled veterans and workers.
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: David, Patreon supporter since January 2019
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Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715
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Join us again next time for another adventure on Counterspy.
CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Mei-Ling Buddha Matter (EP5030)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to Boston after a priceless jade statue known as the Mei-Ling Buddha is reportedly spotted for sale in a Paris antique shop—even though it should still be locked inside the home of its late owner. Johnny soon discovers that an impossible theft demands an equally unexpected solution.
Original Radio Broadcast: June 28, 1959
Originating from Hollywood
Starring Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
Also featuring Virginia Gregg, Paul Dubov, Will Wright, and Boris Aplon
Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: None
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Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715
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Join us again next time for another adventure with Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural
Dragnet: The Big Elevator (EP5029)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
Joe Friday and Bill Lockwood investigate the body of an unidentified woman which has been found abandoned in a hospital elevator. With no obvious cause of death and only a mysterious phone call to point them in the right direction, the detectives race to determine whether they’re dealing with murder—or something entirely different.
Original Radio Broadcast: April 24, 1952
Originating from Hollywood
Starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero’s successor, Bill Lockwood
Also featuring Martin Milner, Vic Perrin, and Gwen Delano
Script by Jim Moser
Music by Walter Schumann
Technical advice from the Office of Chief of Police, W. H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department, with technical advisors Captain Jack Donohoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance Brasher
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Damien, Patreon supporter since March 2024
Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net
Mail a donation to:
Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715
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Join us again next time for another case from the files of Dragnet.