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
The War
OTR Superman Show
Detective Video Theater
Recent Posts
NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Big Story
The Big Story: Reporter Risks Life to Avenge a Friend’s Murder (EP5047)
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Today’s Mystery:
When a Butte service-station attendant disappears under mysterious circumstances, his lifelong friend, Helena Independent Record reporter Alan Copperthwaite, refuses to let the story fade away. Following a slender trail of clues across Montana, Copperthwaite risks his own safety in a deeply personal search for the truth.
Original Radio Broadcast: March 19, 1952.
Originating from New York
Cast:
- Bill Lipton as Alan Copperthwaite
- Jane Robbin
- Joe DeSantis
- Phil Sterling
- Owen Jordan
- Joe Helgesen
- Jim Stevens
- Bob Sloane as Narrator
Adapted by Abraham S. Ginnes
Original music composed and conducted by Vladimir Selinsky
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Michael, Patreon supporter since May 2026.
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
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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: It’s Snow Use (EP5046)
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Today’s Mystery:
Simon Templar travels to a winter resort after being summoned by Peggy, a lively woman whose unusual request for protection involves asking The Saint to pose as her husband. Her tangled romantic history soon draws Simon into an increasingly peculiar mystery, where people—and even a snowman—have a habit of disappearing.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 29, 1950
Originating from Hollywood
Cast:
- Vincent Price as Simon Templar, The Saint
Script by Louis Vittes
Based on characters created by Leslie Charteris
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Pat, Patreon supporter since February 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
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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 Postal Pirates, Part One (A0116)
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Today’s Adventure:
David Harding and Harry Peters investigate a massive parcel-post theft ring operating in several major cities. Peters goes undercover as a New York postal clerk, hoping to work his way inside the organization, but the investigation becomes increasingly dangerous as the gang grows suspicious of its newest recruit.
Original Radio Broadcast: July 20, 1949.
Originating from New York
Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding, Mandel Kramer as Peters
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Chris, Patreon supporter since February 2019
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
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Give us a call at 208-991-4783
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Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Will and the Way Matter (EP5045)
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Today’s Mystery:
Johnny Dollar receives an urgent call from his old friend Red Barrett, who insists that the will of a recently deceased friend has been altered. Although others dismiss Red’s suspicions, Johnny heads for Arizona and Nevada to investigate—and soon discovers that someone is willing to go to dangerous lengths to keep him from asking questions.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 19, 1959
Originated from Hollywood
Cast:
- Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
- Virginia Gregg
- Barney Phillips
- Forrest Lewis
- Parley Baer
- Jack Moyles
- Billy Halop
- Byron Kane
Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone
When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com
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Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day:Pam, Patreon supporter since July 202
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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 Mail (EP5044)
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Todays Mystery:
Mystery Summary:
Sergeant Joe Friday and his new partner, Frank Smith, investigate the armed robbery of a U.S. mail truck carrying registered mail. The three-man gang escapes with 28 sacks, leaving police with little to work with beyond a stolen getaway car, a first name, and one robber’s distinctive voice.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 24, 1952
Originating from Hollywood
Cast:
- Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday
- Herb Ellis as Frank Smith
- Also featuring Vic Perrin and Inga Hollis
Script by Jim Moser
Music by Walter Schumann
Technical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance Brasher
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Alan, Patreon supporter since February 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
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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, Podcast
Broadway’s My Beat: The Alice Mayo Murder Case (EP5043)
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Today’s Mystery:
Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of Alice Mayo, a recent arrival in New York who is shot through the door of her apartment. Her dying words point toward a man she met at a friendship club, but an anonymous telephone call made around the time of the shooting leaves Clover with questions about what really happened.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 24, 1952
Originated in Hollywood
Cast:
- Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover
- Charles Calvert as Sgt. Gino Tartaglia
- Jack Kruschen as Detective Muggavan and Dr. Sinski
- Whitfield Connor as Fred Mayo
- Betty Lou Gerson
- Lamont Johnson
- Joe Forte
Written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin
Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis
Musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage
Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Kay, Patreon supporter since February 2025
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 Big Story
The Big Story: The Cord Around Her Neck (EP5042)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
West Seattle Herald reporter Stuart Whitehouse gets an unexpected opportunity to scoop the city’s larger newspapers when a woman is found murdered in her home. With his weekly paper’s deadline rapidly approaching, Whitehouse follows a series of clues in hopes of identifying the killer—and getting the story into print first.
Original Radio Broadcast: January 9, 1952
Originating from New York
Cast:
- Nat Polen as Stuart Whitehouse
- Margaret Burlen
- Helen Barron
- Larry Haines
- Bill Griffiths
- Bert Callen
- John Becker
- Steve Edders
- Michael O’Day
Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Brian, Patreon supporter since September 2022.
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.