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
Dragnet, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural
Dragnet: The Big Border
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Today’s Mystery:
Two armed convicts escape from San Quentin and head for Los Angeles, where they launch a desperate crime spree while police race to track them down. As Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs follow a trail of robberies, stolen weapons, and frightened witnesses, the fugitives make a bold dash for freedom across the Mexican border.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 20, 1952
Originating from Hollywood
Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs.
Also featuring Whit Connor and Herb Ellis. 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
Special thanks to Sandy for becoming a Patreon supporter at the Master Detective level.
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
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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 Russ Warner Murder Case
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Today’s Mystery:
When a wounded Chicago gangster turns up in a nearly deserted bar after a shooting, Danny Clover discovers a trail that leads from old criminal alliances to a missing fortune. As suspects, alibis, and loyalties begin to unravel, the case becomes a deadly contest over $100,000 that someone is willing to kill to keep.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 26, 1952
Originated in Hollywood
Stars: Larry Thor as Lieutenant Danny Clover, Charles Calvert as Sergeant Gino Tartaglia, and Jack Kruschen as Sergeant Muggavan.
Featured in the cast were Mary Jane Croft as Laurie Hayden, Anthony Barrett as Joe Hayden, Jack Moyles, Hal March, and Herb Butterfield. Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. Musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage. Announcer: Bill Anders.
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Pat, Patreon supporter since September 2020.
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
Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives
Become one of our friends on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectives
Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/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: A Dead Certainty (EP4997)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
When a 69-year-old factory worker is found beaten to death in his ransacked bungalow, police quickly focus on a suspicious stranger seen in the neighborhood. But reporter Kenneth McCormick notices a series of small inconsistencies that lead him to question whether the obvious suspect is really the killer.
Original Radio Broadcast: November 15, 1950
Originating from New York
Starring: Bill Smith as Kenneth McCormick
Also featuring Kathleen Cordell, Louis Van Rooten, Bob Dryden, Bill Lipton, and Leon Janney
Based on the reporting of Kenneth McCormick of the Detroit Free Press
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Formula Bruce, Patreon supporter since December 2024.
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 at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives
Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Saint
The Saint: The Frightened Author (EP4996)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Mystery:
Mystery writer Randy Patterson fears that characters from his latest novel may be planning to make his fictional murder plot a reality. As Simon Templar investigates a jealous boxing manager, a heavyweight contender, and a glamorous wife caught in the middle, a real murder turns suspicion in every direction.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 23, 1950
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Vincent Price as Simon Templar
Also featuring Betty Lou Gerson, Barney Phillips, Stanley Farrar, Edmund MacDonald, and Tom Brown
Script by Jerome Epstein
Music composed and conducted by Von Dexter
Produced by James L. Saphier
Directed by Helen Mack
Announcer: Don Stanley
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Charles, Patreon supporter since July 2020.
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 at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives
Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast
Counterspy: Desert Explosion (A0096)
by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments
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Today’s Adventure:
Counterspy agents launch an elaborate sting operation to trap the mysterious Manuel Rodriguez, a wealthy Mexican rancher suspected of brokering stolen atomic secrets. Posing as crooks who have stolen a valuable uranium compound, Peters and Agent Ella Thomas risk their lives to convince Rodriguez they have something worth killing for.
Original Radio Broadcast: August 18, 1949
Originating from New York
Starring: Don McLaughlin as David Harding; Mandel Kramer as Peters
Also featuring Joan Alexander as Ella Thomas
Directed by William M. Sweets
Music by Jesse Crawford
Produced by the Phillips H. Lord Productions
To subscribe to this podcast, go to greatadventures.info
Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Sean, Patreon supporter since December 2016.
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 at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives
CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Twin Trouble Matter (EP4995)
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Today’s Mystery:
Johnny Dollar is asked to protect a respected New Jersey stockbroker whose past involvement in a fraudulent securities scheme has made him the target of blackmail. When the ex-convict behind the threat demands a fortune in exchange for silence, Johnny finds himself racing to stop a deadly trap before it destroys an innocent family.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 17, 1959
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
Also starring G. Stanley Jones, Alan Reed, and Frank Gerstle
Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone
Announcer: Dan Cubberly
When making your travel plans, remember johnnydollarair.com
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Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Diane, Patreon supporter since July 2023.
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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Dragnet, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural
Dragnet: The Big Fire (EP4994)
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Todays Mystery:
A landlord suddenly refuses to honor signed leases on a newly renovated apartment building and threatens prospective tenants with a loaded gun when they try to move in. As Friday and Jacobs investigate the bizarre incident, they begin to suspect the stubborn property owner may be hiding a far more dangerous scheme.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 13, 1952
Originating from Hollywood
Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs
Also featuring Vic Perrin
Script by Jim Moser
Music by Walter Schumann
Announcer: Hal Gibney
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Roger, Patreon supporter since July 2024
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
Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives
Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.