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 Case – Who Killed Dr. Swan? / The Missing Key (EP5080e)

by George • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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 second omnibus brings together two more chapters from the original serial, continuing Charlie Chan’s investigation into the murders surrounding the guests at Pine View. Part 2 features “Who Killed Dr. Swan?” and “The Missing Key.”

Original Radio Broadcast Date:

Originating in Sydney

Cast

William Rees as Charlie Chan
Rodney Jacobs
Don Holt — Sheriff
Hugh Beaton
Miss Beaton
John Ryder
Louis Romano
Ah Sing
Mrs. O’Farrell
Dr. Swan
Ellen Landini
Cecile
Arsene

Who Killed Dr. Swan?

Charlie Chan faces a new murder at Pine View when Dr. Swan, a suspected blackmailer, is found dead in an unoccupied house. With the guests already under suspicion in Ellen Landini’s murder, Chan investigates a conversation overheard on the night of the crime that could change the course of the case. But as questions about alibis and the missing house key emerge, the list of possible suspects grows.

The Missing Key

The search for Dr. Swan’s killer leads Charlie Chan to a missing key that may reveal who entered the house on the night of the murder. As Chan questions the household and examines the motives surrounding Landini’s estate, suspicion falls on those who may stand to benefit from her death. Then, during a search near the murder scene, Chan makes a discovery in the snow that could prove crucial to the investigation.

Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day:

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�http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call 208-991-4783

Become one of ourfriends on Facebook.

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

ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast

Counterspy: The High-Class Hijacker (A0130)

by George • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Adventure: When a series of interstate truck hijackings strikes the Midwest, Counterspy chief David Harding takes over the investigation. The stolen goods are disappearing through an operation that appears to have access to the trucks’ security systems, leaving authorities struggling to catch the thieves. Harding deploys miniature cameras, chemical analysis, and a trail of fluorescent oil to track the stolen shipments—but can his team uncover the mastermind before the hijackings escalate?

Original Radio Broadcast: October 13, 1949

Originating in New York

Cast:

Don McLaughlin as David Harding
Mandell Kramer
Ken Lynch as Corney
Jackson Beck as Fatso
Mark B. Loeb as director
Palmer Thompson as dramatist
Jesse Crawford as musicalist
Phillips H. Lord for Pepsi-Cola

To subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Gretchen — Patreon supporter since September 2017

Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

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

CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Backfire That Backfired Matter (EP5080)

by George • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny Dollar is looking forward to making amends with Betty Lewis when an unusual pattern catches his attention: a hot rod races past her home every morning, its engine backfiring at precisely the same spot. When Johnny discovers that the car has a phony license plate, he suspects that the noise is more than a nuisance. His investigation leads him to a dangerous scheme targeting a former attorney, but can Johnny uncover the plan before the next backfire turns deadly?

Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 6, 1959

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar
Virginia Gregg
Forrest Lewis
Barney Phillips
Tom Holland

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day:Don, Michael, Claudia, and Artimo, Patreon Supporter since October 2021

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

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

Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural

Dragnet: The Big Trio (EP5079)

by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Mystery:

On the eve of the Fourth of July weekend, Joe Friday and Frank Smith are assigned to Accident Investigation and confront the devastating consequences of reckless driving when a 16-year-old takes his father’s car on a high-speed ride through Los Angeles. As the holiday begins, a succession of traffic calls illustrates how quickly carelessness, alcohol, and poor judgment can turn an ordinary drive into tragedy.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 3, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday
Herb Ellis as Frank Smith
Vic Perrin
Stacy Harris
Vic Rodman
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
Hal Gibney, announcer

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Splinator, Patreon supporter since August 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

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

Broadway's My Beat, CBS, OTR Detective

Broadway’s My Beat: The Robert Turk Murder Case (EP5078)

by Yours Truly Johnny Blogger • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Mystery:

Danny Clover investigates the apparent suicide of Robert Turk, a devotee of occult rituals who has been found with his throat cut after a former member of his cult, Maura Spencer, makes a frantic call to police. When Maura’s fiancé dies soon afterward, under suspicious circumstances, Danny begins examining the strange pattern of deaths surrounding her and the unsettling role that superstition and black magic seem to play in them.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 18, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Cast:

Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover
Charles Calvert as Sgt. Gino Tartaglia
Jack Kruschen as Sgt. Muggavan
Sammy Hill as Maura Spencer
Lee Millar
Truda Marson
Lou Merrill
Morton Fine and David Friedkin, writers
Elliott Lewis, director
Alexander Courage, composer and conductor
Bill Anders, announcer

Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Bruce, Patreon supporter since July 202

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

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 Search That Saved a Life (EP5077)

by George • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Mystery:

A chance encounter in a Chicago courtroom leads reporters Virginia Marmaduke and Joe Kordek into a deeply personal story. A mother is seeking a divorce because she believes her husband is willing to risk their young daughter’s life. The reporters soon discover that the child suffers from a serious medical condition and that her parents are bitterly divided over a dangerous decision that could determine her future. When they learn that another child may hold the answer, Virginia and Joe set out to find her—but will they reach her in time?

Original Radio Broadcast: February 10, 1954

Originating from New York

Cast:

Virginia Marmaduke — M.C. Strickland
Joe Kordek — Sid Pohl
Mandel Kramer
Jan Miner
Guy Sorel
Madeline Pierce
Shirley Hayes
Joan Tompkins

Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Philip, Patreon supporter since December 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

Take the listener survey at http://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 Saint

The Saint: The Chiseling Chimpanzee (EP5076)

by George • 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s Mystery:

Simon Templar becomes involved in a strange murder mystery after meeting a frightened man named Prebble, who believes he may be headed for prison because of a trained chimpanzee named Wenceslas. When Prebble is murdered and the chimpanzee is subsequently killed, The Saint discovers that the animal may have been involved in the theft of valuable jewels. Simon follows the trail to a group of jewel thieves and must determine who killed Prebble and Wenceslaus—and who has the missing jewels.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 10, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Vincent Price as Simon Templar

Cast:

Maggie Morley as Lola
George Nees as Roland Ames
Sheldon Leonard as Max
Theodor von Eltz as Haig
Jack Moyles as Prebble
Jerry Hausner as the Monkey

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Todd, Patreon supporter since July 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

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