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.

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

Broadway’s My Beat: The John Elgin Murder Case (EP5028)

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Today’s Mystery:

Detective Danny Clover reopens what appeared to be a straightforward suicide after a former bookie claims he witnessed the victim being pushed from a rooftop. When the eyewitness is murdered before he can identify the killer, Clover must untangle a web of jealousy, blackmail, and deception.

Original Radio Broadcast: April 5, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Starring Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover

Also featuring Charles Calvert as Sgt. Gino Tartaglia, Jack Kruschen as Detective Muggavan, Louise Lewis as Margaret Elgin, Bill Bouchey as Ray Ford, Charlotte Lawrence, Billy Halop, and Steve Roberts

Written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin

Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis

Musical score composed and conducted by Alexander Courage

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

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Catherine, Patreon supporter since November 2025

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

Take our listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call: 208-991-4783

Amazing World of Radio, Podcast

Family Theater: Juaqin Murrieta (AWR0305)

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Today’s Story:

During California’s Gold Rush, the legendary outlaw Joaquin Murrieta finds himself torn between vengeance and the possibility of a new life after an unexpected reunion with a woman from his past. As vigilantes close in, Murrieta must choose between love and the destiny that has made him a legend.

Original Radio Broadcast: June 21, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Hosted by Marshall Thompson

Starring Ricardo Montalban as Joaquin Murrieta and Lillian Buyeff as Clarita Vallejos

Also featuring Wally Mayer, Howard Culver, Joseph Duvall, Nestor Paiva, Tim Graham, and Raul Chavez

Dramatized by Sidney Marshall

Music composed and conducted by Harry Zimmerman

Directed by Jaime Del Valle

Announced by Gene Baker

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

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Christine, Patreon supporter since November 2018

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

Take our listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call: 208-991-4783

Join us again next time for another rare radio treasure on The Amazing World of Radio.

NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Big Story

The Big Story: More Tragic than Murder (EP5027)

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Today’s Mystery:

When rumors spread through rural Kansas that a woman has concealed her mother’s death for years, Hiawatha Daily World reporter Virgil Hill uncovers a heartbreaking truth that proves far more tragic than murder.

Original Radio Broadcast: April 25, 1951

Originating from New York

Starring Bill Lipton as Virgil Hill

Also featuring Agnes Young, Ethel Owen, James Stevens, Bill Smith, Charles Eggleston, Bill Griffiths, and Jason Johnson

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

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Stuart, Patreon supporter since November 2022

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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Give us a call: 208-991-4783

Join us again next time for another true newspaper story on The Big Story.

NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, The Saint

The Saint: The Baseball Murder (EP5026)

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Vincent Price Today’s Mystery:

Simon Templar investigates rumors that a minor league baseball team is about to throw an important game. His inquiry leads him to a beautiful woman, a dangerous fixer, and a young pitching phenom whose promising career may be destroyed before he ever reaches the major leagues.

Original Radio Broadcast: September 17, 1950

Originating from Hollywood

Starring Vincent Price as Simon Templar, The Saint

Also featuring Gloria Blondell, Jack Moyles, Hal March, Ed Max, Bob Clark, and Larry Dobkin

Based on characters created by Leslie Charteris

Written by Dick Powell

Music composed and conducted by Van Dexter

Directed by Helen Mack

Produced by James L. Saphier

Support the podcast monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jay, Patreon supporter since April 2024

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

Mail donation to:

Adam Graham

PO Box 15913

Boise, ID 83715

Take our listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call: 208-991-4783

Join us again next time for another adventure with The Saint.

Counterspy, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast

Counterspy: The Arrogant Arsonist (A0108)

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Today’s Mystery:

An international smuggling ring is threatened when a federal grand jury closes in on one of its American front companies. To cover their tracks, the organization’s ruthless mastermind summons a professional arsonist to destroy the evidence before counterspy agents can stop them.

Original Radio Broadcast: March 14, 1950

Originating from New York

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

Also featuring Jesse Crawford (music)

Written by Edward J. Adamson

Directed by Leonard L. Bass

Produced by Phillips H. Lord

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

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

Mail a donation to:

Adam Graham
PO Box 15913
Boise, ID 83715

Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call: 208-991-4783

Join us again next time for another exciting case from Counterspy

CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Life at Stake Matter (EP5025)

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Today’s Mystery:

Johnny is summoned by the eccentric Alvin Peabody Cartwright, who insists the matter is urgent. But when Johnny arrives, Cartwright has vanished, blood is found in the garage, and every clue points to murder—unless appearances are deceiving.

Original Radio Broadcast: June 20, 1959

Originating in Hollywood

Starring Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.

Also featuring Virginia Gregg, Gene Tatum, Howard McNear, Forrest Lewis, Joseph Kearns, and Paul Dubov. Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone.

Remember to make your travel plans by visiting JohnnyDollarAir.com first.

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Christine, Patreon supporter since March 2018.

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 next Friday for another adventure with Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

Dragnet, NBC, OTR Detective, Podcast, Procedural

Dragnet: The Big Bunco (EP5024)

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Today’s Mystery:

An experienced confidence man returns to Los Angeles with the same polished investment scam, cheating trusting victims out of thousands of dollars. As Sergeant Joe Friday begins breaking in a new partner, the detectives race to stop the swindler before he can disappear with another fortune.

Original Radio Broadcast: April 17, 1952

Originating in Hollywood

Starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday.

Also featuring Martin Milner as Officer Bill Lockwood, Marian Richman, and Vic Rodman. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann.

Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Pam, Patreon supporter since February 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

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

Recent Posts

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

Broadway’s My Beat: The John Elgin Murder Case (EP5028)