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
CBS, OTR Detective, Podcast, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Casque of Death Matter (EP5000)
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Today’s Mystery:
When a series of elderly bachelors and widowers vanish from small towns across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to determine whether their disappearances are connected. Following a trail of wine cellars, unusual wills, and a secretive gourmet society, Johnny uncovers one of the strangest cases of his career.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 24, 1959
Originated from Hollywood
Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.
Also starring Harry Bartell, Forrest Lewis, Bartlett Robinson, Parley Baer, and Marvin Miller. Written, produced, and directed by Jack Johnstone. Announcer: Dan Cubberly.
When making your travel plans, remember johnnydollarair.com
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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Amazing World of Radio, Podcast
Suspense: The Log of the Marne (AWR0299)
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This week in our summer series featuring old-time radio appearances by actors who later played killers on Columbo, we spotlight Ray Milland. Milland stars as Lieutenant Commander James Harland in a dramatization of the true story of a British gunboat trapped deep in Communist-controlled territory along China’s Yangtze River. Cut off from help, low on supplies, and under constant threat of attack, Harland and his crew must decide whether to remain stranded or risk a desperate dash to freedom.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 22, 1951
Program: Suspense
Starring Ray Milland as Lieutenant Commander James Harland.
Also featuring Ben Wright as Fraser, Joseph Kearns, Charles Davis, Anthony Ellis, Jack Kruschen, Raymond Lawrence, and William Johnstone. Produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. Adapted for radio by Gil Doud from the book by Lawrence Earl. Music composed by Lucien Moraweck and conducted by Lud Gluskin.
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Colleen, Patreon supporter since March 2021.
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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
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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: A Dead Certainty (EP4997)
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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
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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
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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: The Frightened Author (EP4996)
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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
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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
ABC, Counterspy, OTR Detective, Podcast
Counterspy: Desert Explosion (A0096)
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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
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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
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Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives