Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

For June, we're spotlighting stars who played multiple detectives on the air and our first leading man is Tom Conway. In 1946, he took over the deerstalker cap from Basil Rathbone on The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and in 1951, he donned Simon Templar's halo as Vincent Price's replacement on The Saint. We'll hear Conway as Holmes - with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson - in "The Darlington Substitution" (originally aired on ABC on January 4, 1947) and "The Adventure of the Scarlet Worm" (originally aired on ABC on March 24, 1947). Then, he's the Saint in "The Children's Crusade" (originally aired on NBC on May 27, 1951) and "No, My Darling Daughter" (originally aired on NBC on July 15, 1951).

Our month-long spotlight series on mystery writers concludes with John Dickson Carr, master of the locked room mystery who was recently referenced in Wake Up Dead Man. We'll hear some thrillers penned by Carr for Suspense as well as episodes of his own mystery anthology series Cabin B-13. From Suspense, it's "The Burning Court" (originally aired on CBS on June 17, 1942) and the first half of "The Hangman Won't Wait," starring Sydney Greenstreet as Carr's amateur sleuth Dr. Gideon Fell (originally aired on CBS on March 30, 1943). And from Cabin B-13, we'll hear "The Bride Vanishes" (originally aired on CBS on December 12, 1948).

For this month's bonus episode, we're back on Baker Street for my five favorite radio adaptations of Sherlock Holmes adventures penned by Arthur Conan Doyle. Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce star in "The Speckled Band" (originally aired on Mutual on November 12, 1945), and Bruce and Tom Conway star in "The Adventure of the Dying Detective" (originally aired on ABC on February 3, 1947). Then, John Stanley and Alfred Shirley are Holmes and Watson in "The Red Headed League" and "The Sussex Vampire" (originally aired on October 12 and December 14, 1947). Finally, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson take center stage in a British radio production of "A Scandal in Bohemia."

Our spotlight mystery writer of the week is Dorothy L. Sayers, the English writer, poet, and essayist whose work evolved and advanced the detective genre with characterization and humor. She's best known for the adventures of aristocrat and amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, and we'll hear one of his exploits adapted for Suspense - "The Cave of Ali Baba" (originally aired on CBS on August 19, 1942). We'll also hear three more of Ms. Sayers' stories adapted for "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" - "The Fountain Plays" (originally aired on CBS on August 10, 1943); "Suspicion" (originally aired on CBS on February 10, 1944); and "The Man Who Knew How" (originally aired on CBS on August 10, 1944).

Our month-long salute to mystery writing legends continues with the queen of crime herself - Agatha Christie. She wrote over sixty novels, dozens of short stories, and created two of the genre's most beloved sleuths - Hercule Poirot, the fastidious and brilliant Belgian detective, and Miss Marple, the kindly amateur investigator. We'll hear four of Dame Agatha's tales recreated for radio: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" with Orson Welles as Poirot from The Campbell Playhouse (originally aired on CBS on November 12, 1939); "The Tragedy of Marsdon Manner" from Murder Clinic (originally aired on Mutual on October 6, 1942); and "The ABC Murders" and "Where There's a Will" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on May 18, 1943 and February 24, 1949).

Our month of classic mystery writers continues with Dashiell Hammett - the former Pinkerton operative whose celebrated characters include Sam Spade, the Continental Op, and Nick and Nora Charles. Radio shows based on his sleuths were some of the most popular on radio until Hammett became a casualty of the Red Scare. We'll hear some of his stories recreated for radio: an adaptation of "The Thin Man" from The Lux Radio Theatre (originally aired on CBS on June 8, 1936; "Two Sharp Knives" - adapted for Suspense (originally aired on CBS on June 7, 1945); "The Maltese Falcon" recreated on Academy Award (originally aired on CBS on July 3, 1946); and "The Critical Author Caper" - a loose adaptation of his novel The Dain Curse from The Adventures of Sam Spade (originally aired on CBS on August 15, 1948). Plus, we'll hear an original Hammett radio creation - private eye Brad Runyon - aka The Fat Man in his debut adventure "The Nineteenth Pearl" (originally aired on ABC on January 21, 1946).

In honor of his May 6th birthday, we're saluting the great Orson Welles with a pair of radio performances set on Baker Street. First, he's the great detective himself in "The Immortal Sherlock Holmes" from The Mercury Theatre On the Air (originally aired on CBS on September 25, 1938). Then, he's Holmes' archnemesis Professor Moriarty - opposite John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson as Holmes and Watson - in a syndicated production of "The Final Problem."

For May, we're spotlighting authors whose works inspired old time radio mysteries. First up is Raymond Chandler - best known for creating the iconic Los Angeles gumshoe Philip Marlowe. We'll hear a pair of Chandler's Marlowe stories adapted for radio - "Trouble is My Business" with Van Heflin (originally aired on NBC on August 5, 1947) and "Red Wind" with Gerald Mohr (originally aired on CBS on September 26, 1948). Plus, we'll hear adaptations of two other Chandler mysteries: "Pearls are a Nuisance" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on April 19, 1945) and "Murder in the City Hall" from The Mollé Mystery Theatre (originally aired on NBC on April 5, 1946).

Our month of Jack Webb continues with his most unusual crime drama - Pete Kelly's Blues, a show that incorporated Webb's love of jazz into its weekly mysteries. Kelly played cornet in a combo at a Kansas City speakeasy during Prohibition, and each episode featured vocal and instrumental musical numbers. Though it didn't last long on radio, Webb brought Pete Kelly's Blues to the big screen with a cast that included Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald. We'll hear four episodes of the short-lived series: "Gus Trudeau" (originally aired on NBC on August 15, 1951); "Zelda" (originally aired on NBC on September 5, 1951); "The Dutchman" (originally aired on NBC on September 12, 1951); and "June Gould" (originally aired on NBC September 19, 1951).

Our Jack Webb series continues this week with Jeff Regan, Investigator - another stint as a hard-boiled gumshoe before he picked up Joe Friday's badge on Dragnet. Regan was the long-suffering operative of Anthony J. Lyon's International Detective Bureau, and "the Lyon's eye" was always thrown into whatever dangerous case his boss took on with no questions asked. We'll hear Webb as Regan in four radio mysteries: "The Lady with the Golden Hair" (originally aired on CBS on July 31, 1948); "The Man in the Door" (originally aired on CBS on August 28, 1948); "The Man Who Fought Back" (originally aired on CBS on November 27, 1948); and "The Gambler and His Lady" (originally aired on CBS on December 11, 1948).

Our month-long salute to Jack Webb continues with his signature series and my five favorite radio episodes of Dragnet. We'll join Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday as he keeps the streets of Los Angeles safe from crooks of all stripes. We'll hear "The Big Bomb" (originally aired on NBC on July 13, 1950); "The Big Saint" (originally aired on NBC on April 26, 1951); "The Big Bunco" (originally aired on NBC on April 17, 1952); "The Big Bull" (originally aired on NBC on September 14, 1952); and "The Big Little Mother" (originally aired on NBC on October 6, 1953).

We kick off a new month-long series saluting the great Jack Webb in honor of his April 2nd birthday, and we're starting with Pat Novak for Hire - his ultra-hard boiled series that put him on the map. Novak never looked for trouble but always found it on the San Francisco waterfront, and we'll hear him try to keep his head above water in four radio mysteries: "Jack of Clubs" (originally aired on ABC on February 20, 1949); "Fleet Lady" (originally aired on ABC on March 6, 1949); "John St. John" (originally aired on ABC on May 21, 1949); and "Agnes Bolton" (originally aired on ABC on June 4, 1949).

Easter is almost here, and we've got a pair of old time radio mysteries with a twist on the bunny and his basket. Lon Clark stars as Nick Carter, Master Detective in "The Case of the Chemical Chickens," a story of explosive eggs (originally aired on Mutual on April 13, 1947). Then, a rabbit farm that ends up the scene of a murder as Sydney Greenstreet and Larry Dobkin star in "The Case of the Brave Rabbit" from The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (originally aired on NBC on December 1, 1950).

For the final installment in our month-long series of Oscar-winning radio detective stars, we shine the spotlight on Van Heflin. The star of Shane and 3:10 to Yuma won his Best Supporting Actor prize for his work in Johnny Eager, but on radio he starred as Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe in the character's first regular series. We'll hear him as the Los Angeles gumshoe in three radio mysteries - "Red Wind" (originally aired on NBC on June 17, 1947), "The King in Yellow" (originally aired on NBC on July 8, 1947), and "Robin and the Hood" (originally aired on NBC on August 19, 1947). Plus, Heflin pinch hits for Herbert Marshall on The Man Called X (originally aired on NBC on May 25, 1951).

A new baseball season begins this week, and we're throwing out a ceremonial radio first pitch with a pair of mysteries set around the diamond. First, Boston Blackie investigates when a player is murdered in the middle of a game in a syndicated mystery starring Richard Kollmar. Then, Vincent Price investigates a gang of crooked gamblers out to fix some ballgames in "Baseball Murder" from The Saint (originally aired on NBC on September 3, 1950).

Our series of Oscar-winning radio detective stars continues with Edmond O'Brien, who took home the Best Supporting Actor prize for The Barefoot Contessa and who picked up another well-deserved nomination for Seven Days in May. O'Brien was the second actor to star as Johnny Dollar - "the man with the action-packed expense account" - and we'll hear him in four of Dollar's radio adventures: "The Richard Splain Matter" (originally aired on CBS on October 7, 1950; "The Byron Hayes Matter" (originally aired on CBS on March 24, 1951); "The Hatchet House Theft" (originally aired on CBS on June 27, 1951); and "The Horace Lockhart Matter" (originally aired on CBS August 1, 1951).

Our month of Oscar-winning radio detectives continues with Rex Harrison, winner of the Best Actor prize for My Fair Lady and the debonair sleuth of The Private Files of Rex Saunders. We'll hear Rex as Rex in "When You Play a Game With Death" (audition recording from April 13, 1951), "A Shocking Still Life" (originally aired on NBC on May 9, 1951), "Diamonds Can Be Done to Death" (originally aired on NBC on May 16, 1951), and "A Murder Deep in A Killer's Mind" (originally aired on NBC on June 20, 1951).

Our series of Oscar-winning radio detective stars continues with Mercedes McCambridge, who took home the award as best supporting actress for her turn in All the King's Men. Among her many radio credits was Defense Attorney, where she starred as Martha Ellis Bryant - who worked in and out of the courtroom (much like Perry Mason) to clear her clients. The show was a rare example of a radio detective show fronted by a woman, and it's a highlight of the genre. We'll hear Ms. McCambridge in four episodes: the series' audition The Defense Rests from April 1951; "Mike Pelly" (originally aired on ABC on August 31, 1951); "Jimmy Leonard" (originally aired on ABC on September 14, 1951); and "Joshua Masters" (originally aired on ABC on April 10, 1952).

In honor of the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, we're spotlighting a series of radio detective show stars who took home Oscars for their film work. First up is Frank Sinatra, who's best known for his singing but who showed off his dramatic chops in From Here to Eternity and took home the prize. We'll hear him as Rocky Fortune in four episodes of his short-lived radio mystery series: "Double Identity" (originally aired on NBC on October 13, 1953); "A Hepcat Killed the Canary" (originally aired on NBC on November 17, 1953); "Murder Among the Statues" (originally aired on NBC on December 1, 1953); and "Boarding House Doublecross" (originally aired on NBC on March 30, 1954).

We're serving up thick cuts of old time radio mystery with four stories involving butchers and their wares. First, Boston Blackie faces off against a black market meat ring in an adventure starring Chester Morris (originally aired on NBC on July 21, 1944). Kirk Douglas embarks on a dangerous affair in the grocery store aisles in "The Butcher's Wife" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on February 9, 1950). After a disappointing dinner, The Saint finds a dead body in his trunk in "The Horrible Hamburger" (originally aired on NBC on September 10, 1950). Finally, Dick Powell goes undercover to protect a butcher from a protection racket in Richard Diamond, Private Detective (originally aired on ABC on March 9, 1951).

As a belated Valentine's Day treat, we've got four radio mysteries where our detectives are entangled in matrimonial mishaps. As Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone investigates a black widow in "The Book of Tobit" (originally aired on Mutual on March 26, 1945). Philip Marlowe trails a missing wife in "The Persian Slippers" (originally aired on CBS on October 3, 1948), and Sam Spade is accused of eloping in "The Love Letter Caper" (an Armed Forces Radio Service rebroadcast from March 27, 1949). Finally, a wife wants Richard Diamond to protect her husband in "The Simpson Case" (originally aired on ABC on January 18, 1952).

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and our old time radio mysteries this week all feature real-life husbands and wives at the microphone or behind the scenes. First, June Allyson - aka Mrs. Dick Powell - plays Richard Diamond's latest client (originally aired on NBC on June 21, 1950). Then, Cathy and Elliott Lewis star as a less than happily married couple in "Love, Honor, or Murder" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on June 29, 1950). Our third show features a couple that worked on and off mic - actress Virginia Gregg and director Jaime del Valle in "The Lapinish Lighter-Upper Case" from The Line-Up (originally aired on CBS on March 27, 1951). And finally, Joan Banks pays a visit to Night Beat alongside her husband Frank Lovejoy in an episode that originally aired on NBC on September 4, 1952.

After a week of dealing with a thick coating of ice all over everything, I've got winter weather on the brain. So today, we have three old time radio mysteries where our sleuths have to solve their crimes in the snow. First, Bob Bailey hits the slopes to prevent a murder in "Snow Blind" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on December 26, 1949). Then, William Gargan suspects a fatal slip on the ice wasn't an accident in "The Girl on the Doorstep" from Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator (originally aired on NBC on February 16, 1953). Finally, John Lund is "the man with the action-packed expense account" in a snowbound mystery in the Windy City - "The Classified Killer Matter" from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (AFRS rebroadcast from February 23, 1954).

We wrap up our series of Hollywood stars who solved crimes on the air with Glenn Ford. The star of Gilda, The Big Heat, and 3:10 to Yuma appeared on radio as Christopher London, a globetrotting private eye created by Erle Stanley Gardner. We'll hear Ford as London in "The Missing Heiress" (originally aired on NBC on February 5, 1950). Then, he's a man on the run in a Studio One adaptation of "The 39 Steps" (originally aired on CBS on March 23, 1948).

This week's Hollywood leading man turned radio detective is Dana Andrews, who starred on screen in Laura, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Boomerang, and more. On the air, Andrews played Matt Cvetic, undercover agent, in the syndicated series I Was a Communist for the FBI. We'll hear a pair of his adventures in Red-bashing: "Pit Viper" and "Jump to the Whip." Plus, Andrews plays a reporter out to clear a wrongfully convicted man in a radio adaptation of Call Northside 777 from Hollywood Sound Stage (originally aired on CBS on December 27, 1951).

Take a walk down the Great White Way with Detective Danny Clover in my five favorite episodes of Broadway is My Beat. Larry Thor is the policeman with the soul of a poet in one of radio's finest dramas - detective or otherwise. We'll hear "The Suicide Pact Murders" (originally aired on CBS on August 21, 1950), "The Garment District Murders" (originally aired on CBS on April 14, 1951), "The Case of Charles Crandall" (originally aired on CBS on May 12, 195), "The Tom Keeler Case" (originally aired on CBS on September 22, 1951), and "The Gridiron Hero Murders" (originally aired on CBS on November 22, 1952).

We continue our spotlight series of Hollywood heavy hitters who put in time as radio detectives. This week, it's a legend of classic cinema - Humphrey Bogart, star of Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, and so many more iconic films. Bogart headlined Bold Venture, a syndicated mystery-adventure series set in the tropics. His co-star was no less than his real-life wife, Lauren Bacall. We'll hear a pair of syndicated Bold Venture mysteries - "The Tears of Siva," "The Mystery of the Mary K." Plus, Bogie stars in the audition for what would have been his own anthology drama Humphrey Bogart Presents. In this audition recording, Bogart hosts and appears in an adaptation of James M. Cain's story "Dead Man."

We kick off 2026 with a month-long series of big screen stars who lent their voices to radio detectives. First up is Alan Ladd, the steely star of classic noir dramas like This Gun for Hire and The Blue Dahlia and westerns like the iconic Shane. We'll hear him in his signature radio role of mystery writer and amateur sleuth Dan Holiday in a pair of syndicated episodes of Box 13 - "Treasure of Hang Li" and "Sealed Instructions." Plus, he recreates his big screen role as an old west detective as The Screen Director's Playhouse presents "Whispering Smith" (originally aired on NBC on September 16, 1949).

We bid a fond farewell to 2025 with an encore of our New Year's Eve special from 2018. Jack Webb and Gerald Mohr star in New Year's Eve mysteries from Dragnet and The Adventures of Philip Marlowe. We'll hear "The Big New Year's" (originally aired on NBC on March 8, 1951) and "The Old Acquaintance" (originally aired on CBS on December 26, 1948).

Our bonus series of holiday mysteries wraps up on Christmas Eve with two more tales of seasonal sleuthing. John Stanley and Alfred Shirley are Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in "The Adventure of the Christmas Bride" (originally aired on Mutual on December 21, 1947). And Jack Webb stars in a heartwarming case from Dragnet - "The Big Little Jesus" (originally aired on NBC on December 22, 1953).

Christmas is only a few days away, and we're celebrating with a trio of holiday tales from Broadway - not the world of footlights, chorus lines, and matinee performances, but the seedier side of the street. Our first two tales come from the pen of Damon Runyon. A man is marked for death on Christmas Eve in "Dancing Dan's Christmas" from The Damon Runyon Theatre, and a trio of crooks hunting for lost loot finds a lot more in "Three Wise Guys" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on December 24, 1950). Then we'll hear a holiday mystery starring Detective Danny Clover in Broadway is My Beat (originally aired on CBS on December 24, 1949).

Christmas is only a week away and we've got a pair of old time radio mysteries for stocking stuffers. Charles Russell stars in a yuletide adventure of Johnny Dollar - "Small Time Swindles of Big Time Department Stores - Or How I Played Santa Claus and Almost Got Left Holding the Sack" (originally aired on CBS on December 24, 1949) - and Sydney Greenstreet tries to save St. Nick in "The Case of the Slaughtered Santas" from The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (originally aired on NBC on December 22, 1950).

Our two-part series on The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe wraps up with the final three actors to play Archie Goodwin opposite Sydney Greenstreet's gargantuan gourmet. Larry Dobkin - who you may know best as Louie, cab driver sidekick of The Saint - is Archie in "The Case of the Deadly Sellout" (originally aired on NBC on January 5, 1951). Gerald Mohr - the voice of Philip Marlowe - stars in "The Case of the Calculated Risk" (originally aired on NBC on January 19, 1951). And Harry Bartell - announcer and actor - plays Goodwin in "The Case of the Final Page" (originally aired on NBC on March 23, 1951).

Our countdown to Christmas continues with Vincent Price and Frank Sinatra both donning the red suit of Santa Claus! Simon Templar proves "Santa Claus is No Saint" (originally aired on NBC on December 24, 1950) and Rocky Fortune's new gig as a department store St. Nick is anything but merry in "The Plot to Murder Santa Claus" (originally aired on NBC on December 22, 1953).

We kick off a two-part series spotlighting The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe in celebration of two December birthdays - Rex Stout, the creator of the gargantuan gourmet, and Sydney Greenstreet, the Oscar-nominated actor who brought the sleuth to radio life. The show ran for just one season but six different actors played Wolfe's loyal assistant Archie Goodwin in those 26 episodes. The series and its star could never settle on a supporting actor, but the unusual revolving door allowed some of radio's best performers to take a stab at the character. We'll hear the first three Messrs Goodwin - Wally Maher in "Stamped for Murder" (originally aired on NBC on October 20, 1950); Lamont Johnson in "The Case of the Careworn Cuff" (originally aired on NBC on October 27, 1950); and Herb Ellis in "The Case of the Dear Dead Lady" (originally aired on NBC on November 3, 1950).

We're celebrating the holidays with a month of seasonal sleuthing! Tune in Wednesdays throughout December for Christmas stories starring some of our favorite old time radio detectives. First up, the ace crimesolving cameraman spots a pickpocket and breaks a murder case in "Christmas Shopping" from Casey, Crime Photographer (originally aired on CBS on December 19, 1946). Then, Boston Blackie solves a jewel theft with a strange connection to a sidewalk Santa in a syndicated holiday mystery.

Harry Bartell worked all over the dial during the Golden Age of Radio, both as an actor in shows like Gunsmoke, Escape, and Johnny Dollar and as an announcer for The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Casebook of Gregory Hood. We'll celebrate his November 29th birthday with some of his work. First, he's on a voyage where a fellow passenger is a deadly snake in "A Shipment of Mute Fate" from Escape (originally aired on CBS on March 28, 1948). Then, he plays Frank Smith, the new partner for Sgt. Friday on "The Big Safe" from Dragnet (originally aired on NBC on May 1, 1952). Next, he's Archie Goodwin to Sydney Greenstreet's Nero Wolfe in two mysteries: "The Case of the Midnight Ride" (originally aired on NBC on March 16, 1951) and "The Case of the Tell-Tale Ribbon" (originally aired on NBC on March 30, 1951). Finally, he plays Lieutenant Seiberts opposite Raymond Chandler in "Shavetail," a western drama from Fort Laramie (originally aired on CBS on March 3, 1956).

Hit those big deals (and/or dig into some Thanksgiving leftovers) with this bonus episode for Black Friday starring Joe Friday. We'll hear Jack Webb as the star sergeant of the LAPD in three Dragnet radio mysteries: "The Big Press" (originally aired on NBC on June 15, 1950), "The Big Couple" (originally aired on NBC on February 22, 1951), and "The Big Number" (originally aired on NBC on October 26, 1952).

Happy Thanksgiving! As we head into what I hope is a fun and restful weekend for everyone, here's an encore of our annual Turkey Day special - a five-course meal of radio mysteries set around the holiday.

Casey, Crime Photographer stars in a pair of stories: "After Turkey, the Bill" (originally aired on CBS on November 27, 1947), and "Holiday" (originally aired on CBS on November 25, 1948). As Jeff Regan, Jack Webb meets modern-day Miles Standish and finds a turkey shoot where it isn't a bird who catches the bullet in "The Pilgrim's Progress" from Jeff Regan, Investigator (originally aired on CBS on November 13, 1948). George Valentine comes to the aid of a boy in trouble in "Cause for Thanksgiving" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on November 20, 1950), and Steve Dunne stars as Sam Spade, who's hired by a Tom Turkey in "The Terrified Turkey Caper" (originally aired on NBC on November 24, 1950). Plus, keep an ear out for some music and comedy for the holiday from some old time radio favorites!

With Thanksgiving only a few days away, we're joining Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson for some mysteries set around the dinner table. First, Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce are Holmes and Watson in "The Strange Case of Mrs. Abernetty" (originally aired on ABC on November 30, 1946). Then, it's a pair of mysteries starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley - "The Case of King Phillip's Golden Salver" (originally aired on Mutual on February 29, 1948) and "The Case of the Very Best Butter" (originally aired on Mutual on April 18, 1948).

In honor of Dick Powell's November 14th birthday, we're saluting the singing star with some of his old time radio performances. First, he plays private investigator Richard Rogue in "Little Old Lady" from Rogue's Gallery (originally aired on Mutual on November 29, 1945). Then, he's radio's crooning crimefighter Richard Diamond, Private Detective in a pair of episodes: "The Tom Waxman Bombing" (originally aired on NBC on June 26, 1949) and "Death and the Letter" (originally aired on NBC on November 8, 1950). Finally, he recreates one of his big screen roles, alongside co-star Lee J. Cobb, as The Lux Radio Theatre presents "Johnny O'Clock" (originally aired on CBS on May 12, 1947).

Not all radio detectives carried a badge or a private eye's license. Some were amateur sleuths who dabbled in deduction in addition to their day jobs, and we'll hear a collection of those crimesolvers and their adventures. Walter Hampden stars as Leonidas Witherall - professor, author, dead ringer for Shakespeare, and amateur detective - in "Murder at the State Fair" (originally aired on Mutual on September 24, 1944). Gale Gordon is San Francisco importer and detective Gregory Hood in "The Forgetful Murderer" (originally aired on Mutual on July 29, 1946). Alan Ladd is mystery writer Dan Holiday, who seeks adventures to fuel the plots of his stories, in "Killer at Large," a syndicated episode of Box 13. And finally, Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost are book publisher Jerry North and his wife Pam, and their idea of a date night involves stumbling over a dead body. We'll hear "The Premature Corpse," an Armed Forces Radio Service rebroadcast of Mr. and Mrs. North (originally aired on CBS on February 12, 1952).

Many actors have brought Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe to life. Humphrey Bogart, Elliot Gould, Danny Glover, and Liam Neeson are just a few of the men to portray the legendary private eye on the big and small screens, but today we'll hear four actors who played Marlowe on radio. First, Van Heflin is Marlowe in a radio adaptation of Chandler's "Red Wind" (originally aired on NBC on June 17, 1947). Next, Robert Montgomery reprises the role of Marlowe as The Lux Radio Theatre adapts "Lady in the Lake" (originally aired on CBS on February 9, 1948). Dick Powell steps back into the gumshoe's shoes in a Hollywood Star Time presentation of "Murder, My Sweet" (originally aired on CBS on June 8, 1946). Finally, Gerald Mohr proves "crime is a sucker's road" in "The Uneasy Head" (originally aired on CBS on June 6, 1950).

Trick or treat! It's time for the annual Down These Mean Streets Halloween Special! In this king-sized bonus show, we'll hear a parade of stories - both spooky and silly - designed to get you in the spirit of the season. First, big screen horror legend Boris Karloff lends his voice to "The Corridor of Doom," a thriller from Inner Sanctum Mysteries (originally aired on CBS on October 23, 1945). The Great Gildersleeve attends a Halloween party (originally aired on NBC on October 29, 1947) and a Halloween prank backfires on Henry in The Aldrich Family (originally aired on NBC on October 30, 1940). Then, it's ghosts vs. gumshoes in a pair of old time radio mysteries. Michael Shayne finds a dead body in a haunted house in "The Ghost of Moccasin Hill" (originally aired on Mutual on April 9, 1945), and a ghost may be responsible for a murder in a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie. The Origin of Superstition tells us the story of the Boogey Man in a syndicated show from 1935, and Favorite Story dramatizes Washington Irving's classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Dorothy McGuire reprises her screen role as The Screen Director's Playhouse adapts "The Spiral Staircase" (originally aired on NBC on November 20, 1949), and Herbert Marshall makes a monster in a Suspense production of "Frankenstein" (originally aired on CBS on November 3, 1953).

With Halloween right around the corner, we delve into the spooky side of sleuthing with mysteries involving voodoo, curses, and other hexes. Nick Carter's new client believes her physician practices black magic instead of medicine in "The Drums of Death, or Nick Carter and the White Witch Doctor" (originally aired on Mutual on March 25, 1944), and real-life master magician Blackstone explains how he faced down the living dead in "The Riddle of the Seven Zombies" (originally aired on Mutual on July 17, 1949). Michael Shayne falls into a case of supernatural revenge and a man who supposedly cannot be killed in the syndicated mystery "The Man Who Lived Forever," and Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall battle a voodoo murderess who kills with poisoned darts in a syndicated episode of Bold Venture. Finally, Dick Powell heads to Haiti to investigate an eerie death threat in "Little Chiva" from Richard Diamond, Private Detective (originally aired on ABC on March 23, 1951).

The skies are unfriendly this week as three old time radio heroes face danger in the air. First, Boston Blackie is due in with evidence to send a notorious gangster to the chair…but his airplane disappears! Richard Kollmar stars as the gentleman thief turned gumshoe in this syndicated mystery. Then, Orson Welles recreates his Third Man role in "The Hard Way" from The Lives of Harry Lime, a syndicated story that finds Lime catching a flight to trouble in the charter airline business. Finally, Bob Bailey is Johnny Dollar in a five-part mystery that begins when a plane goes down. It's "The Flight Six Matter" (originally aired on CBS between January 30 and February 3, 1956).

The Maltese Falcon premiered in movie theaters eight eighty-four years ago this month, and we're celebrating the anniversary of one of Hollywood's best mystery pictures with a showcase for its stars - Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. We'll hear each of them headline a radio mystery, and all four of them together as they recreate their roles in a radio adaptation of the film. Lorre stars in a locked room mystery from the pen of John Dickson Carr - "The Moment of Darkness" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on April 20, 1943). Ms. Astor may be a murderess in "The Silent Hands" from Inner Sanctum Mysteries (originally aired on CBS on May 13, 1944). Greenstreet is Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe in "The Case of the Impolite Corpse" (originally aired on NBC on December 8, 1950). And Bogart co-stars with Lauren Bacall in an episode of their syndicated mystery drama Bold Venture (known as "Forged American Pasports"). Finally, all four stars reunite to present The Maltese Falcon on The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre (originally aired on CBS on September 20, 1943).

We're saluting the 105th anniversary of the birth of William Conrad - the radio acting legend who brought law and order to Dodge City as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke and who racked up hundreds of credits on detective shows, thrillers, comedies, and dramas. Conrad stars as Philip Marlowe in "The Anniversary Gift" (originally aired on CBS on April 11, 1950) - subbing in for Gerald Mohr in a terrific mystery in the Chandler spirit. He co-stars with Frank Lovejoy in "The Football Player and the Syndicate" from Night Beat (originally aired on NBC on June 12, 1950) and Edmond O'Brien in "The Woodward, Manila Matter" from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (originally aired on CBS on November 25, 1950). Finally, Conrad stars in his signature role in "Matt Gets It" from Gunsmoke (originally aired on CBS on October 2, 1954).

With school back in session, we're visiting the faculty lounge at Madison High with three cast members from Our Miss Brooks in their roles as radio detectives. Gale Gordon sheds the stuffy suit of Principal Osgood Conklin as amateur sleuth Gregory Hood in "Murder in Celluloid" (originally aired on Mutual on July 2, 1946). Jeff Chandler leaves bashful biology teacher Mr. Boynton behind to travel to the Big Easy as Michael Shayne in "The Case of the Model Murder." And Gerald Mohr ditches the accent of French teacher Monsieur LeBlanche as Phillip Marlowe in "The Torch Carriers" (originally aired on CBS on January 7, 1950). Plus, we'll hear all three alongside Eve Arden in an episode of Our Miss Brooks (originally aired on CBS on February 20, 1949).

Sometimes it's good to be bad, or at least it's good to hear it when radio detective stars switch sides and play some pretty dastardly villains. We'll hear four of our favorite on-air heroes star as crooks for a change in episodes of radio's great thriller anthologies. Howard Duff (Sam Spade) plans his wealthy aunt's murder in "Backlash" (originally aired on CBS on April 21, 1947); Jeff Chandler (Michael Shayne) is a gangster on the run who coerces a doctor into assisting with his getaway in "Confession" (originally aired on CBS on August 21, 1949); and Gerald Mohr (Philip Marlowe) is a murderer who takes up blackmail in "Warm Reception" (originally aired on CBS on November 19, 1950) - all episodes of The Whistler. Then, Dick Powell (Richard Diamond) is a boxer who seeks deadly revenge against a rival in the ring in "Slow Burn" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on February 23, 1950).

As summer draws to a close with Labor Day weekend, enjoy this encore broadcast featuring Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar in episodes where "the man with the action-packed expense account" tries to take some time off from insurance investigating...and finds mystery waiting for him wherever he goes. We'll hear him in "The Lamarr Matter," a five-part adventure (originally aired on CBS between March 26 and March 30, 1956) and "The Ideal Vacation Matter" (originally aired on CBS on September 22, 1957).

We leave the mean streets of the big cities behind and join four radio detectives in western-themed mysteries - stories of cowboys, horses, cattle, and the wide open spaces. Philip Marlowe hunts for a killer on a dude ranch in "The Dude from Manhattan" (originally aired on CBS on July 2, 1949), and Richard Diamond heads to Oklahoma to prove an accidental death was a well-staged murder in "The Hatpin Murder Case" (originally aired on NBC on September 27, 1950). The Saint tries to keep a visiting cattleman alive during a visit to the Big Apple in "Death of a Cowboy" (originally aired on NBC on July 1, 1951), and Rocky Fortune gets a job - and a murder rap - in "The Rodeo Murder" (originally aired on NBC on January 12, 1954).

As summer winds down and students head back to school, we'll join some radio detectives as they tackle cases on college campuses. Michael Shayne looks for a peeping Tom turned murderer in "The Return to Huxley College" (originally aired on Mutual on November 5, 1946), and mystery writer and amateur sleuth Dan Holiday tries to help an old friend figure out how a colleague died in "The Professor and the Puzzle" from Box 13. A murderer is supposedly dead, but someone's spotted him on campus and it's up to Richard Diamond, Private Detective to find him in "The Martin White Case" (originally aired on NBC on January 22, 1950). And The Saint returns to his alma mater to find the author of some poison pen letters before his works turn deadly in "Simon Carries the Ivy" (originally aired on NBC on April 1, 1951).

We're riding along with some of old time radio's hardest working cops as we kick off Season 13 of Down These Mean Streets! Sgt. Joe Friday hunts for a hold-up man who resorted to murder in "The Big Smart Guy" from Dragnet (originally aired on NBC on June 8, 1950). In Broadway is My Beat, Det. Danny Clover investigates when a piano player is killed at the keys in an episode known as "The Harry Brett Murder Case" (originally aired on CBS on July 31, 1950). Joel McCrea saddles up to find a murderer in "The Hatchet" from Tales of the Texas Rangers (originally aired on NBC on February 11, 1951). And Lt. Guthrie and Sgt. Grebb track a killer after an argument ends with a knifing in "The Jolted Justice Job Case" from The Line-Up (originally aired on CBS on November 1, 1951).

It all comes down to this - the final fight between Superman and the Atom Man! The kryptonite-fueled Nazi agent threatens to wipe Metropolis off the map on his march toward world conquest. Can the Man of Steel defeat him and save the day? Find out in these episodes that originally aired on Mutual between November 19 and December 3, 1945.

Superman recovers after his first fight against the Atom Man while Henry Miller finds a new ally in his quest to kill the Man of Steel and rule the world! The epic adventure continues in these episodes that originally aired on Mutual from November 5 to November 16, 1945.

The Atom Man is in Metropolis! The Nazi agent with kryptonite in his veins gets a job at the Daily Planet as reporter "Henry Miller," and the Man of Steel is about to meet his greatest and deadliest enemy. Superman and the Atom Man have their first titanic battle as this epic story continues in these chapters that originally aired on Mutual between October 22 and November 2, 1945.

Don't change the channel! Each of this week's radio mysteries involve that exciting new medium - television. A man is poisoned on the air as he's about to reveal a murderer's identity in a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie, and the cops of Dragnet pursue phony TV repairmen in "The Big Screen" (originally aired on NBC on August 9, 1951). A TV quiz show unravels a perfect crime in "Marked Man" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on March 16, 1952), and John Lund stars as Johnny Dollar in "The Philip Morey Matter," as the insurance investigator looks into the nervous breakdown of a popular television star (originally aired on CBS on October 13, 1953).

Superman's amazing adventures continue in the next chapters of "The Atom Man!" The evil Nazi scientist Der Teufel escapes with a piece of kryptonite, and he transforms a young Nazi soldier into his atomic-fueled agent of destruction. Meanwhile, Clark Kent travels the globe in pursuit of Der Teufel in a race to save the world - and his own life! These exciting episodes of The Adventures of Superman originally aired on Mutal between October 8 and October 19, 1945.

Summer means vacations, but getting out of town doesn't mean that our detectives can get away from murder and mayhem in these old time radio mysteries. Simon Templar finds multiple murders on a cruise ship in "Murder on the High Seas" from The Saint (originally aired on Mutual on September 18, 1949), and Richard Diamond and Lt. Levinson have a working vacation as they search for a missing man in Bolivia in Richard Diamond, Private Detective (originally aired on CBS on May 31, 1953). Mr. and Mrs. North plan a little getaway, but they have to stop a killer from making their own getaway in "No Vacation for Murder" (AFRS rebroadcast from September 1, 1953). And on a vacation in Maine, Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator finds a corpse in a haystack in "Hay is for Homicide" (originally aired on NBC on August 31, 1954).

In just over a week, Superman flies back to the big screen, and we're celebrating all month long with one of his biggest radio adventures - one that pits him against a Kryptonite-powered Nazi Atom Man! Today, we'll hear the opening chapters of this epic story (originally aired on Mutual between September 24 and October 5, 1945), as Superman retells his origin and the existence of Kryptonite is discovered by the Man of Steel's enemies!

With July 4th right around the corner, we've got a quartet of radio mysteries involving great figures and moments of American history. Henry Fonda recreates his role of Young Mr. Lincoln in a radio version of the classic film on Academy Award (originally aired on CBS on July 10, 1946). Honest Abe is a lawyer who must clear his wrongfully accused clients of murder. Lee Bowman plays Allan Pinkterton, one of America's most celebrated detectives, as he investigates a case of robbery and murder in "The Pinkerton Man" from The Cavalcade of America (originally aired on NBC on November 18, 1946). A recently released convict falls in with a gang that forges correspondence from historical figures in "Letters from Aaron Burr" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on November 20, 1949). And "the man with the action-packed expense account" hunts for a stolen original copy of the Gettysburg Address. Bob Bailey stars as Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar in "The Meek Memorial Matter" (AFRS rebroadcast from March 3, 1957).

We're tipping our deerstalker cap to Basil Rathbone in celebration of his June 13th birthday. Of course, we'll hear him as Sherlock Holmes in three old time radio adventures from Baker Street - "Murder in the Casbah" (originally aired on Mutual on December 3, 1945), "The Indiscretion of Mr. Edwards" (originally aired on Mutual on February 4, 1946), and "The Adventure of the Uneasy Easy Chair" (originally aired on Mutual on May 13, 1946). Plus, he plays John Adams in his pre-presidential days as a lawyer defending British soldiers involved in the infamous Boston Massacre. We'll hear Rathbone in "John Yankee" from The Cavalcade of America (originally aired on NBC on August 29, 1950).

Happy Father's Day! We're celebrating dear old Dad with a collection of radio mysteries featuring fathers. First, Ellery Queen and his police inspector father collaborate on a case of smuggling and murder. Larry Dobkin is Ellery in "Number Thirty-One" (originally aired on NBC on September 7, 1947). Next, George Valentine is hired by a convicted killer's son to clear his father's name. Bob Bailey stars in "The Father Who Had Nothing to Say" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on September 13, 1948). Then, meet private eye Joshua Sharp - known to his kids as The Big Guy. Henry Calvin plays the shamus and doting dad in "The Unheard Voice" (originally aired on NBC on May 7, 1950). And finally, Philip Marlowe hunts for a missing son for an ailing father. Gerald Mohr plays Marlowe in "The Last Wish" (originally aired on CBS on July 19, 1950).

Our run through the serialized adventures of Johnny Dollar brings us to the Big Easy! In "The Valentine Matter" (originally aired on CBS between October 31 and November 4, 1955), Johnny's on a case in New Orleans when he runs across one of Prohibition's most notorious bootleggers - a man who's been marked for death by some old enemies.

"Get this and get it straight!" We're celebrating Gerald Mohr - the radio actor who brought a two-fisted intensity to Philip Marlowe - in honor of his birthday on June 11. He was one of the best stars of the era, and his performance makes The Adventures of Philip Marlowe one of the best detective dramas of the day. We'll hear Mohr as Marlowe in "The Easy Mark" (originally aired on CBS on January 29, 1949) and "The Long Arm" (originally aired on CBS on February 7, 1950). Then, he's a less scrupulous character in "Lady with a Key" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on April 2, 1950). Finally, he co-stars with Jack Benny in "A Good and Faithful Servant," a story of a $50,000 department store heist and the mild-mannered clerk who pulls it off, from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on June 2, 1952).

Our bonus series spotlighting the serialized adventures of Johnny Dollar continues! In "The Alvin Summers Matter" (originally aired on CBS between October 24 and 28, 1955), the man with the action-packed expense account is in Mexico to track down an embezzler who fled the United States with his loot. But Johnny isn't there long before he's pistol whipped and discovers a corpse in his hotel room. Bob Bailey stars as Dollar in this story set south of the border.

Tune in for danger with a collection of radio mysteries that involve the medium of radio itself! Master sleuth Ellery Queen has to solve a murder that takes place in his own studio - right in the middle of his show - in "The Armchair Detective" (originally aired on CBS on March 27, 1946). Then, Dan Holiday is hired by a radio actress who fears for her life in "Actor's Alibi," a syndicated episode of Box 13. A radio announcer plots his wife's murder and cooks up a perfect on-air alibi in "Brief Pause for Murder" from The Whistler (originally aired on CBS on September 11, 1949). And finally, Sam Spade finds that a radio drama leads to real-life murder in "The Soap Opera Caper" (originally aired on NBC on February 16, 1951).

They say clothes make the man, but they also make mysteries for this week's roster of radio detectives. George Valentine hunts a killer where the only clue is his distinctive attire in "Death Wears a Gay Sport Jacket" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on October 18, 1948) and Philo Vance probes the murder of a dress shop owner in the syndicated episode "The Herringbone Murder Case." Richard Diamond tries to find out why someone keeps stealing blue serge suits (originally aired on ABC on February 9, 1951), and The Saint discovers a bullet hole in the back of his brand-new suit in "Formula for Death" (originally aired on ABC on March 25, 1951). Finally, John Lund stars as Johnny Dollar in "The Rochester Theft Matter," where a girl is gunned down while wearing a stolen fur coat (originally aired on CBS on May 12, 1953).

Our dogged detectives sniff for clues in five canine-related old time radio mysteries. First, the owner of the best in show pooches is killed at a dog show in a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie, and a dog "tells" Sherlock Holmes who murdered his owner in "The Case of the Dog Who Changed His Mind" (originally aired on Mutual on September 28, 1947). Philip Marlowe is on the trail of a dog - though this one is made out of jade - in "The Orange Dog" (originally aired on CBS on January 22, 1949). Barry Sullivan plays The Saint in "Dossier on a Doggone Dog," a story of a lost dog and stolen jewels (originally aired on NBC on September 24, 1950), and Barrie Craig is hired to walk a dog, only to discover the dog's owner knocked unconscious in "Beware the Walking Dog" (originally aired on NBC on May 3, 1953).

Happy Mother's Day! We're celebrating moms with five old time radio mysteries where they play major roles. In "The Case of the Lucky Shilling," Sherlock Holmes comes to the aid of a woman whose son is wiped out by a crooked gambler (originally aired on Mutual on January 14, 1948), and George Valentine tries to prove that a woman is not an unfit mother in "Problem Child" from Let GeorgeDo It (originally aired on Mutual on June 21, 1948). A woman hires Dan Holiday to prove her son's death wasn't an accident in "Suicide or Murder" from Box 13, and the mother of an escaped convict wants Richard Diamond to send her son back to prison (originally aired on NBC on October 4, 1950). Finally, the cops of Dragnet are on the trail of a serial shoplifter who only steals clothes for children in "The Big Little Mother" (originally aired on NBC on October 6, 1953).

In this encore presentation, we go back to the summer of 1947 when Philip Marlowe came to the air in his own weekly series with Van Heflin playing Raymond Chandler's private eye. The NBC series featured a mix of original mysteries as well as adaptations of Chandler stories, including the show's premiere episode "Red Wind" (originally aired on NBC on June 17, 1947). A year later, Gerald Mohr would put his own stamp on the character, but these Heflin shows offer a different take on Marlowe and a compelling portrayal in its own right. Along with "Red Wind," we'll hear "The Daring Young Dame on the Flying Trapeze" (July 1, 1947); "The King in Yellow" (July 8, 1947); "Trouble is My Business" (August 5, 1947); and "Robin and the Hood" (August 19, 1947).

Lights, camera, action! This week, our old time radio sleuths are tackling cases connected with the movie business and finding mystery on and off screen. First, "the Lyon's Eye" has to protect a movie star from some unscripted violence. Frank Graham stars in "The Hollywood Story, or H is for the Many Things You Gave Me" from Jeff Regan, Investigator (originally aired on CBS on March 22, 1950). Next, Dick Powell goes west when the head of a movie studio is blackmailed - and later framed for murder - in "The Hollywood Story" from Richard Diamond, Private Detective (originally aired on CBS on August 23, 1953). Finally, a corpse in a seaside amusement park is connected to a silent movie star and the long-ago murder of her husband in "The Silent Queen Matter" - a five-part Johnny Dollar mystery starring Bob Bailey as "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator" (originally aired on CBS between October 29 and November 2, 1956).

We join Johnny Dollar on a cross-country mystery as our bonus series of serialized adventures continues! Bob Bailey is "the man with the action-packed expense account" in "The Chesapeake Fraud Matter" (originally aired on CBS between October 17 and October 20, 1955), a case that finds Dollar trying to prove if a man marked down as dead five years ago is actually alive and well.

We're celebrating the 105th anniversary of the birth of Jack Webb - one of the faces on the Mt. Rushmore of old time radio drama. Best known for Dragnet, Webb logged many an hour solving crimes on the air as cops, private eyes, and amateur sleuths. We'll hear him as Jeff Regan, Investigator in "The Guy from Gower Gulch" (originally aired on CBS on November 13, 1948) and as Pat Novak For Hire in "Wendy Morris" (originally aired on ABC on May 8, 1948). He solves a Prohibition-era mystery in Pete Kelly's Blues (AFRS rebroadcast of an episode known as "Little Jake" from May 22, 1951), and we wrap up with Webb in his element as Sgt. Joe Friday in "The Big Want" (originally aired on NBC on March 1, 1953).

In honor of April Fool's Day, our radio detectives this week have to contend with some practical jokes and jokers that are anything but funny. Dr. Watson is enlisted to pull a prank on Sherlock Holmes in "The April Fool's Day Adventure," starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (originally aired on Mutual on April 1, 1946). Dan Holiday tries to find a deranged jokester before his antics turn deadly in "Death is No Joke" from Box 13. A fake will reading turns into a real crime scene as Philip Marlowe hunts for a killer in "The Last Laugh" (originally aired on CBS on April 2, 1949), and Detective Danny Clover has to find out who killed a celebrated prankster in "Laugh-a-Minute Tyler" from Broadway is My Beat (originally aired on March 14, 1953).

The action is on and off the basketball court this week as Superman battles a hate group that targets a high school team just because of the ethnicities of its players. Clayton "Bud" Collyer stars as Clark Kent and the Man of Steel in "The Knights of the White Carnation," a serialized adventure that aired on Mutual from February 26 through March 18, 1947.

Sound the alarm! We've got fugitives on the lam in these radio mysteries - each with an escape from jail at the center of the story. A convict Boston Blackie put behind bars is out and making his way to Blackie's door in a syndicated mystery, and Richard Diamond, Private Detective suspects an escaped gangster is back in town and settling scores in "The Ralph Baxter Case" (originally aired on NBC on April 26, 1950). The Saint comes to the aid of a young man falsely convicted of robbery who breaks out of prison to clear his name in "No Hiding Place" (originally aired on NBC on November 19, 1950). And the cops of Dragnet have to catch their man a second time after he escapes from custody in "The Big Break" (originally aired on NBC on December 14, 1950).

Our bonus series spotlighting the serialized adventures of Johnny Dollar continues with "The Molly K Matter," a mystery that brings Dollar to San Francisco to investigate what caused the titular freighter to sink to her untimely end. Bob Bailey stars as "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator" in this five-part story that aired on CBS between October 10 and October 14, 1955.

Place your bets with these old time radio mysteries involving gamblers and the (sometimes) crooked games they play. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find murder among the roulette tables of a French casino in "The Case of the Double Zero," starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (originally aired on Mutual on November 19, 1945). Philip Marlowe tries to find a friend's stolen IOU but stumbles across a corpse during the search in "The Promise to Pay" (originally aired on CBS on May 14, 1949), and Nero Wolfe is hired to find out who dealt a deadly hand during a poker game in "The Case of the Killer Cards" (originally aired on NBC on January 12, 1951). Finally, Sgt. Joe Friday hunts for the man who's impersonating a cop to extort money from gamblers in "The Big Shakedown" from Dragnet (originally aired on NBC on May 22, 1952).

It's a wonderful night for Oscar! The Academy Awards will be handed out this evening, so in celebration of Hollywood's biggest night, here are four old time radio mysteries - each starring an actor who took home a golden statuette. Edmond O'Brien (Best Supporting Actor for The Barefoot Contessa) is Johnny Dollar in "The George Farmer Matter" (originally aired on CBS on June 9, 1951). Rex Harrison (Best Actor for My Fair Lady) stars as a debonair detective in "A Trip to the Death House" from The Private Files of Rex Saunders (originally aired on NBC on June 13, 1951). Humphrey Bogart (Best Actor for The African Queen) and Lauren Bacall (nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Mirror Has Two Faces) star in "Senor Rufio's Legacy of Death," a syndicated episode of Bold Venture. Finally John Gielgud (Best Supporting Actor for Arthur) and Ralph Richardson (a two-time Best Supporting Actor nominee) are Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in "The Golden Pince-Nez" (originally aired on NBC on April 3, 1955).

All the world's a stage, but as our radio detectives discover this week the theatre offers no respite from mysteries to solve. Each of our stories involves the theatre, with crimes taking place onstage, backstage, and sometimes in the aisles. First, as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce investigate when an actor takes his role as a murderer a bit too seriously in "The Case of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber" (originally aired on Mutual on January 28, 1946). Super sleuth Philo Vance is called in when an actress is threatened and her understudy is killed in the syndicated mystery "The Backstage Murder Case." The Saint tries to prevent a play's climactic murder scene from being played for real. Vincent Price stars in "Simon Takes a Curtain Call" (originally aired on NBC on January 14, 1951). Frank Sinatra has to solve a drama critic's murder - a crime that was committed during intermission of a new play - in "Murder on the Aisle" from Rocky Fortune (originally aired on NBC on November 24, 1953). Finally, Bob Bailey stars as Johnny Dollar in "The Heatherstone Players Matter" (AFRS rebroadcast from July 14, 1957), where a hated ham actor meets his maker and Johnny has to find out whodunnit.

We're kicking off a new bonus series and a deep dive into arguably the best radio detective series of all time: the serialized run of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar starring Bob Bailey as "the man with the action-packed expense account." This beloved incarnation of the adventures of America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator turn 70 this year, so I'm shining a spotlight on each and every installment. In the first story, a dying prison inmate puts Dollar on the trail of some stolen loot and a secret someone will kill to keep hidden in "The McCormack Matter" (originally aired on CBS between October 3 and October 7, 1955).

With winter weather keeping things chilly, here's a collection of old time radio mysteries set against a backdrop of snow. First, Dick Powell survives a killer's bullet but gets trapped by a blizzard in "Snowbound" from Rogue's Gallery(originally aired on Mutual on May 9, 1946). Jane Wyman is snowed in at a mountain lodge and trying to get away with her husband's murder in "Catch Me If You Can" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on February 17, 1949). Simon Templar's new case involves a snowman with a grisly secret in "It's Snow Use" from The Saint (originally aired on NBC on October 29, 1950). And finally, Sam Spade solves a murder in the snow in "The Chateau McLeod Caper" (originally aired on NBC on January 26, 1951).

Back to new episodes next week, but for now let's celebrate the anniversary of the debut of Night Beat with my five favorite episodes. The nocturnal adventures of Chicago reporter Randy Stone premiered on February 6, 1950, and here are my picks for his best stories. We'll hear the show's first episode ("Zero," originally aired on NBC on February 6, 1950), where he helps a woman track down a man before he takes his own life, and a meeting with an unusual man who claims to have a sinister super power ("I Wish You Were Dead," originally aired on May 22, 1950). Randy meets a faded college football star in trouble with the mob ("The Football Player and the Syndicate," originally aired on NBC on June 12, 1950), and he dials a random phone number to find a woman in danger ("The City at Your Fingertips," originally aired on NBC on July 31, 1950). Finally, Randy and the police hunt for a contaminated case of butter that could unleash typhoid on the Windy City ("A Case of Butter," originally aired on NBC on September 25, 1950).

In honor of his January 26th birthday, we're saluting one of radio's most innovative writers and directors - Wyllis Cooper. Cooper's probably best known for his work in the world of horror as creator of Lights Out and Quiet Please but he also brought us Whitehall 1212 - a series that dramatized cases from the files of Scotland Yard. We'll hear "The Topaz Flower," an episode Cooper wrote for Crime Club (originally aired on Mutual on April 24, 1947), two episodes of Whitehall 1212 - "The Blitz Murder Case" (originally aired on NBC on November 18, 1951) and "The Heathrow Affair" (originally aired on NBC on December 23, 1951), and "It's Later Than You Think" from Quiet Please (originally aired on Mutual on August 2, 1948).

Ice is in the air - and on the ground - as many parts of the country contend with winter weather, but in this week's show our heroes contend with a different kind of ice...and it's because that ice has gone missing. Detectives hunt down stolen diamonds in these four radio mysteries, beginning with Richard Kollmar as Boston Blackie in a syndicated episode where diamonds are stolen right from under his own nose. Next, Richard Diamond, Private Detective is blamed when several thousand dollars of stones are pilfered from the police commissioner (originally aired on NBC on November 12, 1949). Then, Sgt. Joe Friday is on the case when a diamond salesman is robbed of his merchandise in "The Big Impression" from Dragnet (originally aired on NBC on August 7, 1952). And finally, John Lund stars as Johnny Dollar as he searches for a stolen yellow diamond in "The Uncut Canary Matter" (AFRS rebroadcast from February 16, 1954).

The radio adventures of The Saint premiered in January 1945, and we're celebrating the anniversary of his radio debut with four tales of Simon Templar. Several actors played the Saint over the years, but the voice that's synonymous with the character belongs to Vincent Price, and he plays "the Robin Hood of modern crime" in our quartet of crimes: "The Saint Goes Underground" (originally aired on Mutual on July 31, 1949); "The Problem of the Peculiar Payoff" (originally aired on NBC on July 9, 1950); "Reflection on Murder" (originally aired on NBC on August 13, 1950); and in his final radio performance as The Saint in "Pin No Roses on My Corpse" (originally aired on NBC on May 20, 1951).

We kick off 2025 with a radio recreation of one of the all-time great mystery films and a birthday salute to its star. Dana Andrews reprises his role as a detective obsessed with the woman whose murder he's investigating as The Lux Radio Theatre presents "Laura" (originally aired on CBS on February 6, 1945.) Then Andrews plays another cop on the trail of a killer in "The Crowd" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on September 21, 1950), and finally he's undercover agent Matt Cvetic in "Courier for Disaster" - a syndicated adventure from I Was a Communist for the FBI.

Just in time for Christmas, here's a king-sized holiday special - a stocking stuffed with old time radio comedy, drama, and westerns to get you in the spirit of the season. Enjoy Christmas comedies from Fibber McGee and Molly (originally aired on NBC on December 19, 1944); The Mel Blanc Show (originally aired on NBC on December 10, 1946); The Jack Benny Program (originally aired on NBC on December 21, 1947); and The Jimmy Durante Show (originally aired on NBC on December 24, 1948). Jane Wyman and Ronald Reagan star in a radio recreation of the big screen classic "Christmas in Connecticut" presented by The Screen Guild Theatre (originally aired on CBS on August 5, 1946). Plus - a powerful Christmas tale from Quiet Please - "Berlin 1945" (originally aired on ABC on December 26, 1948); a western retelling of a holiday classic from Jimmy Stewart as The Six Shooter ("Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol," originally aired on NBC on December 20, 1953); and the story of one of the most enduring, beloved Christmas carols in "All is Bright" from The CBS Radio Workshop (originally aired on CBS on December 26, 1953).

We're decking the halls and looking for clues with three holiday-themed old time radio mysteries. Peter Lorre plans the perfect crime, but he may be undone by a surprise gift from his victim in "Back for Christmas" from Suspense (originally aired on CBS on December 23, 1943). Then, it's a tale from The Damon Runyon Theatre - "Dancing Dan's Christmas," the story of a small-time crook who lands in hot water during the holidays. Finally, Bob Bailey deals with a Santa who gets gifts instead of gives them and who may be marked for death in "Christmas in January" from Let George Do It (originally aired on CBS on January 29, 1951).

Of the legendary run of serialized Johnny Dollar shows starring the great Bob Bailey, three stories are incomplete, with one chapter from each having been lost to time. Today, we're investigating if these stories still hold up even with a missing chapter from each (spoilers: I think they do). We'll hear "The Salt City Matter" (originally aired on CBS between April 2 and 6, 1956 - missing Chapter 2); "The Lonely Hearts Matter" (originally aired on CBS between April 23 until April 27, 1956 - sans Chapter 4); and "The Imperfect Alibi Matter" (originally aired on CBS between September 17 and September 21, 1956 - with an absent Chapter 2).

We're rubbing elbows with four members of the fraternity of radio private detectives as they risk life and limb for their fee (plus expenses). Jeff Chandler stars as Michael Shayne in the syndicated mystery "The Pursuit of Death;" as Sam Spade, Howard Duff finds himself saddled with a partner and a bunny costume in "The Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail Caper" (originally aired on CBS on December 4, 1949); Gerald Mohr stars as Philip Marlowe in "The Face to Forget" (originally aired on CBS on June 14, 1950); and Dick Powell sings and solves his way through "The Dixon Case" in Richard Diamond, Private Detective (originally aired on ABC on March 14, 1952).

Happy Thanksgiving! For your listening pleasure as you travel, prepare the holiday meal, or just enjoy some well-deserved time off, here's an encore presentation of last year's Turkey Day special. It's a collection of Thanksgiving-themed mysteries starring some of my favorite old time radio detectives with a few special guests dropping in for some musical and comedic performances.

We've got a pair of adventures of Casey, Crime Photographer - "After Turkey, the Bill" (originally aired on CBS on November 27, 1947), and "Holiday" (originally aired on CBS on November 25, 1948). Jack Webb encounters a modern-day Miles Standish and a turkey shoot more dangerous for man than bird in "The Pilgrim's Progress" from Jeff Regan, Investigator (originally aired on CBS on November 13, 1948). Bob Bailey stars in "Cause for Thanksgiving" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on November 20, 1950), and Steve Dunne stars as Sam Spade and helps save a Tom Turkey who walks on two legs in "The Terrified Turkey Caper" (originally aired on NBC on November 24, 1950).

Hurry, hurry, hurry - come to the midway for four radio mysteries set at the carnival. A fortune teller predicts her own murder in a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie starring Richard Kollmar. Then, a carnival dancer marries a wealthy admirer and then schemes to get rid of him in "The Brass Ring" (originally aired on CBS on September 16, 1946). Sam Spade tries to save a carnival performer from marriage to an infamous widower - to be followed by a quick funeral - in "The Bluebeard Caper" (originally aired on CBS on August 8, 1948). And we take flight with Superman to save a carnival from an unscrupulous rival owner in "Death Rides the Roller Coaster" (originally aired on ABC on December 3, 1949).

It's not just adults who need a good detective. Our heroes this week come to the aid of kids in trouble. First, Dan Holiday helps a boy find a lost astronomer in "Archimedes and the Roman" from Box 13. Next, Philip Marlowe is hired to find the missing uncle of a newsboy in "The Kid on the Corner" (originally aired on CBS on December 3, 1949). Finally, Johnny Dollar believes the life of a teenage girl is in danger when she stands to inherit a fortune in the five-part mystery "The Matter of Reasonable Doubt" (originally aired on CBS between May 28 and June 1, 1956).

Our heroes this week encounter hypnosis and meet those who have fallen under its spell and who have used it to try and conceal their crimes. First, Boston Blackie suspects a woman's murder confession was driven by hypnosis rather than guilt. Then, a woman is hypnotized to help solve a murder in "Cupid Can Be Deadly" from Crime Club (originally aired on Mutual on October 16, 1947). In "The Voice of Darkness," Chandu the Magician investigates a bombing where the eyewitness was hypnotized into losing her memory (originally aired on Mutual on April 14, 1949). And finally, Bob Bailey stars as George Valentine in "Eleven O'Clock" from Let George Do It, where a woman's recent odd behavior may be tied to the experiments of a psychology professor (originally aired on Mutual on July 17, 1950).

As Americans head to the polls to pick a president, we'll hear some old time radio mysteries centering on the seedier side of the political process. Fortunately, The Green Hornet is on hand to keep things safe for democracy and to deliver a decisive blow against the crooked machines who try to get corrupt politicians elected. We'll hear the Hornet and his loyal sidekick Kato in "Votes for Sale" (originally aired on Mutual on October 9, 1940), "Ballots and Bluff" (originally aired on Mutual on November 1, 1945), and "Election Boomerang" (originally aired on Mutual October 15, 1952). Plus, we'll hear "Final Returns," a story from The Whistler about a politician who decides to vote his domineering wife out of his life permanently (originally aired on CBS on October 29, 1945).

Get ready for thrills, chills, and spills with trick-or-treat tales both scary and silly in the annual Down These Mean Streets Halloween special! Ray Milland reprises his big screen role as The Screen Director's Playhousepresents "The Uninvited" (originally aired on NBC on November 18, 1949). Then, two radio gumshoes face off against things that go bump in the night: The Saint in "The Ghosts Who Came to Dinner" (originally aired on NBC on April 8, 1951) and Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator in "Ghosts Don't Die in Bed" (originally aired on NBC on September 7, 1954). J. Carrol Naish stars in a heartwarming and hilarious Halloween episode of Life with Luigi (originally aired on CBS on October 30, 1951), and William Conrad leads an expedition in the Himalayas to capture "The Abominable Snowman" on Escape (originally aired on CBS on September 13, 1953). Ozzie and Harriet have a haunted house adventure (originally aired on NBC on October 31, 1948), and Bob Hope recreates his horror-comedy classic in "The Ghost Breakers" from Screen Director's Playhouse (originally aired on NBC on June 14, 1951). Finally, the syndicated anthology The Weird Circle presents one of the classic horror stories - Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."