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Old Time Radio Mystery Specials

Old Time Radio Mystery Specials

Adam Graham
Arts

Enjoy a series of unusual episodes of the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio including old time radio mystery movie adaptations from the Lux Radio Theater, Screen Guild Theater, and similar programs. As well as episodes Escape, Suspense, and Murder Clinic, along with some truly different programs including Roy Rogers, Mayor of the Town, Superman, and Cavalcade of America. Also comparisons of how two detective programs handle the same story.

140 - The Best of the 2024-25 Season
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  • 140 - The Best of the 2024-25 Season

    In this special, we look back at the top five half-hour Old Time Radio programs of our 2024-2025 season, and one of our best Old Time Radio Snack Wagon episodes.

    First up, it's The Falcon in "The Case of the Jumping Jack":

    A woman hires The Falcon because she suspects that her husband has hired a private eye to follow her.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 20, 1952

    Originating from New York

    Starring: Les Damon as The Falcon; Chuck Webster as Sergeant Corbett

    Then we turn to the Your Playhouse of Favorites production of "The Suicide Club":

    A bored crown prince, looking for excitement, joins a club of men who want to end their lives.

    Original Air Date: Sometime between 1947 and 1949

    Originating from New York

    Starring: Dwight Reese; Walter Vaughn

    Speaking of Robert Louis Stevenson, we turn to an excerpt from The Orson Welles Almanac wherein Welles reads Stevenson's lesser-known letter defending Father Damien against the scathing remarks of Reverend Dr. C.M. Hyde. This impassioned response, penned in 1890, highlights the stark contrasts between the selfless heroism of Father Damien and the hypocrisy of his critics.

    Join us as we explore the rich historical context and emotional weight of Stevenson's words, showcasing not only a brilliant literary takedown but also a tribute to compassion and service in the face of adversity. Welles's masterful narration brings this poignant piece to life, reminding us of the enduring legacy of Father Damien.

    Complete Text of Stevenson's letter:
    https://www.gutenberg.org/files/281/281-h/281-h.htm

    Then we turn to a surreal episode of Mr. and Mrs. North, "Call Me Choo Choo"

    Today’s Mystery:Pam and Jerry hear a clarinet being played in the middle of the country near a wrecked car.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 9, 1947

    Originating from New York City

    Starring: Joseph Curtain as Jerry North; Alice Frost as Pamela North; Larry Haines; Mandel Kramer

    We will also have a listen to one of our new series, Cloak and Dagger, about the true adventures of the OSS during WWII. Here is "Roof of the World":

    A husband and wife team of geologists are recruited by the IRS to journey into Tibet to seek the favor of the Dalai Lama. They find themselves in competition with two Nazi officers.

    Original Radio Broadcast: August 13, 1950

    Originating from New YorkStarring: Louise Barclay; Grant Richards; Raymond Edward Johnson; Stefan Schnabel; Berry Kroeger; Janice Gilbert; Karl Weber; Ralph Bell; Jerry Jarrett

    Then we conclude with one of our most memorable guest-starring appearances in the Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, "The Price of Fame Matter"

    Vincent Price summons Johnny Dollar when a $100,000 painting is stolen from his private collection.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 2, 1958

    Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Vincent Price as Himself; Virginia Gregg; Howard McNear; Junius Matthews; Forrest Lewis; Tony Barrett

    Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day:John, Patreon supporter since September 2016.

    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

    Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • 139 - The Road to the Valentine Matter

    Today we take a look at the evolution of E. Jack Neumann's story that became the five-part Johnny Dollar serial.

    Jeff Regan: The Man in the Church

    Regan is hired for a simple job of delivering $5,000 to a man, but finds himself wanted for murder.

    Original Air Date: October 12, 1949

    Starring: Frank Graham as Jeff Regan; Frank Nelson; William Conrad; Sidney Miller

    Night Beat: Big John McMasters

    Randy Stone befriends an old-time racketeer and becomes concerned when he is shot.

    Original Air Date: March 4, 1951

    Starring: Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone; William Conrad; Tudor Owen

    Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The San Antonio MatterJohnny goes to Saint Petersburg to investigate the killing of a mobster.

    Original Air Date: April 28, 1953

    Starring: John Lund as Johnny Dollar; John McIntire; Joseph Kearns; Jeanette Nolan; Virginia Gregg; Jay Novello

    Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Valentine Matter

    After investigating a hotel theft in New Orleans, Johnny befriends an old-time bootlegger in a bar.

    Original Air Dates: October 31-November 4, 1955

    Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Lillian Buyeff; Betty Lou Gerson; Barney Phillips; Will Wright; Forrest Lewis; Marvin Miller; Jay Novello; Jack Moyles

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

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Rose, Patreon supporter since June 2023

    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

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

    Sun, 07 Sep 2025
  • 138 - The Hardy Family: The Case of the Missing Warehouse

    Today's Mystery: Andy Hardy takes a job as a night watchman only to seemingly have the whole warehouse he's guarding disappear.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 10, 1951

    Originating from Hollywood

    Starring: Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy; Fay Holden; Lewis Stone; Eleanore Tanin; Richard Krenna; Eleanore Tanin

    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 at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

    Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • 137 - World's Great Novels: The Moonstone, Part Four

    Today's Mystery: An experiment reveals how the diamond got out of Rachel Verinder's cabinet. But where is it now?

    Original Air Date: April 23, 1948

    Originating from Chicago

    Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake, Jonathan Hull, Dick York, Donald Gallagher, Boris Aplon, Marvin Peisner

    Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 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

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

    Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • 136 - World's Great Novels: The Moonstone, Part Three

    Today's Mystery: After a tragic suicide, Sergeant Cuff's dismissed with the theft of the Moonstone still unsolved. A year later, someone else picks up the investigation.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 16, 1948

    Originating from Chicago

    Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake; Geraldine Kaye as Rachel Verinder; Alma Fox; Jane Elliot; Ruth Shane; Minion Shriver; Sidney Breese; Arthur Peterson, Maurice Copeland

    Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 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

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

    Thu, 19 Jun 2025
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