The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio - podcast cover

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Adam Graham Radio Detective Podcastswww.spreaker.com
Are you ready for a mystery? Get ready to unleash your inner sleuth. Every day Monday-Saturday, we feature a different detective audio drama from the Golden Age of Radio. Our current mystery-solving line-up of radio detectives includes The Adventures of the Falcon, Hot Copy, Broadway's My Beat, Mr. and Mrs. North, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, and Dragnet.

Whether you want to listen to a mystery before going to sleep or enjoy some drama while driving, or just feel nostalgia for old-school radio fiction, we have you covered with six audio dramas every week.


Podcast Award finalist Host Adam Graham has been your guide through dozens of old-time radio detective series since 2009. He provides insightful commentary and humor after each episode and responds to listener questions and feedback. You can subscribe to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from your favorite podcast app or by visiting our website at http://www.greatdetectives.net.

We are currently in our fifteenth season of provided suspenseful mystery dramas. Our podcast feed captures the last 1,000 episodes we've released including all of seasons thirteen and fourteen, and part of season twelve. We have created two archive feeds: Volume 1, which features our first three seasons and Volume 2, which features seasons four-six, and Volume 3 which will feature Seasons Seven through Nine.

Our feed includes old time radio recorded in Los Angeles, New York, and also Australia.

The current actors featured in our old time radio detective podcast include Les Damon, Bob Bailey, Larry Thor, Alice Frost and Joseph Curtin, Betty Lou Gerson, and Jack Webb. Other actors featured within the past 1,000 include Howard Duff, Glenn Langan, Herbert Marshall, Gerald Mohr, Joel McCrea, Les Tremayne, Jackson Beck, Santos Ortega, Ned Wever, Karl Swenson, and more.

Episodes

Sam Spade: The Soap Opera Caper (EP4167)

Today's Mystery:Sam is hired by a soap opera queen to find her husband, and discover why he's so distraught over a telegram from Mexico City. Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 16, 1951 Originated from HollywoodStarred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at ...

Aug 28, 202348 minSeason 14Ep. 283

Guest Star Detective Double Feature (EP4166s)

Today's First Story: Basil Rathbone sets up an office as a radio detective, with Kenny Delmar as his bumbling sidekick. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 24, 1947 Today's Second Story: A key witness in a Distict Attorney's (Robert Preston) racketeering case is murdered on his doorstep while leaving an important clue behind. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 18, 1951 Programs Originated from New York and Hollywood Starred: Basil Rathbone, Kenny Delmar, Robert Preston, Barbara Fuller, Peter L...

Aug 27, 202337 minSeason 14Ep. 282

Dragnet: Production 2 (aka: Nickle-Plated Gun) (EP4166)

Today's Mystery:Friday and Romero search for two tough robbers who shot two police officers at a café. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 10, 1949 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Charlie McGraw as Ed Backstand, Frank Lovejoy Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 837...

Aug 26, 202342 minSeason 14Ep. 281

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Laird Douglas Douglas of Heatherscote Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4165)

Today's Mystery:Johnny's predecessor in guarding in a show dog died under mysterious circumstances. Can Johnny avoid his fate? Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 11-13, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Jeanette Nolan, Harry Bartell, Byron Kane, Jack Kruschen, Bill James, James McCallion, Ken Christy, Dick Ryan, Bert Holland, Jack Edwards, Hy Averback, Roy Rowan When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http:...

Aug 25, 202349 minSeason 14Ep. 280

Mr. Chameleon: The May and December Murder Case (EP4164)

Today's Mystery:A woman is found strangled in her room after telling her much-older husband that she wants a divorce. Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 6, 1948 Originated in: New York CityStarred: Karl Swenson as Mister Chameleon Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give ...

Aug 24, 202339 minSeason 14Ep. 279

Dangerous Assignment: Suspicious Explosions (EP4163)

Today's Mystery:Steve investigates a series of explosions targeting treaty negotiations in Japan. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 19, 1951 Originated in Hollywood Stars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. ' Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetective...

Aug 23, 202341 minSeason 14Ep. 278

Yours Johnny Dollar: The Laird Douglas Douglas of Heatherscote Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4162)

Today's Mystery:Harry Branson summons Johnny on a mystery case that's strictly for the dogs. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 9 and 10, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Jeanette Nolan, Harry Bartell, Byron Kane, Jack Kruschen, Bill James, James McCallion, Ken Christy, Dick Ryan, Bert Holland, Jack Edwards, Hy Averback, Roy Rowan When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net G...

Aug 22, 202340 minSeason 14Ep. 277

Sam Spade; The Sure Thing Caper (EP4161)

Today's Mystery: Sam is hired by a gambler to find out if an ex-Jockey cheated him and two tough friends out of $1500 by promising them a chance to profit on "a sure thing." Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 9, 1951 Originated from HollywoodStarred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Wally Maher as Gentleman Joe Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net . Mail a donation to: Adam Graham,...

Aug 21, 202340 minSeason 14Ep. 276

Indictment: Fur Robberies (EP4160)

Today's Mystery: A man convicted of extortion decides McCormick information on a robbery to avoid an indefinite prison sentence. Original Radio Broadcast Date:September 15, 1957 Originated from: New YorkStarring: Nat Polen as Assistant Distict Attorney Edward McCormick Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey… http:/...

Aug 19, 202330 minSeason 14Ep. 275

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Salt City Matter, Episodes Four and Five (EP4159)

Today's Mystery: Despite a sense of foreboding, Johnny proceeds with his efforts to serve a subpeona on an underworld figure. Original Radio Broadcast Dates:April 5 and 6, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey… http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook . Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives Join us again tomorrow for a...

Aug 18, 202336 minSeason 14Ep. 274

Philo Vance: The Muddy Murder Case (EP4158)

Today's Mystery: Vance investigates an impossible murder. A gangster was killed in a house surrounded by mud but no footprints were found inside. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 4, 1950 Originated in: New York City Starred: Jackson Beck as Philo Vance, George Petrie as District Attorney Markham Today's program was provided by Radio Archives. Email detectives@radioarchives.com to get a free audiobook, a free ebook, and free old time radio collection. Listerners to the GDOTR can get 50% off on...

Aug 17, 202339 minSeason 14Ep. 273

Dangerous Assignment: Operation Hotfoot (EP4157)

Today's Mystery: Steve goes to Trinidad in search of a scientist who has discovered an important microbe but failed to report on time. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 18, 1951 Originated in Hollywood Stars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. ' Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener su...

Aug 16, 202335 minSeason 14Ep. 272

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Salt City Matter, Episodes One and Three

Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to San Francisco to find a notorious criminal to protect him until the company can cancel his insurance policy. Original Radio Broadcast Dates:April 2 and 4, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Barbara Fuller, Jeanne Tatum, Barbara Eiler, Lawrence Dobkin, Dick Ryan, Jack Edwards, Barney Phillips, Junius Matthews, Tony Barrett When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey… http://survey.great...

Aug 15, 202338 minSeason 14Ep. 271

Sam Spade: The String of Death Caper (EP4155)

Today's Mystery:Sam is hired to find a sea captain, and then finds himself in the middle of desperate characters fighting over a string of pearls. Original Radio Broadcast Date: Feburary 2, 1951 Originated from Hollywood Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, William Conrad Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net . Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take t...

Aug 14, 202337 minSeason 14Ep. 270

Suspense: Fragile, Contents: Death (EP4154s)

Today's Mystery:A postmaster (Victor Perrin) gets a tip that there's a time bomb among the day's packages. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 22, 1956 Stars: Victor Perin, Herb Ellis, Frank Gershwin, Vivi Janis, Helen Kleeb, John Larkin, Leonard Weinrib, Richard Peel, and Ted Bliss, Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener ...

Aug 13, 202335 minSeason 14Ep. 269

Indictment: Bitter Grapes (EP4154)

Today's Mystery: A woman's lover alleges that she was killed by her husband. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 24, 1957Originated from: New YorkStarring: Nat Polen as Assistant Distict Attorney Edward McCormick, Jack Arthur, Marjorie Gateson, Elizabeth Lawrence, Bernard Grant, George Petrie, Mason Adams, Guy Rapp Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net . Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Bo...

Aug 12, 202335 minSeason 14Ep. 268

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The LaMarr Matter, Episodes Three, Four and Five (EP4153)

Today's Mystery:Johnny has to overcome heartbreak as he tries to solve the murder of the father of the woman he had fallen in love with while on vacation. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: March 28-30, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Eric Snowden, Howard McNear, John Dehner, Jeanne Tatum, Joseph Kearns, Paul Richards, Jack Moyles When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com \ Take the listener ...

Aug 11, 202348 minSeason 14Ep. 267

Philo Vance: The Argyle Murder Case (EP4152)

Today's Mystery:An actor is found murdered on a ferry boat wearing a pair of argyle socks that doesn't match the rest of his outfit. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 27, 1950 Originated in: New York CityStarred: Jackson Beck as Philo Vance, George Petrie as District Attorney Markham Today's program was provided by Radio Archives. Email detectives@radioarchives.com to get a free audiobook, a free ebook, and free old time radio collection. Listerners to the GDOTR can get 50% off on a subscripti...

Aug 10, 202333 minSeason 14Ep. 266

Dangerous Assignment: Epidemic-Needle in a Haystack (EP4151)

Today's Mystery: Steve is sent to a U.S.-occupied town in West Germany to find the source of an epidemic that's making everyone sick. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 11, 1951 Originated in HollywoodStars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.ne t 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 sur...

Aug 09, 202341 minSeason 14Ep. 265

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The LaMarr Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4150)

Today's Mystery: Johnny meets a beautiful woman while on vacation and falls for her. Her insured father dies and Johnny is assigned to investigate. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: March 26 and 27, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Eric Snowden, Howard McNear, John Dehner, Jeanne Tatum, Joseph Kearns, Paul Richards, Jack Moyles When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener surve...

Aug 08, 202341 minSeason 14Ep. 264

Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper (EP4149)

Today's Mystery:Sam is hired by a man who received a threat after scheduling a ski weekend with a bunch of volatile guests. Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 26, 1951 Originated from Hollywood Starred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, William Conrad, Jay Novello Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener...

Aug 07, 202336 minSeason 14Ep. 263

Voice of the Army: The Flying Dutchman (Old Time Radio Snack Wagon Sneak Preview)

In this episode of Voice of the Army, Jimmy Stewart narrates the story of an ill-fated plane in the Pacific Theater during World War II...and a legend that goes along with it. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 1, 1949 Originated from Hollywood Also featured: Jeff Chandler and Sam Edwards Support the show on a One-Time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net and become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Subscribe to the Podcast at http://www.snackwagon.net...

Aug 06, 202324 minSeason 14Ep. 262

Crime Fighters: A New England Detective (EP4148)

Today's Mystery:A New England detective is also a parole officer for a young man who was convicted of theft. Does the ex-convict really want to go straight and will he actually be allowed to? Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 9, 1950 Originated in New York Starred: Raymond Edward Johsnon, Alan Stevenson, Ian Martin, Abby Lewis, and Rock Rogers Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation t...

Aug 05, 202336 minSeason 14Ep. 261

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Jolly Rogers Fraud Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4147)

Today's Mystery:The only witness who could have told Johnny about the explosion of a yacht owned by an infamous international figure died before Johnny could talk to him, but Johnny's not giving up yet. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: March 21-23, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Jeanette Nolan, Lucille Meredith, Carleton Young, Herb Ellis, Jack Petruzzi, Bob Bruce, Herb Butterfield, Paul Richards, Edgar Barrier, Russell Thorson, Jack Moyles, Frank Gerstle When ...

Aug 04, 202350 minSeason 14Ep. 260

Philo Vance: The Prize Ring Murder Case (EP4146)

Today's Mystery:A boxer's manager is killed during a prize fight. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 20, 1950 Originated in: New York City Starred: Jackson Beck as Philo Vance, George Petrie as District Attorney Markham Today's program was provided by Radio Archives. Email detectives@radioarchives.com to get a free audiobook, a free ebook, and free old time radio collection. Listeners to the GDOTR can get 50% off on a subscription to receive 600 transcription transfers per month for the next fi...

Aug 03, 202338 minSeason 14Ep. 259

Dangerous Assignment: Find Rudolf Karpel (EP4145)

Today's Mystery:Steve goes to Rotterdam, Netherlands on a tip from a female track athlete who claims to have seen a Nazi war criminal at a china shop. The problem? The china shop has disappeared and everyone claims it was never there. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 4, 1951 Originated in Hollywood Stars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner, Martha Wentworth, Sidney Miller, Barney Phillips, Tony Barrett, Virginia Gregg Support the show monthly at patreon.great...

Aug 02, 202341 minSeason 14Ep. 258

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Jolly Rogers Fraud Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4144)

Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to San Diego to investigate a $460,000 claim on a Yacht and finds the local adjuster has been fatally wounded. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: March 19 and 20, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Forrest Lewis, Paul Frees, Jay Novello, Harry Bartell, Don Diamond, Vic Perrin When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey… http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-...

Aug 01, 202338 minSeason 14Ep. 257

Sam Spade: The Cloak and Dagger Caper (EP4143)

Today's Mystery :A mysterious woman comes to Sam Spade's apartment dressed as a harem girl, tries to poison Spade, and accidentally kills herself. Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 19, 1951 Originated from HollywoodStarred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey...

Jul 31, 202337 minSeason 14Ep. 256

Tales of the Texas Rangers: Drive In (EP4142)

Today's Mystery:A couple are held up by a teenage boy at a drive in theater. Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 14, 1952 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Joel McCrea as Jace Pearson, Tony Barrett Become one of our monthly patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call a...

Jul 29, 202341 minSeason 14Ep. 255

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Clinton Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4141)

Today's Mystery:Johnny is convinced that there was fraud in the fire that burned down a school in a small town, but everyone's afraid to talk. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: March 14-16, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Jeanette Nolan, Lucille Meredith, Carleton Young, Herb Ellis, Jack Petruzzi, Bob Bruce, Herb Butterfield, Paul Richards, Edgar Barrier, Russell Thorson, Jack Moyles, Frank Gerstle When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com...

Jul 28, 202347 minSeason 14Ep. 254