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

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Matter of the Medium Well Done, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4195)

Today's Mystery:Johnny is dealing with death threats as well as a medium who convinced an heiress client to change her insurance beneficiary. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: May 16, 17, and 18, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Lurene Tuttle, HarrynBartell, Eleanor Audley, Joseph Kearns, Herb Vigran, Junius Matthews, Tony Barrett, Sam Edwards When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener surv...

Sep 29, 202347 minEp 313Transcript available on Metacast

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of Murder and the Sleeping Men (EP4194)

Today's Mystery:A ruthless businessman is poisoned, and his two associates, who were at the same table, were knocked out. Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 10, 1948 Originated in: New York City Starred: 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.n...

Sep 28, 202343 minEp 312Transcript available on Metacast

Dangerous Assignment: Ghost Hunters (EP4193)

Today's Mystery:Steve goes to Darwin, Australia, because a man who offered the U.S. information on the location of a World War II traitor has been murdered. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 10, 1952 Originated in Hollywood Stars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner, Kay Stewart, Dan O'Herliy, Don Morrisson, Ben Wright Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. ' Mail a d...

Sep 27, 202331 minEp 311Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Matter of the Medium Well Done, Episodes One and Two (EP4192)

Today's Mystery: Johnny's sent to New York to investigate when an insured heiress wants to change her beneficiary to a shady medium. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: May 14 and 15, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Lurene Tuttle, Harryn Bartell, Eleanor Audley, Joseph Kearns, Herb Vigran, Junius Matthews, Tony Barrett, Sam Edwards hen making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey… http://sur...

Sep 26, 202337 minEp 310Transcript available on Metacast

Sam Spade: The Sinister Siren Caper (EP4191)

Today's Mystery:A man hires Spade after receiving an ominous warning that his life is in peril from a dangerous red-headed woman. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 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 http://survey.g...

Sep 25, 202334 minEp 309Transcript available on Metacast

Dragnet: Production 6 (aka: The Red Light Bandit) (EP4190)

Todays Mystery:Friday and Romero search for a man who robs and beats up innocent citizens while impersonating a police officer. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 14, 1949 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Raymond Burr as Ed Backstrand, Chief of Detectives 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, ...

Sep 23, 202339 minEp 308Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silver Blue Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4189)

Today's Mystery:The murder of a lunchroom owner has raised the stakes in Johnny's investigation Original Radio Broadcast Dates: May 9, 10, and 11, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Lillian Buyeff, Will Wright, Jeanne Bates, Carleton Young, Lawrence Dobkin, Bert Holland, Marvin Miller, Herb Vigran When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a ...

Sep 22, 202346 minEp 307Transcript available on Metacast

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of the Fatal Impersonation (EP4188)

Today's Mystery:A friend of Mr. Chameleon's is murdered while dressed in costume as him. Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 3, 1948 Originated in: New York City Starred: 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 us a call at 208-991-4783 ...

Sep 21, 202340 minEp 306Transcript available on Metacast

Dangerous Assignment: Nazi Fugitive-Captain Shiller (EP4187)

Today's Mystery:Steve goes to Dakar in West Africa in search of a supposedly dead Nazi sea captain who was a key part of the Fuhrer's escape plan. Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 3, 1951 Originated in HollywoodStars: 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 ...

Sep 20, 202338 minEp 305Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silver Blue Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4186)

Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to Los Angeles to investigate a fur robbery committed by a juvenile gang. Original Radio Broadcast Dates:May 7 and 8, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Lucille Meredith, Edgar Barrier, Vic Perrin, Jack Kruschen, Tommy Cook, Richard Crenna 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...

Sep 19, 202335 minEp 304Transcript available on Metacast

Sam Spade: The Spanish Prisoner Caper (EP4185)

Today's Mystery:Sam tries to help a retired teacher who lost $1,000 to an old con game. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 9, 1951 Originated from HollywoodStarred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Ed Mack, Verna Felton, Lou Merrill, Tony Barrett, Shirley Mitchell, Nester Paiva, Jerry Hausner 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, I...

Sep 18, 202336 minEp 303Transcript available on Metacast

Dragnet: Production 5 (aka: The Helen Corday Murder) (EP4184)

Todays Mystery:Friday and Romero investigate the brutal murder of a twenty-one-year-old woman in a vacant lot. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 7, 1949 Originated from HollywoodStarred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Raymond Burr as Ed Backstrand, Chief of Detectives, Stacy Harris, Hans Conreid 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...

Sep 16, 202338 minEp 302Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Callicles Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4183)

Today's Mystery:An investment broker has returned and Johnny's job is over. Or is it? Original Radio Broadcast Dates: May 2, 3, and 4, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Lillian Buyeff, Will Wright, Jeanne Bates, Carleton Young, Lawrence Dobkin, Bert Holland, Marvin Miller, Herb Vigran When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208...

Sep 15, 202348 minEp 301Transcript available on Metacast

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of Murder from Across the Sea (EP4182)

Today's Mystery: An international playboy is poisoned. Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 27, 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 us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://ins...

Sep 14, 202335 minEp 300Transcript available on Metacast

Dangerous Assignment: China Sea Smuggling (EP4181)

Today's Mystery:Steve is sent to the South China Sea to use a notorious smuggler Captain Jaeger to break a smuggling racket. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 10, 1951 Originated in HollywoodStars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner, Tony Barrett, Irene Winston, Paul Dubov, and Jean Tatum 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 ...

Sep 13, 202339 minEp 299Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Callicles Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4180)

Today's Mystery:Johnny goes to Los Angeles to investigate the disappearance of a bonded stock broker and finds that everyone who knows him is indifferent to his fate. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 30 and May 1, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Lillian Buyeff, Will Wright, Jeanne Bates, Carleton Young, Lawrence Dobkin, Bert Holland, Marvin Miller, Herb Vigran When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com...

Sep 12, 202335 minEp 298Transcript available on Metacast

Sam Spade: The Crab Louie Caper (EP4179)

Today's Mystery:Sam is hired to look into the disappearance and likely death of a crab fisherman. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 2, 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 http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call...

Sep 11, 202337 minEp 297Transcript available on Metacast

Twice Told Tale - Man Called X: Murder, Music, and a Blonde Madonna; Christopher London: Pattern for Murder (EP4178)

Today's First Episode:Ken travels to Italy to follow a composer, to find why that composer's friend was murdered in New York City. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 10, 1944 Today's Second Episode:Christopher London travels to Monaco, to find out why a composer's friend was murdered in New York City. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 29, 1950B oth Originated from Hollywood. The Man Called X starred Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston and Hans Conreid as Egon Zellschmidt Christopher London starre...

Sep 10, 20231 hr 11 minEp 296Transcript available on Metacast

Dragnet: Production 4 (aka: The Quick Trigger Men) (EP4178)

Todays Mystery:A police officer is shot and killed in a bar robbery gone wrong. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 24, 1949 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero 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 83715T ake the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give ...

Sep 09, 202338 minEp 295Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Lonely Hearts Matter, Episodes Three and Five (EP4177)

Today's Mystery:The autopsy indicates a deceased insured man was murdered and the evidence points to his widow. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 25 and 27, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Lucille Meredith, Mary Jane Croft, Virginia Gregg, Herb Ellis, Howard McNear, Stacy Harris When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Twitter @...

Sep 08, 202341 minEp 294Transcript available on Metacast

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of Voices from the Dead (EP4176)

Today's Mystery:A woman's sister is murdered after she hears the voice of her dead seven-year-old son. Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 20, 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 us a call at 2...

Sep 07, 202336 minEp 293Transcript available on Metacast

Dangerous Assignment: A Country's Democracy Threatened (EP4175)

Today's Mystery:Steve goes to a South American country where an American is wanted for killing the leader of the Fascist Party in order to prevent the election of an anti-US Government. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 3, 1951 Originated in HollywoodStars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner, William Conrad, Betty Lou Gerson, Tony Barrett, Paul Frees, William Johnstone. Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time bas...

Sep 06, 202336 minEp 292Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Lonely Hearts Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4174)

Today's Mystery: A young woman claims her insured father was murdered by a woman he met and married through a lonely hearts club. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 23 and 24, 1956 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Lucille Meredith, Mary Jane Croft, Virginia Gregg, Herb Ellis, Howard McNear, Stacy Harris 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 o...

Sep 05, 202342 minEp 291Transcript available on Metacast

Sam Spade: The Shot in the Dark Caper (EP4173)

Today's Mystery:A newspaper editor hires Spade to go undercover as a tenant at an apartment building where someone appears to have captured a shooting on their camera .Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 23, 1951 Originated from HollywoodStarred Steven Dunne as Sam Spade, Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Wally Maher 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, I...

Sep 04, 202338 minEp 290Transcript available on Metacast

Suspense: The High Wall (EP4172s)

Today's Mystery:A man wakes up in an insane asylum with no idea how he got there. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 6, 1946 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Robbert Young, George Zucco, Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher 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 us a call at 208-991...

Sep 03, 202337 minEp 289Transcript available on Metacast

Dragnet: Production 3 (aka: The Werewolf) (EP4172)

Todays Mystery:A man described as having a face like a werewolf is robbing and mutilating women in the wee hours on the streets of Los Angeles. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 17, 1949 Originated from Hollywood Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Charlie McGraw as Captain Ed Backstrand 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 Gra...

Sep 02, 202341 minEp 288Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Shepherd Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4171)

Today's Mystery:Johnny is still doubting a doctor's story even after being pistol-whipped by the man the doctor alleged threatened to kill him. Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 18, 19, and 20, 1956 Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Jeanne Bates, Virginia Gregg, Russell Thorson, Parley Baer, Herb Ellis, Barney Phillips, Lawrence Dobkin When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Gi...

Sep 01, 202353 minEp 287Transcript available on Metacast

Mr. Chameleon: The Case of Murder and the House of Whispers (EP4170)

Today's Mystery:A blind derelict is found murdered near a strange house that feeds the homeless. Mr. Chameleon finds that he was neither blind nor a derelict, and that's just the start of the mystery. Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 13, 1948 Originated in: New York City Starred: 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, B...

Aug 31, 202340 minEp 286Transcript available on Metacast

Dangerous Assignment: The Suspect Cylinder (EP4169)

Today's Mystery:Steve goes to Rome to find out why someone tried to bribe a student into smuggling a recording cylinder to Europe that contained a routine report on the prevalence of the common cold.Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 26, 1951 Originated in Hollywood Stars: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, Herb Butterfield as the Commissioner, Raymond Burr, Tony Barrett, Lou Krugman, Betty Lou Gerson, Don Diamond, Stacy Keach Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net upport the sho...

Aug 30, 202336 minEp 285Transcript available on Metacast

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Shepherd Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4168)

Today's Mystery: Johnny's called to Providence to investigate when a local insurance agent reports a suspicious application. A doctor with few responsibilities has applied for $80,000 in additional life insurance, and if he's telling the truth, he has a good reason .Original Radio Broadcast Dates: April 16 and 17, 1956 Originated from Hollywood stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Jeanne Bates, Virginia Gregg, Russell Thorson, Parley Baer, Herb Ellis, Barney Phillips, Lawrence Dobkin When making ...

Aug 29, 202340 minEp 284Transcript available on Metacast