Nostalgic Mystery Radio

Stevie K.

Old time radio mystery programs brought back to life for today's fan of the great shows of yesteryear. Including the classics such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, and more.

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492 episodes
Updated Feb 12, 2024

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Episodes492

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Oct 10, 2023 · 28 min
Ep.469 Boston Blackie: The Worthington Ghost
In the the world of the hard boiled detective, Boston Blackie comes comes real close to fitting in, but he just doesn't quite. Of course Blackie isnt a detective or private eye, he is a reformed safe cracker and constantly good natured irritant to the cops! A real Hard Boiled Detective solves the mystery that the cops think he is guilty of, and manages to make the cops look foolish while he does it. So does Boston Blackie. The Worthington Ghost: Blackie's friend Shorty, apparently just out of jail, meets an hysterical woman who claims to have seen a ghost. Originally aired March 19th, 1946. Support the show
Oct 4, 2023 · 28 min
Ep.468 The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Apple of Eve Caper
The Adventures of Sam Spade was a suspense/detective radio show starring Howard Duff in the colorful title role along with Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie. It was based on the private detective character created by Dashiell Hammett, well-known from the book and movie The Maltese Falcon. The show ran from 1946 to 1951. Duff was replaced by Steve Dunne in later episodes. The Apple of Eve Caper: Eve Adams has been killed, the prime suspect is "Dreama Love." Originally aired June 19th, 1949. Support the show
Oct 2, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.467 Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator: Murder By Threes
Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator William Gargan, who also played the better known television (and radio) detective Martin Kane, was the voice of New York eye Barrie Craig while Ralph Bell portrayed his associate, Lt. Travis Rogers. Craig's office was on Madison Avenue and his adventures were fairly standard PI fare. He worked alone, solved cases efficiently, and feared no man. As the promos went, he was "your man when you can't go to the cops. Confidentiality a specialty." Murder By Threes: A guy comes in to Barrie Craig office bawling like a baby and his name is Julius Caesar. Originally aired October 8th, 1952. Support the show
Sep 28, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.466 The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Civic Pride Caper
The Adventures of Sam Spade was a suspense/detective radio show starring Howard Duff in the colorful title role along with Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie. It was based on the private detective character created by Dashiell Hammett, well-known from the book and movie The Maltese Falcon. The show ran from 1946 to 1951. Duff was replaced by Steve Dunne in later episodes. The Civic Pride Caper: After an auditorium collapses, Garrett Welsh, the architect, hires Spade to find out why it happened. Originally aired April 13th,1951. Support the show
Sep 26, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.465 The Adventures Of The Falcon: The Case Of The Quarrelsome Quartet
The Adventures Of The Falcon: This hard boiled spy drama began as an RKO Radio Pictures theatrical serial in the 1940s, went on radio in 1943, and then came to TV around ten years later in a Syndicated series produced for distribution by NBC Films; the series was about an American agent whose code name was "Falcon". The success of the films led to a radio series that premiered on the American Blue Network in April 1943, and aired for the next ten years on various networks. It was here that his transition into a private eye was finalized, with The Falcon, now called Michael Waring working as a hardboiled insurance investigator, with an office and a secretary, Nancy. The Case Of The Quarrelsome Quartet: Thieves fall out! Hazel Walsh has found out by accident that her boyfriend George Reynolds the same George Reynolds who used to run with the Gallagher mob is in trouble. Originally aired September 3rd,1950 Support the show
Sep 25, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.464 Tales Of The Texas Rangers: Hanging By A Thread
Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the US NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal (or "Charky," as Jayce would sometimes refer to him), to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. Hanging by a Thread: George Hawks has committed suicide, or did he? Originally aired November 26,1950 Support the show
Sep 21, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.463 Broadway Is My Beat: The Joan Gale Murder Case
Broadway is my Beat is a love affair with noir and hardboiled radio detective series blossomed during the 1940's. The golden age of radio had found a new following in the crime drama genre, and managed to churn out several note-worthy serializations. One of the more popular old time radio shows of the period was Broadway is my Beat which featured the talented Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Clover truly loved his beat on the colorful and gritty streets of Broadway and it shined through in his passion and dedication to his job. He tirelessly patrolled the city streets and instilled fear into the hoodlums and villains that threatened the peace. Remarkably enough, the program enjoyed a lengthy run from 1949-1954, unlike its other contemporaries who only lasted for a season. The Joan Gale Murder Case: Joan Gale is found dead in a flower shop...with the burglar alarm still ringing. Originally aired January 21st,1950. Support the show
Sep 18, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.462 Dragnet: The Big Chance
Dragnet ran from June 3rd,1949 to February 26th,1957 on NBC at various times and days and starred Jack Webb as Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. Various partners throughout the show's run were Sergeant Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough), Ed Jacobs (Barney Phillips), and Officer Frank Smith (Ben Alexander). Webb was the creator/Director of the series and wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, down to the last sound effect. The stories were based on actual police files and "the names were changed to protect the innocent". Dragnet broke a few radio taboos as well, such as dramatizing sex crimes. Children also were killed on occasion as in the episode "Twenty-Two Rifle For Christmas". The series eventually went to television and ran there for many years. The Big Chance: A highway patrolman has disappeared from his cruiser, out in the countryside. Originally aired August 24th,1950. Support the show
Sep 15, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.461 The Adventures Of Sam Spade: The Crab Louie Caper
The Adventures of Sam Spade was a suspense/detective radio show starring Howard Duff (in the colorful title role along with Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie. It was based on the private detective character created by Dashiell Hammett, well-known from the book and movie The Maltese Falcon. The show ran from 1946 to 1951. Duff was replaced by Steve Dunne in later episodes. The Crab Louie Caper: Sam is hired to find out how an Italian crab- fisher was killed. Was it an accident or murder? Originally aired March 2nd, 1951. Support the show
Sep 11, 2023 · 28 min
Ep.460 Philo Vance: The Butler Murder Case
Philo Vance is the detective creation of S. S. Van Dine first published in the mid 1920s. Jose Ferrer played him in 1945. From 1948-1950, the fine radio actor Jackson Beck makes Vance as good as he gets. George Petrie plays Vance's constantly impressed public servant, District Attorney Markham. Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary and right-hand woman. The organist for the show is really working those ivories, and fans of old time radio organ will especially enjoy this series. The Butler Murder Case: A dentist is threatened with death by an extortionist and is then murdered. Originally aired October 28th,1948. Support the show
Sep 7, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.459 Richard Diamond Private Detective: The House Of Mystery Case
Richard Diamond, Private Detective came to NBC in 1949. Diamond was a slick, sophisticated detective, with a sharp tongue for folks who needed it. Diamond enjoyed the detective life, but not as much as entertaining his girl, Helen Asher. After each show, he would croon a number to his Park Avenue sweetheart. Mr. Powell, a former song and dance man, was perfect for the role. He added an extra dimension to the 40's hokey private eye drama. Diamond was a rough gumshoe that would often get knocked on the head with a revolver butt or other items. His counterpart on the police force was Lt. Levinson who often accepted Diamond's help reluctantly. Levinson would claim to get stomach trouble whenever Diamond would call him and would take bicarbonate to settle his aching stomach. Although they always seem at odds with each other, Diamond and Levinson were best friends. The House Of Mystery Case: A dead man with a lousy sense of humor is haunting Mrs. Julia Bates, a new widow. Originally aired December 10th,1949. Support the show
Sep 4, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.458 The Adventures Of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper
The Adventures of Sam Spade was a suspense/detective radio show starring Howard Duff (in the colorful title role along with Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie. It was based on the private detective character created by Dashiell Hammett, well-known from the book and movie The Maltese Falcon. The show ran from 1946 to 1951. Duff was replaced by Steve Dunne in later episodes. The Chateau McCloud Caper: Murder on skis at a rich man's winter home. Originally aired January 26th, 1951 Support the show
Aug 31, 2023 · 28 min
Ep.457 Father Brown: The Eye Of Apollo
Rough and tough Hard-boiled detectives grab a lot of attention, but who would have a better insight on the nature of human evil than “a man who does next to nothing but hear men's real sins”? Where could you find a more “soft-boiled” character than the parish priest. Mutual brought The Adventures of Father Brown to the air in 1945. Father Brown was the antithesis of the more celebrated soft-boiled detective, Sherlock Holmes. Where Holmes was a master of deduction, Father Brown relied on intuition based on his familiarity on men’s souls. The Eye of Apollo: Susie has fallen under the spell of a charismatic leader of a sect, when his wife dies, Father Brown intervenes. Originally aired January 18,2013. Support the show
Aug 29, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.456 Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Yankee Pride Matter
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar For over twelve years, from 1949 through 1962 (including a one year hiatus in 1954-1955), this series recounted the cases "the man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Johnny was an accomplished 'padder' of his expense account. The name of the show derives from the fact that he closed each show by totaling his expense account, and signing it "End of report... Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar". The Yankee Pride Matter: Johnny investigates murder, intrigue and sabotage in mysterious Singapore. Originally aired October 14th,1950. Support the show
Aug 28, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.455 Broadway Is My Beat: The Dion Hartley Murder Case
Broadway is my Beat is a love affair with noir and hardboiled radio detective series blossomed during the 1940's. The golden age of radio had found a new following in the crime drama genre, and managed to churn out several note-worthy serializations. One of the more popular old time radio shows of the period was Broadway is my Beat which featured the talented Larry Thor as Detective Danny Clover. Clover truly loved his beat on the colorful and gritty streets of Broadway and it shined through in his passion and dedication to his job. He tirelessly patrolled the city streets and instilled fear into the hoodlums and villains that threatened the peace. Remarkably enough, the program enjoyed a lengthy run from 1949-1954, unlike its other contemporaries who only lasted for a season. The Dion Hartley Murder Case: Dion Hartley invites Danny Clover to visit his exquisite apartment. He tells Danny that he's going to be murdered. He knows who's going to kill him, but won't tell Danny who it is. Originally aired February 17th,1950. Support the show
Aug 24, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.454 Tales Of The Texas Rangers: Dream Farm
Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the US NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal (or "Charky," as Jayce would sometimes refer to him), to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. Dream Farm: A couple moving to Texas from Iowa are killed, and their 12 year-old son is shot in a car-jacking gone wrong. Originally aired March 9th,1952. Support the show
Aug 21, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.453 The New Adventures Of Nero Wolfe: Stamped For Murder
Nero Wolfe is a fictional character, a brilliant, oversized, eccentric armchair detective created in 1934 by American mystery writer Rex Stout. Wolfe was born in Montenegro and keeps his past murky. He lives in a luxurious brownstone on West 35th Street in New York City, and he is loath to leave his home for business or anything that would keep him from reading his books, tending his orchids, or eating the gourmet meals prepared by his chef, Fritz Brenner. Archie Goodwin, Wolfe's sharp-witted, dapper young confidential assistant with an eye for attractive women, narrates the cases and does the legwork for the detective genius. Stamped for Murder: A woman seeks help from Nero Wolfe to recover a $10,000 treasure map from two swindlers. Wolfe becomes suspicious when the con-men return the money to eagerly. Originally aired October 20th,1950. Support the show
Aug 18, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.451 The Adventures Of The Falcon: The Case Of The Nervous Shakedown
The Adventures Of The Falcon: This hard boiled spy drama began as an RKO Radio Pictures theatrical serial in the 1940s, went on radio in 1943, and then came to TV around ten years later in a Syndicated series produced for distribution by NBC Films; the series was about an American agent whose code name was "Falcon". The success of the films led to a radio series that premiered on the American Blue Network in April 1943, and aired for the next ten years on various networks. It was here that his transition into a private eye was finalized, with The Falcon, now called Michael Waring working as a hardboiled insurance investigator, with an office and a secretary, Nancy. The Case Of The Nervous Shakedown: The Falcon knows a boy with a sure thing going feels that together, they ought to make a killing! Originally aired June 27th,1951. Support the show
Aug 18, 2023 · 29 min
Ep.452 Boston Blackie: Murder On The Flying Trapeze
In the the world of the hard boiled detective, Boston Blackie comes comes real close to fitting in, but he just doesn't quite. Of course Blackie isnt a detective or private eye, he is a reformed safe cracker and constantly good natured irritant to the cops! A real Hard Boiled Detective solves the mystery that the cops think he is guilty of, and manages to make the cops look foolish while he does it. So does Boston Blackie. Murder On The Flying Trapeze: An old school friend of Mary’s who is a trapeze artist tells Mary that if anything happens to her it would be an accident. Mary’s friend then dies while performing her act. Originally aired April 2nd,1946. Support the show
Aug 15, 2023 · 31 min
Ep.450 Dragnet: The Big Youngster
Dragnet ran from June 3rd,1949 to February 26th,1957 on NBC at various times and days and starred Jack Webb as Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. Various partners throughout the show's run were Sergeant Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough), Ed Jacobs (Barney Phillips), and Officer Frank Smith (Ben Alexander). Webb was the creator/Director of the series and wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, down to the last sound effect. The stories were based on actual police files and "the names were changed to protect the innocent". Dragnet broke a few radio taboos as well, such as dramatizing sex crimes. Children also were killed on occasion as in the episode "Twenty-Two Rifle For Christmas". The series eventually went to television and ran there for many years. The Big Youngster: Friday and Smith investigate a case of vandalism against a young lawyer. Originally aired August 17th,1950. Support the show

Nostalgic Mystery Radio

Support the show

Ep.469 Boston Blackie: The Worthington Ghost

Ep.468 The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Apple of Eve Caper

Ep.467 Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator: Murder By Threes

Ep.466 The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Civic Pride Caper

Ep.465 The Adventures Of The Falcon: The Case Of The Quarrelsome Quartet

Ep.464 Tales Of The Texas Rangers: Hanging By A Thread

Ep.463 Broadway Is My Beat: The Joan Gale Murder Case

Ep.462 Dragnet: The Big Chance

Ep.461 The Adventures Of Sam Spade: The Crab Louie Caper

Ep.460 Philo Vance: The Butler Murder Case

Ep.459 Richard Diamond Private Detective: The House Of Mystery Case

Ep.458 The Adventures Of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper

Ep.457 Father Brown: The Eye Of Apollo

Ep.456 Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Yankee Pride Matter

Ep.455 Broadway Is My Beat: The Dion Hartley Murder Case

Ep.454 Tales Of The Texas Rangers: Dream Farm

Ep.453 The New Adventures Of Nero Wolfe: Stamped For Murder

Ep.451 The Adventures Of The Falcon: The Case Of The Nervous Shakedown

Ep.452 Boston Blackie: Murder On The Flying Trapeze

Ep.450 Dragnet: The Big Youngster