Skip to content
Artwork for Stand By For Crime
HistoryFictionDramaArtsPerforming Arts

Stand By For Crime

Logic Media

Step back into the gritty, neon-lit streets of 1950s Los Angeles with Stand By for Crime, an unheralded gem of classic radio drama that’s well worth a second listen.

If you loved the "just the facts" realism of Dragnet or the hard-hitting style of Gangbusters, this show is right up your alley. Forget the over-the-top melodrama of early radio—Stand By for Crime trades cheap thrills for a grounded, "day at the office" feel, taking you along for the ride as reporters and cops tackle the city's underbelly.

Follow Chuck Morgan (played by Glen Langen), a sharp, believable news anchor at KOP radio. When his pal, Lieutenant Bill Miggs of the police force, tips him off to hot crime news, Chuck and his quick-witted "Gal Friday," Carol Curtis (Adele Jurgens), dive headfirst into the case. Together, the trio rubs shoulders with all types of characters—mostly on the shady side of the street.

Why you should tune in:
🎙️ Solid Storytelling: The dialogue is tight, the plots are engaging, and the old-school repartee is strictly enjoyable.
🎙️ Real-Life Chemistry: The crackling dynamic between Chuck and Carol isn't just good acting—Glen Langen and Adele Jurgens were husband and wife in real life, having met on the set of The Treasure of Monte Cristoin 1949!
🎙️ Classic Noir Vibe: A perfect bridge between the golden age of radio and the modern true-crime genre.

Stand By for Crime may have been left for dead by history, but it’s a classic that deserves a spot in your queue.

Subscribe, tune in, and stand by for crime!

Play
  • 19 episodes
  • Avg 24 min
  • English
  • #19
    Today · 24 min

    A Spy Ring In June

    After a doctor is arrested in San Diego for handing over sensitive information, Chuck follows the trail of a dangerous espionage ring operating on the coast.

    • Transcript
  • #18
    Yesterday · 23 min

    The Wetback Murders

    A Border Patrol officer suspects someone on the American side is murdering undocumented immigrants, and Chuck risks his life to expose the truth.

    • Transcript
  • #17
    Friday · 24 min

    Mr Hendrick's Mines Of Murder

    A gold mining speculator buys an abandoned mine near Las Vegas, only to find that the real treasure is worth killing for.

    • Transcript
  • #16
    Thursday · 24 min

    Hollywood Love Triangle

    Chuck lands a sensational story when a tangled romantic web in Hollywood leads to jealousy, betrayal, and ultimately, murder.

    • Transcript
  • #15
    Wednesday · 24 min

    Eddie Flore's Frame-UP

    A murder of unusual violence shocks the city, and Chuck works to prove that the prime suspect, Eddie Flores, is being framed by a fiendish mastermind.

    • Transcript
  • #14
    Tuesday · 24 min

    The Kidnapper's New Shoes

    When the son of Chuck's old fishing buddy is kidnapped, Morgan steps in to help the family navigate the terrifying ransom demands and bring the boy home.

    • Transcript
  • #13
    Monday · 24 min

    Lonely Hearts Club Of Doom

    A lonely man's search for companionship leads him into a deadly trap, and Chuck must expose the predators running a fraudulent lonely hearts club.

    • Transcript
  • #12
    October 17 · 24 min

    Displaced Into Danger

    When a displaced person living on Bullerton Street goes to the police with a complaint, Chuck uncovers a sinister plot targeting the city's most vulnerable residents.

    • Transcript
  • #11
    October 17 · 24 min

    Gladstone Smith Murder

    Chuck investigates the seemingly senseless murder of Gladstone Smith, an ordinary man whose quiet life hid a deadly secret.

    • Transcript
  • #10
    October 17 · 25 min

    Trixie's Bank Heist

    Morgan tracks a ruthless and cunning woman named Trixie who has successfully pulled off a major bank robbery, leaving the police empty-handed.

    • Transcript
  • #9
    October 17 · 24 min

    The Black Hand

    Chuck delves into the dangerous world of organized crime as he investigates the notorious "Black Hand" syndicate, tracing its roots back to the old country.

    • Transcript
  • #8
    October 17 · 24 min

    Baby Betsy's Mother

    A routine day at the radio station takes a dramatic turn when a woman leaves a baby behind, prompting Morgan to investigate the desperate circumstances that led to her choice.

    • Transcript
  • #7
    October 17 · 24 min

    The Tennant Jewels Stolen

    When Mrs. Tennant's priceless jewels are stolen, Chuck is on the case to track down the thief before the gems disappear into the black market forever.

    • Transcript
  • #6
    October 17 · 24 min

    Prisoners Of The Revolution

    Chuck finds himself caught in the crossfire of a full-scale revolution, using his wits to survive and report the truth from the front lines.

    • Transcript
  • #5
    October 17 · 24 min

    Queenie's 10,000 Dollar Alibi

    With his professional reputation on the line, Morgan digs into a high-stakes case involving a woman named Queenie and a suspiciously expensive alibi.

    • Transcript
  • #4
    October 17 · 23 min

    Marijuana Mystery

    In this gripping episode of the classic old-time radio series Stand By for Crime, listeners are taken on a suspenseful journey to the Mexican border. The story follows dedicated radio crime reporter Chuck Morgan, who is pulled away from the newsroom...

    • Transcript
  • #3
    October 17 · 24 min

    Mark Adams Murder

    Chuck Morgan looks into the murder of a respected citizen and is shocked when his wife reveals that he was a drug addict. The episode is a classic example of the true-story style of delivery made popular by radio crime shows like Gangbusters and Mr....

    • Transcript
  • #2
    October 17 · 24 min

    Luke Larson's Murder

    Newscaster Chuck Morgan receives information that an upcoming boxing match involving prizefighter Luke Larson is fixed. Just before the fight is scheduled to begin, Chuck receives a call from the police informing him that Larson has been found murdered.

  • #1
    October 17 · 24 min

    The Communist Menace

    In this suspenseful episode of the classic old-time radio series Stand By for Crime, listeners are plunged into the paranoia of the Cold War era. The story follows Chuck Morgan, a dedicated radio crime reporter known for his sharp instincts and...

Showing 1–19 of 19 episodes