The Falcon

What happens when you have a hero taking on the criminal underworld using a secret identity? You get The Falcon, which started out as a story and ended up becoming a film and radio series that was highly successful.

Michael Arlen wrote the original story entitled Gay Falcon in 1940. When RKO came knocking on Michael Arlen’s door Gay Falcon became a hit immediately and would become a household name throughout the 1940s and early 1950s.

In the film version Gay Falcon became Gay Lawrence and Falcon was only a secret identity. Another name change came when the story went to radio. The new hero who was also a ladies’ man became, Michael Waring, aka The Falcon.

Each show began with a phone call from a woman that Waring would have to brush off with an excuse. Usually his excuses were about his legitimate work with the gangster underworld.

The Falcon was very popular and highly successful and enjoyed a long run. It began in 1943 and ran until 1954, and its eleven-year run was full of mysteries and thrills. Listeners tuned in each week to find out how The Falcon would solve the next problem and face the criminals.

The Falcon was a hero that found fault with the police pretty often. In almost every episode he complained that the police were idiots who didn’t do their jobs. He often pointed out their problems and as such The Falcon and law enforcement had a strained relationship, even though they both worked for the same mission. He was sarcastic and often very intolerant of the mistakes he felt the cops were making.

In later years on the show, The Falcon actually worked alongside the US Military for the Army Intelligence. In this capacity, the show was able to head overseas as The Falcon solved problems dealing with espionage and international intrigue.

Over the years, five actors played The Falcon: Berry Kroeger, James Meighan, Les Tremayne, Les Damon, and finally George Petrie. In spite of the actor changes, The Falcon remained a staple part of old time radio during the golden age. 

Many different companies such as Mutual, Gem Razors and Blades, and Kraft Foods sponsored it. Some of the most fun can be found by listening to the ads these sponsors ran during the show. 

If you like mystery shows and detective dramas, you’ll love The Falcon. There’s nothing like a sarcastic detective to make crime solving an enjoyable experience for every listener - and since I discovered more shows in the RUSC archives, there are new episodes to listen to now too!

Happy listening my friends,