Detective
This is a catch-all category for anything to do with crime or detection. You’ll find everything from investigative journalists (did they call them that back then) such as Randy Stone in Nightbeat through to police procedurals like Dragnet.
 | 21st Precinct
Show Count: 106
Broadcast History: 7 July 1953 to 26 July 1956
Cast: Everett Sloane, James Gregory, Les Damon, Ken Lynch, Harold Stone
Director: Stanley Niss
Producer: John Ives
"21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the nine-tenths of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the East River wouldn't know, if you asked them, that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their persons, their homes, and their property is the job of the men of the 21st." |
 | 5 Minute Mystery
Show Count: 121
Broadcast History: 1947 to 1950
Cast: Various
"Another Five Minute Mystery!" |
 | Adventures Of Ellery Queen, The
Show Count: 14
Broadcast History: 18 June 1939 to 27 May 1948
Cast: Hugh Marlowe, Santos Ortega, Howard Smith, Robert Strauss, Ted de Corsia, Marion Shockley , Carleton Young, Sydney Smith, Barbara Terrell, Gertrude Warner, Charlotte Keane, Lawrence Dobkin, Bill Smith, Ed Latimer, Howard Culver, Herb Butterfield, Alan Reed, Virginia Gregg, Kaye Brinker
Director: Dick Woolen, George Zachary, Tom Victor, Dwight Hauser
Producer: George Zachary
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 | Adventures Of Nero Wolfe, The
Show Count: 26
Broadcast History: 5 July 1943 to 27 April 1951
Cast: Luis Van Rooten, Santos Ortega, John Gibson, Francis X Bushman, Elliott Lewis, Sydney Greenstreet, Gerald Mohr, Wally Maher, Harry Bartell, Herb Ellis, Lawrence Dobkin
Director: Travis Wells, J. Donald Wilson
Producer: Travis Wells, Edwin Fadiman
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 | Adventures Of Philip Marlowe, The
Show Count: 100
Broadcast History: 17 June 1947 to 15 September 1951
Sponsor: Pepsodent, CBS, Ford Motors
Cast: Gerald Mohr, Van Heflin, Edgar Barrier, Gloria Blondell, Vivi Janiss, Lou Krugman, David Ellis, Wilms Herbert, Virginia Gregg, John Dehner, Lawrence Dobkin, Jack Moyles, Laurette Fillbrandt, Parley Baer, Howard McNear, Jeff Corey
Director: Norman Macdonnell
Producer: Jim Fonda, Norman Macdonnell
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 | Adventures Of Sam Spade, Detective, The
Show Count: 67
Broadcast History: 12 July 1946 to 27 April 1951
Sponsor: Wildroot Cream Oil, Wildroot
Cast: Howard Duff, Steven Dunne, Lurene Tuttle, John McIntire, William Conrad, Cathy Lewis, Elliott Lewis, June Havoc, Joseph Kearns, Jerry Hausner, Elliot Reed, Mary Jane Croft, Jeanette Nolan, Betty Lou Gerson
Director: William Spier
Producer: William Spier
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 | Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator
Show Count: 62
Broadcast History: 3 October 1951 to 30 June 1955
Cast: William Gargan, Ralph Bell, Elspeth Eric, Parker Fennelly, Santos Ortega, Arnold Moss, Betty Lou Gerson, Jack Moyles, Barney Phillips, Parley Baer, Virginia Gregg, Vivi Janiss
Director: Himan Brown, Arthur Jacobson, Andrew C. Love
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 | Big Guy, The
Show Count: 3
Broadcast History: 7 May 1950 to 29 October 1950
Cast: Henry Calvin, David Anderson, Denise Alexander, Joan Lazer, Joseph Bell, Anita Anton, Burford Hampden, Bill Zuckert, Lyle Sudrow, Linda Watkins, Peggy Laughton, Sandy Strauss
Director: Thomas Madigan
Joshua Sharpe works for his clients on a strictly cash basis to provide for the needs of his nearest and dearest Josh Junior and his daughter Debbie. |
 | Broadway Is My Beat
Show Count: 169
Broadcast History: 27 February 1949 to 1 August 1954
Cast: Larry Thor, Anthony Ross, Charles Calvert, Jack Kruschen, Irene Tedrow, Barney Phillips, Lamont Johnson, Charlotte Lawrence, Herb Vigran, Herb Ellis, Hy Averback, Sam Edwards, Tony Barrett, GeGe Pearson, Byron Kane, Edgar Barrier, Sammie Hill, Betty Lou Gerson, Bill Bouchey, Eddie Fields, Mary Shipp, Harry Bartell, Ben Wright, Sheldon Leonard, Martha Wentworth, Lawrence Dobkin, Paula Winslowe, Eve McVeagh, Anne Whitfield, Truda Marson, Herb Butterfield, Junius Matthews, Mary Jane Croft
Director: Elliott Lewis, John Dietz
Producer: Elliott Lewis, Lester Gottlieb
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 | Casey, Crime Photographer
Show Count: 82
Broadcast History: 7 July 1943 to 16 November 1950 and 13 Jan 1954 to 22 April 1955
Cast: Matt Crowley, Jim Backus, Staats Cotsworth, John Gibson, Alice Reinheart, Lesley Woods, Betty Furness, Jan Miner, Jackson Beck, Art Carney, Bernard Lenrow, Bryna Raeburn, John Griggs, Robert Dryden
Director: John Dietz, Albert Ward
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 | Charlie Chan
Show Count: 17
Broadcast History: 2 December 1932 to 21 June 1948 (Off the air 1933-1937 and 1939-1944)
Cast: Walter Connolly, Ed Begley, Leon Janney, Santos Ortega
Director: John Cole
Charlie Chan is a fictional Chinese-American detective created by Earl Derr Biggers. Loosely basing his character on Honolulu detective Chang Apana, Biggers conceived of the benevolent and heroic Chan as an alternative to Yellow Peril stereotypes, such as villains like Fu Manchu. Chan is a detective for the Honolulu police, though many stories feature Chan traveling the world as he investigates mysteries and solves crimes. |
 | Crime Does Not Pay
Show Count: 58
Broadcast History: 10 October 1949 to 10 October 1951, and 7 January 1952 to 22 December 1952
Cast: Everett Sloane, Betty Furness, Jean Muir, John Beal, Richard Duerr, John Loder, Ed Begley, Donald Buka, Joan Lorring, Lionel Stander, Bela Lugosi
Director: Marx B Loeb
The radio show Crime Does Not Pay is a perfect example of how radio shows often mirrored major studio productions. This radio show was based on the film series Crime Does Not Pay produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The films began in 1935 yet weren’t mirrored by the radio show until 14 years later. During the same general time period, a comic book by the same name was popular with readers. During the late 40s and early 50s crime dramas were very popular – much like they are today. |
 | Dragnet
Show Count: 374
Broadcast History: 3 June 1949 to 26 February 1957
Sponsor: Fatima Cigarettes, Chesterfield Cigarettes
Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Barney Phillips, Ben Alexander, Peggy Webber, Raymond Burr, Sam Edwards, Parley Baer, Vic Perrin, Stacy Harris, Georgia Ellis, Virginia Gregg
Director: Jack Webb, Bill Rousseau
Producer: Bill Rousseau
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 | Falcon, The
Show Count: 82
Broadcast History: 10 April 1943 to 29 December 1943, 3 July 1945 to 30 April 1950, 7 May 1950 to 14 September 1952 and 5 January 1953 to 27 November 1954
Cast: Mandel Kramer, Les Damon, Robert Dryden, Les Tremayne, George Petrie, Joan Banks, James Meighan, Barry Kroeger
Director: Stuart Buchanan, Richard Lewis, Carlo De Angelo
Producer: Bernard L Schubert
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 | Fat Man, The
Show Count: 52
Broadcast History: 21 January 1946 to 26 September 1951
Cast: Vicki Volante, Ed Begley, Jack Scott Smart, Amzie Strickland, Mary Patton, Betty Garde, Linda Watkins, Paul Stewart, Alice Frost, Robert Dryden, Jimmy McCallion, Sarah Burton
Director: Charles Powers, Clark Andrews, Robert Sloane
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 | FBI In Peace And War, The
Show Count: 61
Broadcast History: 25 November 1944 to 28 September 1958
Sponsor: Wrigley’s Gum, Lava Soap, Wildroot Cream Oil, Lucky Strike, Nescafe
Cast: Martin Blaine, Donald Briggs, Jackson Beck, Walter Greaza, Ralph Bell, Ed Begley, Elspeth Eric, Frank Readick, Rosemary Rice, Harold Huber, Edith Arnold, Robert Dryden, Charita Bauer, Grant Richards
Director: Max Marchin, Betty Mandeville
Producer: Max Marchin, Betty Mandeville
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 | Federal Agent
Show Count: 11
Broadcast History: May 1944 to January 1945
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 | Gangbusters
Show Count: 102
Broadcast History: 20 July 1935 to 27 November 1957
Sponsor: Chevrolet, Colgate, Palmolive, Cue Magazine, Sloan’s Liniment, Waterman Pens, Tide Detergent, Grape Nuts, Wrigley’s Gum
Cast: Alice Reinheart, Santos Ortega, Bryna Raeburn, Don MacLaughlin, Elspeth Eric, Frank Lovejoy, Leon Janney, Larry Haines, Grant Richards, Roger DeKoven, Julie Stevens, Art Carney, Richard Widmark, Raymond Edward Johnson, Louise Fitch, Joan Banks, Robert Dryden
Director: Phillips H. Lord, Jay Hanna, George Zachary, Leonard Bass, Bill Sweets, Paul Munroe, Harry Frazee
Producer: Phillips H. Lord
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 | Lineup, The
Show Count: 38
Broadcast History: 6 July 1950 to 20 February 1953
Sponsor: Wrigley’s Gum
Cast: Bill Johnstone, Edgar Barrier, Howard McNear, Joseph Kearns, Paul Frees, Wally Maher, Virginia Gregg, John McIntire, Tony Barrett, Junius Matthews, Clayton Post, Raymond Burr, Jeanette Nolan, Sheldon Leonard
Director: Elliott Lewis, Jaime del Valle
Producer: Elliott Lewis, Jaime del Valle
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 | Michael Shayne
Show Count: 63
Broadcast History: 16 October 1944 to 10 July 1953
Cast: Wally Maher, Jeff Chandler, Jack Edwards, Vinton Hayworth, Virginia Gregg, Sharon Douglas, Harry Lang, GeGe Pearson, Earle Ross, Anne Stone, Louise Arthur, Donald Curtis, Joe Forte, Bob Bruce, Cathy Knight, Robert Stirling, Charlie Lung, Virginia Keith, Halo Gerard
Producer: Bob Nye, Dave Taylor
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 | Mr & Mrs North
Show Count: 15
Broadcast History: 30 December 1942 to 18 April 1955
Cast: Betty Jane Tyler , Frank Lovejoy, Mandel Kramer, Staats Cotsworth, Richard Denning, Alice Frost, Walter Kinsella , Barbara Britton, Joseph Curtain, Francis DeSales
Producer: S. James Andrews, John W. Loveton
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 | Mr District Attorney
Show Count: 95
Broadcast History: 3 April 1939 to 13 June 1952
Sponsor: Pepsodent, Bristol Myers
Cast: Vicki Volante, David Brian, Dwight Weist, Frank Lovejoy, Jay Jostyn, Raymond Edward Johnson, Maurice Franklin , Paul Stewart, Walter Kinsella , Arlene Francis, Peter Van Steeden, Len Doyle, Eleanor Silver
Director: Edward Byron
Producer: Phillips H. Lord
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 | Nightbeat
Show Count: 76
Broadcast History: 6 February 1950 to 25 September 1952
Sponsor: General Mills for Wheaties
Cast: Frank Lovejoy, William Conrad, Stacy Harris, Wilms Herbert, Lurene Tuttle, Junius Matthews, Jack Kruschen, Joan Banks, Jeanne Bates, Peter Leeds, Larry Dobkin
Director: Warren Lewis
Producer: Warren Lewis
“Hi, this is Randy Stone. I cover the nightbeat for the Chicago Star. My stories start in many different ways. This one began…” |
 | Perry Mason
Show Count: 232
Broadcast History: October 1943 to December 1955
Cast: Mandel Kramer, Santos Ortega, Matt Crowley, Jan Miner, John Larkin, Gertrude Warner, Joan Alexander, Donald Briggs, Bartlett Robinson, Frank Dane, Chuck Webster
Director: Art Hannes, Carl Eastman, Carlo DeAngelo, Ralph Butler, Hoyt Allen
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 | Richard Diamond Private Detective
Show Count: 92
Broadcast History: 29 April 1949 to 20 September 1953
Cast: Dick Powell, Betty Lou Gerson, Ed Begley, Frances Robinson, Virginia Gregg, Wilms Herbert, Ted de Corsia, Betty Moran, Arthur W Bryan
Director: Jaime del Valle, Don Sharpe, Blake Edwards, Eilliam P Rousseau
Producer: Jaime del Valle, Don Sharpe, Blake Edwards, Eilliam P Rousseau
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 | Saint, The
Show Count: 57
Broadcast History: January 1945 to May 1951
Cast: Brian Aherne, Edgar Barrier, Tom Collins, Tom Conway, Vincent Price, Betty Lou Gerson, Lawrence Dobkin, John Brown, Ed Begley, Barry Sullivan, Mary Shipp, Ken Christy, Peter Leeds, Louise Arthur, Joe Forte, Stanley Farrar, Dan O’Herlihy, Larry Dobkin, Theodor von Eltz
Director: Helen Mack, Thomas McAvity
Producer: James L Saphier
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 | Shadow, The
Show Count: 183
Broadcast History: 31 July 1930 to 26 December 1954
Sponsor: Wildroot Cream Oil, Blue Coal, Street and Smith Love Story Magazine, Perfect-o-Lite, Grove Laboratories, US Air Force
Cast: Bill Johnstone, Bret Morrison, Dwight Weist, James La Curto, Mandel Kramer, Orson Welles, Santos Ortega, Various, Agnes Moorehead, Everett Sloane, Gertrude Warner, Lesley Woods, Keenan Wynn, Marjorie Anderson, Grace Matthews, Alan Reed, Ted de Corsia, Arthur Vinton, Kenny Delmar, John Barclay, Robert Hardy Andrews, Jimmy LaCruto, Bob Maxwell
Director: Wilson Tuttle, Bill Sweets, Harry Ingram, John Cole, Dana Noyes, Chick Vincent
Producer: Wilson Tuttle, Bill Sweets, Harry Ingram, John Cole, Dana Noyes, Chick Vincent
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 | Sherlock Holmes
Show Count: 152
Broadcast History: 20 October 1930 to 4 September 1956
Sponsor: George Washington Coffee, Household Finance, Bromo Quinine, Petri Wines, Clipper Craft
Cast: Basil Rathbone, Ben Wright, John Stanley, Louis Hector, Orson Welles, Richard Gordon, Tom Conway, Nigel Bruce, Agnes Moorehead, Ian Martin, Leigh Lovel, Junius Matthews, Joseph Bell, Eric Snowden, Alfred Shirley, Lucille Wall, Bill Shelley, Harry Neville
Director: Edna Best, Tom McKnight, Basil Loughrane, Glendall Taylor, Joseph Bell
Producer: Edna Best, Tom McKnight, Basil Loughrane, Glendall Taylor, Joseph Bell
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 | This Is Your FBI
Show Count: 256
Broadcast History: 6 April 1945 to 30 January 1953
Cast: Bea Benaderet, Elspeth Eric, Mandel Kramer, Santos Ortega, William Conrad, Georgia Ellis, Stacy Harris, Karl Swenson, Carleton Young, Michael Ann Barrett, Whitfield Connor, Joan Banks, Herb Ellis, Helen Lewi, J. C. Flippen
Director: Jerry Devine, William Sweets
Producer: Jerry Devine
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 | Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
Show Count: 653
Broadcast History: Feb 11, 1949 to Sept 30, 1962
Cast: Mandel Kramer, Bob Bailey, Bob Readick, Charles Russell, Edmond O'Brien, Gerald Mohr, John Lund, Lawson Zerbe, Santos Ortega, Jackson Beck, Jack Grimes, Robert Dryden, Joe Julian, Peter Fernandez, Bob Maxwell
Director: Jack Johnstone, Jaime del Valle
Producer: Jack Johnstone, Gil Doud, Jaime del Valle, Bob Ryf, Les Crutchfield, Jack Newman, Paul Dudley, Sidney Marshall
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