Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Latest Episodes:

Episode 88 - Larceny and Leftovers (Jeff Regan & Let George Do It) Nov 26, 2014

Show notes

Just in time for the turkey, we've got Thanksgiving-themed adventures of two old time radio detectives. First, Jack Webb stars as Jeff Regan, Investigator in "The Pilgrim's Progress," first aired on CBS on November 20, 1948. Then, Bob Bailey headlines "Cause for Thanksgiving" from Let George Do It, originally aired on CBS on November 20, 1950.

Episode 87 - A Knight Without Armor (Have Gun - Will Travel) Nov 23, 2014

Show notes

In 1958, CBS launched a radio version of its hit western television series Have Gun - Will Travel. The radio program was one of the last great dramas of the Golden Age of Radio. John Dehner assumed the role of Paladin, the West Point-educated hired gun, a gunman for hire who would take on dangerous jobs for the right price. This blend of western adventure and private eye mystery was just as engaging as its television brother. We'll hear Paladin in "Strange Vendetta," originally aired on CBS on November 23, 1958.

Episode 86 - Lullabies of Broadway (Damon Runyon Theater) Nov 16, 2014

Show notes

Damon Runyon remains one of America's unique storytellers. His tales of 1920s New York have a language and style all their own, and his colorful characters include gangsters, gamblers, and average guys down on their luck. Runyon's distinct voice came to radio in The Damon Runyon Theater, a series produced by Alan Ladd. We'll hear John Brown star in "What, No Butler?" from the syndicated series.

Episode 85 - Powell on Patrol (Rogue's Gallery & Richard Diamond) Nov 09, 2014

Show notes

Dick Powell transformed his career with his dynamic performance as Philip Marlowe and he left his days as a baby-faced crooner behind. To celebrate his birthday, we'll hear Powell in two of his performances as hard-boiled but glib gumshoes. First he stars as Richard Rogue in "Lady with a Gun" from Rogue's Gallery, originally aired on NBC on June 30, 1946. Then, Powell plays Richard Diamond, Private Detective in "The Martha Campbell Kidnap Case," originally aired on NBC on July 26, 1950.

Episode 84 - Murder, He Wrote (Mystery is My Hobby) Nov 02, 2014

Show notes

As mystery writer Barton Drake describes it, Mystery is My Hobby. The novelist is tops at dreaming up murder plots, and he's not bad at solving real life crimes, either. Along with Inspector Danton of the police, Drake uses his "book smarts" to catch killers. Glenn Langan stars as Drake in this series that originally aired on Mutual before it was repackaged for syndication. We'll hear the syndicated episode "The John Crain Murder."

Episode 83 - Tales Well Calculated: Old Time Radio Halloween 2014 (Suspense) Oct 29, 2014

Show notes

Turn down the lights and enjoy a bonus episode just in time for Halloween. Two chilling stories from Suspense, "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," should help to get you in the trick-or-treating spirit. First, Orson Welles' cross-country trip is hindered by "The Hitchhiker," originally aired on CBS on September 2, 1942. Then, Ray Bradbury's eerie story comes to radio life in "Zero Hour," originally aired on April 5, 1955.

Episode 82 - Places I Can't Even Pronounce (Dangerous Assignment) Oct 26, 2014

Show notes

Big-screen tough guy Brian Donlevy stars as government agent Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment. Mitchell is dispatched all around the world, and with each stamp of his passport he lands neck-deep in danger. This popular espionage adventure series aired for several years on radio and spawned a television series also starring Donlevy. We'll hear "Find 100,000 Missing Barrels of Oil," originally aired on NBC on May 17, 1950.

Episode 81 - Baker Street Bash (New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) Oct 19, 2014

Show notes

On October 20, 1930, Sherlock Holmes made his debut as a radio detective. In honor of his on-the-air anniversary, we'll hear the master sleuth (and his companion Dr. Watson) in two radio mysteries. John Stanley is Holmes and Alfred Shirley is Watson in "The Laughing Lemur of Hightower Heath" (originally aired on Mutual on October 26, 1947) and "The Case of the Sudden Senility" (originally aired on January 11, 1948).

Episode 80 - Candy on the Case (Candy Matson) Oct 12, 2014

Show notes

Natalie Masters is back as San Francisco's loveliest private investigator, Candy Matson. One of radio's most famous girl detectives, Candy cracks cases with the best of them. She may flirt rather than fight with her foil on the police department, but Candy is just as sharp and quick with a quip as Spade or Marlowe. We'll hear her in "The Devil in the Deep Freeze" (first aired on NBC on September 30, 1949) and "NC9-8012" (first aired on December 27, 1949).

Episode 79 - Patrolmen, Sergeants, and Lieutenants (21st Precinct) Oct 05, 2014

Show notes

The police officers of the 21st Precinct keep their slice of New York City safe, and they're overseen in their jobs by Captain Frank Kennelly, "the boss." Everett Sloane stars as Kennelly in one of radio's last great police procedural dramas. Answer the call and ride along with the squad in "The Brother," originally aired on CBS on April 14, 1954.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected