Radio Detective Story Hour

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Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 104 - Adventures of Sam Spade Jul 23, 2007

Show notes

This week I bring to a close the look at the influence of Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade on radio detectives. You'll hear a rarer heard Adventures of Sam Spade from the first season ABC Radio network run in 1946. This series also starred Howard Duff (right) and is the only existing audio copy known from that season. These were generally superior versions thanks to the writing talent of Bob Tallman and Jo Eisinger and though no copies exist, eight of Hammett's actual works are adapted into stories from Hammett's own publication also called The Adventures of Sam Spade. Music under is from the

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 103 - Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: Who Took the Taxis Jul 16, 2007

Show notes

A look at a sort of a six degrees of separation around Dashiell HammettÃÂÃÂÂÃÂÂs Sam Spade and various radio programs which seemed directly or indirectly influenced by the hardboiled detective. By early 1949, Gil Doud and Bob Tallman left the Adventures of Sam Spade. Doud became the writer for a new radio detective series ÃÂÃÂÂÃÂÂ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar starring Charles Russell. Doud created some radio scripts that bore distinct Sam Spade themes in the creation of his new radio detective character. Portions of the characterizations in this podcast radio play were almost a steal from HammettÃÂÃÂÂÃÂÂs Maltese Falcon.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 102 - Suspense: Two Sharp Knives Jul 09, 2007

Show notes

A continued look at our twisted six degrees of separation as I look at radio detectives connected to Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade. This week a look at Hammett's own short story adapted for radio on Suspense. Stuart Erwin (right) plays a police lieutenant who like Hammett's Continental Op rises above the corruption of police authority to solve the crime. A well written play by the great mystery writer, John Dickson Carr.Music under is "Grover's Tune" by Excellent Adventure from the Podshow Music Network.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 101 - Suspense: The Walls Came Tumbling Down Jul 02, 2007

Show notes

I return from my recent hiatus with a look over the next few weeks at radio detectives that have some connection to Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade. This podcast begins with a look at a story from writer and scripter Jo Eisinger, whose book The Walls Came Tumbling Down was adapted into a radio play for the radio series Suspense. Listen to the podcast to find out what the connection is to Sam Spade! This episode starred a young and upcoming Keenan Wynn (right).

Music under is by Oscar Peterson.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 100 - Night Beat & Broadway Is My Beat Jun 04, 2007

Show notes

100th podcast of this series! A special double-header focusing on the writing, the darkness and the pulse of two of the better radio series with crime detection themes. Night Beat with its gravel-voiced character played by Frank Lovejoy (right) and its use of darkness through the writing and images and Broadway Is My Beat with its haiku-style narration, dark jazzy undertones and layered sound effects both combine to create a sizzingly summertime and dark feel to the big city âbeat.â? This will be my last podcast for a few weeks as I take a break to recharge!

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 99 - The Big Story May 28, 2007

Show notes

The reporter as investigator! This series was based upon real-life incidents in which a newspaper reporter played an important part in solving a crime. The reporter was presented with the Pall Mall Award at the end of the show. These reporters showed the best side of their investigative skills - something shared by the radio detectives featured in this podcast series. The only regular on the series was the announcer, Ernest Chappell (right).

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 98 - Tales of the Texas Rangers May 21, 2007

Show notes

A detective serial of the modern southwest. What Dragnet was to Los Angeles, this serial is to Texas. Starring Joel McCrea as Ranger Pearson, the series takes place in the thirties and focuses on the CSI style investigations of crimes as Pearson guides his men and himself through the maze of investigation of crime.

Music under is Coyote Moon by Ben Tavera King.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 97 - Dimension X: Untitled Story May 14, 2007

Show notes

This week a detective story that comes from within the genre of science fiction! Based upon a story by science fiction author Frank M. Robinson, this radio version from Dimension X is very much a hardboiled detective story, but with science-based concepts. Starring George Petrie (right) who could have played a very good Johnny Dollar. A hardboiled detective story but with time travel implications!

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 96 - The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall May 07, 2007

Show notes

Something a bit different in radio detectives. The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall was a WOR Mutual amateur radio detective in 1944. He is the headmaster of a New England school and an expert on William Shakespeare. These episodes were a bit lighter in tone than many of the detectives but probably in keeping with other detectives at this period on radio. Star of the series was distinguished stage actor, Walter Hampden (right).

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 95 - Adventures by Morse II Apr 30, 2007

Show notes

This week parts 2 & 3 of our look at a somewhat different group of detectives. Adventures by Morse is about Captain Bart Friday and Skip Turner, two detectives who are born more out of the pulp traditions than the hardboiled school. Carlton E. Morse (right) created these series of adventure-mysteries. You'll hear part two & three of three this week.

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