Advertise on podcast: Old Time Radio Mystery Specials

As we get ready for Christmas, we bring you two original old time radio Christmas plays featuring Sherlock Holmes. First up is The Night Before Christmas. On Christmas, one of Moriarity’s henchmen switches Christmas sacks with Dr. Watson when both are dressed as Santa Claus. Sherlock Holmes has to catch the thief and save Watson and the kids at a Christmas party.   Original Air Date: December 24, 1945   Originating from Hollywood   Starring: Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes; Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson   Next up is The Adventure of the Christmas Bride.   Sherlock Holmes is invited to spend the holidays with a family that needs him to ensure that a family curse doesn't prevent a wedding from occurring. Original Air Date: December 21, 1947 Originating from New York Starring: John Stanley as Sherlock Holmes; Alfred Shirley as Dr. Watson Patreon Supporter of the Day: Adrianne, Patreon supporter since January 2017. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

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Release Date: December 3, 2011 A charming young woman is murdered and Madam Rosika Storey is called in to find out who did it and save a prominent family from scandal. Original Air Date: September 22, 1942 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net

In this special, we look back at the top five half-hour Old Time Radio programs of our 2024-2025 season, and one of our best Old Time Radio Snack Wagon episodes. First up, it's The Falcon in "The Case of the Jumping Jack": A woman hires The Falcon because she suspects that her husband has hired a private eye to follow her. Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 20, 1952 Originating from New York Starring: Les Damon as The Falcon; Chuck Webster as Sergeant Corbett Then we turn to the Your Playhouse of Favorites production of "The Suicide Club": A bored crown prince, looking for excitement, joins a club of men who want to end their lives. Original Air Date: Sometime between 1947 and 1949 Originating from New York Starring: Dwight Reese; Walter Vaughn Speaking of Robert Louis Stevenson, we turn to an excerpt from The Orson Welles Almanac wherein Welles reads Stevenson's lesser-known letter defending Father Damien against the scathing remarks of Reverend Dr. C.M. Hyde. This impassioned response, penned in 1890, highlights the stark contrasts between the selfless heroism of Father Damien and the hypocrisy of his critics. Join us as we explore the rich historical context and emotional weight of Stevenson's words, showcasing not only a brilliant literary takedown but also a tribute to compassion and service in the face of adversity. Welles's masterful narration brings this poignant piece to life, reminding us of the enduring legacy of Father Damien. Complete Text of Stevenson's letter: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/281/281-h/281-h.htm Then we turn to a surreal episode of Mr. and Mrs. North, "Call Me Choo Choo" Today’s Mystery:Pam and Jerry hear a clarinet being played in the middle of the country near a wrecked car. Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 9, 1947 Originating from New York City Starring: Joseph Curtain as Jerry North; Alice Frost as Pamela North; Larry Haines; Mandel Kramer We will also have a listen to one of our new series, Cloak and Dagger, about the true adventures of the OSS during WWII. Here is "Roof of the World": A husband and wife team of geologists are recruited by the IRS to journey into Tibet to seek the favor of the Dalai Lama. They find themselves in competition with two Nazi officers. Original Radio Broadcast: August 13, 1950 Originating from New YorkStarring: Louise Barclay; Grant Richards; Raymond Edward Johnson; Stefan Schnabel; Berry Kroeger; Janice Gilbert; Karl Weber; Ralph Bell; Jerry Jarrett Then we conclude with one of our most memorable guest-starring appearances in the Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, "The Price of Fame Matter" Vincent Price summons Johnny Dollar when a $100,000 painting is stolen from his private collection. Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 2, 1958 Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Vincent Price as Himself; Virginia Gregg; Howard McNear; Junius Matthews; Forrest Lewis; Tony Barrett Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day:John, Patreon supporter since September 2016. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Release Date: October 29, 2011 A female detective tries to solve a murder in a radio studio in the series 26 by Corwin. Original Air Date: October 12, 1941 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Release Date: September 24, 2011 Narcotics Commissioner Michael Barrows (Dick Powell) witnesses a Japanese sea captain throwing 100 slaves overboard to cover up a narcotics ring. Barrows is determined to get justice and sets out on a globe trotting adventure to break the ring and capture the murderous captain. Original Air Date: May 23, 1949 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 GIve us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out all our social media links and connect with us at https://www.greatdetectives.net

Release Date: July 16, 2011 This Suspense doublebill features two episodes of CBS’ signature anthology series. First in "Menace in Wax,"  a reporter is summoned to a wax museum and finds a code that could spell trouble for a war plant in Great Britain. Original Air Date: November 17, 1942 Then in, "You Were Wonderful," the great Lena Horne plays a talented singer who finds herself embroiled in intrigue in Brazil and employed by rough characters with hidden motives. Original Air Date: November 9, 1944 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net

Today we take a look at the evolution of E. Jack Neumann's story that became the five-part Johnny Dollar serial. Jeff Regan: The Man in the Church Regan is hired for a simple job of delivering $5,000 to a man, but finds himself wanted for murder. Original Air Date: October 12, 1949 Starring: Frank Graham as Jeff Regan; Frank Nelson; William Conrad; Sidney Miller Night Beat: Big John McMasters Randy Stone befriends an old-time racketeer and becomes concerned when he is shot. Original Air Date: March 4, 1951 Starring: Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone; William Conrad; Tudor Owen Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The San Antonio MatterJohnny goes to Saint Petersburg to investigate the killing of a mobster. Original Air Date: April 28, 1953 Starring: John Lund as Johnny Dollar; John McIntire; Joseph Kearns; Jeanette Nolan; Virginia Gregg; Jay Novello Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Valentine Matter After investigating a hotel theft in New Orleans, Johnny befriends an old-time bootlegger in a bar. Original Air Dates: October 31-November 4, 1955 Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Lillian Buyeff; Betty Lou Gerson; Barney Phillips; Will Wright; Forrest Lewis; Marvin Miller; Jay Novello; Jack Moyles Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Rose, Patreon supporter since June 2023 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Today's Mystery: Andy Hardy takes a job as a night watchman only to seemingly have the whole warehouse he's guarding disappear. Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 10, 1951 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy; Fay Holden; Lewis Stone; Eleanore Tanin; Richard Krenna; Eleanore Tanin Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Release Date: May 07, 2011 A man (Edmund O’Brien) is poisoned and spends his last days trying to find the man who murdered him. Original Air Date: June 21, 1951 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net

Release Date: February 26, 2011 A mystery writer (Peter Lorre) tries to unravel the truth about Demetrios, an international criminal of legendary proportion. In the course of this search, he garners the interest of another mystery man (Sidney Greenstreet). Original Air Date: April 16, 1945 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net

Release Date: December 18, 2010 In G.K. Chesterton’s classic, Gabriel Syme (Orson Welles) is a police detective infiltrating the anarchist counsel of Europe. Original Air Date: September 5, 1938 Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Take the listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net

Today's Mystery: An experiment reveals how the diamond got out of Rachel Verinder's cabinet. But where is it now? Original Air Date: April 23, 1948 Originating from Chicago Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake, Jonathan Hull, Dick York, Donald Gallagher, Boris Aplon, Marvin Peisner Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 2025 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Today's Mystery: After a tragic suicide, Sergeant Cuff's dismissed with the theft of the Moonstone still unsolved. A year later, someone else picks up the investigation. Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 16, 1948 Originating from Chicago Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake; Geraldine Kaye as Rachel Verinder; Alma Fox; Jane Elliot; Ruth Shane; Minion Shriver; Sidney Breese; Arthur Peterson, Maurice Copeland Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 2025 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Today's Mystery: England's greatest detective is called in to recover the Moonstone. Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 9, 1948 Originating from Chicago Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake; Geraldine Kaye as Rachel Verinder; Alma Fox; Jane Elliot; Ruth Shane; Minion Shriver; Sidney Breese; Les Spears Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Rick, Patreon supporter since March 2020 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call at 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives