Radio Classics

Radio’s greatest adult western told the story of Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal, "the first man they look for and the last they w … more

Radio’s greatest adult western told the story of Matt Dillon, U.S. Marshal, "the first man they look for and the last they want to meet." Gunsmoke grew out of a request from CBS founder William Paley for a "Philip Marlowe in the Old West," and featured grimly realistic stories set in the vicinity of Dodge City, the "Gommorrah of the West," with William Conrad as Dillon.

The 1952 syndicated series starred Dana Andrews as real-life undercover agent Matt Cvetic, whose book of the same title prov … more

The 1952 syndicated series starred Dana Andrews as real-life undercover agent Matt Cvetic, whose book of the same title provided the inspiration for the radio series and a Hollywood film. Growing out of the communist paranoia of the McCarthy era, the Cold War drama featured red spies portrayed in the same stereotypical manner of the Nazis during World Ward II propaganda programs.

This sitcom aired from 1944-1949, first as a summer replacement series for Eddie Cantor's show. Then, after signing on as a … more

This sitcom aired from 1944-1949, first as a summer replacement series for Eddie Cantor's show. Then, after signing on as a regular on the Jimmy Durante show, young scored his own show with Tums as a sponsor. Today he is best known as TV's Wilbur Post, who talked with Mr. Ed the horse.

The Red Skelton Show came to NBC on October 7, 1941 after years as a mainstay on Cincinnati's powerhouse station WLW. Red sc … more

The Red Skelton Show came to NBC on October 7, 1941 after years as a mainstay on Cincinnati's powerhouse station WLW. Red scored with radio audiences as Junior, "the mean widdle kid," a character he originated in vaudeville. Some of his other memorable characters included Deadeye, J. Newton Numbskull, Willie Lump-Lump, Bolivar Shagnasty and Clem Kadiddlehopper.

The Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show grew out of the popular Fitch Bandwagon series. Phil Harris played himself, continuing the … more

The Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show grew out of the popular Fitch Bandwagon series. Phil Harris played himself, continuing the egotistical, smart-alec characterization he had perfected during his years as Jack Bennys' bandleader. Alice Faye, Phil's movie star wife, recreated her real-life role as a film star turn devoted housewife.

Millions of radio listeners visited Duffy's Tavern each week, but Duffy himself was nowhere to be found. Although he dutiful … more

Millions of radio listeners visited Duffy's Tavern each week, but Duffy himself was nowhere to be found. Although he dutifully phoned Archie the manager each week, he never once dropped by. Duffy's Tavern first opened its doors to radio listeners on the CBS audition series Forecast on July 29, 1940, and then opened for regular business on March 1, 1941.

It was either the best hook in Detective Fiction or the biggest gimmick. A Mystery Writer, Ellery Queen, who is great at cre … more

It was either the best hook in Detective Fiction or the biggest gimmick. A Mystery Writer, Ellery Queen, who is great at creating puzzles, spends his free time solving the puzzles of actual murders. The writer character was less “hard boiled” than many of the pulp detectives of the time. Most detectives had an adversarial relationship with the police who often accused the private eyes of committing the crimes. Ellery’s dad, Richard Queen, was a police inspector as well as his son’s sidekick.

Defense Attorney

Defense Attorney

X-Minus One premiered on April 24, 195 and was a revival of Dimension X, NBC's earlier science fiction anthology series. X-M … more

X-Minus One premiered on April 24, 195 and was a revival of Dimension X, NBC's earlier science fiction anthology series. X-Minus One ran until January 9, 1958 and was rerun during the 1970s as part of NBC's Omnibus series.

Frank Race is an attorney whose life is filled with intrigue following the war. The adventure series aired from 1949 to 1950 … more

Frank Race is an attorney whose life is filled with intrigue following the war. The adventure series aired from 1949 to 1950. Starring Tom Collins and then Paul Dobov.

Dr. Christian

Dr. Christian

Michael Waring was a freelance detective who was also known as the Falcon. Waring's detective techniques were a cross betwee … more

Michael Waring was a freelance detective who was also known as the Falcon. Waring's detective techniques were a cross between Ellery Queen and Richard Diamond. He had a certain eye for detail but was frequently on the outs with the police.

Phillips H. Lord, creator of Gang Busters, worked with creator/writer/director Ed Byron to develop this series, which is ins … more

Phillips H. Lord, creator of Gang Busters, worked with creator/writer/director Ed Byron to develop this series, which is inspired by the early years of New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. It aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952. The nameless title role was played by several actors throughout the run: Raymond Edward Johnson, Jay Jostyn, and David Brian. A key figure in the show was the D.A.'s secretary, Edith Miller (played by Vicki Vola).

Boston Blackie was created by Jack Boyle, a hard-drinking opium addict who served three prison terms. While in prison, Boyle … more

Boston Blackie was created by Jack Boyle, a hard-drinking opium addict who served three prison terms. While in prison, Boyle began writing true-crime confession stories that were published in The American Magazine under the byline 6006, his convict number. Boyle's stories were collected in his 1919 book, Boston Blackie, and inspired a popular series of B-films, the radio series and a 1951 video version.

This anthology series dramatized the stories of fiction author Damon Runyon and aired in various forms from the late 1940s t … more

This anthology series dramatized the stories of fiction author Damon Runyon and aired in various forms from the late 1940s to the mid 1950s. John Brown starred as "Broadway," a fluent "Brooklynese" speaker who spun tales of old Manhattan.

The Green Hornet debuted over the Detroit station on January 31, 1936. The Green Hornet was well-served by his valet Kato an … more

The Green Hornet debuted over the Detroit station on January 31, 1936. The Green Hornet was well-served by his valet Kato and a supercharged roadster, the Black Beauty. Al Hodge portrayed The Green Hornet during the series' first seven seasons, followed by Donovan Faust, Robert Hall and Jack McCarthy. The show ran on radio through December 5, 1952.

Longtime Hollywood character actor J. Carrol Naish became a radio star in his own right after nearly two decades toiling in … more

Longtime Hollywood character actor J. Carrol Naish became a radio star in his own right after nearly two decades toiling in the background in such films as Beau Geste, House of Frankenstein and the Batman movie serial. The native New Yorker of Irish descent finally won fame as "the little Italian immigrant" who each week wrote of his American adventures to his mama in Italy. Life with Luigi aired from September 21, 1948 through March 3, 1953 on radio, and the radio cast briefly did double duty in a short-lived 1952 television version.

The Green Lama radio program was adapted from the pulp comic book series of the same name, created by Kendell Foster Crossen … more

The Green Lama radio program was adapted from the pulp comic book series of the same name, created by Kendell Foster Crossen. The Green Lama, a Buddhist crime-fighting superhero, was voiced by Paul Frees. The show ran on CBS for only a dozen episodes in the summer of 1949.

Have Gun, Will Travel debuted on television on September 14, 1957 and moved to radio November 23, 1958. The program was an … more

Have Gun, Will Travel debuted on television on September 14, 1957 and moved to radio November 23, 1958. The program was an oddity, a western that began on television and moved to radio, featuring an ethical anti-hero whose mysterious origins were left untold until the fifth and final TV season.

Truth Or Consequences

Truth Or Consequences

This intellectual quiz show aired in various forms from 1938 to the late 1940s. Correct answers and facts were only half of … more

This intellectual quiz show aired in various forms from 1938 to the late 1940s. Correct answers and facts were only half of the entertainment value; personalities are what made the show unique. A sense of humor and ability to turn a phrase often illuminated stars more than their recollection of facts. The rotating "fourth chair" guest spot would be filled by personalities from theatre, film, music, radio, politics, etc.

The Quiz Kids

The Quiz Kids

"Radio's own show" first ran in 1931 as a 15-minute show, then revamped in 1940 as a half-hour program, hosted by Graham McN … more

"Radio's own show" first ran in 1931 as a 15-minute show, then revamped in 1940 as a half-hour program, hosted by Graham McNamee. Episodes could feature interviews with inventors, producers, show runners and actors, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of how radio shows get made.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective premiered over the NBC network on April 24, 1949 and ran through 1952 starring Dick Powel … more

Richard Diamond, Private Detective premiered over the NBC network on April 24, 1949 and ran through 1952 starring Dick Powell as "radio's singing detective." Powell had first achieved movie stardom as a baby-faced crooner, and later matured to hardboiled roles, including Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe in the 1944 film Murder My Sweet.

Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade walked out of the pages of Black Mask and into his own CBS radio series of July 12, 1946. Howar … more

Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade walked out of the pages of Black Mask and into his own CBS radio series of July 12, 1946. Howard Duff starred as the hardboiled detective for the first three seasons. Lurene Tuttle was Sam's secretary Effie Perrine and Jerry Hausner was his lawyer Sid Weiss. CBS dropped the series in 1950 when Hammett ran afoul of Congress' Un-American Activities investigators, but the show was quickly revived by NBC.

Raymond Chandler introduced readers to Philip Marlowe in his 1939 novel The Big Sleep. Humphrey Bogart, Robert Montgomery an … more

Raymond Chandler introduced readers to Philip Marlowe in his 1939 novel The Big Sleep. Humphrey Bogart, Robert Montgomery and George Montgomery portrayed the hardboiled detective in films before Van Heflin took over as Marlowe in NBC’s 1947 summer series.The Adventures of Philip Marlowe returned September 26, 1948, as a CBS series and starred Gerald Mohr. CBS Chairman William S. Paley was a big fan of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, and his request for a "Philip Marlowe in the West" led to the development of the legendary western Gunsmoke.

Based on the popular characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes began on coast-to-coast … more

Based on the popular characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes began on coast-to-coast CBS radio in 1930. By the late 1930s The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes had moved to the Mutual Broadcasting Network and the series was forced to rely on invented new adventures, having run out of Doyle stories to adapt.

For more than 20 years, Jack Benny reigned as the king of radio comedy. His show ran on nearly every network from 1932 to th … more

For more than 20 years, Jack Benny reigned as the king of radio comedy. His show ran on nearly every network from 1932 to the mid 1950s. How he turned a miserable, self-absorbed cheapskate into a beloved icon ranks among the great achievements in entertainment history. Benny revolutionized the way humor was played on radio by introducing the situation comedy and by giving most of the best lines to his supporting cast.

John Steinbeck recognized Fred Allen as "unquestionably the best humorist of our time, a brilliant critic of manners and mor … more

John Steinbeck recognized Fred Allen as "unquestionably the best humorist of our time, a brilliant critic of manners and morals." Following in the footsteps of Will Rogers, Fred reintroduced topical political humor to radio. Fred introduced his classic "Allen’s Alley" segment December 13, 1942.

George and Gracie first performed on air over the BBC while touring England after an NBC executive rejected their act insist … more

George and Gracie first performed on air over the BBC while touring England after an NBC executive rejected their act insisting that "Gracie’s voice is unfit for radio." Burns and Allen won a regular spot on The Robert Burns Panatella Program February 22, 1932 and moved into the top spot when Guy Lombardo left the series. The Burns and Allen Show aired through May 17, 1950 on radio and for another decade on television. Jack Benny and George Burns were best friends in real life and often were guests on each other’s programs.

This crime drama was first produced by the BBC in 1951, and aired in the US the following year. Narrator Orson Welles told t … more

This crime drama was first produced by the BBC in 1951, and aired in the US the following year. Narrator Orson Welles told tales of this "mausoleum of murder," with ordinary objects and the murder mysteries behind them.

The Screen Director's Playhouse featured adaptations of famous movies and called upon the screen directors to introduce and … more

The Screen Director's Playhouse featured adaptations of famous movies and called upon the screen directors to introduce and highlight their work. After each show, the director and stars gathered around the microphones to reminisce about the actual making of the film.

Suspense debuted on June 17, 1942 as a sustaining summer replacement, returned that fall and continued in the CBS lineup Sep … more

Suspense debuted on June 17, 1942 as a sustaining summer replacement, returned that fall and continued in the CBS lineup September 30, 1962. "Radio's outstanding theatre of thrills" is recognized as one of the finest dramatic series in the history of broadcasting.

The Thin Man

The Thin Man

The Great Gildersleeve featured one of radio’s greatest casts of comedic players. The Great Gildersleeve aired until March 2 … more

The Great Gildersleeve featured one of radio’s greatest casts of comedic players. The Great Gildersleeve aired until March 21, 1957, with Willard Waterman taking over the title role for the final seven radio season and three television seasons.

The Life of Riley featured the comic misadventures of riveter Chester A. Riley. Riley was a devoted family man with a talent … more

The Life of Riley featured the comic misadventures of riveter Chester A. Riley. Riley was a devoted family man with a talent for flying off the handle and a penchant for being worse. Movie star William Bendix played the title role of the lovable hardhat throughout the series.

This horror series aired in multiple iterations from 1930-1944. It consisted of standalone tales told by "The Hermit," a mys … more

This horror series aired in multiple iterations from 1930-1944. It consisted of standalone tales told by "The Hermit," a mysterious, cackling storyteller. It was first broadcast on a Detroit radio station before moving to Los Angeles, where the show would be produced by William Conrad (creator and voice of Gunsmoke's Marshall Matt Dillon)

Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier. The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of … more

Specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier. The saga of fighting men who rode the rim of empire and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry. Premiering in January 1956, Raymond Burr starred as Captain Quince-a soldier who followed orders and a leader who lived by his own rules of fairness and honesty.

Hopalong Cassidy's millions of fans got a New Year's Day present in 1950 when William Boyd brought the famous Bar-20 Ranch o … more

Hopalong Cassidy's millions of fans got a New Year's Day present in 1950 when William Boyd brought the famous Bar-20 Ranch onto the Mutual radio range. In 1950, Clarence Mulford's classic cowboy was heard on 152 radio stations, seen on 63 television outlets and appeared as a comic strip in 155 newspapers.

Jack "Flashgun" Casey was first introduced in the March 1934 issue of Black Mask, the classic pulp fiction magazine. Created … more

Jack "Flashgun" Casey was first introduced in the March 1934 issue of Black Mask, the classic pulp fiction magazine. Created by pulp wordsmith George Harmon Coxe, Casey appeared in dozens of stories in Black Mask, which were later collected into six books. Flashgun Casey came to radio as a CBS sustaining series on July 7, 1943. The series was renamed Casey, Press Photographer in 1944 and became Casey, Crime Photographer on September 12, 1945.

Rogue's Gallery came to the Mutual network on September 27, 1945 with Dick Powell portraying Richard Rogue, a private detect … more

Rogue's Gallery came to the Mutual network on September 27, 1945 with Dick Powell portraying Richard Rogue, a private detective who invariably ended up getting knocked out each week and spending his dream time in acerbic conversation with his subconscious self Eugor (Rogue spelled backwards). The series was revived as a 1947 summer season with Barry Sullivan in the lead and returned in 1950 for two sustaining seasons starring Chester Morris, the original Boston Blackie.

The Third Man was an adventure series starring Orson Welles as Harry Lime, the character created by author Graham Greene. It … more

The Third Man was an adventure series starring Orson Welles as Harry Lime, the character created by author Graham Greene. It first aired on the BBC in 1951 and was then syndicated for American radio in 1952.

Command Performance aired between 1942 and 1949 on the Armed Forces Radio Network, which meant it was transmitted exclusivel … more

Command Performance aired between 1942 and 1949 on the Armed Forces Radio Network, which meant it was transmitted exclusively to American troops overseas. Though produced in California, troops abroad sent requests and ideas for performers, music, and sketches. The show featured some of the biggest stars of the day like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Judy Garland and more. CBS created a spinoff series called Request Performance, which aired from 1945-46.

The Mutual Broadcasting System took over and renamed the Sears Radio Theater in December 1979. Hosts Lorne Greene, Andy Grif … more

The Mutual Broadcasting System took over and renamed the Sears Radio Theater in December 1979. Hosts Lorne Greene, Andy Griffith, Vincent Price, Cicely Tyson and Leonard Nimoy shared duties by presenting productions with different themes each night of the week.

Broadway Is My Beat debuted over CBS on February 27, 1949 and continued through August 1, 1954. Anthony Ross starred as Clov … more

Broadway Is My Beat debuted over CBS on February 27, 1949 and continued through August 1, 1954. Anthony Ross starred as Clover during the first two seasons, with Thor taking over the role on July 3, 1950. Homicide detective Clover pounded the Broadway beat for five years in one of radio's last great detective series.

Alan Ladd stars as Dan Holiday, a fiction writer and retired reporter with a taste for adventure. The show was also produced … more

Alan Ladd stars as Dan Holiday, a fiction writer and retired reporter with a taste for adventure. The show was also produced by Alan Ladd's company, Mayfair Productions. Sylvia Picker portrayed Suzy, his scatterbrained office manager.

Radio's greatest series of high adventure debuted over the CBS network on July 7,1947. Escape's protagonists faced life-and- … more

Radio's greatest series of high adventure debuted over the CBS network on July 7,1947. Escape's protagonists faced life-and-death situations each week, as the show careened from classic adventure to Western drama to science fiction. The program was broadcast as a sustainer (unsponsored) series during most of its seven-year run.

Tales of the Texas Rangers was broadcast over NBC from July 8 1950 through September 14, 1952 and was later revived on telev … more

Tales of the Texas Rangers was broadcast over NBC from July 8 1950 through September 14, 1952 and was later revived on television. Western film star Joel McCrea portrayed Ranger Jace Pearson in NBC's Tales of the Texas Rangers.

Frank Lovejoy is heard as Randy "Lucky" Stone, a hardboiled reporter who covers the "nightbeat" for the Chicago Star. Randy … more

Frank Lovejoy is heard as Randy "Lucky" Stone, a hardboiled reporter who covers the "nightbeat" for the Chicago Star. Randy Stone wandered the back alleys and bars of Chicago, searching for both crime and human-interest stories. Nightbeat premiered on February 6, 1950 and ran until September 25, 1952.

This CBS cop procedural pulls back the curtain on crime fighting in San Francisco. The Shadow's Bill Johnstone starred as co … more

This CBS cop procedural pulls back the curtain on crime fighting in San Francisco. The Shadow's Bill Johnstone starred as cool-mannered Lt. Ben Guthrie, foil to hot-tempered Sgt. Matt Grebb. Director Elliot Lewis was one of the busiest men in radio, having a hand in the Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show, Suspense, Broadway Is My Beat, and many more.

Words At War

Words At War

Inner Sanctum's sinister host welcomed listeners "through the squeaking door to another night of horror." The show’s "squea … more

Inner Sanctum's sinister host welcomed listeners "through the squeaking door to another night of horror." The show’s "squeaking door" was one of radio’s most-remembered openings and was inspired by the creaking hinges on a sound effects door at the radio studio.

Studio One

Studio One

The CBS Radio Workshop aired from January 27, 1956 through September 22, 1957 and was a revival of the prestigious Columbia … more

The CBS Radio Workshop aired from January 27, 1956 through September 22, 1957 and was a revival of the prestigious Columbia Workshop from the 1930s and 1940s. The CBS Workshop regularly featured the works of the world’s greatest writers. including Ray Bradbury, Archibald MacLeish, William Saroyan, Lord Dunsany and Ambrose Bierce.

These frightening 15-minute tales always ended with a - you guessed it - unexpected twist. Barry Sullivan, Virginia Gregg, a … more

These frightening 15-minute tales always ended with a - you guessed it - unexpected twist. Barry Sullivan, Virginia Gregg, and Lurene Tuttle appeared in this syndicated series in 1948.

Each episode featured the work of a different American artist, mostly musicians, across all genres. The narrator was often a … more

Each episode featured the work of a different American artist, mostly musicians, across all genres. The narrator was often also a celebrity, such as Bing Crosby speaking about Louis Armstrong and jazz.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made their radio debut on CBS’ The Kate Smith Show as replacements for Hollywood-bound Henny You … more

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made their radio debut on CBS’ The Kate Smith Show as replacements for Hollywood-bound Henny Youngman. The former burlesque comics reintroduced and preserved the classic comedy sketches of vaudeville in their films and radio and television series. The Abbott and Costello Show debuted as a 1940 summer replacement for Fred Allen and later aired from October 8, 1942 through June 29, 1949.

The husband-and-wife vaudeville team of Jim and Marian Jordan began their radio careers in Peoria on a bet from Jim’s brothe … more

The husband-and-wife vaudeville team of Jim and Marian Jordan began their radio careers in Peoria on a bet from Jim’s brother. The Jordans were heard as The O’Henry Twins and The Air Scouts before Don Quinn created Smackout in 1931. Quinn revamped the show as Fibber McGee and Molly in 1935 when Johnson’s Wax signed on as sponsor.

Bandleader Ozzie Nelson and his vocalist wife, Harriet Hilliard, debuted in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on October 8 … more

Bandleader Ozzie Nelson and his vocalist wife, Harriet Hilliard, debuted in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on October 8, 1944. The show featured the home life of "America's favorite young couple" and their sons, David and Ricky. Initially, David and Ricky were portrayed by two actors, but in March 1949, the kids persuaded their Dad to allow them to appear in the radio series and later on television.

This NBC thriller ran for about a year from the spring of 1952 to the summer of 1953. Each unique story entails suspense, ac … more

This NBC thriller ran for about a year from the spring of 1952 to the summer of 1953. Each unique story entails suspense, action and, of course, a protagonist on the run. The series often featured guest stars who were announcers or actors for other suspenseful series, and many of the scripts were also used in other dramas like The Clock and Inner Sanctum Mysteries.

Crime Classics featured "true crime stories from the records and newspapers of every land from every time" culled from direc … more

Crime Classics featured "true crime stories from the records and newspapers of every land from every time" culled from director Elliott Lewis' voluminous personal library of true crime cases. The CBS series ran from June 15, 1953 through June 30, 1954.

The Hollywood husband-and-wife team of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall set sail for adventure in the syndicated series Bol … more

The Hollywood husband-and-wife team of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall set sail for adventure in the syndicated series Bold Venture from 1951-1952. Bogie portrayed Slate Shannon, owner of a run-down Havana hotel, with Bacall as his "ward" Sailor Duval, a stubborn and flirtatious young woman whose late father had "willed" her to Slate for her "protection." Together, the duo found "adventure, intrigue, mystery and romance in the sultry settings of tropical Havana and the mysterious islands of the Caribbean" aboard Shannon’s boat The Bold Venture.

This mystery/horror series aired on Mutual from March-September of 1945. Philip Clarke played the cackling "keeper of the bo … more

This mystery/horror series aired on Mutual from March-September of 1945. Philip Clarke played the cackling "keeper of the book," who told spooky tales of black magic, not unlike in The Witch's Tale or The Hermit's Cave

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar told the story of the freelance insurance investigator with the "action-packed expense account." … more

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar told the story of the freelance insurance investigator with the "action-packed expense account." Radio’s last great detective series, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar ended its run September 30, 1962 during the final week of network radio drama.

Radio Classics invites you to experience the audio magic of legendary old time radio. RadioClassics features the best dramas … more

Radio Classics invites you to experience the audio magic of legendary old time radio. RadioClassics features the best dramas, mysteries, comedies, and variety programs from the Golden Age of Radio.