Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Adam Graham|Old Time Radio Detective Host
Are you ready for a mystery? Get ready to unleash your inner sleuth. Every day Monday-Saturday, we feature a different detective audio drama from the Golden Age of Radio. Our current mystery-solving line-up of radio detectives includes The Adventures of the Falcon, Charlie Chan, Broadway's My Beat, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, and Dragnet. Whether you want to listen to a mystery before going to sleep or enjoy some drama while driving, or just feel nostalgia for old-school radio fiction, we have you covered with six audio dramas every week. Podcast Award finalist Host Adam Graham has been your guide through dozens of old-time radio detective series since 2009. He provides insightful commentary and humor after each episode and responds to listener questions and feedback.
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- Today33 min
The Saint: The Chiseling Chimpanzee (EP5076)
Today's Mystery: Simon Templar becomes involved in a strange murder mystery after meeting a frightened man named Prebble, who believes he may be headed for prison because of a trained chimpanzee named Wenceslaus. When Prebble is murdered and the chimpanzee is subsequently killed, the Saint discovers that the animal may have been involved in the theft of valuable jewels. Simon follows the trail to a group of jewel thieves and must determine who killed Prebble and Wenceslaus—and who has the missing jewels.Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 10, 1950Originating from HollywoodStarred: Vincent Price as Simon TemplarCast:Maggie Morley as LolaGeorge Nees as Roland AmesSheldon Leonard as MaxTheodor von Eltz as HaigJack Moyles as PrebbleJerry Hausner as the MonkeySupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Todd, Patreon supporter since July 2025Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.netMail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
- Yesterday2h 50m
The Landini Murder Mystery Omnibus, Part 1 (Ep5075e)
In this episode, we begin our journey through the surviving episodes of Charlie Chan’s Landini Murder Case, a 39-part serialized mystery based on Earl Derr Biggers’ final Charlie Chan novel, The Keeper of the Keys. This omnibus brings together the commentary and surviving episodes from the original serial, allowing listeners to experience the story in a much shorter format. Part 1 features Episodes 7 and 8, “The Chinese Suspect” and “A Barking Dog.”Originating in SydneyStarring: William Rees as Charlie Chan, Rodney JacobsThe Chinese SuspectCharlie Chan arrives at Pine View to assist wealthy Dudley Ward with a family mystery, but events take a deadly turn when Ellen Landini is found murdered. With everyone ordered to remain at the estate, Chan begins searching for answers among a house full of suspects. Then, in the darkness outside, he spots someone quietly leaving the house—and follows.Original Air Date: 1935–1936A Barking DogCharlie Chan’s investigation into Ellen Landini’s murder takes a closer look at the servants, the crime scene, and a timeline that doesn’t quite add up. When crucial fingerprints have been wiped away, Chan is left with fewer answers—and one suspect who can’t account for his whereabouts. But is that enough to identify the killer?Original Air Date: 1935–1936Subscribe to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio at greatdetectives.net or wherever you download your podcasts from.Support the show on a one-time basis at Support Great Detectives.Take the listener survey at Great Detectives Listener Survey.Give us a call at 208-991-4783.Follow us on Instagram at Great Detectives on Instagram.Follow us on Twitter at @radiodetectives.Join us again for another adventure from the Golden Age of Radio.
- 2 days ago36 min
CounterSpy: The Society Swindler (A0128)
Today's Adventure: CounterSpy chief David Harding investigates a charity racket operating among wealthy members of East Coast society. When a charity organizer connected to the World Refugee Fund is found to be running a fraudulent scheme, Harding sets a trap to uncover the criminal mastermind behind it. His investigation leads to Alfred Babson, a dangerous society figure whose operation involves threats, murder, and carefully timed plans. Harding must expose the racket before Babson can eliminate those who stand in his way.Original Radio Broadcast:October 11, 1949Originating in New YorkCast:Don McLaughlinMandel KramerKen Lynch as ZeroTo subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
- 3 days ago28 min
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Really Gone Matter (EP5075)
Today's Mystery: Johnny Dollar is hired by a life insurance company to locate a missing beneficiary named Jonathan Doe, who is set to receive $50,000 from a policy belonging to a recently deceased farmer. The problem is that no one in the area seems to have ever met Jonathan Doe, and even his supposed farm contains few clues that he ever existed. As Johnny investigates, suspicion falls on the farmer’s son, who stands to inherit the money if Doe remains missing. Johnny must uncover the truth behind the mysterious beneficiary and determine why no one seems to know who he really was.Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 30, 1959Originating from HollywoodCast:Virginia GreggLawrence DobkinMarvin MillerSam EdwardsJudas MatthewsStacey HarrisBart RobinsonSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Jim, Patreon supporter since May 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 83715Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter @radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
- 4 days ago34 min
Dragnet: The Big Roll (EP5074)
Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the abduction of an unidentified man from a downtown Los Angeles street. Bloodstains at the scene and an abandoned gray sedan suggest that the victim may have been seriously injured, but there are few clues to his identity or whereabouts. The investigation leads Friday and Smith through a missing car, conflicting stories, and two suspects with criminal records. As the detectives piece together the evidence, they must determine what happened to the missing man and whether he is still alive.Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 26, 1952Originating from HollywoodStarring:Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayBarton Yarborough as Sergeant Frank SmithSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Rebecca — Patreon supporter since August 2024Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
- 5 days ago38 min
Broadway's My Beat: The Ruth Nelson Murder Case
Today's Mystery: Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of Ruth Nelson, a woman found stabbed to death on the very day she was released from prison after serving thirty years. As Clover searches for answers, he discovers that Ruth’s past may hold the key to her death. The investigation takes another turn when Louise Downey, the woman who helped Ruth find a place to live, is also found dead. Clover must uncover the connection between the two women and the secrets someone is determined to keep hidden.Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 11, 1952Originated in HollywoodCast:Larry Thor as Detective Danny CloverCharles Calvert as TattagliaJack Kruschen as MugavinMary Jane Croft as VickyJane Novello as JonathanIrene TedrowHarry BartellPaul FreesSupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since March 2016Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey�http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
- 6 days ago32 min
The Big Story: Too Terrible to be Believed (EP5072)
Today's Mystery:Prince George’s County reporter Arthur Milky becomes suspicious when a young child dies at a nursery home and the medical examiner determines that the boy’s severe head injuries could not have been self-inflicted.When the woman running the home offers conflicting explanations for the injuries, Milky begins investigating both the child’s death and the operator’s troubling history, determined to uncover evidence strong enough to establish what really happened.Original Radio Broadcast: January 27, 1954Originating in New YorkCast:Lyle Sudrow as Arthur MilkyCourt BensonMaurice WellsLouis Van RootenBarbara WeeksJoan LorringTed OsborneSupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day:Stuart, Patreon supporter since November 2022.Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of ourf riends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
- 1 weeks ago37 min
The Saint: Marvin Hickerson, Private Eye (EP5071)
Today's Mystery: Simon Templar is drawn into a dangerous mystery when Alice Parks asks for his help after her fiancé, Marvin Hickerson, disappears under suspicious circumstances. Marvin, a private investigator with a complicated case on his hands, has become entangled with a group of people involved in a dangerous scheme. As the Saint begins following the clues, he discovers that money, deception, and a murder may all be connected. With powerful people determined to keep the truth hidden, Simon must use his wits to uncover what really happened before the mystery turns deadly.Original Radio Broadcast Date: December 3, 1950Originating from HollywoodCast:Vincent Price as Simon TemplarLeslie BanningMaggie MorleyVictor RodmanEdmund MacDonaldHerb VigranBill TracyBonnie Phillips.Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Connie Patreon supporter since August 2025Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.netMail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
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About The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Are you ready for a mystery? Get ready to unleash your inner sleuth. Every day Monday-Saturday, we feature a different detective audio drama from the Golden Age of Radio. Our current mystery-solving line-up of radio detectives includes The Adventures of the Falcon, Charlie Chan, Broadway's My Beat, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, and Dragnet. Whether you want to listen to a mystery before going to sleep or enjoy some drama while driving, or just feel nostalgia for old-school radio fiction, we have you covered with six audio dramas every week. Podcast Award finalist Host Adam Graham has been your guide through dozens of old-time radio detective series since 2009. He provides insightful commentary and humor after each episode and responds to listener questions and feedback.
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