Crackling Airwaves Old Time Radio

The Falcon was a hard boiled drama that featured an American agent code named “Falcon,” though later episodes depict the Falcon as an insurance investigator. The show aired on the various networks from 1943 to 1953. The show originally starred Barry Kroeger, followed by James Meighan, Les Tremayne, George Petrie, and Les Damon.

Words at War was a 30 minute dramatic anthology series dealing with stories condensed from books written about World War II. The series started in the middle of the war and at the most crucial time of the war for the allies, somewhat heightening its debut. Not only that, it was supported by Johnson's Wax in the Fibber McGee and Molly time slot as Jim and Marian Jordan went on vacation.

Not surprisingly, ABC Mystery Time aired on the ABC network. The show was a mystery anthology that was broadcast between 1947 and 1956. The series featured some of the greatest actors of the mid‑20th century, including Sir Laurence Olivier, Orson Welles, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Michael Redgrave, to name just a few. The show was hosted by Don Dowd.

The radio drama Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar debuted on CBS in 1948 with Dick Powell portraying the titular character. The series followed the thrilling adventures of Johnny Dollar, a freelance insurance investigator whose cases led him into solving a variety of intriguing crimes. Over the years, several actors took on the role, including Charles Russell, Edmond O’Brien, John Lund, Gerald Mohr, Bob Bailey, Bob Readick, and, in the show’s final year (1962), Mandell Kramer.

Richard Diamond, Private Detective premiered on NBC in 1949. The roll of Richard Diamond, a wise cracking private eye, was played by Dick Powell with his best girl being Helen Asher, played by Virginia Gregg. The show moved to ABC in 1951, then in 1953 it moved to CBS.

Diary of Fate was a mystery/thriller radio show that aired in the late 1940's on the ABC Network. In the show, the character called “Fate,” exposed ne'er-do-wells in a similar fashion as the Whistler or The Mysterious Traveler. They always meet their fate in the end. Herb Lytton played “Fate.”

Not surprisingly, ABC Mystery Time aired on the ABC network. The show was a mystery anthology that was broadcast between 1947 and 1956. The series featured some of the greatest actors of the mid‑20th century, including Sir Laurence Olivier, Orson Welles, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Michael Redgrave, to name just a few. The show was hosted by Don Dowd.

This is Your FBI aired from 1945 to 1953. The show got the endorsement of J. Edgar Hoover and many times featured crimes that were well known at the time, told from the perspective of the agent working the case. The show featured Frank Lovejoy, William, Conrad, Betty White, and Herb Ellis to name a few.

This series began in 1947 as Murder and Mr. Malone on ABC. Mr. Malone “fiction’s most famous criminal lawyer” was originally played by Frank Lovejoy. Mr. Malone solved varied and unique murders every week. The series underwent several name changes to eventually end its run as The Amazing Mr. Malone. Others who played the title role were Gene Raymond, and George Petrie.

Stroke of Fate was a 13‑episode NBC radio drama that aired from October 4 to December 27, 1953, presenting half‑hour dramatizations of alternate history scenarios. The show featured a strong cast of radio talent, including Ed Begley, Alexander Scourby, Hal Studer, and Santos Ortega. It was written by Mort Lewis and George Faulkner, directed by Fred Weihe, and announced by Lionel Ricco.