Classic Streams: Old Time Retro Radio Dwight Allen

The Avenger - Classic Radio Crime Drama

Overview: "The Avenger" is an iconic old-time radio crime drama with two distinct series that captured audiences in the 1940s. The first series aired on WHN in New York City from July 18, 1941, to November 3, 1942. The second series was nationally syndicated from October 25, 1945, to April 18, 1946. It holds the distinction of being the first program distributed by the WHN Transcription Service, known previously for distributing commercials.

Format and Characters:

1941–1942 Series:

Main Character: Richard Henry Benson, a super-strength crime-fighter known as "The Avenger."

Sidekick: Fergus "Mac" MacMurdie.

Inspiration: Benson's character drew heavily from popular figures like The Shadow and Doc Savage, combining their traits to appeal to fans of those successful series.

Promotion: In August 1941, WHN linked the radio show to Street and Smith's magazine, The Avenger, through eye-catching red posters displayed at newsstands.

1945–1946 Series:

Main Character: Jim Brandon, a biochemist who becomes The Avenger.

Innovations: Brandon uses a Telepathic Indicator and a Secret Diffusion Capsule to aid in his crime-fighting efforts.

Comparison: This version was often seen as a budget-friendly counterpart to The Shadow, sharing similarities in narrative style and character traits. For instance, Brandon, like The Shadow, had a beautiful assistant, Fern Collier, who knew his true identity and helped him in his missions. Brandon also used "a black light of invisibility" and could interpret "thought flashes."

Personnel:

1941–1942 Series:

Main Role: Played by an unidentified New York actor, while Humphrey Davis portrayed Mac.

Notable Cast: Bill Zuckert joined the cast in 1942, but his specific role was not disclosed.

Director: Maurice Joachim.

Writers: Paul Ernst (using the pseudonym Kenneth Robeson) and Henry Ralston.

1945–1946 Series:

Lead Role: Initially played by James Monks, later replaced by Dick Janaver.

Fern Collier: Played by Helen Adamson.

Announcer: George Ansbro.

Music: Provided by Doc Whipple.

Producer: Charles Michelson.

Writers: Included Gil Braun, Ruth Braun, and Walter Gibson (also the creator of The Shadow).

Syndication:

Distribution: Managed by Charles Michelson Inc. of New York City, which offered the series to stations across the country.

Episodes: A total of 52 episodes were made available for syndication, as noted in the October 22, 1945, issue of Broadcasting.

Dive into "The Avenger" to experience thrilling crime stories from the golden age of radio. Whether it's Richard Henry Benson or Jim Brandon, each brings their unique blend of heroism and innovation to the fight against crime.


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Johnny Dollar was a fictional private investigator who appeared in a radio drama of the same name. The show ran for 12 years, from 1949 to 1961, and featured 809 episodes.

In each episode, Johnny would be hired by an insurance company to investigate a suspicious claim. He would travel to the scene of the crime, interview witnesses, and follow every clue until he solved the case.

Johnny was a complex character. He was intelligent and resourceful, but he was also cynical and world-weary. He had a deep love of fishing, and he often used his expense account to cover the cost of his fishing trips.

The show was popular for its suspenseful plots, its well-developed characters, and its realistic portrayal of the world of insurance investigations. It is considered one of the classic radio dramas of all time.


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The Adventures of Sam Spade, a popular crime drama, aired from 1946 to 1951. Howard Duff portrayed Sam Spade, a hardboiled San Francisco detective. The show featured intricate cases and compelling storytelling. William Spier, a renowned radio producer, assembled a talented writing team. Duff's distinctive voice and acting prowess brought the character to life. The show's success led to Duff's national fame. Duff eventually left the show for film opportunities, and Stephen Dunne replaced him. However, the change in voice and style affected the show's popularity, leading to its cancellation in 1951. Despite its relatively short run, The Adventures of Sam Spade left a lasting impression on the radio detective genre and is cherished by old-time radio enthusiasts.


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Have Gun - Will Travel was a popular show, and it was nominated for a number of awards, including the Emmy Award for Outstanding Western Series. It won the award in 1960."Have Gun Will Travel" is a Western TV series that aired on CBS from 1957 to 1963. It follows the adventures of Paladin, a gentleman gunfighter who roams the Old West helping those in need. The show, created by Sam Rolfe and Herb Meadow and starring Richard Boone, was a critical and commercial success, known for its unique blend of action and moral complexity. It also spawned a successful radio adaptation. The title is a variation on a newspaper personal ad cliché, popularized by the show in the 1950s and 1960s. Set in an unspecified period in the Old West, Paladin, despite his gunfighter skills, is portrayed as a complex character with a strong sense of justice. The show features recurring characters like his loyal sidekick, Hey Boy. "Have Gun - Will Travel" received award nominations and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Western Series in 1960.


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The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas originating in 1930s pulp novels and later expanding to various media. The titular character has been featured in radio dramas, pulp magazines, comic books, television, serials, video games, and films. Initially created as a radio show narrator, The Shadow was developed into a literary character by Walter B. Gibson in 1931. The radio drama, featuring Orson Welles, premiered in 1937. The Shadow character was depicted as having the power to manipulate men's minds, making them unable to see him. The radio program's iconic introduction, voiced by Frank Readick, and accompanied by a musical theme, has become a part of American idiom. Each episode concluded with a reminder that crime does not pay and The Shadow knows.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dwight-allen0/support

Johnny Dollar was a fictional private investigator who appeared in a radio drama of the same name. The show ran for 12 years, from 1949 to 1961, and featured 809 episodes.

In each episode, Johnny would be hired by an insurance company to investigate a suspicious claim. He would travel to the scene of the crime, interview witnesses, and follow every clue until he solved the case.

Johnny was a complex character. He was intelligent and resourceful, but he was also cynical and world-weary. He had a deep love of fishing, and he often used his expense account to cover the cost of his fishing trips.

The show was popular for its suspenseful plots, its well-developed characters, and its realistic portrayal of the world of insurance investigations. It is considered one of the classic radio dramas of all time.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dwight-allen0/support