Crime Classics | Old Time Radio

Old Time Retro Radio
Old Time Retro Radio
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Crime Classics | Old Time Radio brings infamous crimes, notorious criminals, and remarkable true-crime cases from history to life through the distinctive storytelling of classic radio. Each episode combines dark humor, suspense, historical detail, and dramatic recreations of crimes that once captured public attention. Each episode is an Old Time Retro Radio production, presenting the original broadcast with gently cleaned and mastered audio, a newly produced introduction and closing, and custom episode artwork. Created by Elliott Lewis, Crime Classics became one of radio’s most distinctive true-crime anthology series, dramatizing unusual murders and criminal cases from centuries of history. Rediscover classic old time radio true crime, historical crime, murder mysteries, suspense, crime drama, and vintage radio.

  1. 2d ago

    Crime Classics - "Madeline Smith Maid or Murderess Which" (Old Time Radio, 1954)

    Crime Classics presents “Madeline Smith Maid or Murderess Which,” originally broadcast on CBS on January 20, 1954. Episode 29 of the historical true-crime anthology is hosted by Lou Merrill as Thomas Hyland and written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. Drawn from the sensational 1857 Scottish case of Madeleine Smith, the drama follows a prosperous Glasgow woman whose secret correspondence and relationship with clerk Pierre Émile L’Angelier draw intense scrutiny after his death. Directed and produced by Elliott Lewis, the episode explores the letters, medical evidence, and legal pressures surrounding a Victorian-era case that gripped the public. Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience. Chapters: 00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction 00:53 Original Broadcast 30:42 Closing Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Crime Classics - "Madeline Smith Maid or Murderess Which" (Old Time Radio, 1954)

  2. 3d ago

    Crime Classics - "The Crime of Bathsheba Spooner Audition" (Old Time Radio, 1952)

    Crime Classics presents “The Crime of Bathsheba Spooner Audition,” originally broadcast December 3, 1952. This CBS sustaining audition was written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. Host Thomas Hyland, played by Lou Merrill, recounts a colonial New England case from Brookfield, Massachusetts, in 1778. Drawing on court reports and newspaper accounts, the drama follows Bathsheba Spooner, portrayed by Mary Jane Croft, amid domestic conflict, alleged conspiracy, and a closely watched historical trial. Bernard Herrmann composed and conducted the music. Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience. Chapters: 00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction 00:46 Original Broadcast 29:45 Closing Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Crime Classics - "The Crime of Bathsheba Spooner Audition" (Old Time Radio, 1952)

  3. 3d ago

    Crime Classics - "Death of a Picture Hanger" (Old Time Radio, 1953)

    Crime Classics presents “Death of a Picture Hanger,” originally broadcast on CBS on July 20, 1953. Episode 6 of the historical true-crime anthology was written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and produced and directed by Elliott Lewis. In 1882 St. Joseph, Missouri, narrator Thomas Hyland follows outlaw Jesse James during a tense final chapter of his life, as the uneasy presence of Robert and Charley Ford brings mounting pressure into the James household. Lou Merrill stars as Hyland, with Clayton Post as Jesse James, Sam Edwards as Bob Ford, and Paul Frees as Charley Ford. Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience. Chapters: 00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction 00:48 Original Broadcast 30:29 Closing Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Crime Classics - "Death of a Picture Hanger" (Old Time Radio, 1953)

  4. 3d ago

    Crime Classics - "Terrible Deed of Dr Webster" (Old Time Radio, 1953)

    Crime Classics presents “Terrible Deed of Dr Webster,” originally broadcast on CBS on July 13, 1953. This fifth episode of the summer series dramatizes the infamous 1849 Parkman-Webster case, written by Morton Fine and David Friedkin and directed by Elliott Lewis. During Thanksgiving week in 1849 Boston, financially strained Harvard Medical College lecturer Dr. John White Webster faces mounting pressure from creditor Dr. George Parkman. When Parkman disappears after visiting the college, troubling signs around Webster’s laboratory draw the attention of janitor Ephraim Littlefield. Jay Novello stars as Dr. Webster, with Lou Merrill as narrator Thomas Hyland. Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience. Chapters: 00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction 00:49 Original Broadcast 30:59 Closing Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Crime Classics - "Terrible Deed of Dr Webster" (Old Time Radio, 1953)

  5. Aug 10

    Roger Nems, How He, Though Dead, Won the Game (AFRTS) [episode 35], Broadcast 3/3/1954

    https://www.OldTimeRetroRadio.com Crime Classics (OTRR) Roger Nems, How He, Though Dead, Won the Game (AFRTS) [episode 35], Broadcast 3/3/1954 Roger Nems, How He, Though Dead, Won the Game (AFRTS) [episode 35], Broadcast 3/3/1954 🎧 This episode is sourced from verified public domain archives. Sources may include OTRR.org and Archive.org. Restoration and curation by Crime Classics | Old Time Radio. 🔒 Unlock The Old Time Retro Radio Archive. Get fully restored classic broadcasts, rare episodes, and exclusive collections — only on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio #OldTimeRadio, #OTR, #ClassicRadio, #OldTimeRetroRadio, #GoldenAgeRadio Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

  6. Aug 3

    The Good Ship Jane, Why She Became Flotsam [episode 34], Broadcast 2/24/1954

    https://www.OldTimeRetroRadio.com Crime Classics (OTRR) The Good Ship Jane, Why She Became Flotsam [episode 34], Broadcast 2/24/1954 The Good Ship Jane, Why She Became Flotsam [episode 34], Broadcast 2/24/1954 🎧 This episode is sourced from verified public domain archives. Sources may include OTRR.org and Archive.org. Restoration and curation by Crime Classics | Old Time Radio. 🔒 Unlock The Old Time Retro Radio Archive. Get fully restored classic broadcasts, rare episodes, and exclusive collections — only on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio #OldTimeRadio, #OTR, #ClassicRadio, #OldTimeRetroRadio, #GoldenAgeRadio Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

  7. Jul 27

    John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954

    https://www.OldTimeRetroRadio.com Crime Classics (OTRR) John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954 John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954 🎧 This episode is sourced from verified public domain archives. Sources may include OTRR.org and Archive.org. Restoration and curation by Crime Classics | Old Time Radio. 🔒 Unlock The Old Time Retro Radio Archive. Get fully restored classic broadcasts, rare episodes, and exclusive collections — only on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio #OldTimeRadio, #OTR, #ClassicRadio, #OldTimeRetroRadio, #GoldenAgeRadio Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

  8. Jul 20

    John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many (AFRTS) [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954

    https://www.OldTimeRetroRadio.com Crime Classics (OTRR) John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many (AFRTS) [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954 John Baptiste Troppmann, Killer of Many (AFRTS) [episode 33], Broadcast 2/17/1954 🎧 This episode is sourced from verified public domain archives. Sources may include OTRR.org and Archive.org. Restoration and curation by Crime Classics | Old Time Radio. 🔒 Unlock The Old Time Retro Radio Archive. Get fully restored classic broadcasts, rare episodes, and exclusive collections — only on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio #OldTimeRadio, #OTR, #ClassicRadio, #OldTimeRetroRadio, #GoldenAgeRadio Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

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About

Crime Classics | Old Time Radio brings infamous crimes, notorious criminals, and remarkable true-crime cases from history to life through the distinctive storytelling of classic radio. Each episode combines dark humor, suspense, historical detail, and dramatic recreations of crimes that once captured public attention. Each episode is an Old Time Retro Radio production, presenting the original broadcast with gently cleaned and mastered audio, a newly produced introduction and closing, and custom episode artwork. Created by Elliott Lewis, Crime Classics became one of radio’s most distinctive true-crime anthology series, dramatizing unusual murders and criminal cases from centuries of history. Rediscover classic old time radio true crime, historical crime, murder mysteries, suspense, crime drama, and vintage radio.

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