100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories

Old Time Retro Radio
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100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories brings together legendary mysteries, private eyes, and crime dramas from the golden age of radio. Follow unforgettable detectives through murder cases, missing persons, dangerous criminals, deception, and suspense. 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. Featuring classics including Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes, Boston Blackie, The Falcon, Pat Novak for Hire, Broadway Is My Beat, and more. Rediscover the best in old time radio detective stories, mystery, crime, noir, and vintage radio otr drama. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support.

  1. 1d ago

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Great Gandolfo" (2026)

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes presents “The Great Gandolfo,” originally broadcast on Mutual on October 22, 1945. Basil Rathbone stars as Sherlock Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, in an original radio adventure by Denis Green and Anthony Boucher, suggested by an incident in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Second Stain.” A troubling Foreign Office clue leads Holmes and Watson from London to Eastbourne’s Devonshire Theatre, where the celebrated magician the Great Gandolfo and his elaborate locked-cabinet illusions become entwined with suspicions of espionage. Mycroft Holmes, a seaside theatrical circuit, and a world of stage misdirection set the scene for a mystery in which appearances are anything but reliable. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:52 Original Broadcast 32:38 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Great Gandolfo" (2026)

  2. 4d ago

    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar - "The Forbes Matter" (1955)

    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: “The Forbes Matter,” episode 294, originally broadcast December 29, 1955. In this fourth chapter of a five-part CBS Radio serial, Bob Bailey stars as freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar. Written by John Dawson and directed by Jack Johnstone. In New York City, Dollar investigates more than $4,000 missing from the books of Century Styles, Inc., a major dress manufacturer. As his inquiries focus on Sheldon Forbes and his expensive pursuit of actress-model Betsy Walker, the case takes an urgent turn and becomes a race against time. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 15:18 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar - "The Forbes Matter" (1955)

  3. 6d ago

    The Adventures of Sam Spade - "Detective - "Convertible Caper" (2026)

    The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective presents “The Convertible Caper,” originally broadcast on June 15, 1947. Episode 051 stars Howard Duff as San Francisco private detective Sam Spade, with Lurene Tuttle as his indispensable secretary, Effie Perrine. Hired by Miss Estrada to recover a valuable foreign convertible, Spade follows a trail of competing claims and concealed motives through San Francisco. Directed and produced by William Spier, this CBS mystery captures the brisk, wisecracking style of the classic Dashiell Hammett character. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:38 Original Broadcast 27:19 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    The Adventures of Sam Spade - "Detective - "Convertible Caper" (2026)

  4. Oct 12

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Disappearing Scientists" (2026)

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes presents “The Disappearing Scientists,” episode 213, originally broadcast on April 8, 1946. Basil Rathbone stars as Sherlock Holmes, with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, in this late Mutual Broadcasting System mystery written by Anthony Boucher and Denis Green. Ready to retire to a Sussex bee farm, Holmes is drawn back into action when a London University professor and his radium-research staff begin vanishing. With an invaluable radium sample at stake and an urgent message from Mycroft Holmes, Baker Street’s master detective faces a tense scientific mystery. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:45 Original Broadcast 32:07 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Disappearing Scientists" (2026)

  5. Oct 9

    Casey, Crime Photographer - "The Box of Death" (1947)

    Casey, Crime Photographer, “The Box of Death” (episode 181), originally broadcast on CBS on April 17, 1947. Written by Alonzo Deen Cole and sponsored by Anchor Hocking Glass, the episode stars Staats Cotsworth as crime photographer Casey and Jan Miner as reporter Ann Williams. At three o’clock on a dark city street, a patrolman finds a large packing crate addressed to a nearby resident—and its contents launch Casey and Ann into a dangerous inquiry. Criminal connections, a conspicuous lucky penny, and the Blue Note Café world set the stage for this grim urban mystery. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:36 Original Broadcast 30:08 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Casey, Crime Photographer - "The Box of Death" (1947)

  6. Oct 7

    Boston Blackie - "Uncle Frank Murdered by Joe Parker" (1946)

    Boston Blackie, “Uncle Frank Murdered by Joe Parker,” originally broadcast July 2, 1946, is episode 77. Richard Kollmar stars as the resourceful Boston Blackie, with Maurice Tarplin as Inspector Farraday and Jan Miner as Mary Wesley. When Uncle Frank Miller is murdered, suspicion falls on Joe Parker—but Parker has a seemingly airtight alibi involving a day spent repairing pipes at Aunt Margaret’s apartment. Blackie sets out to examine the domestic details and discover whether the alibi can withstand scrutiny. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:36 Original Broadcast 27:20 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    Boston Blackie - "Uncle Frank Murdered by Joe Parker" (1946)

  7. Oct 5

    The Adventures of Sam Spade - "Detective - "Bail Bond Caper" (2026)

    The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective presents “Bail Bond Caper,” originally broadcast on CBS on June 27, 1948. Commonly cataloged as episode 105, it stars Howard Duff as Dashiell Hammett’s San Francisco private eye and was written by Gil Doud. When Vivian, a woman from Sam’s past, fears her reform-minded bail-bondsman husband is being drawn back toward dangerous associates, Spade takes the case. His inquiries lead into the uneasy aftermath of a major armored-car robbery, where money, pressure, and old loyalties complicate every lead. Sandra Gould appears as Bernardine, filling in for the usual Effie Perrine. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 00:50 Original Broadcast 33:59 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    The Adventures of Sam Spade - "Detective - "Bail Bond Caper" (2026)

  8. Oct 2

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Speckled Band" (2026)

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes presents “The Speckled Band,” originally broadcast on November 12, 1945. This Mutual Network drama stars Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, adapting Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” When Helen Stoner arrives at Baker Street fearing for her safety, Holmes and Watson travel to the troubled Stoke Moran estate to investigate her sister’s mysterious death and a disturbing new threat. Strange sounds, an altered bedroom, and the intimidating Dr. Grimesby Roylott deepen the suspense in this classic Victorian mystery. 100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories 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 34:06 Closing Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support. Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio

    The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - "The Speckled Band" (2026)
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About

100 Greatest Old Time Detective Stories brings together legendary mysteries, private eyes, and crime dramas from the golden age of radio. Follow unforgettable detectives through murder cases, missing persons, dangerous criminals, deception, and suspense. 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. Featuring classics including Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes, Boston Blackie, The Falcon, Pat Novak for Hire, Broadway Is My Beat, and more. Rediscover the best in old time radio detective stories, mystery, crime, noir, and vintage radio otr drama. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/100-greatest-old-time-detective-stories--7257686/support.

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