Episodes

  • The Bookkeeper - 21st Precinct | 08/25/1953 (Ep08)

    The Bookkeeper - 21st Precinct | 08/25/1953 (Ep08)
    Jan 20 2026
    The old-time radio series 21st Precinct was a dramatic police procedural that aired on CBS from 1953 to 1956. It was a gritty, realistic police drama, often compared to the style of Dragnet. The show was known for its authentic, documentary-style approach to everyday police work, focusing heavily on procedure and the human element of policing.
    • The series was set in the fictional 21st Precinct in New York City, described in the opening narration as "just lines on a map of the city of New York," a nine-tenths of a square mile area "between Fifth Avenue and the East River."
    • Each episode typically began with a crime or incident reported by a phone call to the precinct desk. The story then followed the officers—from the initial response to the final report—detailing the investigation, which often involved not just the main crime but also the routine, personal, and professional problems of the officers.
    • The primary character and narrator was the commanding officer, Captain Frank Kennelly, who served as the listener's guide through the day-to-day operations and challenges of the precinct. Everett Sloane played Captain Kennelly for the majority of the series.
    • The show was produced with the official cooperation of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of the City of New York, and its stories were presented as adaptations of true criminal records, giving it an added layer of realism. The production used no theme or transitional music, instead relying on sound effects (typewriters, telephones, footsteps) to create an authentic atmosphere of the bustling police station.
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    28 mins
  • The Double Trouble Matter - Johnny Dollar | 11/16/1958 (Ep614)

    The Double Trouble Matter - Johnny Dollar | 11/16/1958 (Ep614)
    Jan 19 2026
    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama which aired between 1949 and 1962. "The man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Of the eight different actors who played Johnny Dollar, Bob Bailey is likely considered the most popular. Bailey's interpretation presented a tough, streetwise character, but also sensitive and thoughtful. During it's time, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar attracted some of the best writers in Hollywood, including Jack Johnstone, E. Jack Neuman, Robert Ryf, and Les Crutchfield.

    Hope you enjoy this episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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    24 mins
  • The Haunted Rocking Chair - Nick Carter | 05/20/1945 (Ep184)

    The Haunted Rocking Chair - Nick Carter | 05/20/1945 (Ep184)
    Jan 18 2026
    Nick Carter, Master Detective was a radio crime drama based on tales of the fictional private detective Nick Carter, first seen in 1886, from Street & Smith's dime novels and pulp magazines. Lon Clark played Nick Carter and Charlotte Manson played his assistant, Patsy Bowen. Nick Carter ran from 1943 to 1955.

    Hope you enjoy this episode of Nick Carter! Find more classic radio series at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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    30 mins
  • The Big Book - Philip Marlowe | 09/29/1950 (Ep103)

    The Big Book - Philip Marlowe | 09/29/1950 (Ep103)
    Jan 17 2026
    The Adventures of Philip Marlowe was a radio series featuring Raymond Chandler as Philip Marlowe. He was a gritty, no nonsense American, hard-boiled detective; however, he was more complex than other hard-boiled detectives of the era. "Hard-boiled" refers to a gritter urban element to the detective genre. Marlowe could handle a gun and take a beating, but he was also college educated. He played chess and appreciated classical music. He had standards too, and he turned down jobs that didn't measure up to those standards.

    Hope you enjoy this episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe! Find more classic radio series at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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    29 mins
  • The Big Bid - Dragnet | 01/26/1954 (Ep232)

    The Big Bid - Dragnet | 01/26/1954 (Ep232)
    Jan 16 2026
    Hope you enjoy this episode of Dragnet! We run free OTR Crime, Detective and 4 other old time radio internet radio stations at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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    29 mins
  • A Schizophrenic Psychiatrist - The Saint | 09/18/1949 (Ep11)

    A Schizophrenic Psychiatrist - The Saint | 09/18/1949 (Ep11)
    Jan 15 2026
    The old-time radio series The Saint ran at various times during 1945-1951. The series chronicles the escapades of Simon Templar, a character conceived by Leslie Charteris. Notably, Vincent Price's portrayal of the leading role garnered significant acclaim, as he infused the character with a distinctive charm and wit, contributing to its status as one of the most cherished radio programs of its era. The episodes of The Saint encompassed a range of themes, frequently delving into mysteries, adventures, and Templar's confrontations with various criminals and perilous circumstances, all approached with his unique style and ethical perspective. Price's interpretation is frequently recognized for imbuing the character with an added layer of sophistication and humor, setting it apart from other detective and adventure series of the time.


    Hope you enjoy this episode of The Saint! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | Amazon | iHeart
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    24 mins
  • The Hair Raising Matter - Johnny Dollar | 11/30/1958 (Ep616)

    The Hair Raising Matter - Johnny Dollar | 11/30/1958 (Ep616)
    Jan 15 2026
    Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama which aired between 1949 and 1962. "The man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Of the eight different actors who played Johnny Dollar, Bob Bailey is likely considered the most popular. Bailey's interpretation presented a tough, streetwise character, but also sensitive and thoughtful. During it's time, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar attracted some of the best writers in Hollywood, including Jack Johnstone, E. Jack Neuman, Robert Ryf, and Les Crutchfield.

    Hope you enjoy this episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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    20 mins
  • Ralph Chase Case - Richard Diamond | 05/15/1949 (Ep04)

    Ralph Chase Case - Richard Diamond | 05/15/1949 (Ep04)
    Jan 13 2026
    Richard Diamond, Private Detective was an American detective drama, created by Blake Edwards, which aired on radio from 1949 to 1953. Dick Powell starred as Richard Diamond in the radio series as a wisecracking former police officer turned private detective. Episodes often had Diamond taking on a case at the behest of his friend and former partner, Lt. Walter Levinson. The plot remained relatively unchanged throughout the series, with the hard-boiled Diamond enduring physical confrontations while tackling a challenging murder investigation, aided by the police department. Notably, despite the numerous gun battles, Diamond was never injured by gunfire. Most episodes end with Diamond at the piano, singing a popular song to his girlfriend, Helen Asher. This radio program was later adapted successfully to television.

    Hope you enjoy the episode of Richard Diamond! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | iHeart | Amazon | Spotify
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    30 mins