Radio Classics

The Whistler whistled its way onto the airwaves beginning May 16, 1942 and its eerie 13-note theme set the tone for West Coa … more

X-Minus One premiered on April 24, 195 and was a revival of Dimension X, NBC's earlier science fiction anthology series. X-M … more

Inner Sanctum's sinister host welcomed listeners "through the squeaking door to another night of horror." The show’s "squea … more

Rocky Jordan operated a café in exotic Cairo, a city filled with danger and intrigue, and spent much of his time solving cri … more

Radio's greatest series of high adventure debuted over the CBS network on July 7,1947. Escape's protagonists faced life-and- … more

Broadway Is My Beat debuted over CBS on February 27, 1949 and continued through August 1, 1954. Anthony Ross starred as Clov … more

This police procedural series was syndicated on NBC stations in 1932. It features quarter-hour stories typically based on tr … more

The Six Shooter aired started movie star James Stewart rode the radio range from September 20, 1953 through June 24, 1954 as … more

Hopalong Cassidy's millions of fans got a New Year's Day present in 1950 when William Boyd brought the famous Bar-20 Ranch o … more

This frightening thriller series aired for about 10 years in various forms starting in 1943- on NBC, CBS and ABC. The show's … more

Jack "Flashgun" Casey was first introduced in the March 1934 issue of Black Mask, the classic pulp fiction magazine. Created … more

Chester Lauck and Norris Goff were first heard as Lum and Abner on a radio fundraiser for flood victims. Improvising the spo … more

Frank Race is an attorney whose life is filled with intrigue following the war. The adventure series aired from 1949 to 1950 … more

Michael Waring was a freelance detective who was also known as the Falcon. Waring's detective techniques were a cross betwee … more

Richard Diamond, Private Detective premiered over the NBC network on April 24, 1949 and ran through 1952 starring Dick Powel … more

Suspense debuted on June 17, 1942 as a sustaining summer replacement, returned that fall and continued in the CBS lineup Sep … more

This Is Your F.B.I. came to the Blue Network on April 6, 1945, created, produced and directed by Jerry Devine, a former chil … more

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. One … more

Radio Spirits' nationally syndicated radio program hosted by old-time radio expert Greg Bell.

This NBC thriller ran for about a year from the spring of 1952 to the summer of 1953. Each unique story entails suspense, ac … more

Let George Do It, stars Bob Bailey, who plays George Valentine who was a detective whose cases came from the newspaper.

The Great Gildersleeve featured one of radio’s greatest casts of comedic players. The Great Gildersleeve aired until March 2 … more

My Favorite Husband told the story of George and Liz Cooper, "two people who live together and like it." The radio series wa … more

Glen Langan starred as the lead character Barton Drake in this detective series that aired on Mutual Radio from 1947 to 1948 … more

Millions of radio listeners visited Duffy's Tavern each week, but Duffy himself was nowhere to be found. Although he dutiful … more

George and Gracie first performed on air over the BBC while touring England after an NBC executive rejected their act insist … more

Wherever there is mystery, adventure, intrigue, in all the strange and dangerous places in the world, there you will find--T … more

Longtime Hollywood character actor J. Carrol Naish became a radio star in his own right after nearly two decades toiling in … more

Don Ameche and Frances Langford first portrayed The Bickersons as a skit on The Charlie McCarthy Show and moved into their o … more

The Phil Harris & Alice Faye Show grew out of the popular Fitch Bandwagon series. Phil Harris played himself, continuing the … more

The Red Skelton Show came to NBC on October 7, 1941 after years as a mainstay on Cincinnati's powerhouse station WLW. Red sc … more

Based on the popular characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes began on coast-to-coast … more

The husband-and-wife vaudeville team of Jim and Marian Jordan began their radio careers in Peoria on a bet from Jim’s brothe … more

Dimension X aired over NBC from April 8, 1950 through September 29, 1951 featuring "adventures in time and space told in fu … more

Dimension X aired over NBC from April 8, 1950 through September 29, 1951 featuring "adventures in time and space told in future tense." The series adapted stories by the modern masters of science fiction adapting works by Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Clifford Simak, Theodore Sturgeon and many others.

This series is one of a few modern series featured by Radio Classics. A creation of writer Jim French, Harry Nile first came … more

This series is one of a few modern series featured by Radio Classics. A creation of writer Jim French, Harry Nile first came to radio in 1976 and continued to be adapted into the late 90s as part of the "Imagination Theatre" productions. Harry Nile, a former Chicago cop turned private detective, was played by Phil Harper for more than 20 years.

Philo Vance was the most popular fictional detective during the late 1920s and early 1930s and influenced the creation of ma … more

Philo Vance was the most popular fictional detective during the late 1920s and early 1930s and influenced the creation of many later detectives. S.S. Van Dine's legendary creation was first brought to radio on July 5, 1945 in an NBC summer series starring Jose Ferrar and was also briefly portrayed by John Emery.

Detective Michael Shayne was created by Davis Dresser (writing under the pen name Brett Halliday). "Dividend of Death," the … more

Detective Michael Shayne was created by Davis Dresser (writing under the pen name Brett Halliday). "Dividend of Death," the first of more than 60 novels featuring the Miami-based private detective was published in 1939. The adventures of the "reckless red-headed Irishman," played by Wally Maher, came to radio October 16, 1944 and aired for 3 years.

Leslie Charteris' famous character first came to radio on January 6, 1945 with Edgar Barrier heard as the debonair Simon Tem … more

Leslie Charteris' famous character first came to radio on January 6, 1945 with Edgar Barrier heard as the debonair Simon Templar. The "Robin Hood of modern crime" returned to the airwaves on July 9, 1947 with Vincent Price in the title role in a short-lived CBS summer series. Price returned to the role in 1949 over Mutual and became radio's most remembered Simon Templar.

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar told the story of the freelance insurance investigator with the "action-packed expense account." … more

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar told the story of the freelance insurance investigator with the "action-packed expense account." Radio’s last great detective series, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar ended its run September 30, 1962 during the final week of network radio drama.

For more than 20 years, Jack Benny reigned as the king of radio comedy. His show ran on nearly every network from 1932 to th … more

For more than 20 years, Jack Benny reigned as the king of radio comedy. His show ran on nearly every network from 1932 to the mid 1950s. How he turned a miserable, self-absorbed cheapskate into a beloved icon ranks among the great achievements in entertainment history. Benny revolutionized the way humor was played on radio by introducing the situation comedy and by giving most of the best lines to his supporting cast.

The Life of Riley featured the comic misadventures of riveter Chester A. Riley. Riley was a devoted family man with a talent … more

The Life of Riley featured the comic misadventures of riveter Chester A. Riley. Riley was a devoted family man with a talent for flying off the handle and a penchant for being worse. Movie star William Bendix played the title role of the lovable hardhat throughout the series.

John Steinbeck recognized Fred Allen as "unquestionably the best humorist of our time, a brilliant critic of manners and mor … more

John Steinbeck recognized Fred Allen as "unquestionably the best humorist of our time, a brilliant critic of manners and morals." Following in the footsteps of Will Rogers, Fred reintroduced topical political humor to radio. Fred introduced his classic "Allen’s Alley" segment December 13, 1942.

The Lux Radio Theatre was one of radio's most popular series attracting Hollywood's top stars and boasting a lavish budget. … more

The Lux Radio Theatre was one of radio's most popular series attracting Hollywood's top stars and boasting a lavish budget. The Lux Radio Theatre began in 1934 featuring dramas from Broadway, but there was not enough material to support the show. In an attempt to reverse the slipping ratings, the show was moved to Hollywood in 1936, where there was plenty of material and talent.

Bob Hope was born in England in 1903 and immigrated to the U.S. four years later. After an early career in vaudeville and m … more

Bob Hope was born in England in 1903 and immigrated to the U.S. four years later. After an early career in vaudeville and musical revues, Hope made his radio debut on Rudy Vallee’s Fleischmann Hour in 1933 and joined the cast of James Melton’s Intimate Revue in 1935. After introducing his "Thanks for the Memory" theme song in Paramount’s The Big Broadcast of 1938, Hope returned to radio as star of NBC’s The Pepsodent Show beginning September 27, 1938.

Baby Snooks was born at a Detroit party when Fanny Brice, then performing burlesque, sang "Poor Pauline" in a little-girl vo … more

Baby Snooks was born at a Detroit party when Fanny Brice, then performing burlesque, sang "Poor Pauline" in a little-girl voice, and was revived for her first radio broadcasts in the 30s. Frank Morgan and Alan Reed served as Snooks’ foils on early broadcasts before Hanley Stafford became radio’s longest-running "Daddy." The Baby Snooks Show aired from September 17, 1944 through May 29, 1951, with Stafford delivering a moving eulogy on the final show following Brice’s death from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Mr. Keen was a charming and kindly old tracer of missing persons along with his assistant Mike Clancy.

Mr. Keen was a charming and kindly old tracer of missing persons along with his assistant Mike Clancy.

The Cisco Kid rode onto the Mutual airwaves on October 2, 1942, in a series that starred the versatile Jackson Beck. Cisco a … more

The Cisco Kid rode onto the Mutual airwaves on October 2, 1942, in a series that starred the versatile Jackson Beck. Cisco and his partner Pancho rode off the Mutual trail on December 14, 1945, but the characters returned to the airwaves two years later in a new version that was broadcast over the Don Lee Pacific Coast Network. Jack Mather and Harry Lang (later replaced by Mel Blanc) portrayed Cisco and Pancho in the later series, which ran for a decade.

This NBC sitcom was a follow-up to Meet Mr. Meek, which aired from 1940-42. In the later series, Mortimer Meek (still played … more

This NBC sitcom was a follow-up to Meet Mr. Meek, which aired from 1940-42. In the later series, Mortimer Meek (still played by Forrest Lewis) is now married with a family, and causing laughs around every corner.

The character of Henry Aldrich was introduced in Clifford Goldsmith's 1937 play, "What a Life". Ezra Stone originated the ro … more

The character of Henry Aldrich was introduced in Clifford Goldsmith's 1937 play, "What a Life". Ezra Stone originated the role of "America's favorite teenager" on Broadway and portrayed the role for nearly a decade on radio. After being featured in short skits on variety shows, The Aldrich Family debuted as Jack Benny's summer replacement on July 2, 1939. The series moved into its own NBC timeslot on October 10, 1939 and continued until April 19, 1953. Stone received his draft notice in the summer of 1941 but continued as Henry for the next season. Norman Tokar replaced Stone the following season, followed by Dickie Jones and Raymond Ives. After completing his military service in 1945, Stone returned to the role he had originated and was heard as Henry though the early 1950s when Bobby Ellis took over the role on both radio and television.

This 1947 NBC crime series dramatized literary mysteries and suspenseful classics, starring Peter Lorre. Mystery in the Air … more

This 1947 NBC crime series dramatized literary mysteries and suspenseful classics, starring Peter Lorre. Mystery in the Air was a summer replacement series for Abbott & Costello. Lorre was often supported by Hollywood greats like Agnes Moorehead and Peggy Webber. NBC aired a similar series with by same name in 1945.

Rocky Fortune aired on NBC from October 6, 1953 through March 30, 1954 with Frank Sinatra starring as "that footloose and fa … more

Rocky Fortune aired on NBC from October 6, 1953 through March 30, 1954 with Frank Sinatra starring as "that footloose and fancy-free young gentleman" whose fortune was as rocky as his name. The unsponsored "sustainer" series was broadcast during the low point in Sinatra’s career and aired for only 26 weeks.

Boston Blackie was created by Jack Boyle, a hard-drinking opium addict who served three prison terms. While in prison, Boyle … more

Boston Blackie was created by Jack Boyle, a hard-drinking opium addict who served three prison terms. While in prison, Boyle began writing true-crime confession stories that were published in The American Magazine under the byline 6006, his convict number. Boyle's stories were collected in his 1919 book, Boston Blackie, and inspired a popular series of B-films, the radio series and a 1951 video version.

Tales of the Texas Rangers was broadcast over NBC from July 8 1950 through September 14, 1952 and was later revived on telev … more

Tales of the Texas Rangers was broadcast over NBC from July 8 1950 through September 14, 1952 and was later revived on television. Western film star Joel McCrea portrayed Ranger Jace Pearson in NBC's Tales of the Texas Rangers.

Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade walked out of the pages of Black Mask and into his own CBS radio series of July 12, 1946. Howar … more

Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade walked out of the pages of Black Mask and into his own CBS radio series of July 12, 1946. Howard Duff starred as the hardboiled detective for the first three seasons. Lurene Tuttle was Sam's secretary Effie Perrine and Jerry Hausner was his lawyer Sid Weiss. CBS dropped the series in 1950 when Hammett ran afoul of Congress' Un-American Activities investigators, but the show was quickly revived by NBC.