Rare Detectives - The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

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This feed features detective programs that only have one or two programs in circulation and are not collected in another group feed (except for Lady Sleuths.) Some of these were unaired pilots, others are the straggling surviving episodes of programs that ran for years. Some such as Dyke Easter or Homicide O'Kane are completely forgotten. Others such as Father Brown or the Lone Wolf have a long storied history in other mediums, but only these scant few stories remain from their radio runs. Your host Adam Graham is your guide to these rare and unique programs

Adam Graham


    • Aug 5, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Rare Detectives - The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

    Crime Fighters: A New England Detective

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2023 36:25


    Today's Mystery:A New England detective is also a parole officer for a young man who was convicted of theft. Does the ex-convict really want to go straight and will he actually be allowed to?Original Radio Broadcast Date: January 9, 1950Originated in New YorkStarred: Raymond Edward Johsnon, Alan Stevenson, Ian Martin, Abby Lewis, and Rock RogersSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter @radiodetectivesJJoin us again Monday for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5362277/advertisement

    Michael Piper, Detective: The Erie Basin Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 34:06


    Today's Mystery: A stabbing follows a contentious auction.Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 6, 1942Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of ourfriends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

    Meet Miss Sherlock: Wilmer and the Widow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 38:09


    Today's Mystery: Jane gets a client for Peter Blossom, a beautiful widow who's accused of murdering her wealthy husband.Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 12, 1946Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

    Meet Miss Sherlock: Case of the Deadman's Chest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2023 38:09


    Today' s Mystery:A buyer for a department store acquires a chest and everyone wants it.Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 7, 1946Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter @radiodetectivesJoin us back here tomorrow for another old time radio detective drama.

    Sara's Private Caper: Sara's 'Sonnets of Fu Yen' Caper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 36:38


    Today's Mystery:A police stenographer decides to investigate an incomplete report on a stolen rare book.Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 15, 1950Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of ourfriends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

    EP3850: This is O'Shea: Hong Kong

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2022 43:47


    Brandon O'Shea witnesses the kidnapping of a refugee from Shanghai at the Hong Kong Airport.Audition Date: October 1, 1952Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netSupport the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

    EP3560: Squad Room: Body Found in a Plastic Bag

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2021 26:22


    The police investigate when dismembered body parts are found in a plastic bag. Original Air Date: 1955 Become one of our monthly patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Read more ...

    EP3558: Billy Swift, Boy Detective: Young Mountaineer Mysteriously Shot

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 34:47


    ” Billy is asked to clear a young girl's sweetheart of murder while visiting a secluded area where outsiders are looked down upon. Original Air Date: October 29, 1 Read more ...

    EP3554: Squad Room: February 3, 1954

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2021 28:36


    A woman confessed to killing her abusive husband and then Lt. Douglas investigates a robbery gone bad that left a woman dead by the side of the road. Original Air Date: February 3, 1954 Become one of our monthly patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Read more ...

    EP3548: Top Secrets of the FBI: The Case of the Vest Pocket Broadcasting Station

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2021 34:21


    The FBI plans to catch a heroin ring using a brand new recording device that can be carried in a pocket. Audition Date: 1947 Become one of our monthly patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Read more ...

    EP3292: O’Hara: Lost Boy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 34:41


    While visiting Macau, O’Hara tries to help a little boy from Tokyo find his father who failed to meet his boat. Original Air Date: October 29, 1956 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read…

    EP3286: O’Hara: The Judas Face

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020


    Someone is calling around Hong Kong looking for a woman who identifies herself as Mrs. Calhoun whenever she has a few drinks. Original Air Date: July 22, 1951 Support Read more ...

    EP3084: Raffles: Murder Signs Its Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2020 34:33


    A woman at a show asks Raffles to help her find jewels that were stolen while attending a show at the theater. Audition Date: August 23, 1945 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read…

    EP3078: Raffles: Imposter

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 36:24


    Raffles is hired to break into a home to reclaim a stolen necklace and he finds himself framed for murder. Original Air Date: November 4, 1942 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more…

    EP2804s: The Dead Letter Office

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2019 38:18


    A pilot for a radio series based on stories from the Post Office's Dead Letter office. Audition Date: 1948 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more ...

    EP2602: Security Agent USA: The Story of Tom Bennett

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2018 35:45


    Counterintelligence Agent Tom Bennett investigates the killing of a friend who was investigating a German refugee atomic scientist. Original Air Date: September 1, 1949 Support the show monthly at

    EP2450s: Police Woman: The Case of the Scheming Bridegroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2018 23:43


    A woman is interested in marrying a man from a personals ad but fears he’s a murderer, Lt. Mary Sullivan investigates. Original Air Date June 29, 1947 Support the show monthly at

    EP2308: The Judge: The Death of the Playboy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2017 37:19


    The Judge investigates the death of the stepson of a wealthy woman who is a reform activist. Audition Date: February 13, 1952 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more ...

    EP2302: Follow That Man: The Trail of the Terrified Temptress

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2017 34:49


    A woman runs into Steve Mallory’s office asking for protection from the man who’s pursuing her. Mallory finds the pursuer dead and discovers the pursuer was his partner. Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715…

    EP2296: Crime Correspondent: The Chair for Dino

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2017 36:42


    Radio reporter Larry Mitchell tries to find out the truth behind the death of a well-known thug. Original Air Date: November 4, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more ...

    EP2290: Bishop and the Gargoyle: The Jennifer Botts Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2017 36:34


    The Gargoyle brings to the Bishop a young woman from a small town who has been ripped off by a con man. The Bishop sets out to get her money back, but finds the con man dead and himself and the Gargoyle involved in a mystery over a missing ruby. Original Air Date: July 14,…

    EP2212: The Lone Wolf: The Golden Santa

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2017 30:41


    A woman gets Michael to help her search for her six-inch-high golden statue of Santa Claus. Original Air Date: January 1, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more ...

    EP2206: Suspense: Murder Goes For a Swim

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2017 53:41


    While enjoying a weekend at a New York estate, Michael Lanyard discovers the body of a beauty contestant in the swimming pool and the signs point to it being a murder. Original Air Date: July 20, 1943 In this sneak preview of the The Lone Wolf Strikes, Michael Lanyard tries to return stolen jewels to…

    EP1768: Tales of Fatima: Time to Kill

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2015


    Basil Rathbone is shot at and then finds a blonde in his car who claims Rathbone wrote letters that convinced her to leave her husband and come to New York, and then learns of his own brutal murder from a radio broadcast. Original Air Date: May 28, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support…

    EP1762: Tales of Fatima: A Much Expected Murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2015


    A woman calls Basil Rathbone in to prevent the death of her husband. Original Air Date: May 21, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Read more ...

    EP1754s: Dyke Easter: This Time for Creeps

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2015


    Dyke Easter is hired by a man to smooth out a case where he committed murder, except Easter arrives to find the supposedly murdered man alive. Audition Date: 1939 or 1949 Support the show monthly at:  patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at: http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise,…

    EP1220: Homicide O’Kane: The Story Of The Killer Who Returned From The Dead As The Clock Struck The Hour

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2014


    O’Kane gets a call from a man about to be murdered. Original Air Date: March 2, 1943 Support the show..http://support.greatdetectives. Read more ...

    EP1211: Here Comes McBride

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2014


    While looking for a missing necklace, Rex McBride finds a body in his room and is accused of murder.

    EP1067: Johnny Fletcher: The Navy Colt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2013


    A grifter takes a dollar to punch out a man with nine more promised. Instead, he gets no additional money Read more ...

    EP1019: Miss Pinkerton Incorporated

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2013


    A young female law student inherits her uncle’s detective agency, planning to sell it but decides t Read more ...

    EP0950s: The McCoy: Three Wayward Girls

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2013


    The McCoy investigates the murder of an old girlfriend at the request of her agent. Audition Date: April 22, 1951 Support Read more ...

    EP0904: The Cases of Mr. Ace: The Man Named Judas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2013


    Ace is hired to deliver a package to Chicago for sale and finds trouble every turn. Original Air Date: June 25, 1947

    EP0898: Cases of Mr. Ace: Key to a Boobie Trap

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2013


    Ace is hired to guard the key to a bus locker by a man who has confessed to murder. Original Air Date: Sometime Read more ...

    EP0272: Adventures of Father Brown: The Mystified Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2010


    A young man is accused of killing a windowcleaner, but Father Brown believes he’s innocent. Original Air Date: August 13, 1945 Leave a voice mail…208-991-GR8D (4783)

    EP0267: Adventures of Father Brown: The Three Tools of Death

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2010


    Father Brown investigates the death of a best-selling proponent of optomism. Original Air Date: July 22, 1945 Leave a voice mai Read more ...

    EP0250s: San Francisco Final

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2010


      Reporter Mike Rivera investigates mass extortion in Chinatown. Recorded: July 26, 1954 Click

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