Podcast appearances and mentions of willard huntington wright

Paul Harvey - Willard Huntington Wright

John Emery stars as Philo Vance in this episode from April 29, 1943 on NBC Radio. Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish—even foppish—dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary and right-hand woman.”

Enjoy two free detective episodes of Philo Vance, Detective w/ Jackson Beck A) 12/28/48 The Rhumba Murder Case B) 1/4/49 The Magic Murder Case Detective Philo Vance was created by S.S. Van Dine (the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright). Vance was featured in 12 crime novels published in the 1920s and 30s. The character was so popular that he appeared in books, movies and on radio. Vance was a stylish, even foppish dandy; a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual nature. On the silver screen, Vance was portrayed by William Powell, Basil Rathbone, Warren William, Paul Lukas, Edmund Lowe and William Wright. In 1945, NBC radio cast Jose' Ferrer as Philo Vance in a short-lived series. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery. The best-known radio series ran from 1948 to 1950 starring Jackson Beck. Joan Alexander played Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary and right-hand woman.

Philo Vance - Serial 1, Episode 1 - 20 Title: Philo Vance Overview: Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. ... Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary, and right-hand woman.” Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Vance's character as portrayed in the novels might seem to many modern readers to be supercilious, obnoxiously affected, and highly irritating. He struck some contemporaries that way, as well. At the height of Philo Vance's popularity, comic poet Ogden Nash wrote: "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance." Famed hardboiled-detective author Raymond Chandler referred to Vance in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder" as "the most asinine character in detective fiction." In Chandler's novel The Lady in the Lake, Marlowe briefly uses Philo Vance as an ironic alias. A criticism of Vance's "phony English accent" also appears in Chandler's Farewell My Lovely. In Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says he's "not Sherlock Holmes or Philo Vance" and explains that his method owes more to the judgment of character than finding clues the police have missed. Original Air Date: April 29, 1943 - July 4, 1950 Series: Philo Vance Radio Series (1943 - 1950) Stars: José Ferrer, John Emery, Jackson Beck Actors: Joan Alexander, George Petrie, Personne Inconnue Writer: S. S. Van Dine, Personne Inconnue Genre: Detective Drama Episode: Philo Vance - Serial 1, Episode 1 - 20 Serial: 1 of 5 Length Serial: 8:54:19 Episodes: 1 - 20 of 97 Length Series: 42:13:50 Announcer: Tom Shirley Creator: S. S. Van Dine Director: Frederick W. Ziv Company Producer: Frederick W. Ziv Company Origin: United States Language: English Rated: Guidance Suggested Edition: Complete, Unexpurgated, Classic, Broadcast Running Time: 30 Minute Audio: Monaural Keywords: action, philo, vance, detective, radio, old-time, nbc, mystery, otrr, shows, plays, vintage, classics, intelligence, adventure, dramas, program, raymond, guns, crime, gumshoe, gritty, private, hollywood, broadcasts, nostalgia, hollywood, famous, celebrities, stars Hashtags: #freeoldtimeradio #freeradio #oldtimeradio #podcast #audible #amazonmusic #spotify #googlepodcasts #radio #vintageradio #vintage #oldradio #oldies #goldenageradio #retro #otr #old #amradio #radiomuseum #midcentury #radiovintage #retroradio #radioonline #vacuumradio #transistorradio #oldschool #golden #oldtimes #yesteryear #timeless #oldtime #drama #radioshow #20s #30s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #00s #mixtape #classic #legend #nostalgia #iconic #flashback #backintheday #relaxing #nostalgic #lifestyle #anxiety #relax #sleep #rest #listen #radioprogram #antique Credits: Old-Time Radio Era Recordings in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/support

Philo Vance - Serial 2, Episode 21 - 40 Title: Philo Vance Overview: Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. ... Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary, and right-hand woman.” Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Vance's character as portrayed in the novels might seem to many modern readers to be supercilious, obnoxiously affected, and highly irritating. He struck some contemporaries that way, as well. At the height of Philo Vance's popularity, comic poet Ogden Nash wrote: "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance." Famed hardboiled-detective author Raymond Chandler referred to Vance in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder" as "the most asinine character in detective fiction." In Chandler's novel The Lady in the Lake, Marlowe briefly uses Philo Vance as an ironic alias. A criticism of Vance's "phony English accent" also appears in Chandler's Farewell My Lovely. In Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says he's "not Sherlock Holmes or Philo Vance" and explains that his method owes more to the judgment of character than finding clues the police have missed. Original Air Date: April 29, 1943 - July 4, 1950 Series: Philo Vance Radio Series (1943 - 1950) Stars: José Ferrer, John Emery, Jackson Beck Actors: Joan Alexander, George Petrie, Personne Inconnue Writer: S. S. Van Dine, Personne Inconnue Genre: Detective Drama Episode: Philo Vance - Serial 2, Episode 21 - 40 Serial: 2 of 5 Length Serial: 8:55:15 Episodes: 21 - 40 of 97 Length Series: 42:13:50 Announcer: Tom Shirley Creator: S. S. Van Dine Director: Frederick W. Ziv Company Producer: Frederick W. Ziv Company Origin: United States Language: English Rated: Guidance Suggested Edition: Complete, Unexpurgated, Classic, Broadcast Running Time: 30 Minute Audio: Monaural Keywords: action, philo, vance, detective, radio, old-time, nbc, mystery, otrr, shows, plays, vintage, classics, intelligence, adventure, dramas, program, raymond, guns, crime, gumshoe, gritty, private, hollywood, broadcasts, nostalgia, hollywood, famous, celebrities, stars Hashtags: #freeoldtimeradio #freeradio #oldtimeradio #podcast #audible #amazonmusic #spotify #googlepodcasts #radio #vintageradio #vintage #oldradio #oldies #goldenageradio #retro #otr #old #amradio #radiomuseum #midcentury #radiovintage #retroradio #radioonline #vacuumradio #transistorradio #oldschool #golden #oldtimes #yesteryear #timeless #oldtime #drama #radioshow #20s #30s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #00s #mixtape #classic #legend #nostalgia #iconic #flashback #backintheday #relaxing #nostalgic #lifestyle #anxiety #relax #sleep #rest #listen #radioprogram #antique Credits: Old-Time Radio Era Recordings in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/support

Philo Vance - Serial 3, Episode 41 - 60 Title: Philo Vance Overview: Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. ... Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary, and right-hand woman.” Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Vance's character as portrayed in the novels might seem to many modern readers to be supercilious, obnoxiously affected, and highly irritating. He struck some contemporaries that way, as well. At the height of Philo Vance's popularity, comic poet Ogden Nash wrote: "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance." Famed hardboiled-detective author Raymond Chandler referred to Vance in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder" as "the most asinine character in detective fiction." In Chandler's novel The Lady in the Lake, Marlowe briefly uses Philo Vance as an ironic alias. A criticism of Vance's "phony English accent" also appears in Chandler's Farewell My Lovely. In Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says he's "not Sherlock Holmes or Philo Vance" and explains that his method owes more to the judgment of character than finding clues the police have missed. Original Air Date: April 29, 1943 - July 4, 1950 Series: Philo Vance Radio Series (1943 - 1950) Stars: José Ferrer, John Emery, Jackson Beck Actors: Joan Alexander, George Petrie, Personne Inconnue Writer: S. S. Van Dine, Personne Inconnue Genre: Detective Drama Episode: Philo Vance - Serial 3, Episode 41 - 60 Serial: 3 of 5 Length Serial: 8:22:46 Episodes: 41 - 60 of 97 Length Series: 42:13:50 Announcer: Tom Shirley Creator: S. S. Van Dine Director: Frederick W. Ziv Company Producer: Frederick W. Ziv Company Origin: United States Language: English Rated: Guidance Suggested Edition: Complete, Unexpurgated, Classic, Broadcast Running Time: 30 Minute Audio: Monaural Keywords: action, philo, vance, detective, radio, old-time, nbc, mystery, otrr, shows, plays, vintage, classics, intelligence, adventure, dramas, program, raymond, guns, crime, gumshoe, gritty, private, hollywood, broadcasts, nostalgia, hollywood, famous, celebrities, stars Hashtags: #freeoldtimeradio #freeradio #oldtimeradio #podcast #audible #amazonmusic #spotify #googlepodcasts #radio #vintageradio #vintage #oldradio #oldies #goldenageradio #retro #otr #old #amradio #radiomuseum #midcentury #radiovintage #retroradio #radioonline #vacuumradio #transistorradio #oldschool #golden #oldtimes #yesteryear #timeless #oldtime #drama #radioshow #20s #30s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #00s #mixtape #classic #legend #nostalgia #iconic #flashback #backintheday #relaxing #nostalgic #lifestyle #anxiety #relax #sleep #rest #listen #radioprogram #antique Credits: Old-Time Radio Era Recordings in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/support

Philo Vance - Serial 4, Episode 61 - 80 Title: Philo Vance Overview: Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. ... Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary, and right-hand woman.” Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Vance's character as portrayed in the novels might seem to many modern readers to be supercilious, obnoxiously affected, and highly irritating. He struck some contemporaries that way, as well. At the height of Philo Vance's popularity, comic poet Ogden Nash wrote: "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance." Famed hardboiled-detective author Raymond Chandler referred to Vance in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder" as "the most asinine character in detective fiction." In Chandler's novel The Lady in the Lake, Marlowe briefly uses Philo Vance as an ironic alias. A criticism of Vance's "phony English accent" also appears in Chandler's Farewell My Lovely. In Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says he's "not Sherlock Holmes or Philo Vance" and explains that his method owes more to the judgment of character than finding clues the police have missed. Original Air Date: April 29, 1943 - July 4, 1950 Series: Philo Vance Radio Series (1943 - 1950) Stars: José Ferrer, John Emery, Jackson Beck Actors: Joan Alexander, George Petrie, Personne Inconnue Writer: S. S. Van Dine, Personne Inconnue Genre: Detective Drama Episode: Philo Vance - Serial 4, Episode 61 - 80 Serial: 4 of 5 Length Serial: 8:25:32 Episodes: 61 - 80 of 97 Length Series: 42:13:50 Announcer: Tom Shirley Creator: S. S. Van Dine Director: Frederick W. Ziv Company Producer: Frederick W. Ziv Company Origin: United States Language: English Rated: Guidance Suggested Edition: Complete, Unexpurgated, Classic, Broadcast Running Time: 30 Minute Audio: Monaural Keywords: action, philo, vance, detective, radio, old-time, nbc, mystery, otrr, shows, plays, vintage, classics, intelligence, adventure, dramas, program, raymond, guns, crime, gumshoe, gritty, private, hollywood, broadcasts, nostalgia, hollywood, famous, celebrities, stars Hashtags: #freeoldtimeradio #freeradio #oldtimeradio #podcast #audible #amazonmusic #spotify #googlepodcasts #radio #vintageradio #vintage #oldradio #oldies #goldenageradio #retro #otr #old #amradio #radiomuseum #midcentury #radiovintage #retroradio #radioonline #vacuumradio #transistorradio #oldschool #golden #oldtimes #yesteryear #timeless #oldtime #drama #radioshow #20s #30s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #00s #mixtape #classic #legend #nostalgia #iconic #flashback #backintheday #relaxing #nostalgic #lifestyle #anxiety #relax #sleep #rest #listen #radioprogram #antique Credits: Old-Time Radio Era Recordings in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/support

Philo Vance - Serial 5, Episode 81 - 97 Title: Philo Vance Overview: Three radio drama series were created with Philo Vance as the title character. The first series, broadcast by NBC in 1945, starred José Ferrer. A summer replacement series in 1946 starred John Emery as Vance. The best-known series (and the one of which most episodes survived) ran from 1948 to 1950 in Frederick Ziv syndication and starred Jackson Beck. "Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. ... Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary, and right-hand woman.” Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish, even foppish dandy, a New York bon vivant possessing a highly intellectual bent. "S. S. Van Dine" was the pen name of Willard Huntington Wright, a prominent art critic who initially sought to conceal his authorship of the novels. Van Dine was also a fictional character in the books, a sort of Dr. Watson figure who accompanied Vance and chronicled his exploits. Vance's character as portrayed in the novels might seem to many modern readers to be supercilious, obnoxiously affected, and highly irritating. He struck some contemporaries that way, as well. At the height of Philo Vance's popularity, comic poet Ogden Nash wrote: "Philo Vance needs a kick in the pance." Famed hardboiled-detective author Raymond Chandler referred to Vance in his essay "The Simple Art of Murder" as "the most asinine character in detective fiction." In Chandler's novel The Lady in the Lake, Marlowe briefly uses Philo Vance as an ironic alias. A criticism of Vance's "phony English accent" also appears in Chandler's Farewell My Lovely. In Chandler's The Big Sleep, Marlowe says he's "not Sherlock Holmes or Philo Vance" and explains that his method owes more to the judgment of character than finding clues the police have missed. Original Air Date: April 29, 1943 - July 4, 1950 Series: Philo Vance Radio Series (1943 - 1950) Stars: José Ferrer, John Emery, Jackson Beck Actors: Joan Alexander, George Petrie, Personne Inconnue Writer: S. S. Van Dine, Personne Inconnue Genre: Detective Drama Episode: Philo Vance - Serial 5, Episode 81 - 97 Serial: 5 of 5 Length Serial: 7:35:56 Episodes: 81 - 97 of 97 Length Series: 42:13:50 Announcer: Tom Shirley Creator: S. S. Van Dine Director: Frederick W. Ziv Company Producer: Frederick W. Ziv Company Origin: United States Language: English Rated: Guidance Suggested Edition: Complete, Unexpurgated, Classic, Broadcast Running Time: 30 Minute Audio: Monaural Keywords: action, philo, vance, detective, radio, old-time, nbc, mystery, otrr, shows, plays, vintage, classics, intelligence, adventure, dramas, program, raymond, guns, crime, gumshoe, gritty, private, hollywood, broadcasts, nostalgia, hollywood, famous, celebrities, stars Hashtags: #freeoldtimeradio #freeradio #oldtimeradio #podcast #audible #amazonmusic #spotify #googlepodcasts #radio #vintageradio #vintage #oldradio #oldies #goldenageradio #retro #otr #old #amradio #radiomuseum #midcentury #radiovintage #retroradio #radioonline #vacuumradio #transistorradio #oldschool #golden #oldtimes #yesteryear #timeless #oldtime #drama #radioshow #20s #30s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #90s #00s #mixtape #classic #legend #nostalgia #iconic #flashback #backintheday #relaxing #nostalgic #lifestyle #anxiety #relax #sleep #rest #listen #radioprogram #antique Credits: Old-Time Radio Era Recordings in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free-old-time-radio/support

“Edgar Allan Poe sostenía que todo cuento debe escribirse para el último párrafo o acaso para la última línea; esta exigencia puede ser una exageración, pero es la exageración o simplificación de un hecho indudable. Quiere decir que un prefijado desenlace debe ordenar las vicisitudes de la fábula. Ya que el lector de nuestro tiempo es también un crítico, un hombre que conoce y prevé los artificios literarios, el cuento deberá constar de dos argumentos: uno falso, que vagamente se indica, y otro, el auténtico, que se mantendrá secreto hasta el fin”. -Jorge Luis Borges- Como hemos visto en el anterior programa, el relato de aventuras policíacas, ligado todavía a la novela popular, es la forma predominante del género policial hasta los años veinte, salvo en los casos ya reseñados de Freeman y Chesterton. Pero en esos años se produce un cambio radical en este tipo de relatos con la aparición de la “novela problema” o “novela enigma”, que cultivarán talentos literarios tan destacados como Agatha Christie y Ellery Queen. En esa época la novela policíaca se aburguesa: autores, personajes y lectores pertenecen cada vez más a esa clase social, y los delitos y sus móviles se amoldan a este nuevo público. Las literaturas anglosajonas, por otro lado, se apropian del género, destacando especialmente los autores norteamericanos. En general, los escritores de este periodo, además de criticar las obras del pasado por sus imperfecciones formales, imponen reglas destinadas a potenciar el juego limpio (fair play) entre autor y lector, para que este último y el investigador cuenten con la misma información. El detective deducirá conclusiones lógicas e inevitables de las pistas que van apareciendo a lo largo del relato. El crimen será forzosamente un asesinato, y el criminal, una persona de clase social elevada, al igual que el resto de los sospechosos. Los móviles del asesino, siempre personales y racionales, excluirán a los profesionales del crimen, a los criados y a los propios detectives. La investigación policíaca se convierte, en virtud de estas normas, en el centro de gravedad de la historia. Se recomienda la unidad de la trama y la limitación del marco espacial. Temáticamente, los autores inciden en el problema del recinto cerrado o se decantan por el concepto del crimen perfecto. Junto a los detectives privados y a los simples aficionados, aparecen los policías profesionales, que actúan guiados por el principio de que “el criminal nunca gana”. Lo que más cambia en la tipología del detective es su aspecto físico. A finales de los años veinte, en conclusión, quedaron establecidos los límites dentro de los cuales deberían operar los escritores de historias detectivescas. Las tiradas de literatura policíaca, en esta época, superaron ampliamente las de cualquier tipo de literatura popular. Y de esta popularidad gozó durante toda su vida la prolífica Agatha Christie (1.891-1,976), que sintetiza los rasgos paradigmáticos de la novela problema. La idea de escribir una novela policíaca se le ocurrió durante la 1ª Guerra Mundial cuando ejercía de enfermera voluntaria en un dispensario, en cuyo laboratorio había toda clase de venenos. Tal vez por ello, en su primera novela, “El misterioso caso de Styles” de 1.920, el propietario de un viejo caserón en Essex es envenenado con estricnina. Pese a que esta obra pasó prácticamente desapercibida, Agatha Christie alcanzaría pronto el éxito con “El asesinato de Rogelio Ackroyd” de 1.926, uno de los clásicos del género, gracias al original planteamiento de estar narrado por el asesino. El misterio es, naturalmente, desentrañado por Hércules Poirot, un orondo y minucioso detective belga que habla con marcado acento extranjero y que está dotado, según la autora, de miles de pequeñas células grises, verdaderos engranajes de su prodigiosa e infalible inteligencia. Poirot descubre en el lugar del crimen los indicios que pueden conducirle al culpable. El interrogatorio de los testigos y sospechosos completa su método para resolver el misterio. A mediados de los años veinte, gran número de escritores norteamericanos se sentirían atraídos por la novela enigma, si bien alcanzarán resultados diferentes de los conseguidos por los ingleses, ya que el marco en el que se desarrollan sus historias es muy distinto: mientras que los novelistas británicos sientes predilección por las mansiones aristocráticas de su campiña y los personajes de clase social elevada, los norteamericanos van a preferir las bulliciosas ciudades, la diversidad racial y la dispar educación de las gentes. Frente al estatismo de la novela inglesa, la acción y el movimiento van a ser los ingredientes habituales de la americana. Curiosamente, el primero en romper el fuego no es un detective americano sino chino, el sargento de policía de Homolulú Charlie Chan, con “La casa sin llaves” de 1.925, debido a la pluma de Earl Derr Biggers, (1.884-1.933). El impacto popular de Charlie Chan se debió a un conjunto de circunstancias: sus originales métodos deductivos, su peculiar lenguaje y su agitada vida como padre de doce hijos. Un año más tarde aparece Philo Vance. Su autor, S.S. Van Dine, seudónimo del crítico de arte Willard Huntington Wright (1.888-1.939), lo ideó como a un verdadero superhombre: casi metro ochenta de estatura, extraordinario deportista, aristócrata, inmensamente rico, elegante y una verdadera enciclopedia de conocimientos. Este pedante esteta, que vive en las dos últimas plantas de un edificio de Nueva York, elabora sus teorías con manifiesto desprecio de las pruebas materiales, que sólo sirven para confirmar sus conclusiones. Al disociar el problema de la realidad, el relato entendido como un rompecabezas llega a su máxima expresión. El éxito obtenido por estos maestros y la enorme demanda de este género provoca la aparición de colecciones y editores consagrados a la literatura criminal y, en consecuencia, la floración de una pléyade de novelistas policíacos procedentes, fundamentalmente, del periodismo. Este es el caso del humorista Anthony Berkeley Cox (1.893-1.970), que hacia 1.925 comenzó a escribir novelas policíacas. A esta inesperada afición debemos el infalible detective Roger Sheringham, que alcanza su mayor resonancia popular en 1.929 con “El caso de los bombones envenenados”. Berkeley Cox, que urde enigmas muy originales, parte del supuesto de Freeman según el cual, para planear un crimen, el asesino debe ser de una inteligencia superior, diestro en falsear las apariencias, y sus motivos simples y poco numerosos. Francis Iles, seudónimo que empleó este autor, es considerado un renovador del género porque, aunque en su primera novela el detective acapara todo el protagonismo, este es desplazado en obras posteriores al asesino, y, finalmente, a la propia víctima, que lo es sólo porque “sospecha” que lo es. A Anthony Berkeley Cox debemos también la fundación en Londres del “Detection Club” en 1.928, asociación que promovió unas reglas generales sobre la novela policíaca….que sus miembros incumplían. Su primer presidente fue nada menos que Chesterton, y una de sus figuras más significativas fue su secretario, Dickson Carr. El escritor norteamericano John Dickson Carr (1.906-1.977), uno de los pocos que durante la revolución del “hard-boiled” permaneció fiel al enigma clásico de estirpe inglesa, se especializó, después de trasladarse a Inglaterra, en novelas problema centradas en crímenes cuyo escenario es una habitación cerrada (uno de los máximos desafíos de la novela de enigma), resueltos con lógica impecable. El propio autor ha teorizado sobre las posibles soluciones de este problema. La novela criminal clásica alcanza su plenitud con la aparición en 1.929 de Ellery Queen, seudónimo de los primos hermanos Manfred B. Lee y Frederic Dannay, americanos como Dickson Carr. El seudónimo empleado por los autores es, al mismo tiempo, el nombre del investigador aficionado protagonista de la aventura. Con este artificio se eliminan las fronteras entre realidad y ficción, entre escritor y detective. Su personaje Ellery Queen, joven autor de novelas policíacas de cierta notoriedad, atlético e intelectual, vive con su padre, el inspector Richard Queen, al que ayuda en la resolución de los casos. Así, Ellery y Richard representan los dos aspectos básicos de la investigación: mientras el padre recoge indicios, el hijo los interpreta. En sus primeras novelas el autor introdujo el llamado “desafío al lector” al preguntarle, en un momento dado, si ya sabe quién es el asesino. Este desafío es el resultado de llevar el juego limpio a sus últimas consecuencias, ya que los autores alardean de haber proporcionado al lector todos los indicios y pistas que posee el detective para solucionar el enigma. La larga duración del personaje, más de cuarenta años, permite observar una evolución tanto en su carácter y personalidad como en el estilo de sus aventuras, que en los últimos años se decantará hacia el realismo crítico algo costumbrista. Otros héroes populares que siguieron la estela de Ellery Queen fueron el abogado Perry Mason, creado por Erle Stanley Gardner (1.889-1.970), y el voluminoso Nero Wolfe de Rex Stout (1.886-1.975, el detective más gordo de la historia, con unos 140 kilos de peso, un verdadero gourmet que no sale apenas de casa, donde cultiva rarísimas orquídeas. La moda de la novela policíaca, que no había dejado de acrecentarse en Francia desde los tiempos de la 1ª Guerra Mundial, llegó en ese país a su máximo grado de expresión en los años treinta con Georges Simenon (1.903-1.986), fecundo autor que escribió más de cuatrocientas novelas, cerca de mil relatos y una quincena de libros autobiográficos y que permaneció al margen de tendencias y modas. Debe su enorme popularidad (se calcula que ha tenido más de cuatrocientos millones de lectores) a la creación del comisario Maigret. Este miembro de la policía judicial, seguro de si mismo, imperturbable y educado, con cierto aire de campesino, es un hombre de más de cuarenta años, extraordinariamente humano, que conserva la curiosidad por las personas y las cosas. La pipa, el abrigo o la gabardina y el sombrero forman parte de la indumentaria que lo ha hecho célebre. Maigret trata de empaparse de la atmósfera, del ambiente que rodea el crimen. Resolver el enigma consiste, de este modo, más que en la acumulación de indicios, en comprender la crisis psicológica que trastorna al asesino en el momento del crimen. Esta perspectiva permite a Simenon trazar una pintura de escenarios grises y mediocres (calles, tiendas, hoteles, cafés… por los que Maigret deambula) y personajes patéticos cuyo drama conmueve profundamente al lector.

Our first show tonight is from the series Philo Vance, a fictional character featured in 12

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What are these “Twenty Rules” Flex and Herds keep referring to on Death of the Reader? S.S. Van Dine was known originally as a zealous literary critic by the name of Willard Huntington Wright. After adopting the Van Dine pseudonym, he made sure that the game of detective fiction was played his way, and by his rules, with none of those damned tropes he saw other authors using. Listen in to hear us break down the full set of rules he wrote that defined his detective stories.

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Where Game of Thrones Begins (April 9, 2016) As the premiere of Game of Thrones approaches, we trace the medieval roots of the hit TV show with Larissa Tracy. She discusses the influence of Tolkien and medieval literature on the popular program. And: Can a play written more than 400 years ago have something to say about Muslim-Americans? Some Shakespeare experts think so. In advance of Old Dominion University’s Shakespeare 400 Years After event, Imtiaz Habib and Maya Mathur explore what Shakespeare’s plays can reveal about life today. Plus: It’s hard to find a nuanced black character written by 19th century white authors. But Gretchen Martin says she’s found trickster characters (think Br’er Rabbit) in some 19th century classics. Later in the show: During the 1910s and 1920s, the question of whether one was “highbrow” or “lowbrow” became a concern in the minds of modernist Americans. Brooks Hefner says this “brow anxiety” dominated the career of Willard Huntington Wright, who fancied himself an intellectual aristocrat while secretly writing a series of wildly popular detective stories under the pseudonym S.S. Van Dine. And: When Christopher McGee first discovered the Hardy Boys books as a child, he had no idea the author, Franklin W. Dixon, was fictitious and that the books were written by ghostwriters. McGee, who now teaches children’s mystery, tells the story of this popular series’ creation and changes through the years

Fairy tales like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are all part of early childhood literature. Robert Godwin-Jones (Virginia Commonwealth University) has created an online database of Grimm’s fairy tales that reveals the evolution of these iconic stories, whose earlier versions were often violent and sexually suggestive. Plus: Pro-choice advocates often complain about the way abortion is talked about—or not talked about—in pop culture. Mary Thompson (James Madison University) says that two kinds of books, mommy memoirs and mother-daughter memoirs, are tackling the tough topic of abortion in new ways. Later in the show: During the 1910s and 1920s, the question of whether one was “highbrow” or “lowbrow” became a concern in the minds of modernist Americans. Brooks Hefner (James Madison University) says this “brow anxiety” dominated the career of Willard Huntington Wright, who fancied himself an intellectual aristocrat while secretly writing a series of wildly popular detective stories under the pseudonym S.S. Van Dine. And: When Christopher McGee (Longwood University) first discovered the Hardy Boys books as a child, he had no idea the author, Franklin W. Dixon, was fictitious and that the books were written by ghostwriters. McGee, who now teaches children’s mystery, tells the story of this popular series’ creation and changes through the years.

The Philo Vance character was created by S.S. Van Dine (pen name of Willard Huntington Wright) in a series of detective novels beginning in 1927. The Philo Vance of the novels was a dilettante; Van Dine wrote that he was "An aristocrat by birth and instinct, he held himself severely aloof from the common world of men. In his manner there was an indefinable contempt for inferiority of all kinds." An "aristo" in the same vein as the later James Bond, but much more irritating. Vance was an expert in art, criminology, ancient Egypt, fencing, a talented polo player, patron of classical music, breeder of champion show dogs, knowledgeable chess player, winning handicapper of race-horses, and master poker player. http://oldtimeradiodvd.com  and http://audiblepodcast.com/rnn 1 free audio book