Old Time Radio Crime & Detective Tales - VarietyFiction

Old Time Radio detectives and crime - sleuths from the golden age of radio. A fun variety of radio series featuring detectives, crime, mystery and police procedurals. Featuring Nick Carter, Johnny Dollar, Box 13, Rocky Jordan, Dragnet, Philip Marlowe, Richard Diamond, Sam Spade, Rocky Fortune and MANY more.


Old Time Radio Crime & Detectives

Dead on Arrival - Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator | 11/14/1951

Wed, 04 Feb 2026
Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator was an old-time radio detective drama that aired on NBC from 1951 to 1955.The series starred William Gargan as Barrie Craig, a suave, laid-back private investigator who operated from a Madison Avenue office in New York City. Unlike the stereotypical "hard-boiled" private eyes of the era, Craig was known for his calm, methodical approach and professionalism, with his business motto being "your man when you can't go to the cops—confidentiality a specialty." Each episode featured Craig solving various mysteries, from routine missing persons cases to complex conspiracies, often working alongside his police contact, Lt. Travis Rogers.

Hope you enjoy this episode of Box 13! Find more classic radio series at theaterofthemind-otr.com - All Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon

Pintsized Payroll Bandit - Rocky Fortune | 10/27/1953 (Ep04)

Tue, 03 Feb 2026
Rocky Fortune was created in 1953 by writer George Lefferts and starring Frank Sinatra in the lead. Rocky Fortune followed the exploits of a marginally employed jack-of-all-trades Rocky Fortune. Though considered a second-rate show even during the 26 weeks it aired, it's a nice boon for Frank Sinatra fans.

Hope you enjoy this episode of Rocky Fortune! 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 | Amazon | iHeart

The Man Who Live Too Long - Nick Carter | 07/01/1945 (Ep190)

Mon, 02 Feb 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

The Big Switch - Dragnet (AFRS) | 01/12/1954 (Ep230)

Sun, 01 Feb 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

The Prodigal Daughter Caper - Sam Spade | 08/28/1949 (Ep166)

Sat, 31 Jan 2026
The Adventures of Sam Spade (1946-1951) radio series was loosely based on the private detective character Sam Spade, created by writer Dashiell Hammett for The Maltese Falcon. Film star Howard Duff played Sam Spade (also played by Steve Dunne at the end). Lurene Tuttle played Effie, Spade's secretary. Spade's character was the prototypical "hard-boiled" detective - an introspective, sharp witted, tough guy.

Hope you enjoy this episode of The Adventures of Sam Spade! 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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