Dragnet: The Big Drive (EP5099)

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate a series of forged payroll checks passed at Hollywood-area supermarkets. The checks were stolen from a neighborhood grocery store, and the swindler has been using a driver's license to establish his identity.Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 21, 1952Originating from HollywoodCast:Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayVic Perrin as Sergeant Frank SmithHerb EllisCliff ArquetteVirginia GreggHal Gibney — announcerGeorge Fenneman — commercial spokesmanSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day:  Chuck D777, a Patreon supporter since September 2022Support 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@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: When a middle-aged widow is found shot to death on a college campus, Detective Danny Clover investigates her relationship with a young football star. But when the athlete is also found murdered, Clover's investigation turns toward a wealthy alumnus who has taken an extraordinary interest in the young man's career.Original Radio Broadcast Date:November 22, 1952Originated in HollywoodCast:Larry Thor as Detective Danny CloverCharles Calvert as Sergeant Gino TartagliaJack Kruschen as Sergeant MuggavanPaula Winslowe as Claire DaveyLou Merrill as Don DaveyJoyce McCluskeyEddie FieldsTom TullyBill Anders — announcerProduction Credits: Morton Fine and David Friedkin, writers; Elliott Lewis, producer and director; Alexander Courage, composer and conductor.Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Support 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 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: When wealthy aircraft manufacturer Robert Halliday sets out to have two valuable diamonds made into a birthday present for his daughter Dora, a chance encounter with a young woman leaves him drugged and robbed. Investigating on behalf of the insurance company, Burton Trent suspects that the theft was carefully planned.Original Radio Broadcast:Unknown.The episode is believed to have aired sometime between 1938 and 1942, possibly before or shortly after Australia's entry into World War II.Originating in BrisbaneStarring the 4BC PlayersSupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day:Robert, Patreon supporter since March 2025.Support 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 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Today's Mystery: A bride arrives at the church ready to marry the man she loves, only to discover that the groom has vanished. Desperate for answers, she turns to Simon Templar. But as the Saint begins investigating, he uncovers a complicated web of relationships, deception, and danger—and the missing groom may not be the only person in trouble.Original Radio Broadcast Date: February 11, 1951Originating from HollywoodCast:Vincent Price as Simon Templar, the SaintLarry Dobkin as LouieViola Vaughn as MarieSharon Douglas as Carol BlairSheldon Leonard as Anthony DuganTed Osborne as Uncle Theobald BlairFrank Gerstle as Lieutenant ArcherSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Bettina, supporting the podcast since May 2021Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.netMail 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@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today’s Mystery: The wife of a successful comic strip artist fears that her husband is planning to murder her. As his popular detective strip, Buzz O’Keefe, builds toward the gruesome death of a character modeled after her, she becomes convinced that her husband intends to carry out the same crime in real life.She turns to the district attorney for protection, but the approaching midnight deadline brings unexpected revelations.Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 24, 1944Production Credits: Corporal Frederick Mitchell, writer; Jack Miller, composer and conductor; Jeffrey Barnes, host; Dan Seymour, announcer.Originated from New York CitySupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Emmett, Patreon supporter since March 2018.Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.netMail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of ourfriends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Adventure: Eight desperate refugees board a plane in Cuba, hoping to reach the United States and escape their uncertain fate. But their journey takes a horrifying turn when the pilot receives orders to abandon his human cargo thousands of feet above the Caribbean. As David Harding investigates the disappearance, he uncovers a ruthless smuggling operation involving blackmail, betrayal, and a dangerous mastermind who will stop at nothing to protect his business.Original Radio Broadcast: April 11, 1950Originating in New YorkCast:Don McLaughlin as David HardingMandell Kramer as Harry PetersJay Jackson as AnnouncerTo subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Burke, a Secret Agent-level supporter since March 2026Support 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

Today's Mystery: Johnny Dollar's investigation into the Buffalo Emporium robbery takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that the missing $421,216 may be aboard a yacht belonging to wealthy businessman McNair off the Canadian shore of Lake Erie. But a violent storm has left him stranded in Buffalo, and the criminals may disappear as soon as the weather clears. With time running out, Johnny comes up with an unconventional plan to reach the yacht. Getting aboard, however, may prove considerably more dangerous than getting there.Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 11, 1959Originating from HollywoodCast:Bob Bailey as Johnny DollarVirginia Gregg as Pat McCrackenHoward McNear as Mr. McNairSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Cindy, a Detective Sergeant-level supporter since March 2020.Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.netMail 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 again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Todays Mystery: When a young man is found beaten to death in a vacant lot, Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith face a baffling case with little physical evidence and no obvious motive. The victim seemed to have a promising future, a steady job, and no known enemies. But a late-night meeting at a billiard hall may hold the key to uncovering what happened—and identifying the men responsible.Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 14, 1952Originating from HollywoodCast:Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayKen Patterson as Sergeant Frank SmithGwen DelanoJack KruschenSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Bettina, a Patreon supporter since May 2021Support 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@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: When jazz musician Kenny Purdue is found stabbed to death in the bedroom of a party host, Detective Danny Clover begins investigating the people who knew him. Among them are a former roommate, a woman who once loved him, and a young wife struggling with the absence of her husband, a soldier serving in Korea. As Clover follows the trail through Broadway’s nightlife, he encounters a troubled story of loneliness, grief, and guilt. But what really happened to Kenny Purdue?Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 15, 1952Originated in HollywoodCast:Larry Thor as Detective Danny CloverCharles Calvert as Sergeant Gino TartagliaJack Kruschen as McGavinSammy Hill as Karen MarlinWhitfield ConnorCharlotte LawrencePaul FreesJerry HausnerSupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: Russell, supporting the podcast for 10 yearsSupport 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 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: When wealthy invalid Oliver Deems is shot while sitting in his garden, the circumstances seem to make the murder impossible. No one appears to have been close enough to fire the fatal shot, and the few people who might have had a motive all have seemingly airtight alibis. Detective Burton Trent joins Scotland Yard’s MacDonald Craig to investigate a baffling case involving a suspicious neighbor, a missing rifle cartridge, and an unusual contraption. Can Trent uncover the secret behind a murder that appears to have been committed from nowhere?Original Radio Broadcast: May 15, 1938Originating in BrisbaneStarring the 4BC PlayersSupport the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: JL, supporting the podcast since November 2020Support 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 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesBecome one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.