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THE BIG TRUNK and THE BIG CUT DRAGNET

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Release Date: 04/17/2026

A TIME TO KILL and A MOTIVE FOR MURDER     BARRIE CRAIG, CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR show art A TIME TO KILL and A MOTIVE FOR MURDER BARRIE CRAIG, CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

William Gargon starred as Barrie Craig, Private Investigator in the popular NBC radio drama which aired from 1951 to 1955. He was a little more laid back than Sam Spade and some of the others, but the cases he took on were tough. His office was on Madison Ave.

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A VERY ODD JOB and DIARY OF DEATH   BARRIE CRAIG CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR show art A VERY ODD JOB and DIARY OF DEATH BARRIE CRAIG CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

William Gargon starred as Barrie Craig, Private Investigator in the popular NBC radio drama which aired from 1951 to 1955. He was a little more laid back than Sam Spade and some of the others, but the cases he took on were tough. His office was on Madison Ave.

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DEATH OF A PRIVATE EYE and MURDER ISLAND    BARRIE CRAIG, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR show art DEATH OF A PRIVATE EYE and MURDER ISLAND BARRIE CRAIG, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

William Gargon starred as Barrie Craig, Private Investigator in the popular NBC radio drama which aired from 1951 to 1955. He was a little more laid back than Sam Spade and some of the others, but the cases he took on were tough. His office was on Madison Ave.

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FOR LOVE OF MURDER and BARGAIN DEATH BASEMENT    BARRIE CRAIG CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR show art FOR LOVE OF MURDER and BARGAIN DEATH BASEMENT BARRIE CRAIG CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

🎙️ SHOW NOTES — “For Love of Murder” A Crime Fueled by Passion, Secrets, and a Dangerous Obsession In “For Love of Murder,” Barrie Craig steps into a case where emotions run hotter than the facts. What begins as a simple inquiry quickly turns into a tangle of jealousy, hidden relationships, and a love affair that has spiraled into something far darker. Craig finds himself navigating a world where every suspect has a motive, and every motive is tied to the same volatile mix of desire and desperation. As he interviews the players involved, he uncovers lies told to protect...

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STAMPED FOR MURDER and  THE WELL-WORN CUFF   THE NEW ADVENTURES OF NERO WOLFE show art STAMPED FOR MURDER and THE WELL-WORN CUFF THE NEW ADVENTURES OF NERO WOLFE

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe is a 1950-1951 radio drama series starring Sydney Greenstreet as Rex Stout's fictional armchair detective Nero Wolfe. The series was unique in that it stressed characterization over plot. It was well written and well-produced.

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THE PURSUIT ON LINDY ISLAND and  PURSUIT OF THE FIREBIRD    PURSUIT CBS RADIO show art THE PURSUIT ON LINDY ISLAND and PURSUIT OF THE FIREBIRD PURSUIT CBS RADIO

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

PURSUIT (CBS 1949 - 1952) was a detective series that presented the cases of the fictional Scotland Yard Inspector Peter Black. The Inspector was a dedicated policeman, a man hunter, who once on the case, would not rest until the wrongdoer was brought to justice. Black was assisted in cases by Sgt. Moffet. The series was unusual in that it featured dual narration. Starting in the Spring of 1950, Bill Johnstone provided the opening and closing narrations and sometimes, bridges between commercials. Inspector

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THE OVERTURE CAPER and THE APPLE OF EVE   THE ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE show art THE OVERTURE CAPER and THE APPLE OF EVE THE ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

🎙️ SHOW NOTES — 1001 Radio Crime Solvers The Adventures of Sam Spade: “The Overture Caper” A Missing Musician, a Strange Request, and a Case That Hits All the Wrong Notes In “The Overture Caper,” Sam Spade is pulled into a case that begins with a simple request from a worried client — find a missing musician who vanished just before a major performance. But the moment Spade starts asking questions, he discovers that the world of music has its own brand of backstage intrigue. What should have been a routine missing‑person job quickly turns into a tangle of jealous rivals,...

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MURDER IS A FAMILY AFFAIR and MURDER IS A BAD BLUFF   ADVENTURES OF THE FALCON show art MURDER IS A FAMILY AFFAIR and MURDER IS A BAD BLUFF ADVENTURES OF THE FALCON

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

The Falcon radio series premiered on the Blue Network on April 10, 1943. Some 70 episodes were produced between 1943 and 1954. Beginning in the late 1930's three very popular novels popularized the character called The Falcon- who was really an investigator named Michael Waring. The Falcon was also the hero in three movies in the 40's- so the character was well established before it hit radio.

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THE BIG TRUNK and THE BIG CUT   DRAGNET show art THE BIG TRUNK and THE BIG CUT DRAGNET

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Show Notes — Dragnet Episode: “The Big Trunk” Tone: Methodical police work, quiet tension, classic procedural realism Summary: Friday and Romero are assigned to a case that begins with a routine warehouse burglary and quickly escalates into something far more serious. A stolen trunk turns up containing evidence that points to a larger criminal operation—one involving interstate theft, forged identities, and suspects who are far more organized than the average smash‑and‑grab crew. As the detectives follow the trail, they encounter reluctant witnesses, misleading leads, and a suspect...

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MISSING SPARKLER and PAM TAKES A MESSAGE   MR. ND MRS NORTH show art MISSING SPARKLER and PAM TAKES A MESSAGE MR. ND MRS NORTH

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Here are polished, atmospheric, spoiler‑safe show notes summaries for the two Mr. and Mrs. North episodes — “The Sparkler” and “Pam Takes a Message” — written in the same clean, narrative-forward style you’ve been using for your classic radio series collections. 🎙️ Show Notes — Mr. and Mrs. North Episode: “The Sparkler” Tone: Light domestic comedy meets sharp mystery Summary: When a valuable diamond known as “The Sparkler” goes missing under baffling circumstances, Pam and Jerry North find themselves drawn into a case where glamour, greed, and misdirection...

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Show Notes — Dragnet
Episode: “The Big Trunk”
Tone: Methodical police work, quiet tension, classic procedural realism
Summary:
Friday and Romero are assigned to a case that begins with a routine warehouse burglary and quickly escalates into something far more serious. A stolen trunk turns up containing evidence that points to a larger criminal operation—one involving interstate theft, forged identities, and suspects who are far more organized than the average smash‑and‑grab crew.
As the detectives follow the trail, they encounter reluctant witnesses, misleading leads, and a suspect list that keeps shifting as new information surfaces. Piece by piece, Friday and Romero reconstruct the movements of the trunk and the people connected to it, revealing a scheme that relies on precision, timing, and the assumption that no one will look too closely.
The case builds steadily toward a tense confrontation as the detectives close in on the individuals who thought they could hide their crimes inside a battered piece of luggage.
Why It Works:
•     A classic example of Dragnet’s step‑by‑step investigative style
•     Strong emphasis on evidence, interviews, and procedural detail
•     A mystery that grows in scope as each clue is uncovered

🎙️ Show Notes — Dragnet
Episode: “The Big Cut”
Tone: Hard-edged, emotionally grounded, focused on motive and consequence
Summary:
Friday and Smith are called in when a man is found badly injured under circumstances that don’t add up. What initially appears to be a simple assault case soon reveals deeper tensions—personal grudges, financial pressures, and a suspect who may be far more dangerous than anyone first realized.
As the detectives work through conflicting statements and evasive witnesses, they uncover a pattern of behavior that points toward a calculated act rather than a moment of anger. The investigation forces Friday and Smith to navigate a web of strained relationships and hidden resentments, each clue tightening the focus on a suspect who believes he’s covered his tracks.
The case builds toward a stark, matter‑of‑fact resolution that underscores Dragnet’s signature theme: crime leaves consequences, and the truth emerges through patient, persistent police work.
Why It Works:
•     Strong character-driven investigation
•     A grounded look at how personal motives fuel violent crime
•     Dragnet’s trademark blend of tension and procedural clarity

This series was broadcasted from June 3, 1949 to February 26, 1957 on NBC at various times and days, starring Dragnet starred Jack Webb as Detective Sergeant Joe Friday. Various partners throughout the show's run were Sergeant Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough), Ed Jacobs (Barney Phillips), and Officer Frank Smith (Ben Alexander). Webb was the creator/Director of the series and wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, down to the last sound effect. The stories were based on actual police files and "the names were changed to protect the innocent".

Dragnet broke a few radio taboos as well, such as dramatizing sex crimes. Children also were killed on occasion as in the episode "Twenty-Two Rifle For Christmas". The series eventually went to television and ran there for many years. The familiar DUM DE DUM DUM, the first four notes of the opening theme composed by Walter Schumann, became a pop culture legend and was forever associated with Dragnet.