Christmas Eyes on Old Time Radio
Almost as ubitquious as private eyes on old time radio was the ubitquious and seemingly obligatory very special “Christmas” episodes, usually (but not always) a toned down, more family-friendly episode than the usual fare. They usually ended with an upbeat message, very earnest seasonal salutations to listeners and maybe, just maybe–URK!–a Christmas song sung by the cast.
Here are the ones I’ve been able to track down:
- “Nick Carter’s Christmas Adventure”
Nick Carter, Master Detective
(December 25, 1943, Mutual) - “The Iron Box”
New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
(December 31, 1945, AFRS) - “Christmas Shopping”
Casey, Crime Photographer
(December 19, 1946, CBS) - “The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus”
The Incomparable Charlie Chan
(1946, ABC) - “The Adventure of the Christmas Bride”
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
(December 21, 1947, Mutual) - “Where Oh Where Has My Mary Gone?”
Boston Blackie
(December 24, 1947 NBCB) - “New Year’s Eve Off Scilly Isles”
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
(December 28, 1947, Mutual) - “Hot New Year’s Party”
Casey Crime Photographer
(January 1, 1948, CBS) - “Stolen Rings At Christmas”
Boston Blackie
(December 22, 1948, NBCB) - “Follow That Train”
Let George Do It
(December 19, 1949, Mutual) - “How I Played Santa Claus”
(aka “The Department Store Swindle Matter”)
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
(December 24, 1949, CBS) - “A Christmas Carol”
Richard Diamond
(December 24, 1949, NBC) - “The Slaughtered Santas”
The New Adventures Of Nero Wolfe
(December 22, 1950, NBC) - “Santa Claus Is No Saint”
The Saint
(December 24, 1950, NBC) - “Santa Claus in Glass”
Let George Do It
(December 25, 1950, Mutual) - “Christmas In January”
Let George Do It
(January 29, 1951)
- “Five Days Off for Christmas”
Night Beat
(December 21, 1951, NBC) - “A Christmas Carol”
Richard Diamond
(December 21, 1951, NBC) - “The Plot To Murder Santa Claus”
Rocky Fortune
(December 22, 1953, NBC) - The Five Days of Christmas Matter
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar)
(December 19-23, 1955, CBS) - “The Missing Mouse Matter”
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
(December 23, 1956, CBS) - “Out Of Jail For Christmas
Danger With Granger
(December 1956, Mutual) - “The Carmen Kringle Matter”
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
(December 22, 1957)
RELATED LINKS
Deck the Mean Streets with Boughs of Holly
Christmas Eyes
My Scrapbook: A Seasonal Greeting Card from the Charleses
MGM publicity still for the release of Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
Dark Christmas: 7 Noir Holidays Films
Blogger Jake Hinkson is dreaming of a black Christmas.
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith. And I just wanted to say Merry Christmas & all that, to all the contributors and supporters of Thrilling Detective over the years, and how appreciated it’s been. You guys have kept me going. And a big holiday hug especially to Gerald and Victoria.
