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, that 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.
