Radio Anthology Series
(1944-46, AFRS)
MYSTERY PLAYHOUSE was a radio anthology series of reruns (and possibly a few original) crime dramas.
The show aired on the American Forces Network from July 1944 to June 1946, specifically for the purpose of entertaining the troops serving during the war.
Because it was mostly repeats, the producers had the pick of some of the very best shows available, stripped of their commercials, and with new introductions by the show’s host, Peter Lorre, who offered tongue-in-cheek intros that frequently began with a cheery “Hello… creeps.”
Among the shows it rebroadcast were episodes of Mollé Mystery Theatre, The Whistler, Mr. and Mrs. North, Sam Spade, Inner Sanctum Mystery, and The Adventures of Nero Wolfe.
NOTABLE EPISODES
-
- “LADY IN THE MORGUE”
Based on the novel by Jonathan Latimer
Featuring Bill Crane
Re-broadcast from Mollé Mystery Theater - “THE LAST LAUGH MURDER”
Featuring Nero Wolfe
Re-broadcast from Mollé Mystery Theater - “MURDER IN RECORD SHOP”
Featuring The Thin Man - “NORA’S NIGHT OUT (Part One)”
Featuring The Thin Man - “NORA’S NIGHT OUT (Part Two)”
Featuring The Thin Man - “THE GIRL THAT CAME BACK”
- Featuring Philo Vance
- “CRIME REUNION”
Featuring Flashgun Casey - “THE CALCUTTA TRUNK CAPER”
- Featuring Sam Spade
- “LADY IN THE MORGUE”
Preliminary report respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
Â