T H E A D V E N T U R E S O F P H I L I P M A R L O W E
----- ------------------- --- ----------- -------------
1947 - 1951
First Show: Jun 17, 1947 (NBC) Last Show: Sep 15, 1951 (CBS)
Number Shows: NBC - 14 Audition Show: Jun 12, 1947
CBS - 114
Series Description:
The first portrayal of Phillip Marlowe on the radio was by Dick
Powell, when he played Raymond Chandler's detective on the Lux Radio
Theater on June 11, 1945. This was a radio adaptation of the 1944
movie, from RKO, in which Mr. Powell played the lead.
Two years later, Van Heflin starred as Marlowe in a summer replace-
ment series for the Bob Hope Show on NBC. This series ran for 13
shows.
On September 26, 1948, Gerald Mohr became the third radio Marlowe,
this time on CBS. It remained a CBS show through its last show in
1951. In the April 11, 1950 show, "The Anniversary Gift", William
Conrad substituted for Mr. Mohr, becoming the fourth person to play
the detective.
The CBS version opens with Marlowe saying, "Get this and get it
straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up
in the gutter, the prison or the grave." Unlike the Sam Spade or
Richard Diamond radio series, there's no "cuteness" here. Only a
tough-nosed private eye doing a tough job.
The CBS series ran for two seasons, from September 26, 1948 through
September 29, 1950. It aired Sunday evening from September 26, 1948
through December 26, 1948. Starting January 8, 1949, it aired
Saturdays through January 28, 1950. On Feburary 7, 1950, it changed
broadcast days to Tuesday for the end of the regular season on June 6,
1950. It enjoyed a Summer run on Wednesdays from Jun 14, 1950 through
September 29, 1950. The series was revived in the Summer of 1951,
from July 7, 1951 through September 15, 1951 as areplacement for
HOPALONG CASSIDY.
Log Comments:
Only Radio Memories, Great American Radio and Jerry Haendiges'
catalogs mentioned show numbers. They agreed until number 44.
According to the Radio Memories and Jerry Haendiges, there is no show
on 07-30-49 and the series has only 103 shows. Great American lists
104 shows. This list assumes 103 shows. I found only 4 NBC shows in
all the catalogs I have.
Jerry's listing also included show titles that are missing. I've
included them here. They can be identified by lack of information
in the "SRC KEY" field.
NBC Chronological Log:
Date Day Num Title Avail
------------ --- --- -------------------------------- -----
Jun 12, 1947 Thu Aud "Who Shot Waldo" yes
Jun 17, 1947 Tue 1 "Red Wing" (First show) yes
Jun 24, 1947 Tue 2 ... title not known ...
Jul 01, 1947 Tue 3 ... title not known ...
Jul 08, 1947 Tue 4 "The King In Yellow" yes
Jul 15, 1947 Tue 5 ... title not known ...
Jul 22, 1947 Tue 6 ... title not known ...
Jul 29, 1947 Tue 7 ... title not known ...
Aug 05, 1947 Tue 8 "Trouble In High Places" yes
Alt: "Trouble is My Business"
Aug 12, 1947 Tue 9 ... title not known ...
Aug 19, 1947 Tue 10 ... title not known ...
Aug 26, 1947 Tue 11 ... title not known ...
Sep 02, 1947 Tue 12 ... title not known ...
Sep 09, 1947 Tue 13 ... title not known ...
CBS Chronological Log:
Date Day Num Title Avail
------------ --- --- -------------------------------- -----
Sep 26, 1948 Sun 1 "Red Wind" yes
Oct 03, 1948 Sun 2 "The Persian Slippers" yes
Oct 10, 1948 Sun 3 "The Panama Hat" yes
Oct 17, 1948 Sun 4 "Where There's A Will" yes
Oct 24, 1948 Sun 5 "The Heart Of Gold" yes
Oct 31, 1948 Sun 6 "The Blue Burgonet"
Nov 07, 1948 Sun 7 "The Flaming Angel"
Nov 14, 1948 Sun 8 "The Silent Partner"
Nov 21, 1948 Sun 9 "The Perfect Secretary"
Nov 28, 1948 Sun 10 "The Hard Way Out" yes
Dec 05, 1948 Sun 11 "The Unhappy Medium"
Dec 12, 1948 Sun 12 "The Jade Teardrop"
Dec 19, 1948 Sun 13 "The Three Wiseguys"
Dec 26, 1948 Sun 14 "The Old Acquaintance" yes
Jan 08, 1949 Sat 15 "The Restless Day" yes
Jan 15, 1949 Sat 16 "The Black Halo" yes
Jan 22, 1949 Sat 17 "The Orange Dog" yes
Jan 29, 1949 Sat 18 "The Easy Mark"
??? ??, 1949 Rehersal: "The Long Rope" yes
Feb 05, 1949 Sat 19 "The Long Rope"
Feb 12, 1949 Sat 20 "The Lonesome Reunion" yes
Feb 19, 1949 Sat 21 "The Flying Trapeze"
Feb 26, 1949 Sat 22 "The Big Mistake"
Mar 05, 1949 Sat 23 "The Friend From Detroit" yes
Mar 12, 1949 Sat 24 "The Grim Hunters" yes
Mar 19, 1949 Sat 25 "The Dancing Hands" yes
Mar 26, 1949 Sat 26 "The Green Flame" yes
Apr 02, 1949 Sat 27 "The Last Laugh" yes
Apr 09, 1949 Sat 28 "The Name To Remember" yes
Apr 16, 1949 Sat 29 "The Heat Wave" yes
Apr 23, 1949 Sat 30 "The Cloak Of Kamehameha" yes
Apr 30, 1949 Sat 31 "Lady In Mink" yes
May 07, 1949 Sat 32 "The Feminine Touch" yes
May 14, 1949 Sat 33 "The Promise To Pay" yes
May 21, 1949 Sat 34 "Night Tide" yes
May 28, 1949 Sat 35 "The Ebony Link" yes
Jun 04, 1949 Sat 36 "The Unfair Lady" yes
Jun 11, 1949 Sat 37 "The Pigeon's Blood" yes
Jun 18, 1949 Sat 38 "The Busy Body" yes
Jun 25, 1949 Sat 39 "The Key Man" yes
Jul 02, 1949 Sat 40 "The Dude From Manhattan" yes
Jul 09, 1949 Sat 41 "The Quiet Number" yes
Jul 16, 1949 Sat 42 "The Headless Peacock" yes
Jul 23, 1949 Sat ... pre-empted ...
Jul 30, 1949 Sat 43 "The Mexican Boat Race" yes
Aug 06, 1949 Sat 44 "The August Lion" yes
Aug 13, 1949 Sat 45 "The Indian Giver" yes
Aug 20, 1949 Sat 46 "The Lady Killer" yes
Aug 27, 1949 Sat 47 "The Eager Witness" yes
Sep 03, 1949 Sat 48 "The Bum's Rush" yes
Sep 10, 1949 Sat 49 "Ruston Hickory" yes
Sep 17, 1949 Sat 50 "The Baton Sinister" yes
Sep 24, 1949 Sat 51 "The Fatted Calf" yes
Oct 01, 1949 Sat 52 "Tale Of The Mermaid" yes
Oct 08, 1949 Sat 53 "The Open Window" yes
Oct 15, 1949 Sat 54 "The Strange Bed"
Oct 22, 1949 Sat 55 "The Smokeout"
Oct 29, 1949 Sat 56 "The Green Witch"
Nov 05, 1949 Sat 57 "The Fine Italian Hand"
Nov 12, 1949 Sat 58 "The Gorgeous Lyre"
Nov 19, 1949 Sat 59 "The Sweet Thing"
Nov 26, 1949 Sat 60 "Birds on the Wing" yes
Dec 03, 1949 Sat 61 "Kid On The Corner" yes
Dec 10, 1949 Sat 62 "The Little Wishbone"
Dec 17, 1949 Sat 63 "The Lowest Bid"
Dec 24, 1949 Sat 64 "Carlo's Christmas"
Dec 31, 1949 Sat 65 "The House That Jacqueline Built"
Jan 07, 1950 Sat 66 "The Torch Carriers" yes
Jan 14, 1950 Sat 67 "The Covered Bridge" yes
Jan 21, 1950 Sat 68 "The Bid For Freedom" yes
Jan 28, 1950 Sat 69 "The Hairpin Turn" yes
Feb 07, 1950 Tue 70 "The Long Arm" yes
Feb 14, 1950 Tue 71 "The Grim Echo" yes
Feb 21, 1950 Tue 72 "The Ladies Night" yes
Feb 28, 1950 Tue 73 "The Big Step" yes
Mar 07, 1950 Tue 74 "The Monkey's Uncle" yes
Mar 14, 1950 Tue 75 "The Vital Statistic" yes
Mar 21, 1950 Tue 76 "The Deep Shadow" yes
Mar 28, 1950 Tue 77 "The Sword Of Cebu" yes
Apr 04, 1950 Tue 78 "The Man On The Roof" yes
Apr 11, 1950 Tue 79 "The Anniversary Gift" yes
Apr 18, 1950 Tue 80 "The Angry Eagle" yes
Apr 25, 1950 Tue 81 "The High Collared Cape" yes
May 02, 1950 Tue 82 "The Sea Horse Jockey" yes
May 09, 1950 Tue 83 "The Hiding Place" yes
May 16, 1950 Tue 84 "The Cloak Of Kamehameha" yes
May 23, 1950 Tue 85 "The Fox's Tail" yes
May 30, 1950 Tue 86 "The Bedside Manner" yes
Jun 06, 1950 Tue 87 "The Uneasy Head" yes
Jun 14, 1950 Wed 88 "Face To Forget" yes
Jun 21, 1950 Wed 89 "The Gold Cobra" yes
Jun 28, 1950 Wed 90 "The Pelican's Roost" yes
Jul 05, 1950 Wed 91 "Girl From Pitchfork Corners" yes
Jul 12, 1950 Wed 92 "The Iron Coffin" yes
Jul 19, 1950 Wed 93 "The Last Wish" yes
... Summer Series ...
Jul 28, 1950 Fri 94 "The Glass Monkey" yes
Aug 04, 1950 Fri 95 "The Parrot's Bed" yes
Aug 11, 1950 Fri 96 "The Quiet Magpie" yes
Aug 18, 1950 Fri 97 "The Dark Tunnel" yes
Aug 25, 1950 Fri 98 "The Collectors Item" yes
Sep 01, 1950 Fri 99 "The Soft Spot" yes
Sep 08, 1950 Fri 100 "The Fifth Mask" yes
Sep 15, 1950 Fri 101 "The Final Payment" yes
Sep 22, 1950 Fri 102 "The White Carnation" yes
Sep 29, 1950 Fri 103 "The Big Book" yes
... Summer Series ...
Jul 07, 1951 Sat 1 "Seaside Sabbatical" yes
Jul 14, 1951 Sat 2 "The Dear Dead Days" yes
Jul 21, 1951 Sat 3 "Life Can Be Murder" yes
Jul 28, 1951 Sat 4 "Good Neighbor Policy" yes
Aug 04, 1951 Sat 5 "The Long Way Home" yes
Aug 11, 1951 Sat 6 "Friday's Child"
Aug 18, 1951 Sat 7 "Young Man's Fancy" yes
Aug 25, 1951 Sat 8 "Heir For G-String"
??? ??, 1951 Rehersal: "Nether Nether Land" yes
Sep 01, 1951 Sat 9 "Nether Nether Land" yes
Sep 08, 1951 Sat 10 "The Medium Was Rare" yes
Sep 15, 1951 Sat 11 "Sound and the Unsound" yes
(last show)
Alphabetical Listing:
This listing combines the CBS broadcasts and known NBC titles. The
"Net" column (for Network) identifies the originating network. Shows
from the final CBS Summer series will have an "S" before the series
number.
Title Net Date Num
-------------------------------- --- ------------ ---
Angry Eagle, The CBS Apr 18, 1950 80
Anniversary Gift, The CBS Apr 11, 1950 79
August Lion, The CBS Aug 06, 1949 44
Baton Sinister, The CBS Sep 17, 1949 50
Bedside Manner, The CBS May 30, 1950 86
Bid For Freedom, The CBS Jan 21, 1950 68
Big Book, The CBS Sep 29, 1950 103
Big Mistake, The CBS Feb 26, 1949 22
Big Step, The CBS Feb 28, 1950 73
Birds on the Wing CBS Nov 26, 1949 60
Black Halo, The CBS Jan 15, 1949 16
Blue Burgonet, The CBS Oct 31, 1948 6
Bum's Rush, The CBS Sep 03, 1949 48
Busy Body, The CBS Jun 18, 1949 38
Carlo's Christmas CBS Dec 24, 1949 64
Cloak Of Kamehameha, The CBS Apr 23, 1949 30
Cloak Of Kamehameha, The CBS May 16, 1950 84
Collectors Item, The CBS Aug 25, 1950 98
Covered Bridge, The CBS Jan 14, 1950 67
Dancing Hands, The CBS Mar 19, 1949 25
Dark Tunnel, The CBS Aug 18, 1950 97
Dear Dead Days, The CBS Jul 14, 1951 S02
Deep Shadow, The CBS Mar 21, 1950 76
Dude From Manhattan, The CBS Jul 02, 1949 40
Eager Witness, The CBS Aug 27, 1949 47
Easy Mark, The CBS Jan 29, 1949 18
Ebony Link, The CBS May 28, 1949 35
Face To Forget CBS Jun 14, 1950 88
Fatted Calf, The CBS Sep 24, 1949 51
Feminine Touch, The CBS May 07, 1949 32
Fifth Mask, The CBS Sep 08, 1950 100
Final Payment, The CBS Sep 15, 1950 101
Fine Italian Hand, The CBS Nov 05, 1949 57
Flaming Angel, The CBS Nov 07, 1948 7
Flying Trapeze, The CBS Feb 19, 1949 21
Fox's Tail, The CBS May 23, 1950 85
Friday's Child CBS Aug 11, 1951 S06
Friend From Detroit, The CBS Mar 05, 1949 23
Girl From Pitchfork Corners CBS Jul 05, 1950 91
Glass Monkey, The CBS Jul 28, 1950 94
Gold Cobra, The CBS Jun 21, 1950 89
Good Neighbor Policy CBS Jul 28, 1951 S04
Gorgeous Lyre, The CBS Nov 12, 1949 58
Green Flame, The CBS Mar 26, 1949 26
Green Witch, The CBS Oct 29, 1949 56
Grim Echo, The CBS Feb 14, 1950 71
Grim Hunters, The CBS Mar 12, 1949 24
Hairpin Turn, The CBS Jan 28, 1950 69
Hard Way Out, The CBS Nov 28, 1948 10
Headless Peacock, The CBS Jul 16, 1949 42
Heart Of Gold, The CBS Oct 24, 1948 5
Heat Wave, The CBS Apr 16, 1949 29
Heir For G-String CBS Aug 25, 1951 S08
Hiding Place, The CBS May 09, 1950 83
High Collared Cape, The CBS Apr 25, 1950 81
House That Jacqueline Built, The CBS Dec 31, 1949 65
Indian Giver, The CBS Aug 13, 1949 45
Iron Coffin, The CBS Jul 12, 1950 92
Jade Teardrop, The CBS Dec 12, 1948 12
Key Man, The CBS Jun 25, 1949 39
Kid On The Corner CBS Dec 03, 1949 61
King In Yellow, The NBC Jul 08, 1947 4
Ladies Night, The CBS Feb 21, 1950 72
Lady In Mink CBS Apr 30, 1949 31
Lady Killer, The CBS Aug 20, 1949 46
Last Laugh, The CBS Apr 02, 1949 27
Last Wish, The CBS Jul 19, 1950 93
Life Can Be Murder CBS Jul 21, 1951 S03
Little Wishbone, The CBS Dec 10, 1949 62
Lonesome Reunion, The CBS Feb 12, 1949 20
Long Arm, The CBS Feb 07, 1950 70
Long Rope, The CBS Feb 05, 1949 19
Long Way Home, The CBS Aug 04, 1951 S05
Lowest Bid, The CBS Dec 17, 1949 63
Man On The Roof, The CBS Apr 04, 1950 78
Medium Was Rare, The CBS Sep 08, 1951 S10
Mexican Boat Race, The CBS Jul 30, 1949 43
Monkey's Uncle, The CBS Mar 07, 1950 74
Name To Remember, The CBS Apr 09, 1949 28
Nether Nether Land CBS Sep 01, 1951 S09
Night Tide CBS May 21, 1949 34
Old Acquaintance, The CBS Dec 26, 1948 14
Open Window, The CBS Oct 08, 1949 53
Orange Dog, The CBS Jan 22, 1949 17
Panama Hat, The CBS Oct 10, 1948 3
Parrot's Bed, The CBS Aug 04, 1950 95
Pelican's Roost, The CBS Jun 28, 1950 90
Perfect Secretary, The CBS Nov 21, 1948 9
Persian Slippers, The CBS Oct 03, 1948 2
Pigeon's Blood, The CBS Jun 11, 1949 37
Promise To Pay, The CBS May 14, 1949 33
Quiet Magpie, The CBS Aug 11, 1950 96
Quiet Number, The CBS Jul 09, 1949 41
Red Wind CBS Sep 26, 1948 1
Red Wing NBC Jun 17, 1947 1
Restless Day, The CBS Jan 08, 1949 15
Ruston Hickory CBS Sep 10, 1949 49
Sea Horse Jockey, The CBS May 02, 1950 82
Seaside Sabbatical CBS Jul 07, 1951 S01
Silent Partner, The CBS Nov 14, 1948 8
Smokeout, The CBS Oct 22, 1949 55
Soft Spot, The CBS Sep 01, 1950 99
Sound and the Unsound CBS Sep 15, 1951 S11
Strange Bed, The CBS Oct 15, 1949 54
Sweet Thing, The CBS Nov 19, 1949 59
Sword Of Cebu, The CBS Mar 28, 1950 77
Tale Of The Mermaid CBS Oct 01, 1949 52
Three Wiseguys, The CBS Dec 19, 1948 13
Torch Carriers, The CBS Jan 07, 1950 66
Trouble In High Places NBC Aug 05, 1947 8
Trouble is My Business NBC Aug 05, 1947 8
Uneasy Head, The CBS Jun 06, 1950 87
Unfair Lady, The CBS Jun 04, 1949 36
Unhappy Medium, The CBS Dec 05, 1948 11
Vital Statistic, The CBS Mar 14, 1950 75
Where There's A Will CBS Oct 17, 1948 4
White Carnation, The CBS Sep 22, 1950 102
Who Shot Waldo NBC Jun 12, 1947 Aud
Young Man's Fancy CBS Aug 18, 1951 S07
Additional:
Besides the Philip Marlowe shows on US radio, Raymond Chandler's
character also appeared in the UK. The BBC aired five adaptations of
Mr. Chandler's novels between 1977 and 1978 and a sixth in 1988.
A list of shows and broadcast dates is below. See my log, "The BBC
Presents: Phillip Marlowe" for more details.
Date Title
------------ -----------------------
Sep 26, 1977 "The Big Sleep"
Oct 17, 1977 "The High Window"
Nov 07, 1977 "The Lady In The Lake"
Dec 05, 1977 "The Little Sister"
Jan 16, 1979 "The Long Goodbye"
Sep 23, 1988 "Farewell My Lovely"
References:
* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
* OTR club and vendor catalogs or web sites:
* Edward J. Carr, 216 Shaner Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
* 'Hello Again, Radio', 10280 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
* Jerry Haendiges Productions, Jerry Haendiges, 13808 Sunset Dr.,
Whittier, CA 90602
* Radio Showcase, Steve Kelez, PO Box 4357, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
* Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And
Comedy, PO Box 7177, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7177
* Radio Historical Association of Colorado, PO Box 1908,
Englewood, CO 80150
* North American Radio Archives, 134 Vincewood Dr., Nicolasville,
KY 40356
* Erstwhile Radio, PO Box 2284, Peabody, MA 01960
* Radio Memories, Ted Davenport, 1600 Wewoka St., North Little
Rock, AR 72116
* Great American Radio, Gary Kramer, PO Box 504, Genesee, MI 48437
* Vintage Broadcasts, Andy Blatt, PO Box 50065, Staten Island, NY
10305
Other Logs or Books:
* PHILIP MARLOWE log, Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
* PHILIP MARLOWE log, Jerry Haendiges Productions, 13808 Sunset Dr.,
Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com).
* PHILIP MARLOWE log, Audio Classics Archive, Terry Salomonson, P.O.
Box 347, Howell, MI 48844-0347 (http://www.audio-classics.com)
Last Update: May 20, 2004
This log is informational only. It does not imply that I or my
references have these shows for trade or sale. The shows may still
be protected under copyright law and should be obtained only from
authorized dealers.
The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).