N I G H T B E A T ----------------- 1949 - 1952 First Show Date: Feb 06, 1950 Last Show Date: Sep 25, 1952 Number of Shows: 111 plus Audition Shows: May 19, 1949 5 specials Jan 13, 1950 Series Description: NIGHTBEAT was a 1950 NBC adventure series in which Frank Lovejoy played the part of Randy Stone, top reported for "The Chicago Star" newspaper. Randy's Nightbeat assignment sent him to the streets of Chicago looking for human interest stories and any chance of exposing criminals. Randy's ability to "get involved" created a half-hour of intriguing drama always closing with Stone's crisp call, "Copy boy!". NIGHTBEAT was produced and directed by Warren Lewis. Supporting roles were portrayed by Lorain Tuttle, Joan Banks, Herb Butterfield and Peter Leeds. The series was unsponsored, except for brief times by Wheaties and Pabst. As mentioned in Mr. Dunning's "On The Air", (see "References"), NIGHTBEAT was "a superior series that focused as much on people as predicament". The stories were varied, covering crimes and human interest, but were always dramatic. Quality radio, not to be missed. Log Comments: The log shows 2 auditions, 2 series, 5 special shows and shows for which the broadcast dates are not known. Four of the special shows were re-broadcasts of shows on different days, possible to develop interest in the new series. These shows are identified with "Sn" (n = number) in the "Num" column. Jay Hickerson's "Ultimate Guide" (see "References") indicates there were 111 shows, while Jerry Haendiges's log says 112. This may be due to counting the special of 03-04-51. I count this one as "S5", the fifth special and list 111 possible series shows. Many catalogs had differing titles. The most common is used first. Others are listed below the main title, preceded by "Alt:". Chronological Log: Date Day Num Title Avail ------------ --- --- --------------------------------------- ----- May 19, 1949 Thu Aud Ted Carter Murder Case (Audition) yes stars Edmund O'Brien Jan 13, 1950 Fri Aud Ted Carter Murder Case (Audition) yes stars Frank Lovejoy Alt: The Elevator Caper Alt: Little Boy Blue Series 1 --------------------------------------- Feb 06, 1950 Mon 1 Zero yes Alt: An Untimely Death Feb 13, 1950 Mon 2 The Night Is A Weapon yes Alt: Dark Torment Feb 20, 1950 Mon 3 A World All His Own yes Alt: She Who Laughs Last Feb 27, 1950 Mon 4 The Girl In The Park yes Alt: I Die, You Die Mar 06, 1950 Mon 5 Number Thirteen yes Alt: The Professor's System Mar 13, 1950 Mon 6 Am I My Brothers Keeper? yes Alt: I Smell A Rat Mar 20, 1950 Mon 7 Be Dead yes Alt: Man Who Claimed To Be Dead Mar 27, 1950 Mon 8 Flowers On The Water yes Apr 09, 1950 Sun S1 The Night Is A Weapon (Repeat) yes Apr 03, 1950 Mon 9 ... title not known ... Apr 10, 1950 Mon 10 I Know Your Secret yes Apr 16, 1950 Sun S2 A World All His Own (Repeat) yes Apr 17, 1950 Mon 11 Tong War yes Alt: Dead Silence in Chinatown Apr 23, 1950 Sun S3 The Girl In The Park (Repeat) yes Apr 24, 1950 Mon 12 ... title not known ... Apr 30, 1950 Sun S4 Am I My Brothers Keeper? (Repeat) yes May 01, 1950 Mon 13 Metallo, The Mental Marvel yes Alt: The Great Mentalo's Torment May 08, 1950 Mon 14 The Elevator Caper yes Repeat of audition show May 15, 1950 Mon 15 The Night Watchman yes Alt: The Fire Bug May 22, 1950 Mon 16 I Wish You Were Dead yes May 29, 1950 Mon 17 Harland Mathews, Stamp Dealer yes Jun 05, 1950 Mon 18 The Girl from Kansas yes Jun 12, 1950 Mon 19 The Football Player and The yes Syndicate Jun 19, 1950 Mon 20 Vincent And the Painter yes Jun 26, 1950 Mon 21 Jimmy And Gus Reed yes Alt: The Juvenile Gangsters Jul 03, 1950 Mon 22 Loraine Adams Execution yes Alt: Marty Jul 10, 1950 Mon 23 Old King Death yes Alt: 'Twill Be the Death of Me Jul 17, 1950 Mon 24 Molly Keller yes Jul 24, 1950 Mon 25 The Devil's Bible yes Jul 31, 1950 Mon 26 City At Your Fingertips yes Alt: Star-Crossed Love Aug 07, 1950 Mon 27 Pop, The Blind Musician yes Alt: Old Blind Pop Aug 14, 1950 Mon 28 Gunner's Last Fight yes Aug 21, 1950 Mon 29 The Doctor's Secret yes Aug 28, 1950 Mon 30 ... title not known ... Sep 04, 1950 Mon 31 Old Home Week yes Sep 11, 1950 Mon 32 The Hunted Becomes the Hunter yes Sep 18, 1950 Mon 33 Wanna Buy a Story? yes Sep 25, 1950 Mon 34 A Case of Butter yes Oct 06, 1950 Fri 35 Kenny Day, Amensia Case yes Oct 13, 1950 Fri 36 Pearce And Family yes Alt: Inar Pierce and Family Oct 20, 1950 Fri 37 Judge Arnold's Daughter yes Oct 27, 1950 Fri 38 The Doctor's Daughter yes Nov 03, 1950 Fri 39 The Black Cat yes Nov 10, 1950 Fri 40 The Slasher yes (last show of first series) Special ------------------------------------ Mar 04, 1951 Sun S5 Big John McMasters yes Special broadcast Series 2 ------------------------------------ May 18, 1951 Fri 41 Julie, The Jukebox Girl yes 1st show of new series Alt: George Loves Julie Alt: Jukebox Romance Alt: The Big Lie May 25, 1951 Fri 42 Fear yes Jun 01, 1951 Fri 43 The Will of Mrs. Orloff yes Jun 08, 1951 Fri 44 The Search for Fred yes Jun 15, 1951 Fri 45 Otto, The Music Man yes Alt: Old Baldy Jun 22, 1951 Fri 46 Sanctuary yes Jun 29, 1951 Fri 47 Byline For Frank yes Jul 06, 1951 Fri 48 Bill Parrin, Amnesia Case yes Alt: New Bill Jul 13, 1951 Fri 49 Anton's Return yes Alt: Antonio Costello Alt: Antonio's Return Jul 20, 1951 Fri 50 ... title not known ... Jul 27, 1951 Fri 51 ... title not known ... Aug 03, 1951 Fri 52 ... title not known ... Aug 10, 1951 Fri 53 ... title not known ... Aug 17, 1951 Fri 54 They Aug 24, 1951 Fri 55 ... title not known ... Aug 31, 1951 Fri 56 ... title not known ... Sep 07, 1951 Fri 57 ... title not known ... Sep 14, 1951 Fri 58 ... title not known ... Sep 21, 1951 Fri 59 ... title not known ... Sep 28, 1951 Fri 60 ... title not known ... Oct 05, 1951 Fri 61 ... title not known ... Oct 12, 1951 Fri 62 ... title not known ... Oct 19, 1951 Fri 63 ... title not known ... Oct 26, 1951 Fri 64 Mr. And Mrs. Corothers Nov 02, 1951 Fri 65 ... title not known ... Nov 09, 1951 Fri 66 ... title not known ... Nov 16, 1951 Fri 67 Nightbeat Lost Souls Nov 23, 1951 Fri 68 ... title not known ... Nov 30, 1951 Fri 69 ... title not known ... Dec 07, 1951 Fri 70 ... title not known ... Dec 14, 1951 Fri 71 ... title not known ... Dec 21, 1951 Fri 72 Five Days Off For Christmas Dec 28, 1951 Fri 73 The Joys Of Fatherhood yes Alt: Expectant Father Jan 04, 1952 Fri 74 ... title not known ... Jan 11, 1952 Fri 75 ... title not known ... Jan 18, 1952 Fri 76 ... title not known ... Jan 25, 1952 Fri 77 ... title not known ... Feb 01, 1952 Fri 78 ... title not known ... Feb 08, 1952 Fri 79 ... title not known ... Feb 15, 1952 Fri 80 ... title not known ... Feb 22, 1952 Fri 81 ... title not known ... Feb 29, 1952 Fri 82 ... title not known ... Mar 07, 1952 Fri 83 ... title not known ... Mar 14, 1952 Fri 84 ... title not known ... Mar 21, 1952 Fri 85 ... title not known ... Mar 28, 1952 Fri 86 ... title not known ... Apr 04, 1952 Fri 87 ... title not known ... Apr 11, 1952 Fri 88 ... title not known ... Apr 18, 1952 Fri 89 ... title not known ... Apr 25, 1952 Fri 90 ... title not known ... May 01, 1952 Thu 91 Pay Up Or Die yes Alt: Gambler's Luck May 08, 1952 Thu 92 Long Live The Clown yes May 15, 1952 Thu 93 The Death Of Riley yes May 22, 1952 Thu 94 Randy Stone, Target of the Week yes Alt: Johnny Ligget's Wife' Pauline yes May 29, 1952 Thu 95 The Jockey Brothers yes Alt: Jockeys Ben and Kennie Clark Alt: Brother Jockeys Jun 05, 1952 Thu 96 The Marvelous Machine yes Alt: The Marvelous Clown Jun 12, 1952 Thu ... pre-empted ... Jun 19, 1952 Thu 97 Railroaded yes Jun 26, 1952 Thu 98 The Reformer yes Jul 03, 1952 Thu 99 The Old Itch yes Alt: Maynard Robertson's Secret Report Jul 10, 1952 Thu 100 ... title not known ... Jul 17, 1952 Thu 101 The Taste Of Peaches yes Alt: Smell of Peaches Jul 24, 1952 Thu 102 ... title not known ... Jul 31, 1952 Thu 103 Flight From Fear yes Aug 07, 1952 Thu 104 Somebody Stop Annie yes Aug 14, 1952 Thu 105 His Name Was Luke yes Aug 21, 1952 Thu 106 John And Mary yes Aug 28, 1952 Thu 107 ... title not known ... Sep 04, 1952 Thu 108 Bomb On The Denver Plane yes Alt: Ellen Sep 11, 1952 Thu 109 Larry Wilson, Understudy yes Sep 18, 1952 Thu 110 Policy Will Racket yes Sep 25, 1952 Thu 111 The Bug Killers yes Alt: Gusher James (last show of series) Unknown ------------------------------------ ??? ??, 19?? 70 year old stickup man yes ??? ??, 19?? Having a Baby yes (may be Dec 28, 1951) ??? ??, 19?? Hines Hospital yes ??? ??, 19?? Hot Night In June yes ??? ??, 19?? John Smith - Hit And Run yes ??? ??, 19?? Judy Levering Is Missing yes ??? ??, 19?? Kid With Trouble yes ??? ??, 19?? Marty Crane, gambler, murdered? yes ??? ??, 19?? Murder By Person Unknown yes ??? ??, 19?? Mommy, Mommy yes ??? ??, 19?? Psychopath yes ??? ??, 19?? Random Killing yes ??? ??, 19?? Six Foot, Four Inch Annoyance, The yes ??? ??, 19?? Stone's Love Affair yes ??? ??, 19?? Swimmer yes Alphabetical Listing (of known titles): Title Date Num --------------------------------------- -------- --- 'Twill Be the Death of Me 50-07-10 23 70 year old stickup man ??-??-?? Am I My Brothers Keeper? 50-03-13 6 Am I My Brothers Keeper? (Repeat) 50-04-30 S4 An Untimely Death 50-02-06 1 Anton's Return 51-07-13 49 Antonio's Return 51-07-13 49 Antonio Costello 51-07-13 49 Be Dead 50-03-20 7 Big John McMasters 51-03-04 S5 Big Lie, The 51-05-18 41 Bill Parrin, Amnesia Case 51-07-06 48 Black Cat, The 50-11-03 39 Bomb On The Denver Plane 52-09-04 108 Brother Jockeys 52-05-29 95 Bug Killers, The 52-09-25 111 Byline For Frank 51-06-29 47 Case of Butter, A 50-09-25 34 City At Your Fingertips 50-07-31 26 Dark Torment 50-02-13 2 Dead Silence in Chinatown 50-04-17 11 Death Of Riley, The 52-05-15 93 Devil's Bible, The 50-07-24 25 Doctor's Daughter, The 50-10-27 38 Doctor's Secret, The 50-08-21 29 Elevator Caper, The 50-01-13 Aud Elevator Caper, The 50-05-08 14 Ellen 52-09-04 108 Expectant Father 51-12-28 73 Fear 51-05-25 42 Fire Bug, The 50-05-15 15 Five Days Off For Christmas 51-12-21 72 Flight From Fear 52-07-31 103 Flowers On The Water 50-03-27 8 Football Player and The Syndicate, The 50-06-12 19 Gambler's Luck 52-05-01 91 George Loves Julie 51-05-18 41 Girl from Kansas, The 50-06-05 18 Girl In The Park, The 50-02-27 4 Girl In The Park, The (Repeat) 50-04-23 S3 Great Mentalo's Torment, The 50-05-01 13 Gunner's Last Fight 50-08-14 28 Gusher James 52-09-25 111 Harland Mathews, Stamp Dealer 50-05-29 17 Having a Baby ??-??-?? Hines Hospital ??-??-?? His Name Was Luke 52-08-14 105 Hot Night In June ??-??-?? Hunted Becomes the Hunter, The 50-09-11 32 I Die, You Die 50-02-27 4 I Know Your Secret 50-04-10 10 I Smell A Rat 50-03-13 6 I Wish You Were Dead 50-05-22 16 Inar Pierce and Family 50-10-13 36 Jimmy And Gus Reed 50-06-26 21 Jockey Brothers, The 52-05-29 95 Jockeys Ben and Kennie Clark 52-05-29 95 John And Mary 52-08-21 106 John Smith - Hit And Run ??-??-?? Johnny Ligget's Wife' Pauline 52-05-22 94 Joys Of Fatherhood, The 51-12-28 73 Judge Arnold's Daughter 50-10-20 37 Judy Levering Is Missing ??-??-?? Jukebox Romance 51-05-18 41 Julie, The Jukebox Girl 51-05-18 41 Juvenile Gangsters, The 50-06-26 21 Kenny Day, Amensia Case 50-10-06 35 Kid With Trouble ??-??-?? Larry Wilson, Understudy 52-09-11 109 Little Boy Blue 50-01-13 Aud Long Live The Clown 52-05-08 92 Loraine Adams Execution 50-07-03 22 Man Who Claimed To Be Dead 50-03-20 7 Marty 50-07-03 22 Marty Crane, gambler, murdered? ??-??-?? Marvelous Clown, The 52-06-05 96 Marvelous Machine, The 52-06-05 96 Maynard Robertson's Secret Report 52-07-03 99 Metallo, The Mental Marvel 50-05-01 13 Molly Keller 50-07-17 24 Mommy, Mommy ??-??-?? Mr. And Mrs. Corothers 51-10-26 64 Murder By Person Unknown ??-??-?? New Bill 51-07-06 48 Night Is A Weapon, The 50-02-13 2 Night Is A Weapon, The (Repeat) 50-04-09 S1 Night Watchman, The 50-05-15 15 Nightbeat Lost Souls 51-11-16 67 Number Thirteen 50-03-06 5 Old Baldy 51-06-15 45 Old Blind Pop 50-08-07 27 Old Home Week 50-09-04 31 Old Itch, The 52-07-03 99 Old King Death 50-07-10 23 Otto, The Music Man 51-06-15 45 Pay Up Or Die 52-05-01 91 Pearce And Family 50-10-13 36 Policy Will Racket 52-09-18 110 Pop, The Blind Musician 50-08-07 27 Professor's System, The 50-03-06 5 Psychopath ??-??-?? Railroaded 52-06-19 97 Random Killing ??-??-?? Randy Stone, Target of the Week 52-05-22 94 Reformer, The 52-06-26 98 Sanctuary 51-06-22 46 Search for Fred, The 51-06-08 44 She Who Laughs Last 50-02-20 3 Six Foot, Four Inch Annoyance, The ??-??-?? Slasher, The 50-11-10 40 Smell of Peaches 52-07-17 101 Somebody Stop Annie 52-08-07 104 Star-Crossed Love 50-07-31 26 Stone's Love Affair ??-??-?? Swimmer ??-??-?? Taste Of Peaches, The 52-07-17 101 Ted Carter Murder Case (Audition) 49-05-19 Aud Ted Carter Murder Case (Audition) 50-01-13 Aud They 51-08-17 54 Tong War 50-04-17 11 Vincent And the Painter 50-06-19 20 Wanna Buy a Story? 50-09-18 33 Will of Mrs. Orloff, The 51-06-01 43 World All His Own, A 50-02-20 3 World All His Own, A (Repeat) 50-04-16 S2 Zero 50-02-06 1 References: * "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514 * "On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio" by John Dunning, ISBN 0-19-507678-8, Oxford University Press, 1998. * OTR club and vendor catalogs or web sites: * Edward J. Carr, 216 Shaner Street, Boyertown, PA 19512 * Jerry Haendiges Productions, Jerry Haendiges, 13808 Sunset Dr., Whittier, CA 90602 * Radio Showcase, Steve Kelez, PO Box 4357, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 * Radio Historical Association of Colorado, PO Box 1908, Englewood, CO 80150 * North American Radio Archives, 134 Vincewood Dr., Nicolasville, KY 40356 * Vintage Broadcasts, Andy Blatt, PO Box 50065, Staten Island, NY 10305 * Crabapple Sound, Henry Hinkel, 254 Florida Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010 * Radio Memories, Ted Davenport, 1600 Wewoka St., North Little Rock, AR 72116 * Memories Of Radio, Dick Judge, PO Box 67800, Rochester NY 14617 Other Logs or Books: * NIGHTBEAT log, Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, Ct 06514 * NIGHTBEAT log, Jerry Haendiges Productions, 13808 Sunset Dr., Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com) Reader Feedback: * Charlie S. (no last name given) identified 2 shows in the "unknown" section as from a South African show by the same name. They've been removed. * John A. (no last name given) supplied some additional titles and other title corrections. * Rich Pekari identified "Johnny Ligget's Wife' Pauline" as an alternate title for May 22, 1952. 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).