''Jeff Regan, Investigator'' is a radio detective drama that ran on CBS from July 10, 1948 to December 18, 1948, and again from October 5, 1949 to August 27, 1950. The series is one of the earliest nationwide programs to feature

Jack Webb John Randolph Webb (April 2, 1920 – December 23, 1982) was an American actor, television producer, Television director, director, and screenwriter, who is most famous for his role as Joe Friday, Sgt. Joe Friday in the Dragnet (franchise) ...

Production

Webb, who had previously starred on the Mutual detective drama, ''

Johnny Madero, Pier 23 ''Johnny Madero, Pier 23'' (sometimes listed as ''Johnny Modero, Pier 23'' or ''Johnny Madero-Pier 23'') was a 30-minute radio detective drama series which was broadcast on Mutual Thursday at 8 p.m. from April 24, 1947, to September 4, 1947. It w ...

'', played the title character, a private investigator working for Anthony J. Lyon (originally Wilms Herbert, later Herb Butterfield) at the International Detective Bureau. In the first incarnation of the series, Lyon was played by Wilms Herbert, while Webb's future '' Dragnet'' co-star,

Barton Yarborough William Barton Yarborough (October 2, 1900 – December 19, 1951) was an American actor who worked extensively in radio drama, primarily on the NBC Radio Network. He is famous for his roles in the Carlton E. Morse productions '' I Love a My ...

, played his co-worker, Joe Canto. This format continued until the end of the year, when Webb left the program. According to writer William Froug, Webb was fired for asking for too much money. Police Lieutenant Sanduci (Jack Petruzzi) served as a foil to Jeff Regan and could be heard on a number of episodes. The program remained on hiatus for almost a year before being brought back with voice actor Frank Graham portraying Regan. Graham, who was well known both as an announcer and for his versatility, had previously created and starred in his own detective series, ''The Adventures of Cosmo Jones''. Lyon was also recast, with '' The Jack Benny Program'' regular Frank Nelson taking over the part. This remained the definitive lineup for the rest of the show's run, although for unknown reasons Paul Dubov filled in for Graham for several weeks.

Cancellation

The second version of ''Regan'' remained popular in the ratings and was expected to be renewed for another season. However, Graham committed suicide on September 2, 1950. At the time of his death, five more broadcasts were scheduled for ''Regan'', but they were never completed. Graham had completed an episode scheduled to air the night after he died, but newspaper accounts indicated that CBS chose not to broadcast it. The role of Regan was not recast, resulting in the series ending production permanently.

References

{{Reflist American radio dramas Fictional private investigators 1940s American radio programs 1948 radio programme debuts 1950s American radio programs 1950 radio programme endings CBS Radio programs Detective radio shows