Radio comedy and drama was at its peak during the 1940s, and most of the films on this list were produced during that period. The list includes features,

short subject A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

s and serials.

United States

* ''

The Aldrich Family ''The Aldrich Family'', a popular radio teenage situation comedy (July 2, 1939 – April 19, 1953), was also presented in films, television and comic books. In the radio series' opening exchange, awkward teen Henry's mother called, "Hen-''reeeee ...

'' ** '' What a Life'' (1939) ** ''

Life with Henry ''Life with Henry'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Theodore Reed and written by Clifford Goldsmith and Don Hartman. The film stars Jackie Cooper, Leila Ernst, Eddie Bracken, Fred Niblo, Hedda Hopper and Kay Stewart. The film was relea ...

'' (1941) ** ''

Henry Aldrich for President ''Henry Aldrich for President'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, June Preisser, Mary Anderson, Charles Smith, John Litel, Dorothy Peterson and Martha O'Driscoll. The ...

'' (1941) ** ''

Henry Aldrich, Editor ''Henry Aldrich, Editor'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Rita Quigley and Vaughan Glaser. The film ...

'' (1942) ** ''

Henry and Dizzy ''Henry and Dizzy'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Mary Anderson, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney and Maude Eburne. The film was released on June 5, 1942, ...

'' (1942) ** ''

Henry Aldrich Swings It ''Henry Aldrich Swings It'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Vaughan Glaser and Marian Hall. The film ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour ''Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Edwin Blum and Aleen Leslie. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith (actor), Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Diana Lynn and France ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Henry Aldrich Haunts a House ''Henry Aldrich Haunts a House'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Joan Mortimer and Vaughan Glaser. Th ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Henry Aldrich, Boy Scout ''Henry Aldrich, Boy Scout'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Agnes Christine Johnston. Ninth in a series of 11 films made between 1939 and 1944 about the Aldrich family and their ...

'' (1944) ** ''

Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid ''Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Muriel Roy Bolton and Val Burton. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Diana Lynn and Vaughan Glaser. The film ...

'' (1944) ** ''

Henry Aldrich's Little Secret ''Henry Aldrich's Little Secret'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Val Burton and Aleen Leslie. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Tina Thayer and Ann Doran. The film was ...

'' (1944) * ''

Jack Benny Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century with ...

'' ** ''

Buck Benny Rides Again ''Buck Benny Rides Again'' is a 1940 American Western comedy film from Paramount Pictures starring Jack Benny and Ellen Drew. The film featured regulars from Benny's radio show including Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Andy Devine, Phil Harris, and D ...

'' (1940) * ''

Big Town ''Big Town'' is a popular long-running radio drama featuring a corruption-fighting newspaper editor initially played from 1937 to 1942 by Edward G. Robinson in his first radio role, with echoes of the conscience-stricken tabloid editor he had ...

'' ** ''

I Cover Big Town ''I Cover Big Town'' is a 1947 American drama film directed by William C. Thomas and written by Maxwell Shane. The film stars Phillip Reed, Hillary Brooke, Robert Lowery, Robert Shayne, Mona Barrie and Vince Barnett. It was released on Februa ...

'' (1947) ** ''

Big Town After Dark ''Big Town After Dark'' is a 1947 American film noir drama film directed by William C. Thomas and written by Whitman Chambers. The film stars Phillip Reed, Hillary Brooke, Richard Travis, Ann Gillis, Vince Barnett, Joe Sawyer and Robert Kent. ...

'' (1947) ** ''

Big Town Scandal ''Big Town Scandal'' is a 1948 American crime film directed by William C. Thomas and written by Milton Raison. The film stars Phillip Reed, Hillary Brooke, Stanley Clements, Darryl Hickman, Carl Switzer and Roland Dupree. It was released on May ...

'' (1948) * ''

Breakfast in Hollywood ''Breakfast in Hollywood'' is a morning radio show created and hosted by Tom Breneman broadcast from 1941 to 1948 on three different radio networks: NBC Radio, NBC, Citadel Media, ABC and Mutual Broadcasting System, Mutual. These unscripted shows ...

'' (1946), based on radio's ''

'' * ''Candid Microphone'' (1947), theatrical film shorts based on

Allen Funt Allen Albert Funt (September 16, 1914 – September 5, 1999) was an American television producer, director, writer and television personality best known as the creator and host of '' Candid Camera'' from the 1940s to 1980s, as either a regula ...

's '' Candid Microphone'' * ''

Captain Midnight ''Captain Midnight'' (later rebranded on television as ''Jet Jackson, Flying Commando'') is a United States, U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949. The character's popularity throughout the 1940s and into ...

'' (1942), serial based on radio's ''

'' * '' Counterspy'' ** ''

David Harding, Counterspy ''David Harding, Counterspy'' is a 1950 American film noir crime film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Willard Parker. It was based on the radio series '' Counterspy''. Plot An American spy is killed under suspicious circumstances. His fri ...

'' (1950) ** ''

Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard ''Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard'' is a 1950 American film noir B movie directed by Seymour Friedman and starring Howard St. John, Ron Randell and Amanda Blake. Plot When enemy agents obtain leaked secrets about a guided missile system, an Ameri ...

'' (1950) * '' Crime Doctor'' ** '' Crime Doctor'' (1943) ** ''

The Crime Doctor's Strangest Case ''The Crime Doctor's Strangest Case'' is a 1943 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Warner Baxter, Lynn Merrick and Gloria Dickson.Erickson p.203 It is the second in a series of Crime Doctor films made by Columbia Picture ...

'' (1943) ** '' Shadows in the Night'' (1944) ** ''

Crime Doctor's Warning ''Crime Doctor's Warning'' is a 1945 American mystery film directed by William Castle, and fourth in the Crime Doctor series of ten films produced between 1943 and 1949. William Castle made it just before leaving to help make ''The Lady from S ...

'' (1945) ** ''

The Crime Doctor's Courage ''The Crime Doctor's Courage'' is a 1945 American mystery film directed by George Sherman and starring Warner Baxter, Hillary Brooke and Jerome Cowan.Erickson p.203 It is part of the Crime Doctor series of films made by Columbia Pictures. Plot ...

'' (1945) ** '' Just Before Dawn'' (1946) ** '' Crime Doctor's Man Hunt'' (1946) ** ''

The Millerson Case ''The Millerson Case'' is a 1947 American mystery drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Warner Baxter, Nancy Saunders and Clem Bevans. In the 8th film of Columbia's '' Crime Doctor'' series, Dr. Robert Ordway (Warner Baxter) is ...

'' (1947) ** ''

The Crime Doctor's Gamble ''The Crime Doctor's Gamble'' is a 1947 American mystery film directed by William Castle and starring Warner Baxter, Micheline Cheirel and Roger Dann.Erickson p.203 It is part of the Crime Doctor series of films made by Columbia Pictures. Plot ...

'' (1947) ** '' The Crime Doctor's Diary'' (1949) * ''

Dangerous Crossing ''Dangerous Crossing'' is a 1953 American film noir mystery film directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring Jeanne Crain and Michael Rennie, based on the 1943 play ''Cabin B-13'' by John Dickson Carr. The plot of the film centers on the gaslig ...

'' (1953), based on radio's '' Cabin B-13'' * ''

A Date with Judy ''A Date with Judy'' is a comedy radio series aimed at a teenage audience which ran from 1941 to 1950. The series was co-created by Jerome Lawrence and Aleen Leslie, and based on Leslie's “One Girl Chorus” column in the Pittsburgh Press. La ...

'' (1948), based on radio's ''

'' * '' Dr. Christian'' ** ''

Meet Dr. Christian ''Meet Dr. Christian'' is a 1939 American film directed by Bernard Vorhaus, the first of six films in the ''Dr. Christian'' series. Cast *Jean Hersholt as Dr. Paul Christian *Dorothy Lovett as Nurse Judy Price *Robert Baldwin (actor), Robert Ba ...

'' (1939) ** '' Remedy for Riches'' (1940) ** ''

The Courageous Dr. Christian ''The Courageous Dr. Christian'' is a 1940 American film directed by Bernard Vorhaus. It was part of a film series about Dr. Christian. Plot summary Kindhearted Dr. Paul Christian is appalled by the harsh living conditions of homeless inhabit ...

'' (1940) ** ''

Dr. Christian Meets the Women ''Dr. Christian Meets the Women'' is a 1940 American film directed by William C. McGann, one of the series of six Dr. Christian films featuring Jean Hersholt. Plot summary Professor Kenneth Parker, a God-fearing physical culturist, arrives to ...

'' (1940) ** ''

Melody for Three ''Melody for Three'' is a 1941 American film directed by Erle C. Kenton, one of the six films of the Dr. Christian series. Plot summary Dr. Christian takes an interest in a young boy, a violin prodigy, whose mother is a divorced music teache ...

'' (1941) ** '' They Meet Again'' (1941) * ''

Duffy's Tavern ''Duffy's Tavern'' is an American radio situation comedy that ran for a decade on several networks ( CBS, 1941–42; NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast. The program often featured ...

'' (1945), based on ''

'' * '' The Fat Man'' (1951), based on radio's '' The Fat Man'' * ''

Fibber McGee and Molly ''Fibber McGee and Molly'' (1935–1959) was a longtime highly popular husband-and-wife team radio comedy program. The situation comedy was a staple of the NBC Red Network from 1936 on, after originating on NBC Blue in 1935. One of the most p ...

'' ** ''

This Way Please ''This Way Please'' is a 1937 American musical comedy directed by Robert Florey and featuring Charles "Buddy" Rogers, a popular singer from the days of vaudeville entertainment. According to historian Martin Grams, the film was the introduction ...

'' (1937) ** ''

Look Who's Laughing ''Look Who's Laughing'' (aka ''Look Who's Talking'') is a 1941 film from RKO Radio Pictures. The film is built around a number of radio stars from the Golden Age of Radio and centers around radio personality Jim Jordan as Fibber McGee from the co ...

'' (1941) ** '' Here We Go Again'' (1942) ** ''

Heavenly Days ''Heavenly Days'' is a 1944 film starring Fibber McGee and Molly. It was the third and final feature film to feature the popular radio characters; unlike the two previous entries, none of the radio show's supporting cast members appeared in this f ...

'' (1944) * ''

Gang Busters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957. Histo ...

'' (1942), serial based on radio's ''

'' * ''

The Great Gildersleeve ''The Great Gildersleeve'' is a radio situation comedy broadcast in the United States from August 31, 1941 to 1958. Initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, it was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. The series was built a ...

'', based on a character from

** ''

'' (1942) ** ''

Gildersleeve on Broadway ''Gildersleeve on Broadway'' is a 1943 American film starring Harold Peary as his radio character The Great Gildersleeve. It is the third of four Gildersleeve features, others were ''The Great Gildersleeve'' (1942), ''Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' (19 ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Gildersleeve's Bad Day ''Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas from a screenplay by Jack Townley. The picture was the second in the Gildersleeve's series produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the popular ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Gildersleeve's Ghost ''Gildersleeve's Ghost'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas from an original screenplay by Robert E. Kent. It is the fourth and final film in the Gildersleeve's series, all of which were produced and distributed by RKO R ...

'' (1944) * '' The Goldbergs'' (1950), based on radio's '' The Goldbergs'' * ''

The Green Hornet The Green Hornet is a superhero created in 1936 by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell. Since his 1930s radio debut, the character has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media ...

'' ** ''

'' (1940), serial ** ''

The Green Hornet Strikes Again! ''The Green Hornet Strikes Again!'' is a 1941 Universal black-and-white 15 chapter movie serial based on ''The Green Hornet'' radio series by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. It is a sequel to Universal's earlier serial ''The Green Hornet'' ...

'' (1941), serial ** ''

'' (2006), short ** ''

'' (2011) * ''

Here Come the Nelsons ''Here Come the Nelsons'' is a 1952 American comedy film starring real-life husband and wife Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and their sons David and Ricky Nelson. The supporting cast includes Rock Hudson, Sheldon Leonard, Jim Backus, Gale Gordon, an ...

'' (1952), based on ''

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet'' is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 3, 1952, to April 23, 1966, and starred the real-life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television, where it ...

'' * ''

Hollywood Hotel The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hotel, society venue of early Hollywood, and landmark, formerly located at 6811 Hollywood Boulevard, on the north side, extending from Highland Avenue to Orchid Avenue, in central Hollywood, Los Angeles, Califor ...

'' (1937), based on radio's ''

'' * '' I Love a Mystery'' ** '' I Love a Mystery'' (1945) ** ''

The Devil's Mask ''The Devil's Mask'' is a 1946 American crime film directed by Henry Levin and starring Anita Louise, Jim Bannon and Michael Duane. The film was the second of three B pictures based on the popular radio series '' I Love a Mystery''. As well a ...

'' (1946) ** '' The Unknown'' (1946) * ''

Inner Sanctum Mystery ''Inner Sanctum Mystery'', also known as ''Inner Sanctum'', is a popular old-time radio program that aired from January 7, 1941, to October 5, 1952. It was created by producer Himan Brown and was based on the imprint (trade name), imprint given ...

'' ** ''

Calling Dr. Death ''Calling Dr. Death'' is a 1943 Inner Sanctum mystery film. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popular radio series and all of the films star Lon Chaney, Jr. The movie stars Chaney, Jr. and Patricia Morison, and was directed by Reg ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Weird Woman ''Weird Woman'' is a 1944 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery and horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Lon Chaney Jr., Anne Gwynne, and Evelyn Ankers. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popular radio series and all ...

'' (1944) ** ''

Dead Man's Eyes ''Dead Man's Eyes'' is a 1944 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery film directed by Reginald Le Borg, and starring Lon Chaney, Jr. and Jean Parker. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popula ...

'' (1944) ** ''

The Frozen Ghost ''The Frozen Ghost'' is a 1945 American film noir mystery film starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Elena Verdugo, Evelyn Ankers, Tala Birell, and Martin Kosleck, and directed by Harold Young. It is the fourth of the six " Inner Sanctum" mystery films. ...

'' (1945) ** ''

Strange Confession ''Strange Confession'' is a 1945 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery horror film, released by Universal Pictures and starring Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish and Brenda Joyce. The film was directed by John Hoffman and was later rereleased unde ...

'' (1945) ** ''

Pillow of Death ''Pillow of Death'' is a 1945 film noir mystery horror film directed by Wallace Fox and starring Lon Chaney, Jr. and Brenda Joyce. The last of the Inner Sanctum mystery films, it is based on a story by Dwight V. Babcock. The "Inner Sanctum" f ...

'' (1945) ** '' Inner Sanctum'' (1948) * '' Jack Armstrong'' (1947), serial based on radio's ''

Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy ''Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy'' was a radio adventure series which maintained its popularity from 1933 to 1951. The program originated at WBBM in Chicago on July 31, 1933, and was later carried on CBS, then NBC and finally ABC. Backgro ...

'' * '' Johnny Madero, Pier 23'' ** '' Danger Zone'' (1951) ** ''

Roaring City ''Roaring City'' is a 1951 American crime film produced and directed by William Berke for Spartan Productions and released by the low-budget Lippert Pictures. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Edward Brophy and Richard Travis. It is a "dual purpos ...

'' (1951) ** ''

Pier 23 ''Pier 23'' is a 1951 American noir crime film directed by William Berke and starring Hugh Beaumont, Ann Savage and Edward Brophy. It was distributed by the independent Lippert Pictures as a second feature. It was intended for television as ...

'' (1951) * ''

The Life of Riley ''The Life of Riley'' is an American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a 1950s television series, and a 1958 comic book. Radio The radio program initially aired on the Blue Network (later kn ...

'' (1949), based on ''

'' * ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in ...

'' ** ''

'' (1938), serial ** ''

The Lone Ranger Rides Again ''The Lone Ranger Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Republic serial. It was a sequel to Republic's 1938 serial '' The Lone Ranger'', which had been highly successful, and the thirteenth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic. The serial ...

'' (1939), serial ** ''

'' (1956) ** ''

The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold ''The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold'' is a 1958 American Western film in Eastmancolor released by United Artists. The second of two theatrical features specifically based on and continuing the TV show ''The Lone Ranger'' it stars Clayto ...

'' (1958) ** ''

The Legend of the Lone Ranger ''The Legend of the Lone Ranger'' is a 1981 American Western film that was directed by William A. Fraker and stars Klinton Spilsbury, Michael Horse and Christopher Lloyd. It is based on the story of The Lone Ranger, a Western character create ...

'' (1981) ** ''

'' (2003), TV movie ** ''

'' (2013) * ''

Lum and Abner ''Lum and Abner'' was an American network radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that was aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the show proved i ...

'' ** '' Dreaming Out Loud'' (1940) ** ''

The Bashful Bachelor ''The Bashful Bachelor'' is a 1942 American film directed by Malcolm St. Clair. It is the second of seven films based on the Lum and Abner radio series created by and starring Chester Lauck and Norris Goff. Plot Small town store owner Lum Ed ...

'' (1942) ** ''

Two Weeks to Live ''Two Weeks to Live'' is a 1943 American Lum and Abner film directed by Malcolm St. Clair. Plot This time around, Abner Peabody, proud owner of the Jot 'Em Down general store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, inherits railroad stock from his Uncle Ern ...

'' (1943) ** ''

So This Is Washington ''So This Is Washington'' is a 1943 American film directed by Ray McCarey starring Chester Lauck. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Recording ( James L. Fields). It is also known as ''Dollar A Year Man''. Plot Abner ...

'' (1943) ** ''

Goin' to Town ''Goin' To Town'' is a 1935 musical comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and written by Mae West. The film stars Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito Coral and Ivan Lebedeff. The film was released on April 25, 1935, ...

'' (1944) ** ''

Partners in Time ''Partners in Time'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by William Nigh and written by Charles E. Roberts. The film stars Chester Lauck, Norris Goff, Pamela Blake, John James, Teala Loring and Danny Duncan. The film was released on April 25 ...

'' (1946) ** ''

Lum and Abner Abroad ''Lum and Abner Abroad'' is a 1956 European comedy film directed by James V. Kern and written by Carl Herzinger. The film stars Chester Lauck, Norris Goff, Jill Alis, Lila Audres, Gene Gary, and Chris Peters. The film was released on January 1, ...

'' (1956) * ''

Make Believe Ballroom ''Make Believe Ballroom'' is a 1949 American musical romantic comedy directed by Joseph Santley and produced by Ted Richmond. It was loosely based on a radio program of the same name by Martin Block and Al Jarvis. The film starred Jerome Courtla ...

'' (1949) * ''

Mr. District Attorney ''Mr. District Attorney'' is a radio crime drama produced by Samuel Bischoff that aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952 (and in transcribed syndication through 1953). The series focused on a crusading district attorney initia ...

'' ** ''

'' (1941) ** ''

Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case ''Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and written by Sidney Sheldon and Ben Roberts. The film stars James Ellison, Virginia Gilmore, Franklin Pangborn, Paul Harvey, Lynne Carver ...

'' (1941) ** ''

Secrets of the Underground ''Secrets of the Underground'' is a 1942 American crime film directed by William Morgan and written by Robert Tasker and Daniel Mainwaring. The film stars John Hubbard, Virginia Grey, Lloyd Corrigan, Robin Raymond, Miles Mander and Olin Howlan ...

'' (1942) ** ''

'' (1947) * ''

My Friend Irma ''My Friend Irma'' is a media franchise that was spawned by a top-rated, long-running radio situation comedy created by writer-director-producer Cy Howard. The radio show was so popular in the late 1940s that its success escalated the films, ...

'' ** ''

'' (1949) ** ''

My Friend Irma Goes West ''My Friend Irma Goes West'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Hal Walker and based on the radio show ''My Friend Irma.'' It stars the comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The film is a sequel to ''My Friend Irma'' (1949) and was r ...

'' (1950) * '' Myrt and Marge'' (1933), based on radio's '' Myrt and Marge'' * ''

People Are Funny ''People Are Funny'' is an American radio and television game show, created by John Guedel that ran from 1942 to 1960 in which contestants were asked to carry out stunts in order to prove that "People Are Funny." Many stunts lasted weeks, month ...

'' (1946), based on radio's ''

'' * '' Pete Kelly's Blues'' (1955), based on radio's '' Pete Kelly's Blues'' * '' Pot o' Gold'' (1941), based on radio's '' Pot o' Gold'' * ''

A Prairie Home Companion ''A Prairie Home Companion'' is a weekly radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor that aired live from 1974 to 2016. In 2016, musician Chris Thile took over as host, and the successor show was eventually renamed ''Live from He ...

'' (2006), based on ''

'' * ''

Queen for a Day ''Queen for a Day'' is an American radio and television game show that helped to usher in American listeners' and viewers' fascination with big-prize giveaway shows. ''Queen for a Day'' originated on the Mutual Radio Network on April 30, 1945, i ...

'' (1951), based on radio's ''

'' * ''

Radio Stars on Parade ''Radio Stars on Parade'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins from a screenplay by Robert E. Kent and Monte Brice, from Kent's original story. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, it was released on August 1, 1 ...

'' (1945), based on radio's ''

Truth or Consequences ''Truth or Consequences'' is an American game show originally hosted on NBC radio by Ralph Edwards (1940–1957) and later on television by Edwards (1950–1954), Jack Bailey (1954–1956), Bob Barker (1956–1975), Steve Dunne (1957–1958), ...

'' * ''

The Sea Hound ''The Sea Hound'' is an American radio adventure series that ran from June 29, 1942, to August 7, 1951. It began on the Blue Network June 29, 1942 – September 22, 1944, as a 15-minute serial for young audiences, featuring Ken Daigneau as Capt ...

'' (1947), serial based on radio's ''

'' * ''

The Shadow The Shadow is a fictional character created by magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator, and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by writer Walter ...

'' ** Shadow film shorts (1931–1932) ** ''

The Shadow Strikes ''The Shadow Strikes'' is a 1937 black and white American film based on the story ''Ghost of the Manor'' written by Walter B. Gibson under the pen name Maxwell Grant The Shadow was featured on a popular radio show and also as a pulp magazine ...

'' (1937) ** '' International Crime'' (1938) ** ''

'' (1940), serial ** ''

The Shadow Returns ''The Shadow Returns'' is a 1946 American comedy crime film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Kane Richmond, Barbara Read and Tom Dugan. It features the pulp character The Shadow, already a popular hero of novels and a radio show. It was t ...

'' (1946) ** '' Behind the Mask'' (1946) ** ''

The Missing Lady ''The Missing Lady'' is a 1946 American mystery film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Kane Richmond and Barbara Read. It was the third and final in a series of three films released by Monogram in 1946 starring Richmond as The Shadow, the ot ...

'' (1946) ** ''

Invisible Avenger ''Invisible Avenger'' is a 1958 American film noir crime film directed by James Wong Howe, Ben Parker and John Sledge. The film was a compilation of two television pilot episodes of a 1957 Republic Pictures TV show called ''The Shadow''. Whe ...

'' (1958) ** ''

'' (1994) * ''

Sorry, Wrong Number ''Sorry, Wrong Number'' is a 1948 American thriller film noir directed by Anatole Litvak, from a screenplay by Lucille Fletcher, based on her 1943 radio play of the same name. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster. It follows a ...

'' (1948), based on an episode of ''

Suspense Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being undecided, or being doubtful. In a dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the outcome of a plot or of the solution to an uncertainty, puzzle, or mystery, particularly as it aff ...

'' written by Lucille Fletcher; starred Agnes Moorehead; between 1943 and 1957 the story was done live seven times; there was an eighth broadcast which was a repeat * '' Take It or Leave It'' (1944) * '' Way Back Home'' (1932) * ''

The Whistler ''The Whistler'' is an American radio mystery drama which ran from May 16, 1942, until September 22, 1955, on the west-coast regional CBS radio network. The show was also broadcast in Chicago and over Armed Forces Radio. On the west coast, it w ...

'' ** ''

'' (1944) ** ''

The Mark of the Whistler ''The Mark of the Whistler'', (aka ''The Marked Man'') is a 1944 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by William Castle, the production features Richard Dix, Porter Hall and Janis Carter. It is the second ...

'' (1944) ** ''

The Power of the Whistler ''The Power of the Whistler'' is a 1945 film noir thriller film based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by Lew Landers, the production features Richard Dix. It is the third of Columbia Pictures' eight " Whistler" films produced in ...

'' (1945) ** ''

Voice of the Whistler ''Voice of the Whistler'' is a 1945 American mystery film noir directed by William Castle and starring Richard Dix, Lynn Merrick, and Rhys Williams. It was the fourth of Columbia Pictures' eight " Whistler" films produced in the 1940s, all based ...

'' (1945) ** ''

Mysterious Intruder ''Mysterious Intruder'' is a 1946 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by William Castle, the production features Richard Dix, Barton MacLane and Nina Vale. It is the fifth of Columbia Pictures' eight " ...

'' (1946) ** ''

The Secret of the Whistler ''The Secret of the Whistler'' is a 1946 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama '' The Whistler''. Directed by George Sherman, the production features Richard Dix, Leslie Brooks and Michael Duane. It is the sixth of Columbia Picture ...

'' (1946) ** '' The Thirteenth Hour'' (1947) ** '' The Return of the Whistler'' (1948)

United Kingdom

* ''The Adventures of PC 49'' ** ''

The Adventures of PC 49 ''The Adventures of PC 49'' is a 1949 British crime film directed by Godfrey Grayson, starring Hugh Latimer (actor), Hugh Latimer, John Penrose (actor), John Penrose and Annette D. Simmonds.Chibnall & McFarlane p.241 It is also known by the subt ...

'' (1949) ** ''

A Case for PC 49 ''A Case for PC 49'' is a 1951 British mystery film directed by Francis Searle and starring Brian Reece, Joy Shelton and Christine Norden.Chibnall & MacFarlane p.79 It was made by Hammer Films at Bray Studios. The film was based on a popular ra ...

'' (1951) * ''

Band Waggon ''Band Waggon'' was a comedy radio show broadcast by the BBC from 1938 to 1940. The first series featured Arthur Askey and Richard "Stinker" Murdoch. In the second series, Askey and Murdoch were joined by Syd Walker, and the third series added ...

'' (1940), based on ''

'' * '' The Black Widow'' (1951), based on ''Return from Darkness'' * '' Celia'' (1949) * ''

Dick Barton ''Dick Barton – Special Agent'' is a radio thriller serial that was broadcast in the BBC Light Programme between 7 October 1946 and 30 March 1951. Produced and directed by Raymond Raikes, Neil Tuson, and Charles Lefaux, it was aired in 15-mi ...

'' ** '' Dick Barton: Special Agent'' (1948) ** ''

Dick Barton Strikes Back ''Dick Barton Strikes Back'' is a 1949 British spy film about special agent Dick Barton. It was the third of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about the agent, although it was the second released. Plot Captain Richard 'Dick' Barton a ...

'' (1949) ** ''

Dick Barton at Bay ''Dick Barton at Bay'' is a 1950 British spy film about special agent Dick Barton. It was the second of three films that Hammer Film Productions made about the British agent, although it was the last released, following '' Dick Barton: Special Ag ...

'' (1950) * ''

Doctor Morelle ''Doctor Morelle'' is a 1949 British mystery film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Valentine Dyall, Peter Drury and Hugh Griffith. It is also known by two alternative titles: ''Dr. Morelle: The Case of the Missing Heiress'' or simply ''T ...

'' (1949) * ''

Down Among the Z Men ''Down Among the Z Men'' is a 1952 black-and-white British comedy film starring the Goons: Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Michael Bentine and Harry Secombe. Plot Harry Jones (Secombe) is a clerk in Mr Crab's general mercantile store and an am ...

'' (1952) (aka ''Stand Easy''; ''The Goon Movie''; ''The Goon Show Movie''),Down Among the Z Men (1952)
/ref> based on ''

The Goon Show ''The Goon Show'' is a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960, with occasional repeats on the BBC Light Programme. The first series, broadcast from 28 May to 20 September 19 ...

'' * ''

Hangman's Wharf ''Hangman's Wharf'' is a 1950 British crime film directed by Cecil H. Williamson and starring John Witty, Genine Graham and Campbell Singer. Its plot concerns a doctor working in Shadwell who is called out for an emergency on a ship docked in t ...

'' (1950) * '' Happidrome'' (1943), based on ''Happidrome'' * ''Hi, Gang!'', based on ''Hi, Gang!'' * ''

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' (sometimes referred to as ''HG2G'', ''HHGTTG'', ''H2G2'', or ''tHGttG'') is a comic science fiction, comedy science fiction franchise created by Douglas Adams. Originally The Hitchhiker's Guide to th ...

'' (2005), based on the radio series of the same name by

Douglas Adams Douglas Noel Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author and screenwriter, best known for ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy''. Originally a 1978 BBC radio comedy, ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' developed into a " ...

* ''

It's That Man Again ''It's That Man Again'' (commonly contracted to ''ITMA'') was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran for twelve series from 1939 to 1949. The shows featured Tommy Handley in the central role, a fast-talking figure, around whom the other cha ...

'' (1942), based on ''

'' * ''

The Lady Craved Excitement ''The Lady Craved Excitement'' is a 1950 British comedy film directed by Francis Searle and written by John Gilling. It featured Hy Hazell, Michael Medwin and Sid James. An early Hammer film, it is significant as one of five films shot at Oakle ...

'' (1950) * ''

Life With The Lyons ''Life with the Lyons'' was a British radio and television domestic sitcom from the 1950s (1950–1961 on radio, 1955–1960 on television). Overview ''Life with the Lyons'' featured a real American family. Ben Lyon and his wife Bebe Daniels ...

'' ** ''

Life with the Lyons ''Life with the Lyons'' was a British radio and television domestic sitcom from the 1950s (1950–1961 on radio, 1955–1960 on television). Overview ''Life with the Lyons'' featured a real American family. Ben Lyon and his wife Bebe Daniels ...

'' (1954) ** ''

The Lyons in Paris ''The Lyons in Paris'' (also called ''The Lyons Abroad'' and ''Mr. and Mrs. in Paree'') is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Val Guest and starring Ben Lyon, Bebe Daniels and Reginald Beckwith. It was a sequel to the 1954 film ''Life with ...

'' (1955) * '' The Man in Black'' (1949), based on '' Appointment with Fear'' * '' Meet Simon Cherry'' (1949), based on ''Meet the Rev.'' * ''

The Navy Lark ''The Navy Lark'' is a radio sitcom about life aboard a United Kingdom, British Royal Navy Frigate#Modern Age, frigate named HMS ''Troutbridge'' (a play on HMS Troubridge (R00), HMS ''Troubridge'', a Royal Navy destroyer) based in HMNB Portsm ...

'' (1959), based on ''

'' * ''

Paul Temple Paul Temple is a fictional character created by English writer Francis Durbridge. Temple is a professional author of crime fiction and an amateur private detective. With his wife Louise, affectionately known as 'Steve' in reference to her jo ...

'' ** ''

Send for Paul Temple ''Send for Paul Temple'' is a 1946 British crime film directed by John Argyle and starring Anthony Hulme, Joy Shelton and Tamara Desni. Paul Temple is called in by Scotland Yard after a major diamond theft. It was the first of four film adaptati ...

'' (1946) ** ''

Calling Paul Temple ''Calling Paul Temple'' is a 1948 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley, Dinah Sheridan and Margaretta Scott. It was the second in a series of four Paul Temple films distributed by Butcher's Film Service. The ...

'' (1948) ** ''

Paul Temple's Triumph ''Paul Temple's Triumph'' is a 1950 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley, Dinah Sheridan and Jack Livesey. It was the third in the series of four Paul Temple films made at Nettlefold Studios, and was an adaptat ...

'' (1950) ** ''

Paul Temple Returns ''Paul Temple Returns'' is a 1952 British crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring John Bentley, Patricia Dainton and Peter Gawthorne. Known in the U.S. as ''Bombay Waterfront'', it was the fourth and last in the series of Paul Templ ...

'' (1952) * ''

Spaceways ''Spaceways'' is a 1953 science fiction drama film from Hammer Film Productions Ltd. and Lippert Productions Inc., produced by Michael Carreras, directed by Terence Fisher, that stars Howard Duff and Eva Bartok, and co-stars Alan Wheatley. '' ...

'' (1953)

Canada

* ' ** ' (1949)

Denmark

* ''

Terkel in Trouble ''Terkel in Trouble'' ( da, Terkel i knibe) is a 2004 Danish adult computer-animated musical comedy film starring Anders Matthesen. It is the first Danish computer animated feature film. The film is an adaptation of Matthesen's 2001 comedy albu ...

'' (2004)

France

* ' ** ' (1939) ** ' (1956) * ' (1981)

Italy

* '' La bisarca'' (1950) * ' ** ' (1963)

Mexico

* ''

Kalimán ''Kalimán'' or ''Kalimán, the Incredible Man'' is a popular Mexican adventurer superhero, created by Rafael Cutberto Navarro and Modesto Vázquez González in 1963. He is the main character of the radio drama bearing his name, which depicts t ...

'' ** ''Kalimán, el hombre increíble'' (1972) ** ''Kalimán en el Siniestro Mundo de Humanón'' (1976)

Spain

* ' (1960)

Sweden

* ' ** ' (1957) ** ' (1959) * ' (1940) * '' Froggy Ball'' ** '' Kalle Stropp, Grodan Boll och deras vänner'' (1956) ** '' Kalle Stropp och Grodan Boll räddar Hönan'' (1987) ** ''

Charlie Strapp and Froggy Ball Flying High ''Charlie Strapp and Froggy Ball Flying High'' ( sv, Kalle Stropp och Grodan Boll på svindlande äventyr) is a 1991 Swedish animated feature film directed by Jan Gissberg after an original script by Thomas Funck, using Funck's already well-esta ...

'' (1991) * ' (1961) * ' (1954) * ' ** ' (1956) ** ' (1957) ** ' (1958) ** ' (1959) * ' (1957) * ' (1950) * '' Sune'' ** '' Sune's Summer'' (1993) ** ''

Sunes familie ''Sunes familie'' is a Danish children's and family comedy that premiered in Denmark on 10 October 1997. The film is a Danish adaptation of the film ''Sune's Summer'', focusing more on the book rather than the Swedish film. The family's last name ...

'' (1997) ** ''

The Anderssons in Greece ''The Anderssons in Greece'' ( sv, Sune i Grekland) is a Swedish children's comedy film which was released to cinemas in Sweden on 25 December 2012, and originally planned for 2011 and thought to be set in Cyprus and not Greece. The film is based o ...

'' (2012) ** ''

The Anderssons Hit the Road ''The Anderssons Hit the Road'' ( sv, Sune på bilsemester) is a Swedish comedy, children and family film opening at cinemas in Sweden on 25 December 2013. It was written by Hannes Holm together with Anders Jacobsson and Sören Olsson, and among ...

'' (2013) ** ''

The Anderssons Rock the Mountains ''The Anderssons Rock the Mountains'' ( sv, Sune i fjällen) is a Swedish comedy film, comedy, children's film, children's and family film, which opened at cinemas in Sweden on 19 December 2014. The film, partly recorded in Åre, is the final in a ...

'' (2014)

West Germany

* '' Hello, My Name is Cox'' (1955) * ''

Die Hesselbachs ''Die Hesselbachs'' is a German radio play series. The series started in 1949 and was adapted for television in 1960. There was also a film '' Die Familie Hesselbach'' (1954) and its sequels. The series deals with the experiences of the Hes ...

'' ** ''Die Familie Hesselbach'' (1954) ** ''Familie Hesselbach im Urlaub'' (1955) ** ''Das Horoskop der Familie Hesselbach'' (1956) ** ''Herr Hesselbach und die Firma'' (1956)

Philippines

* ''Love Notes: The Movie'' (1995)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Films based on radio series

Radio series A radio program, radio programme, or radio show is a segment of content intended for broadcast on radio. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series. A single program in a series is called an episode. Radio networ ...

Radio-related lists

United States

United Kingdom

Canada

Denmark

France

Italy

Mexico

Spain

Sweden

West Germany

Philippines

See also

References