''The Adventures of Bill Lance'' is a 30-minute radio crime drama, created by J. Donald Wilson, which aired on two networks in two runs between 1944 and 1948. Initially heard on CBS West Coast Sundays at 9 p.m., the series began April 23, 1944, with

John McIntire John Herrick McIntire (June 27, 1907 – January 30, 1991) was an American character actor who appeared in 65 theatrical films and many television series. McIntire is well known for having replaced Ward Bond, upon Bond's sudden death in Novem ...

as Bill Lance, a detective who traveled to exotic locales. Pat McGeehan took over the role the following March until the series ended September 9, 1945.

Howard McNear Howard Terbell McNear (January 27, 1905 – January 3, 1969) was an American stage, screen, and radio character actor. McNear is best remembered as the original voice of Doc Adams in the radio version of ''Gunsmoke'' and as Floyd Lawson, the ...

played Lance's pal, Ulysses Higgins. Others in the cast included

Mercedes McCambridge Carlotta Mercedes Agnes McCambridge (March 16, 1916 – March 2, 2004) was an American actress of radio, stage, film, and television. Orson Welles called her "the world's greatest living radio actress." She won an Academy Award for Best Support ...

Cathy Lewis Catherine Lee Lewis (December 27, 1916 – November 20, 1968) was an American actress on radio, film, and television. She is remembered best for numerous radio appearances but also noted for making a number of film and television appearances in ...

Joseph Kearns Joseph Sherrard Kearns
TV Guide. July 15–21, 1961, Savetheorgan.org; retrieved September 28, 2011.

and Frank Graham. The announcers were

Dick Joy Dick Joy (December 28, 1915 – October 31, 1991) was an American radio and television announcer. A journalism major at the University of Southern California, he went on to become well known on network radio and television. Early years Joy's in ...

and Owen James. Milton Charles supplied the music. The program was sponsored by Planters peanuts. With

Gerald Mohr Gerald Mohr (June 11, 1914 – November 9, 1968) was an American radio, film, and television character actor and frequent leading man, who appeared in more than 500 radio plays, 73 films, and over 100 television shows. Early years Mohr wa ...

in the title role, the series returned on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

June 14, 1947 (the first time it was broadcast nationwide), airing Saturdays at 9pm until August, then Mondays at 9 p.m. until September, then Sundays at 5 p.m. Produced by Dwight Hauser, with music by organist Rex Koury, this series ran until January 4, 1948.

References

External links

Thrilling Detective: Bill LanceNetwork radio schedule for April 13, 1946
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adventures of Bill Lance, The 1940s American radio programs American radio dramas 1944 radio programme debuts 1948 radio programme endings CBS Radio programs ABC radio programs Detective radio shows