''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'' was a radio series featuring

Raymond Chandler Raymond Thornton Chandler (July 23, 1888 – March 26, 1959) was an American-British novelist and screenwriter. In 1932, at the age of forty-four, Chandler became a detective fiction writer after losing his job as an oil company executive durin ...

's private eye,

Philip Marlowe Philip Marlowe () is a fictional character created by Raymond Chandler, who was characteristic of the hardboiled crime fiction genre. The hardboiled crime fiction genre originated in the 1920s, notably in ''Black Mask'' magazine, in which Dashiel ...

. Robert C. Reinehr and Jon D. Swartz, in their book, ''The A to Z of Old Time Radio'', noted that the program differed from most others in its genre: "It was a more hard-boiled program than many of the other private detective shows of the time, containing few quips or quaint characters." The program first aired 17 June 1947 on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

radio under the title ''The New Adventures of Philip Marlowe'', with

Van Heflin Emmett Evan "Van" Heflin Jr. (December 13, 1908 – July 23, 1971) was an American theatre, radio and film actor. He played mostly character parts over the course of his film career, but during the 1940s had a string of roles as a leading man. H ...

playing Marlowe. The show was a summer replacement for

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, with 5 ...

. The first episode adapted Chandler's short story "Red Wind". The NBC series ended 9 September 1947. In 1948, the series moved to

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

, where it was called ''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'', 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 ...

playing Marlowe. This series also began with an adaptation of "Red Wind", using a script different from the NBC adaptation. By 1949, it had the largest audience in radio. The CBS version ran for 114 episodes. That series ran 26 September 1948 – 29 September 1950. From 7 July 1951 to 15 September 1951, the program was a summer replacement for ''

Hopalong Cassidy Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by the author Clarence E. Mulford, who wrote a series of short stories and novels based on the character. Mulford portrayed the character as rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. He was ...

''. Mohr played Marlowe in all but one of the CBS shows. He was replaced by William Conrad in the 1950 episode, "The Anniversary Gift". The episode "The Birds on the Wing" (aired 11-26-49) is especially notable for its beginning and ending, both uncharacteristically breaking the

fourth wall The fourth wall is a performance convention in which an invisible, imaginary wall separates actors from the audience. While the audience can see through this ''wall'', the convention assumes the actors act as if they cannot. From the 16th cen ...

. It opens with Marlowe saying he is currently reading "Chandler's latest ''The Little Sister''" – thus a fictional character claims to be reading an actual book in which he is the main character. Even more surreal was the ending, in which Marlowe returns to his apartment to find

Gracie Allen Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen (July 26, 1895 – August 27, 1964) was an American vaudevillian, singer, actress, and comedian who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns, her straight man, ap ...

– who asks Marlowe to find her husband

George Burns George Burns (born Nathan Birnbaum; January 20, 1896March 9, 1996) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer, and one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. His arched eyebr ...

a radio show on which he can sing. The program's composer was

Lyn Murray Lyn Murray (born Lionel Breeze, August 13, 1909 – May 20, 1989) was a composer, conductor, and arranger of music for radio, film and television. Early years Born in London, Murray was the son of a violinist. Before entering a career in music, ...

, who worked in both film and radio at the time. The musical cue that plays over the opening narration in the series' first two episodes (where Marlowe recites the opening sentences of Chandler's original story "Red Wind") is a theme that would reappear prominently in Murray's 1954 score for Alfred Hitchcock's ''To Catch a Thief''. Despite the program's popularity, it had no sponsor for most of its time on the air. The lone exceptions were when Ford Motor Company and, subsequently, Wrigley's Gum sponsored it during part of 1950.Dunning, John. (1976). ''Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, 1925–1976''. Prentice-Hall, Inc. . p. 12. Gene D. Phillips, in the book ''Creatures of Darkness: Raymond Chandler, Detective Fiction, and Film Noir'', reported Chandler's lack of involvement with the program: "Initially Chandler had considered asking for script approval for the Marlowe radio series, but ultimately he decided to have no connection with the scripting of the programs. He contented himself with the weekly royalties he received for the use of his character, while professing himself 'moderately pleased' with Gerald Mohr's portrayal of Marlowe."

Cast and crew

The first NBC episode had a script by Milton Geiger. Chandler, in a letter to

Erle Stanley Gardner Erle Stanley Gardner (July 17, 1889 – March 11, 1970) was an American lawyer and author. He is best known for the Perry Mason series of crime fiction, detective stories, but he wrote numerous other novels and shorter pieces and also a series of ...

, commented about his version, "It was thoroughly flat." The CBS version had a better reception.

Norman Macdonnell Norman Scarth Macdonnell (November 8, 1916 – November 28, 1979) was an American producer for radio, television, and feature films. He is best known for co-creating with writer John Meston the Western series ''Gunsmoke'', which was broadcast on ...

was producer/director;

Gene Levitt Eugene Levitt (May 28, 1920 – November 15, 1999) was an American television writer, producer and director. Life and career Levitt was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Charles and Teresa Levitt. He had an older sister, Betty Ruth. His mot ...

, Robert Mitchell,

Mel Dinelli Amelio "Mel" Dinelli (6 October 1912, Albuquerque, New Mexico – 28 November 1991, Los Angeles, California) was an American writer for theatre, radio, film and magazines, usually in the suspense genre. He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and ...

, and Kathleen Hite wrote the scripts; and Richard Aurandt was responsible for the music. Roy Rowan was announcer. Performing alongside Mohr at various times were

Jeff Corey Jeff Corey (born Arthur Zwerling; August 10, 1914 – August 16, 2002) was an American stage and screen actor who became a well-respected acting teacher after being blacklisted in the 1950s. Life and career Corey attended New Utrecht High ...

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 ...

Parley Baer Parley Edward Baer (August 5, 1914 – November 22, 2002) was an American actor in radio and later in television and film. Despite dozens of appearances in television series and theatrical films, he remains best known as the original "Cheste ...

Lawrence Dobkin Lawrence Dobkin (September 16, 1919 – October 28, 2002) was an American television director, character actor and screenwriter whose career spanned seven decades. Dobkin was a prolific performer during the Golden Age of Radio. He narrat ...

Virginia Gregg Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

Gloria Blondell Gloria Blondell (August 16, 1915 – March 25, 1986) was a stage, film, and television actress who was the younger sister of actress Joan Blondell. Family She was born into a vaudeville family. Her parents and siblings, Edward Jr. and Joan, wer ...

, and Lou Krugman.

Episodes

The following episodes are known to exist and are available for download on the web.

NBC Series

* 47-06-12 (00) Who Shot Waldo ** Identical to episode #1. There was no broadcast of the show on June 12. It is probable that this is only an incorrectly-dated version of episode 1. * 47-06-17 (01) The Red Wind (Van Heflin) * 47-07-01 (03) Daring Young Dame on The Flying Trapeze * 47-07-08 (04) The King in Yellow * 47-08-05 (08) Trouble Is My Business

CBS Series

* 48-09-26 (001) The Red Wind (Gerald Mohr) * 48-10-03 (002) The Persian Slippers * 48-10-10 (003) The Panama Hat * 48-10-17 (004) Where There's a Will * 48-10-24 (005) The Heart of Gold * 48-11-28 (010) The Hard Way Out * 48-12-26 (014) The Old Acquaintance * 49-01-08 (015) The Restless Day * 49-01-15 (016) The Black Halo * 49-01-22 (017) The Orange Dog * 49-01-29 (018) The Easy Mark * 49-02-05 (019) The Long Rope * 49-02-12 (020) The Lonesome Reunion * 49-03-05 (023) Friend from Detroit * 49-03-12 (024) Grim Hunters * 49-03-19 (025) The Dancing Hands * 49-03-26 (026) The Green Flame * 49-04-02 (027) The Last Laugh * 49-04-09 (028) Name to Remember * 49-04-16 (029) The Heat Wave * 49-04-23 (030) Cloak of Kamehameha * 49-04-30 (031) Lady in Mink * 49-05-07 (032) Feminine Touch * 49-05-14 (033) The Promise to Pay * 49-05-21 (034) Night Tide * 49-05-28 (035) The Ebony Link * 49-06-04 (036) The Unfair Lady * 49-06-11 (037) The Pigeons Blood * 49-06-18 (038) The Busy Body * 49-06-25 (039) The Key Man * 49-07-02 (040) Dude from Manhattan * 49-07-16 (042) The Headless Peacock * 49-07-30 (043) The Mexican Boat Ride * 49-08-06 (044) The August Lion * 49-08-13 (045) The Indian Giver * 49-08-20 (046) The Lady Killer * 49-08-27 (047) The Eager Witness * 49-09-03 (048) The Bum's Rush * 49-09-10 (049) Rustin Hickory * 49-09-17 (050) The Baton Sinister * 49-09-24 (051) The Fatted Calf * 49-10-01 (052) The Tale of the Mermaid * 49-10-08 (053) The Open Window * 49-10-15 (054) The Strangle Hold * 49-10-22 (055) The Smokeout * 49-10-29 (056) The Green Witch * 49-11-05 (057) The Fine Italian Hand * 49-11-12 (058) The Gorgeous Lyre * 49-11-26 (060) The Birds on the Wing * 49-12-03 (061) The Kid on the Corner * 49-12-10 (062) The Little Wishbone * 49-12-24 (064) Carol's Christmas * 49-12-31 (065) The House That Jacqueline Built * 50-01-07 (066) The Torch Carriers * 50-01-14 (067) The Covered Bridge * 50-01-21 (068) The Bid for Freedom * 50-01-28 (069) The Hairpin Turn * 50-02-07 (070) The Long Arm * 50-02-14 (071) The Grim Echo * 50-02-21 (072) The Ladies Night * 50-02-28 (073) The Big Step * 50-03-07 (074) The Monkey's Uncle * 50-03-14 (075) The Vital Statistic * 50-03-21 (076) The Deep Shadow * 50-03-28 (077) The Sword of Cebu * 50-04-04 (078) The Man on the Roof * 50-04-11 (079) The Anniversary Gift (William Conrad) * 50-04-18 (080) The Angry Eagle * 50-04-25 (081) The High Collared Cape * 50-05-02 (082) The Seahorse Jockey * 50-05-09 (083) The Hiding Place * 50-05-16 (084) Cloak of Kamehameha * 50-05-23 (085) The Fox's Tail * 50-05-30 (086) Bedside Manners * 50-06-06 (087) The Uneasy Head * 50-06-14 (088) Face to Forget * 50-06-21 (089) Gold Cobra * 50-06-28 (090) The Pelican's Roost * 50-07-05 (091) The Girl from Pitchfork Corners * 50-07-12 (092) The Iron Coffin * 50-07-19 (093) The Last Wish * 50-07-28 (094) The Glass Donkey * 50-08-04 (095) The Parrot's Bed * 50-08-11 (096) The Quiet Magpie * 50-08-18 (097) The Dark Tunnel * 50-08-25 (098) The Collector's Item * 50-09-01 (099) The Soft Spot * 50-09-08 (100) The Fifth Mask * 50-09-15 (101) The Final Payment * 50-09-22 (102) The White Carnation * 50-09-29 (103) The Big Book * 51-07-07 (104) A Seaside Sabbatical * 51-07-14 (105) The Dear, Dead Days * 51-07-21 (106) Life Can Be Murder * 51-07-28 (107) Good Neighbor Policy * 51-08-04 (108) Long Way Home * 51-08-18 (110) Young Man's Fancy * 51-08-25 (111) Heir for G String * 51-09-01 (112) Nether Neither Land * 51-09-08 (113) The Medium Was Rare * 51-09-15 (114) Sound and the Unsound Other radio programs featuring Philip Marlowe: *

Lux Radio Theater ''Lux Radio Theatre'', sometimes spelled ''Lux Radio Theater'', a classic radio anthology series, was broadcast on the NBC Blue Network (1934–35) (owned by the National Broadcasting Company, later predecessor of American Broadcasting Company ...

45-06-11 Murder My Sweet * Hollywood Star Time 46-06-08 Murder My Sweet * Lux Radio Theater 48-02-09 Lady in the Lake

References

External links

Logs

''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'' log from Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs

''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'' log from Old Time Radio Program Logs

''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'' log from Old Time Radio Researchers Group

''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe'' log from radioGOLDINdex

Scripts

Script for "The Panama Hat" episode of ''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe''

Script for "The Red Wind" episode of ''The Adventures of Philip Marlowe''

Streaming

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Adventures of Philip Marlowe 1940s American radio programs 1950s American radio programs 1947 radio programme debuts 1951 radio programme endings NBC radio programs CBS Radio programs Radio programmes based on novels Detective radio shows