The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Adam Graham|Old Time Radio Detective Host
Reviews
via Podcasts
Exceptionally good podcast
This podcast is great! They curate and clean up old recordings from the golden age of radio (1920’s to 1950’s). The radio plays are usually entertaining and provide an interesting, educational window to the past. Because these are old recordings some are too raspy to listen comfortably, but they have many hundreds of shows. The host of the podcast is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and provides interesting commentary, perspective and analysis about these whodunit stories. Unfortunately, the host has a nasal, pitchy speaking voice. And many episodes have disconcerting Hammond organ music, so this podcast isn’t good for bedtime or sensitive ears. Overall it’s well worth the occasional audio discomfort to enjoy these old-timey radio plays.
Read more
SouperDave99
Great show
Love this show. Lots of variety and clear recordings. Those who don’t like the host’s dialect should get over yourselves… we all have one. Maybe spend more time being grateful than critical.
Failed communication
Best in the genre
Wide variety that changes semi-regularly. With a different show six days a week, there is a show for anyone. There have been a few over the years that I haven’t connected with, but with six shows a week this is a trifle. I know some have a problem with Adam’s voice and or commentary, but that is not the basis of this podcast. I for one appreciate the historical context and for those who don’t there is a skip button and Adam always puts in a small pause between his opening and the start of the radio show. Again, if you like detective radio shows, this is the best in the genre.
Read more
Scholaracerecords
Shows are great; Host’s voice—not so much
I love old time radio and typically appreciate some history and even commentary, but I have a hard time listening to this host’s folksy-like voice which is grating to me. Perhaps that is appreciated in Boisie, Idaho but it is difficult to listen for this East-Coaster’s ears. I usually have to fast-forward to the OTR show and cut off when it ends. Sorry, Adam!
Jelyca
Adam stop
Adam, my 90 year old father made me turn your show off as soon as you started speaking. You are the problem with the show.
BenW26
Improved but just one annoying thing.
Updated this review. Ads are now in an appropriate place. I hate you might also like suggestions automatically downloaded and added that are not the same type of show. Is there any way to turn that off? I almost want to unsubscribe so I don’t get the you might also like. I would give full stars if they went away.
MarkT333
The host kills the podcast
The episodes are good, however Adam’s (the host) over the top, cartoon voice is so annoying, he makes it difficult to tune in. Every time I listen, I have to skip his intros... and when he interrupts an episode, I have to stop to skip his babble. It’s a shame. He ruins a potentially great podcast.
6.5
Too many ads!
Unfortunately, Adam Graham has sold out and now puts ads in the podcasts. If you’re going to do that, at least put some effort into and put them in logical places, don’t just put them in Willy nilly and interrupt the shows!
klem kadiddlehopper
Travel to the days of old time radio.
Thanks Adam, I have been listening since the early days. Keep up the good work.
trdiopn
Old time radio a reminder of the psy
Love old time radio it’s great to hear past radio shows. I also dig the old commercials.
Stock check tool
Great pod
Look I’m gonna be honest big Adam does have a weird voice but it goes on you and eventually you’ll really dig it. He does a great job reuploading these classic stories and giving interesting context at the start of each episode. Shout out big A dawg for Iowa
sven and Jöegen
Every positive comes with a price
The plus side: the old radio shows are great. The bad side: Adam needs to just shut up. His voice is unsuited for radio. His comments are utterly inane. Fortunately I can usually just fast-forward through his painfully amateurish commentary—which is getting longer and longer and more and more banal as the years go by. Adam, if you stop talking on the podcast, I’ll be sure to support you at the Master Inspector Shamus level of 47 cents a day like you are one of this CARE kids with the flies on their eyes. UPDATE: Adam, a man who clearly has a nothing to do other than stare at the wall when he is not making this podcast, just drones on longer and longer as time goes on. He has nothing to say, but loves to opine out loud, sharing the banal thoughts that rattle about in his skull. Normally, I just skip any part of the episode where he speaks and just listen to the old radio show, but once in awhile he pipes in at a time when I cannot immediately hit pause and I desperately find myself wanting to puncture my own ear drums to make him shut up. Oh and don’t miss it when he flogs his Priceline affiliate site—because you want this drool case having anything to do with your air travel. Book with him and you too can get lost over the Indian Ocean on a Malaysian Airlines flight. Adam. just take the third party ad revenue, run the old radio shows and collect your checks. We don’t need to hear from you.
Read more
GOPGambler
Stop searching, listen to this amazing podcast!
If you like all-time radio, if you like the great detectives, look no further! I've been hunting around for various podcasts, and certainly there are others that present some of the wonderful shows of the Golden Age of radio, but there is nothing that compares to Adam Graham's wonderful commentaries. Adam presents more information about the shows about the golden age of radio, about history of all of these, and it is such an amazing feature to add to listening and enjoyment of these wonderful stories. Now listening to just the shows is no longer an acceptable way to hear them. Without Adam's commentaries I feel like I'm missing a huge part. Thank you so much Adam for all that you bring to your listeners!
Read more
breathejoy
Entertaining and informative
I've learned a few things from this podcast such as: - What Monsieur Spade was up to before he moved to France - That Casey Crime Photographer is not actually part of CSI but is instead a journalist - "Broadway is my Beat" is not a kicky, light comedy about a member of the chorus uncovering shenanigans in the theater community. Instead it is about an NYPD homicide detective working from "Times Square to Columbus Circle — the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world" Now the only mystery that remains is: How did Mr Chameleon get so many episodes? Seriously, this is an entertaining and informative podcast.
Read more
StantonKitty
You Might Also Like?
What is up with the You Might Also Like interruptions?!?! How about this, if you are going to be obtrusive at least list shows that go along with the theme! I’m sure you’re getting a kickback but really!
r@lltyde#18
The best of all Old Time Radio podcasts
I’ve been a huge fan of old-time radio since I was in elementary school and would check out LPs of old Sherlock Holmes and The Shadow radio shows. I’ve been listening to old Time radio collections since they first started popping up on the Internet and tried every old radio show podcast there is. This is the best of them all. Host Adam not only presents the most popular shows but manages to find whole series of programs I never knew about. Adam is a great host and the contextual information he presents is always super interesting. My favorite shows are Richard Diamond, Sherlock Holmes, and The Saint with Vincent Price. Keep up the great work Adam! I’ve enjoyed your recent episodes where you have other relevant pod-cast co-host/crossovers as well.
Read more
Abbeyrd28
Still rocking it!
When I first started listening to Adam, he was but a wee lad. Though his voice resonated that of someone with many decades under his belt. Than I got use to his glorious voice and ears delighted to find out he was a youngster. Great, I want him to keep broadcasting. Thanks Adam for all the wonderful companions you shared with me while I worked, gardened and do chores around the house. Full steam ahead!
Read more
Seacandy
New advertisements
After years of building a solid brand for himself Adam introduced an advertising feed that was, and still is, incongruent with his brand but the introduction of unsolicited “Something You Might Like” downloads in the podcast subscription is too much! How much money is he making using my device forcing downloads of these undesired unsolicited downloads?From 5 stars to 1.
doogie12428
Great Podcast unwanted podcasts not appreciated
I LOVE this podcast. Great mysteries and I don’t want to understate the effort to produce a daily podcast. I don’t mind the ads before and after the episodes. BUT the random addition of totally unrelated podcasts into my subscription feed is not appreciated. I’m going to unsubscribe and just pick the episodes I want to listen to on a one by one basis. Sorry Adam, I know you want to support yourself from podcasts but this is too much.
Read more
Matt the Logistics Guy
Excellent docent
Adam refers to himself a host, but I think of him more as a highly qualified volunteer docent leading a tour in a museum. He applies his knowledge to provide insightful context, and his passion for old time radio is as palpable as it is infectious. Like a good docent, Adam curates the best and points out things I never would have noticed. It is so great that he’s keeping these shows alive and sharing his hobby. My all time favorite is Pat Novak. I really wish more episodes had survived. The evolution (or change perhaps?) of Jack Webb is puzzling to me. Cynical to uncritical. The police as flawed and bumbling to the police as infallible. I’ll write to Adam one day and ask him about this. In the meantime, keep up the good work and Illegitimi non Carborundum (don’t let the trolls get you down).
Read more
Donalddragon
Great Podcast
I listen to many old time radio podcast but this is one of the best. Adam has a great deal of knowledge and share’s information regarding shows or episodes that not found elsewhere . The quality of the shows is generally good. Trivial matter of Adams voice or daring to spread out episode are best ignore as the value of this podcast far exceeds these petty remarks. Enjoy!
Jonathan Gerolami
Great podcast
Adam introduced me to OTR several years ago and I love it! Great job, Adam - keep up the good work. And, thanks.
$bella
Good content but poor execution
The programs are great and the host presents well and provides good background information and insight. However, the number of ads has steadily increased and the hour of infomercials (waste of internet data) at the end as of late is a bit too much. Hopefully this changes.
Reviewerperson1&1
Adam
People that complain about commercials or Adam’s voice should consider what it takes for someone like Adam who built this podcast many years ago and made it more robust as a sideline to his day job on his own with nothing but love of old time radio behind him. I for one have grown to love the sound and feel of this podcast. Before we complain can we first take stock of what’s involved putting this together and if you the complainer can do better. After all, I would LOVE to listen to any of his detractors podcast to compare. Have a great day!🫤
Read more
ESK65
Great Show
I'm not a fan of Dangerous Assignment and shows of that nature. In my opinion they just don't fit in a detective show podcast. Other than that, I really enjoy the podcast and it's still worth five stars. Dragnet and Tales of the Texas Rangers are my favorites.
R. E. L.
Lots of great detective dramas
I appreciate Adam’s collection of detective serials. I do wonder why he pronounces Idaho as Addahoe. While I enjoy the vintage gumshoe serials, I am not a fan of him advertising for an MLM. I’m not going to give the name, but it’s tacky to do a promo for a business that likes to sucker gullible SAHM by thinking they can be a “boss babe” by selling accessories. Also, what is with the app hijacking? Why is a mental health podcast playing after an OTR episode? I’m starting to think any episode over an hour or close to an hour is going to have an unrelated podcast.
Read more
celticjennifer76
Excellent!
Like a curator at a massive art gallery, Adam takes great care to thoughtfully present radio detective shows from long ago. These shows might otherwise be lost to time! Keep up the good work.
aptandy79
Great programs, but…
…the host Adam’s voice sounds like a voice invented by Mel Blanc for a character that didn’t quite make it into the Warner Brothers cartoons.
MAFinOKC
Adam gets it!
Adam is a true old time radio show aficionado! Thank you Adam for all the research you do on the shows! More Dragnet and Johnny Dollar!!
Pat from CA
Best book!
I gave it a five out of five because of everything even the accents are amazing
Silllynillllyy
Good grief
The reason why I give it a four star is because the host has a terrible accent but other than that I love it
da boss1111111111
Another great podcast
Appreciate all the work you do to present quality product
MGILL006
First time listener
I enjoyed the show tremendously, and the host did I nice job on the presentation as well. Just gave five stars as my response.
rosebroadcasting
Pop culture from the past
A great podcast featuring OTR detective and detective-adjacent shows from decades past. Adam Graham provides insightful commentary on the shows, from the truly memorable to the painfully lame. It’s a window into the world of radio entertainment as it used to be, and an opportunity to enjoy some of the great radio actors in their many guises.
Garrideb527
Infomercials
30 minutes of infomercials at end of episode is enough to make me look elsewhere for listening
Samantha trite
Kudos to the Host
Adam does a great job presenting a comprehensive archive of early radio dramas. I appreciate his post-commentary and his knowledge of the actors performing in the various shows. I don’t mind the ads if it means that it helps keeps these old radio shows available.
Aaronsr
Great
I really love this podcast. The content and audio quality of the shows presented in this podcast is very good, but unlike other podcast which broadcast old radio shows, the host Adam Graham makes them come alive. I really enjoy his commentary and insights into each episode. If you are looking for a pod cast for old time radio shows, this is number 1 on my list. Well done Adam!!
TJ 54321
Long time listener
I have been listening to this podcast for over ten years. I know there are other OTR podcasts and I’ve even downloaded some of the Audible collections. But Adam is so true to the original play times and his thorough research of actors and shows makes it so much more enjoyable. I love the way he organizes each show so I can go back and binge my favorites like Barrie Craig or Candy Matson. I like that he leaves the commercials intact. They reveal so much of the era. My kids are grown now, but when they were little they always heard me belt out “where we take better care of your car!” And today know what that means when they see pictures of old Standard gas stations in businesses around Portland. Anyway, truly grateful for Adam and that he has been able to share his passion with others.
Read more
frogsandlilypads
Jarring ad breaks, jarring host
1) this is packed to the gills with loud, crappy and unwanted ad breaks from front to back, which completely ruins both the story and the overall mood of a classic radio drama. 2) as if the ad breaks weren’t already pathetic in their own money grubbing way, the nerd who “hosts” this podcast also derails each program with interludes in an accent and tone that I can only describe as bizarre and off putting. There are plenty of classic radio dramas on the podcast market that don’t self-sabotage. Find one of them, this guy obviously has no respect for them.
Read more
ADSPACE4cheap
Shut up.
The guy needs to shut up. No one needs 10 minutes of his liberal comments on each show. It’s annoying.
GuitarshopGuitars
Great shows, needs a new host
The actual programs are great, however the host needs to hire someone to read his intros/ outros, terrible voice
TJwheelie
Would be lost without this Podcast
As a rural mail carrier in rural Maine spending 6 plus hours in a car 6 days a week I’d be lost without it! Have been listening for a few years and finally getting around to reviewing. I truly thank you for what your doing!
Bilog68
Love the shows
I listen to this podcast everyday. Love the shows. The detective/private detective in each show are interesting. The shows are GREAT.
Machappiness45
Great Detective
A great way to escape the grim reality of today
Styles3
Fun
Distracting me while I do dishes and housework
Mrs KQ
Great show
I love Adams insight along with the history coming to life!
padinovots
Great OTR cast
Adam hosts a great cast focused exclusively on detectives and mystery OTR. Thank you and well done, cheers!
Judge_Dredd_
Love the Old Time detective shows!
Back when there was no foul language and an actual mystery! I’ve been listening for years! This is my favorite way to pass the time during my daily travels and commute.
We4Martins
Detective mysteries
Adam does a great job finding and sharing radio detective shows.
DJA-WVC
Great selection of Curated OTR Detective Shows
Adam finds and produces the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of this genre. He has lead to the Discovery
db121
Load more