Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator - Single Episodes


(4.5 stars; 100 reviews)

Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator features William Gargan as the voice of New York private investigator Barrie Craig, with Ralph Bell portraying his associate, Lt. Travis Rogers. Set in an office on Madison Avenue, Craig's adventures follow the classic PI narrative, where he works alone, solves cases efficiently, and maintains a strict code of confidentiality.

This series is notable for having different spellings of the main character's name over the years, starting as 'Barry Crane' before settling on 'Barrie Craig'. Originally produced by NBC in New York from 1951 to 1954, it later moved to Hollywood, airing from 1954 to 1955. Despite its intriguing premise, the show often struggled with sponsorship, typically operating as a sustainer.


This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

The Judge and the Champ 29:57
Microfilm in the Fishtank 29:29
Corpse on Delivery 28:04
The Case of the Borrowed Knife 29:41
Dead on Arrival 28:24
Murder in Wax 28:17
The Case of the Naughty Necklace 28:20
The Paper Bullets 29:35
Death and the Purple Cow 29:36
Ghost of a Chance 29:15
Song of Death 28:17
Death of a Private Eye 29:08
Murder Island 29:27
Fatal Appointment 29:36
The Deadly Fight 29:37
A Very Odd Job 29:36
Diary of Death 29:37
A Time to Kill 29:37
Motive for Murder 29:22
The Long Way Home 28:58
Murder By Threes 29:26
Dead Loss 29:11
Crimson Queen 29:40
The Girl on The Doorstep 26:50
Behold a Corpse 26:38
Beware the Walking Dog 29:35
The Lost Lady 27:33
Scream for Murder 29:36
The Thirteenth Guest 28:41
Kitchens Come with Knives 29:22
Fog Over Murder 29:18
The Lonely Corner 29:27
Strange Vision 28:44
Zero Hour 29:23
The Embezzler 29:28
The Schemers 29:27
The Corpse Who Was Wrong 29:20
The Tough Guy 29:37
Murder by Error 29:29
Death Buys a Bedroom 29:38
For Love of Murder 29:24
Death's Bargain Basement 29:03
Mid-Summer Lunacy 29:23
Blood Money 29:09
Hay Is for Homicide 29:19
Ghosts Don't Die in Bed 29:27
Life Line 26:07
The Sneak Assassin 29:28
Dead Bull in a China Shop 27:59
Angel of Death 24:50
Nobody Lives There Anymore 25:07
Target 25:03
Sweet Larceny 24:58
Corpse on the Town 23:44
Never Murder a Mummy 24:52
Never Murder a Mummy 24:50
Visitor at Midnight 24:53
Sucker Bait 24:37
Two Dead Men 25:00

Reviews

More of a loner than Sam Spade or Frank Race, but he's solid.


(5 stars)

If you're just finding out about all these great shows on INTERNET ARCHIVE, this is a worthy listen. If you want a good example, try #12 Death of an Investigator. It's a tale of New York City in the winter, getting over to Staten Island, even, and though you might want to hear it twice to follow the plot, it's got some great characters (in the sense of realism) and gives a good sense of what Barrie Craig was all about. As other fans have said, well-produced, good scripts and although the music is more repititious than Sam Spade's, it never gets in the way of the action. Enjoy, and watch yourself. NYC is a tough place.

The MUTEL Cues in Barrie Craig


(4 stars)

This series is the only one I know of that makes full use of the MUTEL production library, which is a favorite of mine. There are some real gems of cues. I put the show on a bedtime and it gives me the most amazing dreams. The audio levels are quite consistent compared to other Archive shows. The only objection I have is in the original mix where the micing is muffled. Why were the highs attenuated. I thought it was in the transfer. But that can't be the case because the music cues come through very bright. Thanks for a wonderful show.

William Gargan Great as "Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator"


(5 stars)

This is an excellent program with William Gargan in great form as detective "Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator." The plots are similar to other detective programs of the time. William Gargan's delivery is low-key and pleasant.

Excellent show


(5 stars)

One of the best radio detective shoes, well written, well acted, well directed. Highly recommended.

TOO CONFIDENTIAL


Barry Craig slipped under the radar of old time radio. Rarely heard, this pretty well plotted and acted series deserves better now that it's available. If William Gargan isn't the big name actor as with some shows and hasn't a gimmick, it doesn't tarnish what is evident in listening to these clear well produced programs. His movie career was extensive, and earned him an Oscar nom. After losing his larynx to cancer from smoking, he did work to fight smoking and cancer. In all, this series reflects professional work and good pacing. 3.5 stars

Is "Mellow-boiled" a thing yet?


(5 stars)

He's got no gimmick. The closest thing to a sidekick is an aged elevator man. Comic relief is provided by Willie of The Lunch wagon. He hardly ever gets the girl. And he only gets an edge when its cutting time. Barry Craig is similiar to Richard Diamond in that they were kings of screw-boiled" noir of the early fifties. Just about the best re-listen series in the detective genre. Does ANYBODY know the name of the theme song?


(5 stars)

I absolutely love this radio "noir" drama! I have to smile/laugh at some of the venicular being used for this type of genre. The voice acting is spot on. I would definitely recommend this to others.

Fifties private detective series


(3.5 stars)

Classic noir text. Dated but tight scripts. Womanizing protagonist. Cinematic orchestration. Deadpan wit. Don Pardo announcing. I listened to every episode. Only one track had audio issues. I forget which one.