Boston Blackie - Single Episodes
Old Time Radio Researchers Group
BOSTON BLACKIE Boston Blackie is a fictional character who has been on both sides of the law. As originally created by author Jack Boyle, he was a safecracker -- a hardened criminal who had served time in a California prison. Prowling the underworld as a detective in adaptations for films, radio, and television, the detective Boston Blackie was "an enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend". The Boston Blackie radio series, starring Chester Morris, began June 23, 1944, on NBC as a summer replacement for The Amos 'n' Andy Show . Sponsored by Rinso, the series continued until September 15 of that year. Unlike the concurrent films, Blackie had a steady romantic interest in the radio show -- Lesley Woods appeared as Blackie's girlfriend Mary Wesley. Harlow Wilcox was the show's announcer. On April 11, 1945, Richard Kollmar took over the title role in a radio series syndicated by Frederic W. Ziv to Mutual and other network outlets. Over 200 episodes of this series were produced between 1944 and October 25, 1950. Other sponsors included Lifebuoy Soap, Champagne Velvet beer, and R&H beer. While investigating mysteries, Blackie invaribly encountered harebrained Police Inspector Farraday (Maurice Tarplin) and always solved the mystery to Farraday's amazement. Initially, friction surfaced in the relationship between Blackie and Farraday, but as the series continued, Farraday recognized Blackie's talents and requested assistance. Blackie dated Mary Wesley (Jan Miner), and for the first half of the series, his best pal Shorty was always on hand. The humorless Farraday was on the receiving end of Blackie's bad puns and word play. NOTE: Updated with Version 3.2 Files on 26-May-2012. NOTE: Updated with Version 3 Files on 18-Nov-2009. From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
Agreed, the organist is not so Shmoooth!
Den NC USA
I've enjoyed the comments, all positive but for (listed on some sites) organist Lew White. (We know he wrote the theme...) After a couple of Champagne Velvets... For all of youse who boo hoo Lew, tooo bad for yoouuu. Barry Craig's hipster in the night sax opening is much more my style too. But hey, Blackie and Mary and Farraday take the action with style enough to let the rest of it not get on my nerves. The organ's out of the past, but Boston Blackie's on the case, and the show's got wit and pace. Now, let's get back to Blackie at the scene of the crime, inside the garage where Blackie's picked the lock (Farraday's wanting to learn him how it's done) and they've left the door open, and .... So, folks, do I ding Lew and leave one star off? I'll give it over for repartee twixt Mary and Blackie.
One of the more entertaining detective series
LeGrande
The well-written back-and-forth bickering between Blackie and Inspector Farriday helps propel this series beyond more mundane "solve the crime" shows. Blackie also has to solve his cases without the help (and often with direct opposition) from the police, which adds a nice twist. And rather than Mary just being a female friend, she's really Blackie's girl, which makes things just a tad more believable. It's a very listenable show, even after repeated listenings.
Great show!
RinoRino
This is my favorite radio show hands down. The exchanges between Blackie and Faraday are great and timeless. Thank you to Max Reiner for answering a question I had about an actor that is in a few of the episodes! He mentioned an actor named Ralph Bell. Ralph Bell has (in my opinion) the best gangster voice ever. Check out "Jerry Williams Fixed Court Case" to hear him at his finest. Bell voices Jerry Williams, a gardenia-loving gangster... a classic line he brings to radio when he's about to kill Blackie..."Ya know, I always sniff a gardenia before I kill a guy...". "The Abbott Painting" is another classic of Bell's...playing Henry Rice... a sort of art collector. Of course, Blackie's voice (as voiced by Dick Kollmar) is just wonderful also. The back and forth between Blackie and Faraday is one of the show's greatest attributes. Enjoy! Note to Internet Archive: Episode 073 "Old Man Graham's Wife" should be corrected to "Old Man Graham's Will" as his wife never appears nor is mentioned. The episode is about his Will (or 2 Wills).
A memorable show
Justine Dean
This show has one of the best ensemble cast, Dick Kollmar is funny, witty, smart and sharp. He adds a charm to the show I have heard Chester Morris version but Kollmar is better he keeps it light and refreshing. Maurice tarplin is brilliant as inspector Faraday his voice is so different from other radio shows .. His insults to blackie and blackie's reponse are a highlight.... Love them... Jan Miner is also good as Mary I didn't mind the music but have a feeling it's given by same person who gave it in Philo Vance
Why, Farraday, what an unpleasant surprise!
prewarbooksfallout
I started listening to this show after finishing another great show on here, "Box 13", and this one is just as good! I love the banter between Blackie & Inspector Farraday and how Blackie wiggles out of the hairiest predicaments! The writing is intelligent, the sound quality of these files is solid and I am certainly enjoying it! Thanks to all who helped preserve it! Rinso white, Rinso bright!
Great fun
Blacksmith
Boston's lock-picking and his nice gangster-catching ideas and attitudes together with everything else like his getting away from the police always and the endless arguments with Faraday make some of the greatest OTRR fun! Thanks!
Updated Files
OTRRArchive
18-Nov-2009: Corrected the Larry the Kid vs Savinni episode, plus some minor corrections on about a dozen other episodes.
Excellent example of Great old radio detective drama
pizzaboss
First, reviewer Albie is incorrect when he states both main actors committed suicide. Morris died of an overdose of barbiturates (unintentional) it was ruled and Kolimar died in his sleep after breaking his shoulder at home. The show is very entertaining and aside from the organ music is, in my opinion, a 4-5 star show..