It's a trip around the world with three old time radio detectives who walked an international beat. First, Rocky Jordan investigates a killing in Cairo in "The Man With No Name" (originally aired on CBS on October 9, 1949). Then, secret agent Mr. I.A. Moto journeys to Rome in "Escape" (originally aired on NBC on July 22, 1951). Finally, Brian Donlevy stars as Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment on an adventure to Bombay (originally aired on NBC on August 23, 1950).

We'll close out our Black History Month series with music and comedy from Louis Armstrong. Satchmo teams up with Rochester in an episode of The Jack Benny Program (originally aired on NBC on May 9, 1943). Then, he jams on an episode of the Armed Forces Radio Service showcase Jubilee (recorded on May 24, 1943).

Seventy-two years ago this month, "the man with the action-packed expense account" made his two-fisted radio debut. Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar ran until 1962 and helped to bring down the curtain on the golden age of radio. We'll hear three radio adventures of "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator," each starring a different actor as Dollar. First, Charles Russell stars in "Murder is a Merry-Go-Round" (originally aired on CBS on March 11, 1949). Then, John Lund is Dollar in "The Marigold Matter" (originally aired on CBS on January 23, 1953). Finally, Mandel Kramer plays Johnny in "The Three for One Matter" (originally aired on CBS on October 22, 1961).

Eddie Green's signature radio role was as Eddie, the waiter at Duffy's Tavern. But before he joined the cast of the Ed Gardner comedy series, Green was a successful entertainer on stage and screen. He was an actor, director, and songwriter who reached tremendous heights as an African American performer in the first half of the twentieth century. We'll hear Green in a pair of episodes from Duffy's Tavern (originally aired on NBC on November 9, 1945 and December 28, 1945).

We're saluting some of the women who solved crimes during the radio era. First, we'll Meet Miss Sherlock, a scatterbrained amateur detective (originally aired on CBS on September 12, 1946). Then, comedy star Sara Berner shows off her trademark silliness as she sleuths in Sara's Private Caper (originally aired on NBC on June 15, 1950). And finally, Natalie Masters is on the case as Candy Matson - the gorgeous gumshoe from San Francisco - in "A Symphony of Death" (originally aired on NBC on June 20, 1950).

Eddie Anderson, the vaudeville star and comedian with a trademark gravelly voice, made his first appearance on The Jack Benny Program in 1937. He'd become an iconic part of the series and a member of Benny's cast on radio and television for nearly 30 years. Anderson was the first African American actor with a regular role on a national radio series, and his character of Rochester Van Jones was one of the most popular on the show. We'll hear him as Sam in the show's production of Casablanca (originally aired on NBC on October 17, 1943). Then, Anderson stars in the audition recordings of what would have been his own comedy series - The Private Life of Rochester Van Jones (recorded May 12, 1950).

In 14 films and hundreds of radio episodes, Nigel Bruce personified Dr. Watson for generations of Sherlock Holmes fans. The actor created a companion for Sherlock Holmes who was avuncular, fiercely loyal, and awestruck at his friend's deductive powers. We'll hear Bruce opposite Basil Rathbone in "The Telltale Pigeon Feathers" (originally aired on Mutual on January 21, 1946) and with Tom Conway in "The Adventure of the Elusive Emerald" (originally aired on ABC on December 14, 1946). Plus, Bruce recreates his role from Suspicion in a production of The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre (originally aired on CBS on January 21, 1946).

In honor of Black History Month, we're saluting African American performers in old time radio comedies. Seven years after she became the first Black performer to win an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel broke another barrier as the first Black woman to headline a national radio series. McDaniel starred as Beulah in the comedy series about the titular maid and housekeeper. We'll hear her in a pair of Beulah episodes (originally aired on CBS on June 27 and June 28, 1950). Plus, she reprises the role in an episode of Philco Radio Time with Bing Crosby (originally aired on ABC on January 19, 1949).

Two-fisted action, tough guy narration, dangerous dames - the hard-boiled detective shows of the golden age of radio had it all. We'll hear three of those gumshoes in radio mysteries. First, Gerald Mohr is Philip Marlowe in "The Lady Killer" (originally aired on CBS on August 20, 1949). Then, Jack Webb stars as Pat Novak For Hire in "Fleet Lady" (originally aired on ABC on March 6, 1949). Finally, William Gargan plays Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator in "Crimson Queen" (originally aired on NBC on January 4, 1953).

It's a belated birthday party for screen legend Cary Grant with a pair of old time radio showcases for his comedic talents. We'll hear him try to dodge a proposal from Gracie's cousin on The Burns and Allen Show (originally aired on NBC on February 13, 1947). Then, Cary Grant is joined by his wife Betsy Drake in the radio spinoff Mr. and Mrs. Blandings, a series that continues the story from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (originally aired on NBC on March 18, 1951).

When the mail arrives for George Valentine and Dan Holiday, it means mystery and adventure are soon to follow. Both gumshoes find cases in the responses they receive to their newspaper ads offering their help to people in dangerous situations. We'll hear Bob Bailey in "Destination: Dead End" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on February 14, 1949). Then, Alan Ladd stars in a pair of syndicated episodes of Box 13 - "Book of Poems" and "The Great Torino."

Sing, dance, act, and make audiences howl with laughter - Danny Kaye could do it all, and he found a magnificent showcase for many of his talents in his own weekly radio series. The Danny Kaye Show found the star at the top of his game surrounded by an A-list supporting cast of Eve Arden, Lionel Stander, and more. We'll hear the first two episodes of the program (originally aired on CBS on January 6 and January 13, 1945).

Crime used to pay for our old time radio super sleuths this week, but Michael Lanyard (The Lone Wolf) and Boston Blackie left their criminal careers behind and used the tricks of their trade to bring crooks to justice. We'll hear three adventures of these reformed robbers. First, Walter Coy stars as the Lone Wolf in "The Golden Santa" (originally aired on Mutual on January 1, 1949). Then, Richard Kollmar is Boston Blackie in a pair of syndicated shows: "The Stolen Radway's Faust" and "Blackie's Framed for Fur Thefts."

It's a party in this week's bonus comedy episode. We're celebrating the birthday of William Bendix and the anniversary of the debut of his radio sitcom The Life of Riley. Join Chester A. Riley, wife Peg, son Junior, and daughter Babs on misadventures in a pair of shows. First, Riley is excited for a promotion at work - but it isn't his (originally aired on NBC on September 7, 1946). Then, Riley's worried his family forgot his birthday (originally aired on NBC on February 8, 1947).

We're saluting Simon Templar today, and we'll hear three of his radio adventures including the audition recording that kicked off the on-air career of The Saint. Vincent Price is Simon in "The Horrible Hamburger" (originally aired on NBC on September 10, 1950) and Tom Conway plays Templar in "No, My Darling Daughter" (originally aired on NBC on July 15, 1951). Then, Leslie Charteris himself is on hand to introduce "The Miracle Tea Party," an audition recording starring Denis Green as The Saint.

Snow is falling on Wistful Vista in this week's bonus comedy episode. Join Fibber McGee and Molly for a pair of stories about sleds, sleigh rides, and silliness courtesy of the comedic couple and their neighbors. First, Fibber wants to spruce up a childhood toy (originally aired on NBC on February 10, 1948). Then, the whole gang takes a sleigh ride through the snowy streets (originally aired on NBC on January 31, 1950).

The dogged detectives of Scotland Yard are on the case in three old time radio mysteries. First, Orson Welles narrates the story of "The Car Tire" and its brush with murder from The Black Museum. Then, an artificial pearl holds the solution to a murder in "The Case of Marjorie Tate" from Whitehall 1212 (originally aired on NBC on May 11, 1952). Finally, Ben Wright plays Inspector Peter Black in "Pursuit of the Woman in Gray" from Pursuit (AFRS rebroadcast from February 26, 1952).

We sign off for the year with two New Year's comedies from the golden age of radio. First, Alan Young tries to keep the plans for a Rose Bowl parade float a secret (originally aired on NBC on December 27, 1946). Then, Eve Arden's Our Miss Brooks is stuck babysitting on New Year's Eve (originally aired on CBS on January 1, 1950).

Before the world loved Lucy, Lucille Ball starred as a tough noir heroine in The Dark Corner. She played a loyal secretary out to clear the name of her private eye boss. In this Lux Radio Theatre adaptation (originally aired on CBS on November 10, 1947). Lucille Ball reunites with her big screen co-star Mark Stevens in this terrific mystery drama.

Department store sales clerks had a lot to face during the holiday season - crowds of last minute shoppers, long hours, and Jack Benny agonizing over the perfect gift. We'll hear three episodes that find Benny driving clerks up the wall as he struggles to select the right shoelaces, wallets, and golf tees. Listen as Mel Blanc fights to remember the customer is always right in these shows originally aired on NBC on December 8, 1946 and December 19, 1948 and on CBS on December 17, 1950.

Criminals work on Christmas, but fortunately so do the ace crimesolvers of the golden age of radio! Staats Cotsworth stars as newshound and amateur sleuth Casey, Crime Photographer in a pair of holiday mysteries: "Christmas Shopping" (originally aired on CBS on December 19, 1946) and "The Santa Claus of Bum Boulevard" (originally aired on CBS on December 25, 1947). Plus, we'll hear an old time radio recreation of O. Henry's classic story "The Gift of the Magi" from The Coronet Little Show (originally aired on Mutual on December 19, 1943).

Our comedy countdown to Christmas continues with two beloved radio couples and a Hollywood legend pinch hitting for the holidays. First, Jane Wyman steps in for a flu-stricken Gracie Allen in a Christmas night episode of The Burns and Allen Show (originally aired on NBC on December 25, 1947). Then, Fibber paints the McGee's tree white on Fibber McGee and Molly (originally aired on December 18, 1945).

Sydney Greenstreet was 61 years old when he made his screen debut as Kasper Gutman in The Maltese Falcon, and his larger than life villainous performance earned him an Oscar nod and it kicked off a second career in films. Greenstreet appeared in Casablanca, They Died With Their Boots On, and more, and on radio he lent his voice to Rex Stout's gargantuan gourmet Nero Wolfe. We'll hear Greenstreet as Wolfe in "The Case of the Tell-Tale Ribbon" (originally aired on NBC on March 30, 1951). Plus, he joins Fred Allen on a comedic caper through Cairo (AFRS rebroadcast from May 12, 1946) and finally Greenstreet joins Peter Lorre as they recreate their roles from The Mask of Dimitrios in The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theatre (originally aired on CBS on April 16, 1945).

The countdown to Christmas continues with more old time radio holiday comedies. First, Eve Arden hosts a Christmas party with yuletide magic in the air in Our Miss Brooks (originally aired on CBS on December 25, 1949). Then, Lucille Ball rounds up a gang of carolers to take a musical sleigh ride on My Favorite Husband (originally aired on December 23, 1949).

Say the magic word and join three old time radio detectives with something extra up their sleeves. Whether they used supernatural powers or just tricks of the trade, these masters of mystery and magic solved the crime with style. We'll hear an adventure of Chandu the Magician pitting the hero against a master schemer (originally aired on ABC on August 2, 1950). Then, art imitates life in Blackstone, the Magic Detective. We'll hear a pair of syndicated shows inspired by the life of magician Harry Blackstone: "The Coin of Cleopatra" and "The Accusing Corpse." Finally, two magicians - one good, one evil - pit their powers against each other in "The Battle of the Magicians" from Lights Out (originally aired on NBC on July 27, 1946).

With Christmas right around the corner, we're launching a month of holiday comedies from the golden age of radio. First, Bud and Lou trim the tree and get a visit from Santa in The Abbott and Costello Show (originally aired on ABC on December 24, 1947). Then, Phil Harris and Alice Faye enlist an old friend to play St. Nick in The Fitch Bandwagon (originally aired on NBC on December 21, 1947).

Wally Maher and Jeff Chandler starred on radio as red-headed shamus Michael Shayne, and each actor brought his own style to the detective. Maher, along with Cathy Lewis as loyal assistant Phyllis Knight, stars as Shayne in "Behind the Footlights" (originally aired on Mutual on August 27, 1945). Then, Chandler is ultra hard-boiled as Shayne in the syndicated mysteries "The Case of the Carnival Killer" and "The Case of the Eager Victim."

Before you dig in to your Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy a pair of Turkey Day comedies from the golden age of radio. First, My Friend Irma brings a live turkey for dinner (originally aired on CBS on November 15, 1948). Then, in Life with Luigi, J. Carrol Naish's Luigi finds himself without a dinner on the big day (originally aired on CBS on November 22, 1949).

Joshua Sharpe was a rarity in the world of radio private eyes. When he closed up his shop for the day, he headed home to his two kids who he raised as a single dad. His son and daughter gave him the affectionate nickname The Big Guy. Together, they starred in the unique radio detective drama where their family lives occasionally intersected with Sharpe's case of the week. Henry Calvin stars as the Big Guy in three radio mysteries: "The Unheard Voice" (originally aired on NBC on May 7, 1950), "The Case of the Villainous Friend" (originally aired on NBC on August 27, 1950), and "The Case of the Patent Leather Bag" (originally aired on NBC on November 5, 1950).

We kick off our Thanksgiving celebration with a pair of old time radio Turkey Day comedies. First, Jack Benny dreams he's the main course on the menu (originally aired on NBC on November 21, 1943). Then, Fibber McGee and Molly plan to dine out for Thanksgiving, but a tax bill casts a cloud over the celebration for Fibber (originally aired on NBC on November 22, 1949).

Our sleuths this week are men of the cloth as well as men of mystery. We'll hear Karl Swenson as G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown in "The Mystified Mind" (originally aired on Mutual on August 13, 1945). Then, a retired priest and a reformed ex-con join forces for justice in The Bishop and the Gargoyle (originally aired on NBC on July 14, 1940).

In honor of Veterans Day, we'll hear a pair of shows produced exclusively for our fighting men and women during World War II. Every week, the biggest names in Hollywood donated their time and talent to Command Performance, a showcase of sketches and songs designed to entertain the troops "till it's over - over there." We'll hear two episodes, both featuring longtime USO performer Bob Hope. First, Hope emcees and Lena Horne sings in a show from July 7, 1942. Then, Bob is joined by Bing Crosby in a show from September 25, 1943.

Dick Powell reinvented himself and embarked on a new phase of his career when he starred as Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet. The noir drama broke Powell out of boyish leading roles in musicals and put him on the path to Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond, Private Detective. We'll hear him join co-stars Claire Trevor and Mike Mazurki in a Lux Radio Theatre creation of the film - a production that finds him facing off against future radio Marlowe Gerald Mohr (originally aired on CBS on June 11, 1945).

Americans head to the polls tomorrow after a long and contentious election cycle, and to celebrate the casting of our ballots I've got a pair of old time radio comedies that find our stars exercising their rights. First, Fibber McGee and Molly are poll workers (originally aired on NBC on November 5, 1940). Then, as Luigi Basco, J. Carrol Naish's misguided efforts to get out the vote land him in hot water on Life with Luigi (originally aired on CBS on October 31, 1950).

Candy Matson is on the case, so if you're a crook in San Francisco - beware! Natalie Masters stars as the glamorous and gritty private detective, one of the few female gumshoes to headline her own series during the golden age of radio. We'll hear two of Candy's capers: "The Eric Spaulding Concert" (originally aired on NBC on February 7, 1950) and "San Juan Batista" (originally aired on NBC on November 26, 1950).

We wrap up our month of Halloween comedies with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello hosting some of Hollywood's legends of horror. First, Peter Lorre offers Costello a trip to his sanitarium (originally aired on NBC on January 13, 1944). Next, Bud and Lou investigate Bela Lugosi's haunted house (originally aired on ABC on May 5, 1948). Finally, Lon Chaney, Jr. is after Costello's girl (originally aired on ABC on June 2, 1948).

As Halloween approaches, we'll hear Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson face off against supernatural foes - or at least foes who appear to be supernatural. Werewolves, ghosts, vampires - none of them stand a chance against the world's greatest detective. We'll hear Tom Conway as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Watson in "The Adventure of the Black Angus" (originally aired on ABC on October 19, 1946) and "The Adventure of the Carpathian Horror" (originally aired on ABC on April 14, 1947). Then, John Stanley and Alfred Shirley star in "The Case of the Sanguinary Spectre" (originally aired on Mutual on February 8, 1948) and "The Case of the Everblooming Roses" (originally aired on Mutual on May 16, 1948).

Celebrate Halloween with Jack Benny and his gang - Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Don Wilson, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and Dennis Day - in a pair of old time radio comedies. First, Jack throws a Halloween party (originally aired on NBC on November 3, 1940). Then, a trick-or-treating prank on guest star Basil Rathbone backfires (originally aired on NBC on November 2, 1941).

Alan Ladd is back as Dan Holiday, writer and solver of mysteries in Box 13. Holiday hires himself out as an adventurer - all to get story ideas - with a tantalizing classified ad offering to "go anyplace, do anything." We'll hear the big screen star in a trio of syndicated old time radio adventures: "Actor's Alibi," "The Dowager and Dan Holiday," and "Last Will and Nursery Rhyme,"

Ghosts, ghouls, and grins are in the air with two more old time radio Halloween comedies. We'll hear William Bendix take a trip to a haunted house on The Life of Riley (originally aired on ABC on October 29, 1944). Then, Dorothy Lamour and Eddie Bracken receive a late night visit from Hollywood horror icon Boris Karloff on The Sealtest Variety Theatre (originally aired on NBC on June 23, 1944).

As he reinvented his career with an Oscar-winning role and a new recording contract, Frank Sinatra came to radio in his own detective drama. Sinatra starred as Rocky Fortune, whose weekly hunt for a new job landed him in cases of robbery, fraud, and even murder. We'll hear the Chairman of the Board in three radio mysteries: "Pint-Sized Payroll Bandit" (originally aired on NBC on October 27, 1953); "The Football Fix" (originally aired on February 2, 1954); and "The Twice-Murdered Man" (originally aired on March 9, 1954).

Our month of Halloween comedy kicks off with Eve Arden and J. Carrol Naish in a pair of trick-or-treating tales to keep you smiling like a jack-o-lantern. First, the Madison High gang is preparing for a Halloween party on Our Miss Brooks (originally aired on CBS on October 30, 1949). Then, Luigi celebrates his first Halloween in the USA in Life with Luigi (originally aired on CBS on October 30, 1951).

Sixty-five years ago, Bob Bailey stepped into the role of "America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator" and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar relaunched as a nightly serialized series. Those five-part stories rank among the best radio dramas of the era, and Bailey's performance as the ace detective is a big reason for the success of the series. We'll hear him in the complete five-part adventure "The Lorko Diamonds Matter" (originally aired on CBS between November 7th and November 11th, 1955).

Jack Benny's supporting cast was one of the best in radio, so it was no surprise when two of his co-stars launched shows of their own. We'll hear A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, starring the gullible and goofy tenor (originally aired on NBC on April 21, 1948) and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show with Benny's boisterous bandleader and his actress wife in their domestic misadventures (originally aired on NBC on December 18, 1953).

For over ten years, Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost starred as Mr. and Mrs. North, radio's most popular married crimesolvers. No matter where the amateur sleuths went, they managed to stumble over a corpse and uncover a new crime. We'll hear three of their adventures - all from rebroadcasts on the Armed Forces Radio Service: "Who Killed Mr. Stefano?," "The Charles Wyatt Murder," and "Murder Mismanaged."

We're catching up with radio's funniest couple in a pair of episodes starring George Burns and Gracie Allen. First, Gracie thinks George needs a break from making decisions (originally aired on NBC on February 19, 1948). Then, Gracie suspects George forgot their 15th wedding anniversary (originally aired on NBC on November 11, 1948).

The streets of Cairo are full of intrigue and adventure, and neither is in short supply at the Cafe Tambourine run by Rocky Jordan. Jack Moyles stars as the tough ex-pat club owner who can't help but get tangled up in exotic mysteries. We'll hear "A Stranger to the Desert" (originally aired on CBS on September 4, 1949) and "The Big Heist" (originally aired on November 10, 1949).

Holy Batman Day! We're celebrating the Caped Crusader with a bonus podcast episode starring Batman, Robin, and Superman. The Dynamic Duo co-stars with the Man of Steel in "Batman's Great Mystery," a serialized story from The Adventures of Superman (originally aired on Mutual between February 10 and February 17, 1948).