Candy Matson Tribute
Season 09, Episode 11
November 15, 2021
Best of the popular female detective programs
Re-Imagined Radio samples the first and last episodes of Candy Matson, a ground-breaking female investigator anthology radio series. Said to be the best of the popular female detective programs. Part of our Tribute Series.
Access the episode scripts
Background
Quick Info
OTR female investigator series
June 30, 1949-May 21, 1951
National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
Weekly, 30-minute episodes
Total episodes: 91 (plus April 1949 audition episode and September 1952 series revival audition
episode)
Surviving episodes: 14
Cast
Natalie Masters as Candy Matson
Jack Thomas as Rembrandt Watson, an eccentric photographer
Henry Leff as Lieutenant Ray Mallard, a San Francisco Police detective and Matson's love interest.
Crime and detective radio series were popular from the 1940s to the 1950s, perhaps due to rising concerns for emerging criminal activities at all levels. A number of detective radio series responded to this interest. Candy Matson was a weekly radio drama series noted for its strong female protagonist. She was a compelling alternative to the popular male detective radio genre, and the best of the popular female detective programs.
Candy Matson runs her private investigation business from a penthouse atop Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, California. Sidekicks Rembrandt Watson (eccentric photographer) and Lieutenant Ray Mallard (San Francisco Police detective and love interest) assist as she solves murders and mysteries in her own intelligent and witty style.
Candy Matson was developed by husband and wife Monte and Natalie Masters. They planned their radio series with a male lead, but Natalie's mother persuaded them to cast Natalie as the female protagonist. The series was changed to highlight Candy Matson as a strong lead character, an intelligent, no-nonsense female detective, driven, relentless, and disarming. Monte wrote, produced, and directed each episode. Natalie voiced the role of Candy Matson. The writing and acting, along with its local focus, all contributed to the success of Candy Matson.
As voiced by Natalie Masters, Candy Matson is an intelligent, no nonsense detective. She is driven, relentless, and disarming. The series was broadcasted by KNBC in San Francisco, 30 June 1949-21 May 1951, and quickly became the standout of the popular female investigator programs.
Guest spots were cast by the Masters from professional San Francisco actors. Sometimes they used local musicians. Episodes featured references to local streets, buildings, events, or culture. The series also featured gay and Asian characters. These local associations, along with the quick and creative scripts, made Candy Matson an audience favorite.
Constant changes to broadcast times by NBC, and the lack of a sponsor, ultimately led to a cancellation of the series after ninety one episodes, 21 May 1951. A reprise of the series, as Candy Matson, YUkon 38309 was attempted 21 October 1952 without success.
Resources
Inventory of episodes from Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs
Episodes at Internet Archive
website
Candy Matson, Yukon 28209 radio logs at Jerry
Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs website
Plot summaries and credits at Radio Gold Index website
The Definitive Candy
Matson at Digital Deli Too website
Production
Contents
Samples from the first and last episodes of the Candy Matson series.
The first episode, "The Donna Dunham Case," was broadcast 30 June 1949. In this episode Candy
investigates a jealous-lover murder and nearly falls victim herself.
Read "The Donna Dunham Case"
script→.
The last episode, "Candy's Last Case" (AKA "The Cape Hatteras Diamond"), broadcast 21 May 1951, features a double murder and a missing diamond. Both lead indirectly to Mallard proposing marriage to Candy.
Cast and credits
Jody Walter as Montgomery the Mole
John Grover as Finch
Helen Kleeb as Jennifer Shirley
Jack Thomas as Rembrandt Watson
Henry Leff as Captain Ray Mallard
Natalie Masters as Candy Matson
Written and directed by Monty Masters
Sound effects by Bill Brown
Organ music by Ellen Rowan
Credits
Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Post Production by Marc Rose
Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum
Social Media by Regina Carol Social Media Management
Significance
Candy Matson is significant for its strong female protagonist. Series developed by husband and wife Monte and Natalie Masters, who voiced the part of Candy Matson. Episodes used professional San Francisco actors and musicians. Episodes featured references to local streets, buildings, events, or culture. The series also featured gay and Asian characters. These local associations, along with the quick and creative scripts, made Candy Matson an audience favorite. The series overall provides good radio storytelling.
Comments
Wonderful show! I hadn't heard of Candy Matson until now. She's becoming a new favorite of mine. Thank
you for putting this on!
— Kathleen
I can't wait to listen to Candy! She's one of the inspirations for my own detective Phillipa Graves!
— Jack Ward
The Sonic Society
The Mutual Audio Drama Network
Producer's Notes
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Promotion
Press
Graphics
