Frank Lovejoy Tribute
Season 13, Episode 05
May 19, 2025
A dependable, productive voice actor
Re-Imagined Radio offers a "Frank Lovejoy Tribute." Despite his reputation as a dependable voice actor, and his appearances on MANY radio programs in his career, Frank Lovejoy is not well know today. We sample from The Blue Beetle, This is Your FBI, Murder and Mr. Malone, and Night Beat for our "Frank Lovejoy Tribute." Thank you for listening.
Access the episode script
Background
Frank Lovejoy
Frank Andrew Lovejoy (1912-1962) was an American motion picture, television, and radio actor. Born in New York City, raised in New Jersey. As an actor he was noted for his ability to play sympathetic everyperson characters, his professionalism, dependibility, and productivity.
Re-Imagined Radio has previously introduced Frank Lovejoy as character actor. For example, he starred as Major Westfall in "The Outer Limit," a key part of our Dimension X Tribute. Lovejoy's strong portfolio includes appearances on several radio science fiction and/or mystery series, like Dimension X, Suspense, Escape, Beyond This World, and Beyond Tomorrow.
Lovejoy was a continuing cast member of Alan Ladd's Box 13 (Listen to Re-Imagined Radio's Syndication episode for more information) and contributed to programs like Jungle Jim, The Columbia Workshop, and Damon Runyon Theatre.
With this episode, Re-Imagined Radio pays tribute to Lovejoy's significant REGULAR roles. He starred in the first thirteen episodes of The Blue Beetle, 1940 to 1941. He was the announcer for the This Is Your FBI series, first season, 1945-1946. He starred in Murder and Mr. Malone, 1947-1948, and Night Beat, 1950-1952, the role for which he is perhaps best remembered. We sample from each of these programs to showcase Lovejoy's many contributions to radio storytelling.
Stage Acting
Lovejoy turned to acting when the Depression left him jobless. He made his debute on Broadway in Elmer Rice's "Judgment Day," September 12-December 1934. Following performances included "Chalked Out" (March 25, 1937-?), "The Greatest Show on Earth" (January 5-28, 1938), "Censored" (February 26-March 5, 1938), "The Snark Was a Boojum" (September 1-4, 1943), "A Sound of Hunting" (November 20-December 8, 1945), "Woman Bites Dog" (April 17-20, 1946), and "The Best Man" (March 31, 1960-July 8, 1961) (Internet Broadway Database).
Motion Pictures
Lovejoy's motion picture career included Home of the Brave, I Was A Communist for the FBI, House of Wax, Charge at Feather River, Shack Out on 101, and Strategic Air Command.
Television
Lovejoy's television career included two short-run TV series, Man Against Crime and Meet McGraw.
Radio Acting
Lovejoy's radio career, the focus of this episode, was very productive, based on his reputation as a dependable actor (Shreve). Here are some highlights that demonstrate Lovejoy's versatility across a number of program genres. Note: Not yet validated appearances in evening radio series include Johnny Presents, The Adventures of Sam Spade, Detective, and Texas Village (Lackmann 174-175).
1932 - 1941
Betty and Bob
Series, one of radio's earliest daytime dramas. Betty, a poor secretary, marries Bob Drake, a wealthy
young man. Bob's family disapproves and cuts off his funds. Together, Betty and Bob set out to run a
small town newspaper and succeed on their own.
NBC, 1931-1936, M-F, 15 minutes
CBS, 1936-1938
NBC, 1938-1941 (Lackmann 38, Terrace 36, Betty and Bob)
Known Appearances
"Sam Has Proposed to Evelyn", episode #113, November 26, 1947
Evelyn Lewis has been pestering Senator Sam Carter (Frank Lovejoy) to marry her. Sam visits Bob and
Betty, to tell them that he agreed to marry Evelyn, but now wants to leave town.
"Sam Is Impressed with Bob's Determination," episode #124, December 11, 1947
Senator Sam Carter (Frank Lovejoy) talks with Betty Drake, about her husband Bob. Although Sam had hopes
to marry Betty, he is supportive of her life with Bob.
1933 - 1955
Just Plain Bill (Lackmann 174-175)
Daytime series, about events in the life of Bill Davidson, a small-town barber
CBS, 1933-1936, NBC, 1936-1955, 15 minutes (Terrace 186)
CBS, 1935-1937, NBC 1937-1955, M-F, 15 minutes, (Linkmann 152)
1935 - 1938
The Life of Mary Sothern
Daytime series, dramatic stories about a woman's struggles in the modern world
MBS, 1935-1937, M-F, 15 minutes
CBS, 1937-1938 (Lackmann 168, Terrace 199)
Sheve notes appearances
1935 - 1957
Gangbusters
Evening series, crime dramas based on closed FBI cases using flashback technique, with amazing sound
effects (Terrace 126-127, Lackmann 112-113)
NBC, 1935 (Terrace 126-127)
CBS, 1935-1940, one evening a week, 30 minutes (Lackmann 112-113)
CBS, 1936-1940 (Terrace 126-127)
NBC, 1940-1946, one evening a week, 30 minutes (Lackmann 112-113)
NBC, 1942-1944 (Terrace 126-127)
ABC, 1946-1949, one evening a week, 30 minutes (Lackmann 112-113)
ABC, 1944-1948 (Terrace 126-127)
CBS, 1949-1954, one evening a week, 30 minutes(Lackmann 112-113, Terrace 126-127)
MBS, 1954-1957, one evening a week, 30 minutes (Lackmann 112-113)
MBS, 1955-1957 (Terrace 126-127)
"The roster of radio-acting regulars included Frank Lovejoy" (Lackmann 112-113)
The loud opening "gave rise to the expression 'coming on like gangbusters'" (Terrace 126-127)
Known Appearances
"The Esposito Brothers: Mad Dogs Of Crime." Episode #255, March 13, 1942 (Radio Gold Index-Gangbusters,
Haendeges-Gangbusters)
Two brothers run amok in New York City. Captured by the FBI, sentenced and tried in court, the jury
convicted them in one minute. The brothers were executed March 12, 1942, the day before this broadcast.
1937 - 1948
Second Husband (Lackmann 174-175)
Daytime serial, Problems arise in Brenda Cummings' family when she marries her second husband. AKA
The Ethel Barrymore Theater (Lackmann 243-244)
CBS, 1937-1946, 1955-1956, 30 minutes (Lackmann 243-244)
CBS, 1937-1948, 15 minutes (Terrace 299)
1937 - 1955
Stella Dallas (Lackmann 174-175)
Daytime series, Stella Davis works as a seamstress in a small Boston shop. Her daughter marries into
wealth and society. Realizing their worlds are different, Stella withdraws from her daughter's life so
not to create problems (Terrace 314-315, Lackmann 260-261)
CBS, 1938-1955, 15 minutes (Terrace 314-135)
NBC, 1937-1955, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 260-261)
Known Appearances
As Charles Martin (Terrace 314-315)
"Featured on the series," Frank Lovejoy (Lackmann 261)
1938 -1940
Your Family and Mine (Lackmann 174-175)
Daytime serial, unsuccessful inventor and his family (Terrace 362)
NBC, 1938-1939, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 304, Terrace 362)
CBS, 1939-1940, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 304, Terrace 362)
"Heard on the series regularly," Frank Lovejoy (Lackmann 304)
Known Appearances
"Your Family and Mine," September 21, 1939 (Goldin-Your Family and Mine)
After an operation to restore his eyesight, and while in delirium, Woody Marshall speaks of his love for
Judy Wilbur, who swears to stay with him. Steve Morgan (Frank Lovejoy) struggles over his love of Judy.
1938 - 1952
Valiant Lady
Daytime series, dramatic stories about a woman stuggling to help her unstable husband
CBS, 1938-1939, M-F, 15 minutes
NBC, 1939-1941
CBS, 1941-1946
ABC, 1951-1952 (Lackmann 283)
Jerry Haendiges reports on 12 episodes (Haendiges-Valiant Lady)
J. David Goldin reports on 17 episodes (Goldin-Valiant Lady)
Lovejoy "Heard in regular roles" (Lackmann 283)
Joan Banks appeared regularly as Joan Hargrave-Scott. She and Lovejoy married in 1940 (Wikipedia
"Valiant Lady")
Known Appearances
As Dr. Christopher Ellerbe (Buxton and Owen 249, Terrace 346)
1938 - 1949
The Gay Nineties Revue (aka Gaslight Gaieties)
Musical variety program
CBS, 1938-1944, One day a week, 30 minutes
ABC, 1948-1949 (Lackmann 114)
Known Appearances
"Music and Drama from the Gaslight Era (?)," February 24, 1940 (Radio Gold Index-Gay Nineties Revue)
"The Gay Nineties Revue," May 25, 1940 (Radio Gold Index-Gay Nineties Revue)
As "Broadway Harry" (Lackmann 114, Terrace 128, Gay Nineties Revue)
1938 - 1956
Joyce Jordan, M.D.
Series, dramatizations about female doctor in a big city hospital
CBS, 1938-1945, M-F, 15 minutes
NBC, 1945-1948
ABC, 1951-1952
NBC, 1955-1956 (Lackmann 150-151)
Haendiges reports on 11 episodes (Haendiges-Joyce Jordan, MD, Joyce Jordan, M.D.)
Lovejoy appeared as Victor Manion (Terrace 180-181)
Known Appearances
"Joyce and Mary Clean House." June 07, 1944 (Radio Gold Index-Joyce Jordan, M.D.)
Joyce Jordan and Mary clean house. Victor Manion (Frank Lovejoy) and Carol kiss in the moonlight by the
river.
"***Title Unknown." April 27, 1945 (Radio Gold Index-Joyce Jordan, M.D.)
Joyce Jordan isn't getting along with her husband, Dean. Victor Manion (Frank Lovejoy) complains that
Dean is unreliable.
"***Title Unknown." January 16, 1946 (Radio Gold Index-Joyce Jordan, M.D.)
Joyce Jordan tells Victor Manion (Frank Lovejoy) that she can never love him.
1938 - 1940
This Day Is Ours
Serial, dramatic stories about Eleanor McDonald, daughter of a missionary in war-torn China (Terrace
331)
NBC, 1947-1949, M-F, 15 minutes
CBS, 1949-1959 (Lackmann 272)
CBS, 1938-1940
NBC 1940-1941 (Terrace 331)
Known Appearances
Lovejoy played "regular roles" (Lackmann 272)
As Sam Foster (Buxton and Owen 249)
As Curtis, the clerical worker (Terrace 331)
1939 - 1954
Mr. District Attorney
Anthology, crime drama based on various District Attorney office's files, inspired by New York's
District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey's efforts to break up organized crime
NBC, 1939-1951, one day a week, 30 minutes
ABC, 1951-1954 (Lackmann 197-198)
NBC, 1939-1951
ABC, 1951-1952
Syndicated, 1952-1953 (Terrace 233-234)
Sheve notes appearances
Lovejoy "played supporting roles" (Lackmann 198)
1939 - 1941
The Columbia Workshop
Anthology, showcase for new and aspiring writers, actors, producers, and directors
CBS, Series 2, 1939-1941, One day a week
Known Appearances
"Wake Up and Die," episode #8, October 12, 1939 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
Story of alarm clocks
"Higher Than a Kite," episode #17, December 12, 1939 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
"I Followed the Seals," episode #43, August 25, 1940 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
1940 - 1951
The Adventures of Superman
Serial, juvenile adventure, stories about a being with superpowers from another planet, who disguised as
Clark Kent, reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper in Metropolis, wages a constant battle
against crime as the mysterious Superman (Terrace 16).
MBS, 1940-1950, M-F, 15 and 30 minutes (Lackmann 8-9)
ABC, 1950-1951, M,W (Lackmann 8-9)
Syndicated, 1938-1939 (Terrace 16), Lackmann says the program of "off the air" during this time
(Lackmann 8-9)
MBS, 1940-1949
ABC 1949-1951 (Terrace 16)
Known Appearances
"The Mystery of the Golden Nail(?)," episode #671 (986??), March 27, 1945 (Haendiges-Superman)
Episode #987, March 28, 1945, final episode of "The Mystery of the Golden Nail"
Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen trapped in a tomb with no air. Lovejoy played Captain Anderson(?).
1941
Twenty-Six by Corwin
Anthology of original dramas, comedies, fantasies, and music written or adapted by Norman Corwin
(Lackmann 72-73, Terrace 342)
CBS, May 4 to Novmber 19, 1941, 30 minutes, 26 episodes (Terrace 342)
Known Appearances
"Lip Service," episode #4, May 25, 1941 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
As a hillbilly harmonica player who becomes a government diplomat. Harmonica played by Larry Adler.
"Odyssey of Runyan Jones," episode #6, June 8, 1941 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
"Human Angle," episode #20, September 21, 1941 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
A deep sea diver finds a human alive inside a sunken ship
"Psalm for a Dark Year," episode #26, November 9, 1941 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
Thanksgiving program, final episode
1941 - 1945
Bright Horizon
Series, follows the life of a bitter restaurant singer
CBS, 1941-1945, 15 minutes (Terrace 52)
CBS, 1941-1946, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 49)
Known Appearances
As Larry Halliday (Terrace 52, Lackmann 49, Bright Horizon)
1942 - 1943
This is Our Enemy
Government-sponsored and produced World War II propaganda series
MBS, 1942-1943, weekly, 30 minutes(?) (Dunning 1976, 603)
"We cannot win our war or make our peace unless we understand the character of the enemy we are
fighting." Each episode promised to "add something to your knowledge of the enemy" (Dunning 1976 603).
Known Appearances
"France under Hitler," Program #1, circa September 13, 1942 (Radio Gold Index-This Is Our Enemy)
"This Is Our Enemy," Program #5, June 14, 1942 or June 21, 1942 (Radio Gold Index-This Is Our Enemy)
"A Summary of Our Enemy's Year," Program ??, January 3, 1943, Lovejoy narrates (Radio Gold Index-This Is
Our Enemy)
"They Who Wait," Program ??, September 24, 1943 (Radio Gold Index-This Is Our Enemy)
1942 - 1944
The Man Behind the Gun
Anthology, dramatized experiences of service men during World War II, written by William N. Robson
(Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Terrace 966-967)
CBS, 1942-1944, Wed., Sat., Sun., 30 minutes (Lackmann 179, Terrace 966-967)
Lovejoy was "heard regularly" (Lackmann 179)
Known Appearances
"The U.S.S. Boise" Part 1, episode #25, March 21, 1943
"The U.S.S. Boise" Part 2, episode #26, March 28, 1943 (Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Radio Gold
Index-Man Behind the Gun)
In the Pacific, an American cruiser prepares for battle against the Japanese.
"Company Aid Man," episode #58, November 6, 1943 (Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Radio Gold Index-Man
Behind the Gun)
A battlefront medic is wounded.
"Something for the Girls," episode #70, January 29, 1944 (Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Radio Gold
Index-Man Behind the Gun)
A combat nurse at the front line.
"A P.T. Named Prep Joe," episode #72, February 12, 1944 (Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Radio Gold
Index-Man Behind the Gun)
Documentary about P.T. boats battling the Japanese in the Pacific. J. David Goldin says this program was
named "the Top Documentary Program Of The Year" by the radio editors of Billboard magazine
and won a Peabody Award in 1943.
"Incident in the Pacific," episode 73, February 19, 1944 (Haendiges-Man Behind the Gun, Radio Gold
Index-Man Behind the Gun)
A Pharmacy Mate aboard a submarine is forced to operate on a wounded crew member during a depth charge
attack.
1942 - 1956
We Love and Learn
Series, dramatizations concerning problems being young and married during World War II
CBS and NBC, 1942-1944, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 289)
NBC, 1948-1956, M-F, 15 minutes (Lackmann 289)
In 1955, the series returned as The Story of Ruby Valentine, set in a Harlem beauty shop
Known Appearances
Starred as Bill Peters in the original series (Lackmann 289)
Shreve notes "regular appearances"
1943
Lights Out
Anthology of suspense and supernatural, famous for gruesome sound effects (Terrace 200-201)
NBC, one day a week, 15 and 30 minutes, 1935-1939
CBS, 1942-1943
NBC, 1945 and 1946
ABC, 1947 (Lackmann 169, Terrace 200-201)
Known Appearances
"Until Dead," episode #10, February 02, 1943 (Radio Gold Index-Lights Out)
1943 - 1944
Brave Tomorrow
Dramatic serial about the Lambert family, "from today's defeats we build our brave tomorrows"
NBC, 1943-1944, 15 minutes (Terrace 50)
Known Appearances
As Brad Forbes (Shreve, Terrace 50, Brave Tomorrow)
1943 - 1944
The Adventures of Mr. and Mrs. North
Crime and mystery series
CBS, Began as comedy series, 1941
NBC, Switched to mystery thriller, 1942-1946
Moved to CBS, one day a week 1947-1954, 15 and 30 minutes (Lackmann 5-6, Terrace 232-233)
Known Appearances
As Lieutenant Bill Weigand "in its early years" (Shreve).
"The Case of Pam and The Orange Scarf," episode #19, May 5, 1943, NBC (Haendiges-Mr. and Mrs. North,
Radio Gold Index-Mr. and Mrs. North)
"The Contagious Confession," episode #39, September 22, 1943, NBC (Haendiges-Mr. and Mrs. North, Radio
Gold Index-Mr. and Mrs. North)
"The Norths Discover Christopher Columbus," episode #94, October 11, 1944, NBC (Haendiges-Mr. and Mrs.
North, Radio Gold Index-Mr. and Mrs. North)
1943 - 1950
Today's Children
Drama series about a German immigrant family and troubles they faced settling in the USA (Lackman
274-275)
NBC, first series, 1933-1938, M-F, 15 minutes
Second series 1943-1950 (Lackman 274-275, Today's Children)
Known Appearances
Title ??, episode #??, March 13, 1949 (Goldin-Today's Children)
Lovejoy appears with his wife, Joan Banks
Title ??, episode #??, May 9, 1949 (Goldin-Today's Children)
Title ??, episode #??, May 9, 1950 (Goldin-Today's Children)
1943 - 1954
Molle Mystery Theater
Anthology of mystery and detective fiction
NBC, 1943-1954, weekly (Terrace 1078-1079)
Known Appearances
"Last Night," episode #20, February 22, 1946 (Haendiges-Molle Mystery Theater, Radio Gold Index-Molle
Mystery Theater)
"St. Louis Lady," episode #46, August 23, 1946 (Haendiges-Molle Mystery Theater, Radio Gold Index-Molle
Mystery Theater)
1944
Columbia Presents Corwin
Special 22-part series by Norman Corwin
CBS, 1944
Known Appearances
"Cromer," episode #10, May 9, 1944 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
Part 1 of the "Unusual Cities" series
1944 - 1945
Deadline Drama
Evening anthology, NBC, 30 minutes (Terrace 95)
20-word situations submitted by listeners to regular performers, who have two minutes to construct a
seven-minute story in response.
Frank Lovejoy noted as "cast" (Terrace 95)
1946 - 1947
Columbia Workshop, Series 5, 1946-1947
Known Appearances
"The Pied Piper of Hamelin," episode #24, July 21, 1946 (Haendiges-Columbia Workshop)
10th Anniversary Show. Hosted by Frank Lovejoy.
1947 - 1948
Murder and Mr. Malone
Criminal lawyer series
ABC, 1947-1951, weekly, 30 minutes (Lackmann 198-199)
ABC, 1947-1948 (Terrace 240)
Lovejoy starred as John J. Malone, "fiction's most famous criminal lawyer . . . a cynical, somewhat
humorless man with a keen analytical mind sharpened by years of courtroom fencing." The series was based
on Craig Rice's literary sleuth John J. Malone. Revived September 1949 as The Amazing Mr.
Malone with Gene Raymond as Malone (Dunning 1976, 425, Terrace 240).
Known Appearances
"Audition Tryouts and Music Tracks," November 19, 1946, ABC
Cuts only. Not a program (Haendiges-Murder and Mr. Malone)
"The Paul Davis Case," episode #??, May 24, 1947, or 1948 (?), ABC (Haendiges-Murder and Mr. Malone,
Radio Gold Index-Murder and Mr. Malone)
"Title Unknown," episode #??, 1948(?), ABC (Radio Gold Index-Murder and Mr. Malone)
1949
Pat Novak for Hire
Noir private detective series starring Jack Webb, "the network's most unusual crime detective series"
(Terrace 1238). See Re-Imagined Radio's Dragnet
episode and learn more about Jack Webb's Pat Novak character.
ABC, 1946-1949, weekly, 30 minutes (Lackmann 218)
Known Appearances
"Rory Malone," episode #6, March 20, 1949 (Haendiges-Pat Novak for Hire, Radio Gold Index-Pat Novak for
Hire)
As boxer Rory Malone.
1948 - 1949
The Damon Runyon Theatre
Anthology, dramatized versions of Damon Runyon's short stories
NBC, CBS, ABC, MBS, syndicated by Alan Ladd's Mayfair Production Company, weekly, 30 minutes, 52
episodes (Terrace 353-354)
Known Appearances
"Tobias the Terrible," episode #1, November 3, 1948 (Digital Deli Too-Damon Runyon Theatre)
Jerry Haendiges notes episode #1 as broadcast January 2, 1949 (Haendiges-Damon Runyon)
1952
Hollywood Soundstage
Anthology, performers donated their earnings to support the Motion Picture Relief Fund
CBS, 1951-1952, 30 minutes (Terrace 154)
Known Appearances
"One Way Passage," February 14, 1952
Thirty-minute radio adaptation starring Ruth Roman and Frank Lovejoy of the 1932 American romantic film
starring William Powell and Kay Francis as star-crossed lovers.
Arch Obler's Plays
Anthology, dramatizations of stories written by Arch Obler. AKA Arch Obler Presents
(Terrace 27)
NBC, 1939-1940, 30 minutes
MBS, 1945 (Terrace 27)
Known Appearances
"The Cliff," episode #6, April 29, 1939 (Haendiges-Arch Obler)
"Visitor from Hades," episode #15, July 1, 1939 (Haendiges-Arch Obler)
"Suffer Little Children/Finale/I Do," episode #26, September 16, 1939 (Haendiges-Arch Obler)
"Parade," episode #17, August 2, 1945 (Haendiges-Arch Obler)
Escape
Anthology, adventure, impossible situations (Lackmann 97)
CBS, 1947-1951, 1952-1954, weekly, 30 minutes (Lackmann 97)
CBS, 1947-1954 (Terrace 110)
Lovejoy was a "regular" (Lackman 97)
Known Appearances
"Typhoon," episode #4, July 28, 1947 (Haendiges-Escape)
"The Run of the Yellow Mail," episode #8, October 8, 1947 (Haendiges-Escape)
"Papa Benjamin," episode #24, January 24, 1948 (Haendiges-Escape)
"The Match," episode #41, May 16, 1948 (Haendiges-Escape)
"Letter from Jason," episode #87, November 29, 1949 (Haendiges-Escape")
"Figure A Dame," episode #90, December 20, 1949 (Haendiges-Escape")
"Treasure Inc.," episode #95, January 24, 1950 (Haendiges-Escape)
"The Outer Limit," episode #97, February 7, 1950 (Haendiges-Escape)
Re-Imagined Radio has previously sampled Lovejoy's appearance as Major Westfall in "The Outer Limit,"
the first episode of Dimension X, and perhaps the most often broadcast radio science
fiction story. For example, "The Outer Limit" was featured twice on Dimension X, twice on
Suspense (once starring William Holden, once starring Lovejoy), as well as on
Escape, Beyond This World, and Beyond Tomorrow. Listen to our Dimension X Tribute for more
information.
"Danger at Matacumbe," episode #103, March 24, 1950 (Haendiges-Escape)
Jungle Jim
Series, radio adaptation of the "Jungle Jim" comic strip by Alex Raymond (Terrace 835, Lackmann 152)
Syndicated by Langlois & Wentworth, 1935-1954 (Terrace 835), 1935-1952 (Lackmann 152)
Sheve notes appearances
Romance
Anthology, romantic encounters, adventures, affairs (Lackmann 236)
CBS, 1943-1956, weekly, 30 minutes (Terrace 289)
Known Appearances
"A Quiet Wedding," episode #42, February 1, 1944 (Haendiges-Romance)
"The Informer," episode #52, June 26, 1945 (Haendiges-Romance)
"The Bachelor," episode #16, December 18, 1952
Series renamed "Hollywood Playhouse of Romance" (Haendiges-Romance)
Suspense
Anthology, suspense and mystery plays, "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" (Lackmann 267), "well
calculated to keep you in suspense" (Terrace 321)
CBS, 1942-1962, weekly, 30 minutes (Lackmann 267, Terrace 321-323)
Known Appearances
"Misfortune in Pearls," episode #449, November 26, 1951 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Wreck of the Old 97," episode #465, March 17, 1952
Lovejoy appears as Joe Broady (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Shooting of Billy the Kid," episode #471, April 28, 1952, with William Conrad
As Billy the Kid (Haendiges-Suspense")
"Frightened City," episode #486, November 10, 1952 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Storm," episode #502, March 2, 1953
Lovejoy appeared with his wife, Joan Banks (Haendiges-Suspense)
"Public Defender," episode #509, April 20, 1953 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"On A Country Road," episode #533, January 4, 1954 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Giant of Thermopylae," episode #550, May 3, 1954 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Long Night," episode #674, November 18, 1956
As an air traffic controller confronted by a lost pilot in a small airplane rapidly running out of gas
(Haendiges-Suspense). Repeated as episode #759
"The Outer Limit," episode #690, March 17, 1957 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Man from Tomorrow," episode #714, September 1, 1957
As Mr. Kedman with his wife, Joan Banks (Haendiges-Suspense)
"Jet Stream," episode #727, December 1, 1957 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"Win, Place or Die," episode #746, April 13, 1958 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Long Night," episode #759, July 13, 1958
Repeat of episode #674
"Affair at Aden," episode #777, November 15, 1958 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"The Thirty Second of December," episode #783, December 28, 1958 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"Death in Box 234," episode #794, March 15, 1959 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"A Friend of Daddy's," episode #805, May 17, 1959 (Haendiges-Suspense)
"Ivy Is a Lovely Name," episode #807, June 21, 1959 (Haendiges-Suspense)
The Whistler
Series, crime anthology
CBS, 1942-1955, weekly, 30 minutes (Lackmann 293)
CBS (West Coast) 1942-1950, CBS (Network) 1947-1948 (Terrace 353-354)
Frank Lovejoy was "regularly heard" (Lackmann 293)
Known Appearances
"Next Year Is Mine," episode #239, December 23, 1946 (Haendiges-Whistler)
"Windfall," episode #259, May 5, 1947 (Haendiges-Whistler)
"Dark Moon," episode #287, November 19, 1947 (Haendiges-Whistler)
"Physical Fact," episode #369, June 19, 1949 (Haendiges-Whistler)
Box 13 (MBS)
Series, crime drama
Syndicated by Alan Ladd's Mayfair Production Company. Listen to
Re-Imagined Radio's Syndication episode for more information.
1948-1949 (Terrace 181)
Known Appearances
"Design for Danger," episode #42, June 5, 1949 (Radio Gold Index-Box Thirteen)
"Killer at Large," episode #44, June 16, 1949 (Radio Gold Index-Box Thirteen)
"Archimedes and The Roman," episode #50, July 31, 1949 (Radio Gold Index-Box Thirteen)
Works Cited
Begg, Paul. Jack the Ripper on
Old Time Radio→. Ripperologist. July 2004, no. 54.
https://www.casebook.org/dissertations/rip-oldtimeradio.html
Betty and Bob→. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_and_Bob
Brave Tomorrow→.
Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_Tomorrow
Bright Horizon→. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Horizon
Buxton, Frank and Bill Owen. The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. 1972, p. 249.
Damon Runyon Theatre→. Digital Deli Too. http://www.digitaldeliftp.com/DigitalDeliToo/dd2jb-Damon-Runyon-Theatre.html
Dunning, John. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio. Oxford University Press,
1998.
Portions available via Google Books
--. Tune In Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio 1925-1976. Prentice Hall, 1976.
French, Jack. The FBI in Radio
History→. RLL On the Air. no. 89, Spring 2013.
https://fbiography.com/wp-content/uploads/jackfrench-5pager.pdf
Gay Nineties Review→. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gay_Nineties_Revue_(radio_program)
The Gay Nineties Review Episode Log from Old Time Radio Researchers Group→. Wikipedia. https://www.otrr.org/FILES/Logs_txt/The%20Gay%20Nineties%20Revue.txt
Graham, Adam. The Great Detectives of Old-Time Radio→. https://www.greatdetectives.net/detectives/night-beat/
Goldin, J. David. "Betty and Bob." Radio
Gold Index-Betty and Bob→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Betty%20and%20Bob&type=Programs&count=68
--. "Box Thirteen." Radio
Gold Index-Box Thirteen→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Box%20Thirteen&type=Programs&count=52
--. "Gangbusters." Gangbusters→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Gangbusters&type=Programs&count=123
--. "Joyce Jordan, M.D." Radio
Gold Index-Joyce Jordan, M.D.→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Joyce%20Jordan,%20M.D.&type=Programs&count=41
--. "Lights Out." Radio
Gold Index-Lights Out→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Lights%20Out&type=Programs&count=116
--. Mr. District Attorney. Radio
Gold Index-Mr. District Attorney→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Mr.%20District%20Attorney&type=Programs&count=64
--. "Mr. and Mrs. North." Radio
Gold Index-Mr. and Mrs. North→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Mr.%20and%20Mrs.%20North&type=Programs&count=81
--. "The Gay Nineties Revue." Radio
Gold Index-Gay Nineties Revue→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=The%20Gay%20Nineties%20Revue&type=Programs&count=23
--. "The Man Behind the Gun." Radio
Gold Index-The Man Behind the Gun→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=The%20Man%20Behind%20The%20Gun&type=Programs&count=10
--. "Molle Mystery Theater." Radio
Gold Index-Molle Mystery Theater→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=The%20Molle%20Mystery%20Theatre&type=Programs&count=76
--. "Murder and Mr. Malone." .
Radio Gold Index-Murder and Mr. Malone→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Murder%20and%20Mr.%20Malone&type=Programs&count=2
--. "Pat Novak for Hire." Radio
Gold Index-Pat Novak for Hire→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Pat%20Novak%20For%20Hire&type=Programs&count=25
--. "This Is Our Enemy." Radio
Gold Index-This Is Our Enemy→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=This%20Is%20Our%20Enemy&type=Programs&count=32
--. "Today's Children." Radio
Gold Index-Today's Children→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Today%27s%20Children&type=Programs&count=13
--. "Valiant Lady." Radio
Gold Index-Valiant Lady→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Valiant%20Lady&type=Programs&count=17
--. "Your Family and Mine." Radio
Gold Index-Your Family and Mine→.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=Your%20Family%20and%20Mine&type=Programs&count=1
Haendiges, Jerry. "The Adventures of Superman." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs-The Adventures
of Superman→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logs1023.htm
--. "The Amazing Mr. Malone." Jerry Haendiges
Vintage Radio Logs-The Amazing Mr. Malone→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/loga1044.htm
--. "Arch Obler." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Arch Obler's Plays→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/loga1001.htm
--. "Betty and Bob." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Betty and Bob→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logb1092.htm
--. "Columbia Workshop." Jerry Haendiges
Vintage Radio Logs-Columbia Worshop→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logc1015.htm#corwin
--. "Damon Runyon." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Damon Runyon→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logd1008.htm
--. "Escape." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Escape→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/loge1001.htm
--. "The Espositio Brothers: Mad Dogs of Crime." Gangbusters→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logg1016.htm
--. "Joyce Jordan, MD." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Joyce Jordan, MD→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logj1026.htm
--. "Life of Mary Sothern." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Life of Mary Sothern→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logl1099.htm
--. "Man Behind the Gun." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Man Behind the Gun→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logm1091.htm
--. "Molle Mystery Theater." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Molle Mystery Theater→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logm1022.htm
--. "Mr. and Mrs. North." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Mr. and Mrs. North→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logm1077.htm
--. "Murder and Mr. Malone." Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs-Murder and Mr. Malone→
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logm1141.htm
--. "Romance." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Romance→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logr1013.htm
--. "Suspense." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Suspense→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logs1003.htm
---. "Valiant Lady." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-Valiant Lady→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logv1011.htm
--. "The Whistler." Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs-The Whistler→.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logw1002.htm
"Frank Lovejoy." Internet
Broadway Database→.
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/frank-lovejoy-50209
Hinkson, Jake. The Night Editor. A Voice
From The Dark: Frank Lovejoy's Journey Into Radio Noir→. March 7, 2014.
https://thenighteditor.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-voice-from-dark-frank-lovejoys.html
Joyce Jordan, M.D.→ Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Jordan,_M.D.
Lackmann, Ronald W. The Encyclopedia of American Radio: An A-Z Guide to Radio from Jack Benny to Howard Stern. Facts On File. 2000.
"List of Radio Soap Operas." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_soap_operas
Shreve, Jr., Ivan G. Happy
Birthday, Frank Lovejoy!→ Radio Classics. March 28, 2022.
http://www.radioclassics.com/happy-birthday-frank-lovejoy/
Terrace, Vincent. Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland. 1999, 2015.
Today's Children→. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Today%27s_Children
"Valiant Lady." Valiant
Lady→. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant_Lady_(radio_series)#:~:text=Valiant%20Lady%20is%20an%20American%20radio%20soap,March%207%2C%201938%2C%20through%20August%2023%2C%201946%2C
Production
Contents
Frank Lovejoy appeared in numerous radio programs. Several are detailed below. Example recordings are provided, as available. For this tribute, Re-Imagined Radio samples from a handful in which Lovejoy starred, or had a significant recurring role.
The Blue Beetle
May 15 to September 13, 1940
Syndicated, including Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)
Episodic radio series
Twice weekly, 15-minute episodes broadcast together or separately
48 unique episodes, 48 survive; 23 are combined as two-part episodes, each part 15 minutes; 2 are
separate 15-minute episodes (Radio Gold Index-The Blue Beetle, Haendiges-The Blue Beetle)
Star: Frank Lovejoy "played the lead [Dan Garrett] for the first ten (or 13) thirteen episodes" (Radio
Gold Index-The Blue Beetle)
Virginia Coyle as Helen Downey, daughter of Police Commissioner Downey
*** as Dr. Franz
Paul Ford as Police Commissioner Downey
*** as Police Officer Mike Mannigan
Charles Nicholas: Writer
Featured Episode
Episodes of The Blue Beetle series starring Frank Lovejoy were released in two parts each
week. Radio stations could broadcast them together as one episode, or separately, as two episodes.
Re-Imagined Radio samples from both Parts 1 and 2 for this tribute.
Episode #01, "Origin Story"
May 15, 1940
Episode #02, "Smashing the Dope Ring"
May 15, 1940
Listen to all episodes with this playlist created by the Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
Backstory
The Blue Beetle radio show began as a comic book. Created by Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski (as Charles Nicholas), The Blue Beetle character first appeared in the Mystery Men comic book series, Book #1, August 1939, published by Fox Features Syndicate. By 1940, The Blue Beetle had its own comic book, a newspaper comic strip, and a radio series heard on the Columbia Broadcasting System.
Frank Lovejoy voiced The Blue Beetle for the first thirteen episodes (Irving 31; Mitchell and Thomas 31). Zoot Radio says Lovejoy left The Blue Beetle after four episodes, and was replaced with a new, uncredited actor (Zoot Radio: Audio Museum). Listening to the available episodes, one hears Lovejoy's voice beyond the first four episodes.
Two 15-minute episodes of The Blue Beetle were distributed each week. Depending whether stations ran these two episodes seperately or together, collectors and historians consider there are either 48 15-minute episodes or 24 30-minute episodes.
Episodes were plotted around the exploits of Dan Garret, a rookie policeman in the New York Police Department. Investigating the sale of marijuana cigarettes, Garret is gunned down by criminals. Near death, he is visited by the mysterious Dr. Franz, a pharmacist, who gives Garret a secret formula vitamin called 2-X. Garret immediately recovers, and acquires superhuman powers and abilities. Dr. Franz becomes his mentor and friend. With a costume of blue bullet-proof chain mail-like material he fights crime as a costumed crusader known only as The Blue Beetle (Terrace 40)
Resources
Goldin, J. David. Radio
Gold Index-The Blue Beetle.
https://radiogoldin.library.umkc.edu/Home/RadioGoldin_Records?searchString=The%20Blue%20Beetle&type=Programs&count=48
Hadengies, Jerry. Jerry's Vintage Radio
Logs-The Blue Beetle.
https://www.otrsite.com/logs/logb1015.htm
Irving, Christopher. The Blue Beetle Companion: His Many Lives from 1939 to Today.
TwoMorrows Publishing, 2007, pp. 49–52.
Mitchell, Kurt and Roy Thomas. American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows
Publishing, 2019, p. 31
The Blue Beetle. Jerry Haendiges Vintage
Radio Logs.
The
Blue Beetle Episode Inventory available at Radio Gold Index website.
Zoot Radio: Audio Museum.
https://zootradio.com/Blue_Beetle.php
This Is Your FBI
April 6, 1945 to January 30, 1953
American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Episodic radio series
Weekly, 30 minute episodes, 283 titles, 409 total possible episodes
Stories adapted from actual Federal Bureau of Investigation case files
Starring Stacy Harris as Special Agent Jim Taylor
Created, Directed, and Produced by Jerry Devine
Written by Jerry D. Lewis
Music composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner
Announcer: Frank Lovejoy (first season, 1945-1946)
Featured Episode
The first episode of This Is Your FBI series narrated by Frank Lovejoy.
Episode #01
"Espionage," April 6, 1945
The case of spy Willie Sebring
Cast
James Van Dyke as Willie Sebring
Carl Swinson as Dan Braddick (undercover FBI agent)
Featuring Francis Cheney, Helen Lewis, Will Hair, Chuck Webster, Jack McBride, and Brad Barker
Earlier programs featuring FBI cases
Several radio programs featured Federal Bureau of Investigation cases before This Is Your
FBI. The earliest may be "Special Agent Five," first heard October 25, 1933 as part of the
Lucky Strike Hour. "Special Agent Five" was a fictional FBI agent who appeared on 15
episodes of Lucky Strike Hour. Each appearance was based on actual FBI cases, according to
Jack French. Other programs included "Counterspy" from 1942 to 1957. "The FBI in Peace and War" from
1944 to 1958. "This is Your FBI" from 1945 to 1953. And "Top Secrets of the FBI" in the 1940s (French).
The FBI in Peace and War, first heard on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) November 25, 1944, is the longest running program about the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This Is Your FBI became the second long-running radio program about the Federal Bureau of Investigation with is premier broadcast April 6, 1945.
The FBI in Peace and War radio series drew inspiration from a book of the same title by Frederick Lewis Collins. Dramatizations were adapted by Louis Pelletier and Jacques Fink. Produced and directed by Betty Manderville. Closing announcements noted, "[this] is not an official program of the FBI" and "This broadcast does not imply endorsement or authorization or approval of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" (Terrace 82).
Episodes taken from actual FBI case files
In contrast, episodes of This Is Your FBI were taken from actual Federal Bureau of
Investigation case files, with the blessings of its original director, J. Edgar Hoover. "The result was
a dramatic pace that [The FBI in] Peace and War, for all its years on the air, never
achieved," says radio historian John Dunning (604).
This Is Your FBI was produced and directed by Jerry Devine, a former comedy writer for Kate Smith, American radio, television, and recording star best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." Dunning says Devine, "saw [Devine's] show as 'the official story,' the Bureau's own view of criminal life" (604). Devine attended the FBI school for new agents to prepare for the radio program. Early episodes were often sensational stories of Nazi agents, escaped prisoners of war, or saboteurs, usually told from the viewpoint of the criminal or victim (Dunning 604).
Episodes glorified the FBI and vilified criminals with their dramatizations, told from the perspective of a fictitious agent, Jim Taylor played by Stacy Harris. Each featured a narrative overlay, often harsh in its factual approach, but fitting to the overall emphasis of FBI agents at war with enemies of the country. Frank Lovejoy was the first narrator, but left within a year.
This Is Your FBI was the most authentic of radio programs that dramatized criminal investigations following the end of World War II, like Gang Busters, Mr. District Attorney, and The FBI in Peace and War. This authenticity later influenced Jack Webb in his production of Dragnet, which Re-Imagined Radio has previously devoted an episode.
References
Collins, Frederick Lewis. The FBI in Peace and War. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1943.
Dunning, John. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio. Oxford University Press, 1998.
A Byte Out of
History: Retired FBI Special Agent Jack French Talks About FBI Cases...On the Radio Dial.
Stories. The FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation, October 24, 2005.
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2005/october/jfrench_radio102405
Terrace, Vincent. Radio Programs Openings and Closings, 1931-1972. McFarland, 2015.
This Is Your FBI. Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs.
Murder and Mr. Malone
Detective-lawyer-mystery series, adapted from novels and stories by Craig Rice
ABC, January 11, 1947-April 17, 1948, weekly, 30 minutes, starring Frank Lovejoy (Lackmann 198-199,
Terrace 240, Haendiges-The Amazing Mr. Malone)
Lovejoy starred as John J. Malone, "fiction's most famous criminal lawyer . . . a cynical, somewhat
humorless man with a keen analytical mind sharpened by years of courtroom fencing." The series was based
on novels, stories, and movies by Craig Rice, pen name for Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig.
Featured Episode
"The Paul Davis Case"
Episode #20, May 24, 1947, ABC (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr. Malone, Radio Gold Index-Murder and Mr.
Malone)
Starring Frank Lovejoy
Director: Bill Rousseau
Music composer and conductor: Johnny Duffy
Producer: Bernard L. Shubert
Announcer: Art Gilmore
Known Titles, Murder and Mr. Malone, with Frank Lovejoy
"Audition, Tryouts, and Music Tracks," November 19, 1946, audition, recording not available
(Haendiges-The Amazing Mr. Malone)
"Ken Harris Case," episode #25, June 28, 1947, recording not available (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr.
Malone)
"The Dude," episode #31, August 9, 1947, recording not available (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr. Malone)
"They All Confessed," episode #32, August 16, 1947, recording not available (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr.
Malone)
"Bait for a Gambling Debt," episode #33, August 16, 1947, recording not available (Haendiges-The Amazing
Mr. Malone)
The Amazing Mr. Malone
ABC, April 24, 1948- March 26, 1949, weekly, 30 minutes, starring Frank Lovejoy. Series name changed to
The Amazing Mr. Malone, beginning April 24, 1948 (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr. Malone).
ABC, September 21, 1949-September 24, 1950, weekly, 30 minutes, starring Gene Raymond (Haendiges-The
Amazing Mr. Malone; Terrace 57-58, 240; Dunning 1976, 425)
NBC, May 25, 1951-July 13, 1951, weekly, 30 minutes, starring George Petrie (Haendiges-The Amazing Mr.
Malone)
Exemplary Episodes
"Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness"
Episode #19, August 8, 1948, starring Frank Lovejoy, with Jack Webb
Known Titles, The Amazing Mr. Malone, with Frank Lovejoy
"If a Man Builds a Better Mousetrap," episode #38, January 8, 1949
Night Beat
February 6 to November 10, 1950 and March 4, 1951 to September 25, 1952
National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)
Weekly, 30-minute episodes
112 episodes produced (Graham)
Star: Frank Lovejoy
Featured Episode
"Elevator Caper"
Audition #2 (recorded January 13, 1950)
Episode #14 (NBC, broadcast May 8, 1950)
A second audition using the same script as Edmond Obrien's earlier recording (with some changes, see
below). Frank Lovejoy stars as Randy "Lucky" Stone, who, now working for the Chicago Star,
investigates the murder of Ted Carter. Stone's investigation leads to George Bailey. Stone gets trapped
in an elevator and almost killed. Costarring: Gail Bonney, Charles Seel, Joan Banks (Lovejoy's wife),
Virginia Gregg, Wilms Herbert. Warren Lewis (director), Bill Cairn (producer), Larry Marcus (writer,
editor), Frank Worth (composer, conductor), Frank Martin (commercial spokesman).
Backstory
Frank Lovejoy is perhaps best remembered for his leading role in the radio series Night Beat. Lovejoy stars as Randy Stone, a newspaper reporter covering the "night beat" for a Chicago newspaper. According to radio historian John Dunning, while prowling the city after sunset, Stone looks for a story "that grabs your heart and shakes it until it hollers uncle" (Dunning 1998, 507, citing audition episode Jan. 13, 1950).
Stone looks for interesting people and their stories. Tender stories. Stories about everyday people. Crime stories. Stories about people in trouble. Races against time. Radio historian Frank Dunning calls Night Beat "a superior newspaper adventure drama series" (Dunning 1998, 507).
As a sympathetic character, Stone sometimes gets pulled into the lives of the interesting people he finds, or the mysteries. Sometimes he can help. Other times he cannot. He's human. Fallible. Believable.
"Broadcast on NBC, Nightbeat [sic] ran from 1949 to 1952 and starred Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone, a tough and streetwise reporter who worked the nightbeat for the Chicago Star looking for human interest stories. He met an assortment of people, most of them with a problem, many of them scared, and sometimes he was able to help them, sometimes he wasn't. It is generally regarded as a 'quality' show and it stands up extremely well. Frank Lovejoy (1914-1962) isn't remembered today, but he was a powerful and believable actor with a strong delivery, and his portrayal of Randy Stone as tough guy with humanity was perfect. The scripts were excellent, given that they had to pack in a lot in a short time, and there was a good supporting cast, orchestra, and sound effects" (Begg).
Episodes begin with deep drum beats. Randy Stone says, "Stories start in many ways...." followed by an introduction to the story. The closing invites listeners to tune in again, as Randy Stone "searches through the city for the strange stories waiting for him in the darkness" (Dunning 1998, 508).
Supporting actors included Joan Banks (wife of Frank Lovejoy), Parley Baer (best known for voicing Deputy Sheriff Chester Proudfoot in the Gunsmoke series (Listen to our William Conrad tribute), Herb Butterfield, William Conrad (Listen to our William Conrad tribute), Jeff Corey, Lawrence Dobkin, Paul Frees, Jack Kruschen, Peter Leeds, Howard McNear (voiced Doc in the the Gunsmoke series, Lurene Tuttle, Martha Wentworth, and Ben Wright.
Paul Begg, Executive Editor of Ripperologist, author of Jack the Ripper — the Definitive History, and co-author of The Jack the Ripper A-Z and The Scotland Yard Files, describes, in a July 2024 article entitled "Jack the Ripper on Old Time Radio," episodes of various radio programs featuring Jack the Ripper themes. One example is "The Slasher," an episode of Night Beat broadcast on November 10, 1950, with its "very loosely Ripper-derived plot in which Stone searches for an artist."
Begg described Nightbeat like this. ". . . Starred Frank Lovejoy as Randy Stone, a tough and streetwise reporter who worked the nightbeat for the Chicago Star looking for human interest stories. He met an assortment of people, most of them with a problem, many of them scared, and sometimes he was able to help them, sometimes he wasn’t. It is generally regarded as a ‘quality’ show and it stands up extremely well."
Exemplary Episodes
"The Ted Carter Murder Case"
Audition #1 (NBC recording, September 15, 1949)
Edmond Obrien, a motion picture film noir stars as "Hank Mitchell," night reporter for Chicago
newspaper "The Examiner," who investigates the murder of Ted Carter. Obrien went on to Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Costarring: Betty Moran, Jack Kruschen, Ann Stone, Herb Butterfield, Dale Boney, Jack Edwards, Larry
Dobkin. William P. Rousseau (director), Rex Koury (music), Larry Marcus (writer).
"I Wish You Were Dead"
Episode #16
May 22, 1950
Randy Stone meets an unusual man who claims to have a sinister super power.
"The Football Player and the Syndicate"
June 12, 1950, Episode #19
Randy Stone meets a faded college football star in trouble with the mob.
"City at Your Fingertips"
July 31, 1950, Episode #26
Randy Stone dials a random phone number and finds a woman in danger.
"A Case of Butter"
September 25, 1950, Episode #34
Randy Stone and the police hunt for a contaminated case of butter that could unleash typhoid on the
Windy City.
"Expectant Father"
December 28, 1951, Episode #74
Featuring William Conrad, who sits at Stone's desk and talks, as an expectant father, about the changes
coming to his life. Listen to our William Conrad tribute.
References
Night Beat. Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio
Logs.
Night
Beat Inventory Index available at The Radio Gold Index website.
Credits
Written, Produced, and Hosted by John F. Barber
Sound Design, Original Music Composition, and Post Production by Marc Rose
Promotional Graphics by Holly Slocum with Evan Leyden
Social Media and Announcing by Rylan Eisenhauer
Significance
From the 1930s to the 1950s, the golden years of radio drama, Frank Andrew Lovejoy (1912-1962) was a dependable and productive radio voice actor. His style was both powerful and believable. His voice promoted a no-nonsense presence. An everyman. He was heard on several early, pioneering radio serial programs, both daytime soaps, and evening anthologies.
Producer's Notes
Frank Lovejoy was involved in MANY radio programs. We feature only four samples in this episode, but provide information about others. Between the audio for the featured programs, and the textual descriptions for others, we think our "Frank Lovejoy Tribute" is pretty solid.
Promotion
Press
