more descriptions

db/migrations/005-descriptions.sql

@@ -666,29 +666,139 @@ Let George Do It was an American radio drama series that aired from 1946 to 1954
 Sponsored by Standard Oil, the series was broadcast on the West Coast Mutual Broadcasting System with scripts written by David Victor and Jackson Gillis, directed by Don Clark. The show changed from using a full orchestra to an organ due to budget cuts as radio audiences shifted to television. Not only a cornerstone of radio detective dramas, Let George Do It served as a stepping stone for Bob Bailey, who would eventually star in the iconic Yours Truly Johnny Dollar series.
 
 - Life with Luigi [life-with-luigi]
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+Life with Luigi is a heartwarming American radio situation comedy series that aired on CBS Radio from September 21, 1948, to March 3, 1953. Created by Cy Howard, the show centers around Luigi Basco, a newly arrived Italian immigrant in Chicago, as he navigates life in his adopted country while attending night school classes with other immigrants. The cast includes J. Carrol Naish as Luigi, Hans Conried as Schultz, and Alan Reed as Pasquale, Luigi's friend and sponsor. Jody Gilbert plays Pasquale's daughter, Rosa, who is often schemed to be married to Luigi, and Mary Shipp stars as Miss Spaulding, their night school teacher. Each episode is framed by Luigi narrating a letter to his mother back in Italy.
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+Despite initially airing without a sponsor, the show was later sponsored by Wrigley's Gum from 1950 until its end in 1953. A live CBS Television version briefly aired in 1952, with the same cast reprising their radio roles, but was short-lived due to pressure from the Italian-American community. The show's sincere human-interest humor, relatable characters, and touching exploration of immigrant experiences deliver a timeless and endearing journey for listeners.
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 - Light Crust Doughboys [light-crust-doughboys]
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+The Light Crust Doughboys was a western swing band formed in 1931 to promote Light Crust Flour. Created by Bob Wills and Milton Brown, the band featured lively 1940s country music and amusing antics. Initially managed by W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel, the group achieved peak popularity leading up to WWII, launching the careers of western swing pioneers and giving a platform to talented musicians. Although the Doughboys disbanded in 1942, Marvin Montgomery led a new version of the band in the 1960s, and a contemporary group has been performing since the 1990s.
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+The band was linked with radio and advertising, popularized through live performances, broadcasts, and even a role in the 1936 Gene Autry film, Oh, Susanna!. The Lightcrust Doughboys received various accolades, including being charter inductees into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. The Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame and Museum, which opened in 2005, moved to the Auvenshine Library at Hill College in 2015, preserving the band's legacy.
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 - Lightning Jim [lightning-jim]
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+Lightning Jim is a captivating Old Time Radio show that follows the adventures of U.S. Marshal Lightning Jim Whipple, his dependable horse Thunder, and his deputy, Whitey Larson. The show first aired in the 1940s as The Adventures of Lightning Jim on the West Coast, and later returned as a syndicated ZIV series in the 1950s, totaling 98 episodes.
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+Set in the Wild West, Lightning Jim showcases a mix of historical events and characters such as Wild Bill Hickok, as well as exploring the development of the Union-Pacific Railroad. However, the show also includes stereotypical representations of Native Americans and other Western subjects. Despite its rare surviving episodes, Lightning Jim remains a treat for avid listeners of Western radio dramas.
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 - Lights Out [lights-out]
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+Lights Out is an American old-time radio program that originally aired from January 3, 1934, to the summer of 1947. Created by Wyllis Cooper and later taken over by Arch Oboler, the show featured horror and supernatural stories that evolved into crime thrillers and tamer ghost stories over time. Known for grisly stories and dark humor, the show utilized creative sound effects to intensify its horror aspects. Actors involved in the series included Sidney Ellstrom, Art Jacobson, Don Briggs, Bernardine Flynn, Betty Lou Gerson, and Betty Winkler. Cooper's version of Lights Out focused on atmospheric, supernatural tales, while Oboler delved deeper into psychological horror and occasionally explored political and social themes. The series was briefly revived in the mid-1940s using Cooper's original scripts, and it eventually transitioned to television.
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 - Love Story Magazine [love-story-magazine]
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+Aired in 1937, Love Story Magazine is a captivating series of only 26 episodes based on the pages of the popular publication. Set to entertain women of its time, the show weaves tales of romantic encounters, heartbreaks, love's triumphs, and memorable reunions, featuring daring rogues and dramatic dames. Narrated by announcer Frank Knight, these rare and engaging recordings are sure to set your heart aflame and evoke emotions with their wonderfully romantic stories. Grab a hankie and prepare to be swept away by these timeless tales of love and passion from the pages of Love Story Magazine.
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 - Luke Slaughter of Tombstone [luke-slaughter-of-tombstone]
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+Luke Slaughter of Tombstone was a shortlived CBS old-time radio series that aired between Frontier Gentleman and Have Gun Will Travel, from February 23 to June 15, 1958. The show starred Sam Buffington as Luke Slaughter, a Civil War cavalryman turned Arizona cattleman, and Junius Matthews as his sidekick, Wichita. Directed by acclaimed radio producer William N. Robson, the show featured well-written and well-acted scripts that presented Luke Slaughter as a tough, no-nonsense cowboy who faced various challenges as he and his partner tried to run their cattle business.
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+Despite its high quality, Luke Slaughter of Tombstone was canceled after only 16 episodes due to the growing popularity of television. Buffington's portrayal of the hard-boiled cowboy has often been compared to William Conrad's Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke.
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 - Lum and Abner [lum-and-abner]
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+Lum and Abner was a popular American radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff, airing from 1931 to 1954. Set in the fictional town of Pine Ridge, Arkansas, the show revolved around the adventures of co-owners of the Jot 'em Down Store, Columbus "Lum" Edwards (played by Lauck) and Abner Peabody (played by Goff). The show, initially performed as a blackface act and later as a double hillbilly act, featured Lum as Abner's straight-talking sidekick, navigating their misadventures and dealings with their nemesis, Squire Skimp. Over its 23-year run, Lum and Abner appeared on all four major radio networks, eventually ending due to competition from television and Goff's failing health. Though the duo made attempts at transitioning to television, they found more success with film adaptations. Out of over 5,000 broadcasted episodes, an estimated 1,630 still exist today, and the legacy of the show lives on through the Lum and Abner Museum in Pine Ridge, Arkansas.
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 - Lux Radio Theatre [lux-radio-theatre]
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+Lux Radio Theatre was an esteemed radio anthology series that aired from 1934 to 1955 and later as Lux Video Theatre on television until 1957. Beginning on NBC Blue Network and moving to CBS and then back to NBC, it comprised 926 episodes, showcasing the best of American theatre and film. Initially adapting Broadway plays, the show transitioned to adapting films when it moved to Hollywood in 1936. Lux Radio Theatre was known for its live performances, studio audience, and full orchestra, featuring many prominent film actors of the time. Famed film producer and director Cecil B. DeMille hosted the show from 1936 to 1945. The program was broadcast internationally and also adapted in Australia and South Africa. The enduring influence of Lux Radio Theatre contributed significantly to American culture and the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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 - Magic Island [magic-island]
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+Magic Island was a science-fantasy radio serial aimed at a juvenile audience, airing in the late 1930s and 1940s. The show followed wealthy Patricia Gregory's search for her long-lost daughter, Joan, who had been presumed dead after a shipwreck 14 years prior. With the help of young Jerry, they find Joan living on a secretive, man-made island capable of submerging to escape detection. The 130-episode series features Sally Creighton as Patricia Gregory, Rosa Barcelo as Joan Gregory, Tommy Carr as Jerry Hall, and Will H. Reynolds as Capt. Tex Bradford. The show was produced, written, and announced by Perry (Percy C.) Crandall, who also appeared as a cast member.
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 - Mama Bloom's Brood [mama-blooms-brood]
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+Mama Bloom's Brood, airing circa 1934, is a humorous serialized radio show that combines elements of soap operas and situation comedies. The story follows the adventures of a Jewish American family, consisting of Mama and Papa Bloom, their daughters Yetta and Sarah, and sons-in-law Harold and Sidney, as they embark on a road trip to Hollywood for their first vacation in twenty-five years. As they journey across America, they encounter a variety of amusing situations like stumbling upon movie actors dressed as "Indians" and Papa Bloom's unexpected luck as a bridge player.
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+Mama Becky Bloom, a delightful character with a heavy Yiddish accent and fractured platitudes, has been compared to the character Molly from The Goldbergs, a popular radio show also featuring a Jewish American family. Mama Bloom's Brood was syndicated by Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates in 1934 and is considered to have influenced the image of American Jews during the time.
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 - Mark Trail [mark-trail]
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+Mark Trail was an American radio series adapted from the popular comic strip of the same name by Ed Dodd. The show featured two separate series, with the first airing from January 30, 1950 to June 8, 1951 on Mutual Broadcasting System, and the second from September 18, 1950 to June 27, 1952 on ABC Radio. Aimed at a young audience, these adventure stories starred Matt Crowley and Staats Cotsworth as Mark Trail in their respective series.
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+Mark Trail, a forest ranger, captivated listeners with thrilling adventures while also educating them about nature and wildlife. The radio series followed the action-packed direction of radio shows like Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. Directors Drex Hines and Frank Maxwell, along with writers and musicians, all contributed to the show's production. Notable actors who participated in the show included Ben Cooper, Joyce Gordon, and John Larkin.
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+The Minneapolis-St. Paul public radio station KFAI also broadcasted the Mark Trail Radio Theatre from 1991 to 2002, providing a new generation with a taste of Mark Trail's wilderness adventures.
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 - Matinee Theater [matinee-theater]
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+Matinee Theater was a Sunday afternoon radio show on CBS that aired from October 22, 1944, to April 8, 1945. Sponsored by Vick Chemical Company, the show was a continuation of the series Dangerously Yours and aimed to provide quality dramatic programming, encompassing a wide range of stories. Matinee Theater featured Victor Jory and various female stars performing classics like "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre" as well as more contemporary works. The show captured listeners' hearts by presenting a mix of drama, love stories, and swashbuckling adventures that made it a delightful listening experience.
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 - Meet Corliss Archer [meet-corliss-archer]
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+Meet Corliss Archer is an American radio program from the Golden Age of Radio, which aired from January 7, 1943, to September 30, 1956. The show was CBS's answer to NBC's A Date with Judy and featured the adventures and trials of 15-year-old Corliss Archer, portrayed by Priscilla Lyon, Janet Waldo, and Lugene Sanders.
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+The story revolves around the teen life of Corliss, her boyfriend Dexter Franklin, and her father Harry Archer. The clumsy but sweet Dexter, played by Bill Christy and Sam Edwards, is known for his catchphrases, "Holy cow!" and "Heyyyy, Corrrrrliiiiiss!" Harry, portrayed by Bob Bailey, Fred Shields, and Frank Martin, is a lawyer on a constant mission to assert male superiority.
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+Meet Corliss Archer was created by F. Hugh Herbert and later adapted for television in the early 1950s. The show has few surviving episodes, but those that exist showcase the humorous battle of the sexes and the warm-hearted relationships between the characters.
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 - Melody Ranch [melody-ranch]
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+Melody Ranch, a popular Western variety radio show, aired between 1940 and 1956 in the United States on CBS and was sponsored by Doublemint gum. Starring "hard-riding, sweet-singing" Gene Autry, the show featured songs, comedy, and action-filled drama. After a brief hiatus due to Autry's enlistment in the United States Army during World War II, the show returned and continued its success. The episodes were typically 30 minutes long and took place in a campfire atmosphere. Over the years, Melody Ranch included a diverse cast of talent, including various vocalists, musicians, and character actors. In 1964, a television version premiered on Los Angeles' KTLA channel 5, airing for almost a decade.
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 - Mercury Theatre [mercury-theatre]
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+The Mercury Theatre on the Air, created and hosted by Orson Welles, was a radio series of live radio dramas that aired from July 11, 1938, on CBS Radio, featuring classic literary works performed by Welles's Mercury Theatre repertory company. The hour-long show featured music composed or arranged by Bernard Herrmann and originally aired on Mondays at 9 pm ET before moving to Sundays at 8 pm. The show gained significant fame for its "The War of the Worlds" broadcast in October 1938, which allegedly caused widespread panic, leading Campbell Soup Company to sign on as the sponsor. The last episode of The Mercury Theatre on the Air aired on December 4, 1938, and The Campbell Playhouse began five days later. The show received praise for its creative adaptations of literary works, such as Dracula, Treasure Island, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, pushing the boundaries of sound effects and storytelling to create immersive experiences for listeners. In 1988, the show was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.
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 - Michael Shayne [michael-shayne]
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+Michael Shayne was a popular American old-time radio detective series that aired from 1944 to 1953, featuring the titular red-headed Irish detective created by author Brett Halliday. There were three versions of the show - Michael Shayne, Private Detective; The New Adventures of Michael Shayne; and The Adventures of Michael Shayne.
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+Wally Maher starred as Shayne in the first radio version, which began airing on the Don Lee Network in October 1944, and later moved to the nationwide Mutual network in October 1946. The second version featured Jeff Chandler in the title role and was set in New Orleans, with Don W. Sharpe as the producer. The third version aired on ABC radio from October 1952 until July 1953, with Donald Curtis, Robert Sterling, and Vinton Hayworth all taking turns in the title role.
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+Each version of the show focused on the hard-boiled detective Michael Shayne, who, after losing his wife, became a loner, prowling the darker streets of the post-WWII era. The character gained popularity with war veterans, and the series tackled adult themes, such as drugs and middle-class adultery.
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+Although Halliday did not write the radio show scripts, his Michael Shayne novels kept the public engaged and eager for more. A TV adaptation starring Richard Denning was also produced in the early 1960s.
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 - Mind Your Manners [mind-your-manners]
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+Mind Your Manners is a charming old time radio show that provides etiquette training for kids and teens aged 8-18. Hosted by Alan Ludden, husband of Betty White and a TV game show host, this unique program involves a rotating panel of young participants who answer listener-submitted questions regarding manners and etiquette. With advice ranging from conversation starters at a dance to improving one's image after being in prison, the show reflects the simpler times of the post-war era. Some of the advice provided remains timeless, while other suggestions, like wearing sport coats and ties to the movies, seem dated today.
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 - Molle Mystery Theatre [molle-mystery-theatre]
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+Mollé Mystery Theatre was a thrilling 30-minute anthology radio program that aired from 1943 to 1948 on NBC before moving to CBS, where it focused on the character Inspector Hearthstone. Initially sponsored by Sterling Drugs, makers of Mollé Brushless Shaving Cream, the show featured stories of mystery and suspense with performances by notable actors such as Richard Widmark and Frank Lovejoy. When the program shifted to CBS, Frank and Anne Hummert produced the show, and it became known for its melodramatic style.
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+The original Mollé Mystery Theatre revolved around the character Geoffrey Barnes, a crime fiction expert and connoisseur played by Bernard Lenrow. The show boasted a strong cast, top-notch production values, and tense, engaging storylines. As it moved to CBS and took on a new format, the show introduced Alfred Shirley as Inspector Hearthstone of the Death Squad, which eventually became its own spin-off series.
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 - Moon Over Africa [moon-over-africa]
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+Moon Over Africa is believed to be a South African radio show that aired around 1937 or 1938, featuring 26 episodes, each 15 minutes long. The show follows the thrilling expedition of Professor Anton Edwards and his team, as they search for the lost city of Atlantis within the African jungle. Guided by the ancient language of a shrunken head, they encounter numerous strange and dangerous perils in their quest. The show's origin remains uncertain, as it is not known if it was aired in the US. Talbot Mundy, known for creating other serials such as Jack Armstrong, Lost Empire, and Ghost Corps, wrote the captivating script for Moon Over Africa.
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 - Mother's Best Flour [mothers-best-flour]
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+Mother's Best Flour was a 15-minute radio show on WSM which aired every morning from late 1950 to late 1951 featuring legendary country musician Hank Williams. Hank, the Drifting Cowboys, and announcer Louie Buck entertained Nashville's rural and mostly female audience with live music and cheerful banter while promoting Mother's Best Flour products. Williams, known for his somber tones in biographies, instead showcased a more jovial and happy-go-lucky side on this show.
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+The performances on Mother's Best Flour captured some of the finest work of Hank Williams during the peak of his career. The show typically included a country song, an instrumental, and a gospel song, with Hank often performing childhood favorites alongside his hits. The show also offered a glimpse into Hank's personality, revealing his appreciation for the gospel side and revealing his more cheerful side, contrary to his often-portrayed lonesome and forlorn personality.
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 - Mr. and Mrs. North [mr-and-mrs-north]
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+Mr. and Mrs. North was a popular radio mystery series that aired on CBS from 1942 to 1954, featuring amateur detectives Jerry and Pam North, played by Joseph Curtin and Alice Frost. Created by Frances and Richard Lockridge, the show revolved around the couple, who lived in Greenwich Village and were not professional detectives. Instead, they were an ordinary couple who stumbled across murders every week for 12 years. Their witty exchanges, humorous domestic environment, and ability to solve cases captivated nearly 20 million listeners during its run. The show received the first Best Radio Drama Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1946. The Mr. and Mrs. North series also extended to 26 novels, a Broadway play, a motion picture, and several television series.
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 - Mr. District Attorney [mr-district-attorney]
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+Mr. District Attorney is a radio crime drama, produced by Samuel Bischoff, which aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952. The show focuses on a crusading district attorney, initially known as Mister District Attorney or Chief, who later becomes known as Paul Garrett. The series was created, written, and directed by former law student Ed Byron, and was inspired by the early years of New York governor Thomas E. Dewey.
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+The show began as a 15-minute serial, which later transitioned into a half-hour, self-contained series. Produced in New York City, the program is notable for its attention to detail and accuracy, with its creator Ed Byron researching crime statistics and embedding himself in rough bars to gather insights from both criminals and the police. The show was successful, regularly competing with Jack Benny and Bob Hope in the ratings, and even attracting the attention of the FBI due to its accurate crime predictions.
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+The lead role of Mr. District Attorney was played by several actors during its run, including Dwight Weist, Raymond Edward Johnson, Jay Jostyn, and David Brian. Other main characters include Edith Miller, the district attorney's secretary, and Len Harrington, the D.A.'s chief investigator. The series was later translated to television with the same characters and cast reprising their roles.
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 - Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons [mr-keen-tracer-of-lost-persons]
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+Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, was a popular radio detective show that aired from October 12, 1937, to April 19, 1955. Originating from the creative minds of Frank and Anne Hummert, the series follows the adventures of the "kindly old investigator" Mr. Keen and his assistant, Mike Clancy, as they track down missing persons and solve murders. The show's title character was played by Bennett Kilpack, Arthur Hughes, and Philip Clarke at various times, while Jim Kelly portrayed Clancy.
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+Initially a thrice-weekly fifteen-minute serial, the show transitioned to a half-hour weekly format in 1943. Despite its melodramatic and heavy-handed approach, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons enjoyed a dedicated following and even inspired parodies by comedy duo Bob and Ray, as well as being referenced in pop culture.
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+Having aired on both the NBC Blue network and later CBS, the series had numerous sponsors, including Whitehall Pharmacal, Kolynos Toothpaste, BiSoDol antacid mints, and Chesterfield cigarettes. Today, around 60 of its 1690 episodes survive for modern audiences to enjoy.
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 - Mr. Moto [mr-moto]
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+Mister Moto aired between May and October 1951 on the NBC Radio Network. The character Mr. Moto, a fictional Japanese secret agent, was created by the American author John P. Marquand and initially gained fame through novels and films. Belonging to the "oriental-sleuth" category, Mr. Moto shares similarities with the Chinese detective Charlie Chan. After World War II, the show featured Mr. Moto as an American agent fighting against Communist expansion.
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+In the nine-film series from the late 1930s, Peter Lorre played the lead, Mr. Moto. However, in the 23 radio episodes from 1951, James Monks portrayed the character. The radio adaptation focused on both Mr. Moto's fight against Communism and solving more conventional mysteries like murder and blackmail.
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 - Murder at Midnight [murder-at-midnight]
 - Murder by Experts [murder-by-experts]
 - My Favorite Husband [my-favorite-husband]