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.

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.