Pat Novak, for Hire is an old-time radio detective drama that aired from 1946 to 1947 as a West Coast regional program and in 1949 as a nationwide program for ABC. Set on the San Francisco waterfront, the show follows Pat Novak (played by Jack Webb), a boat shop owner who takes on risky side jobs and frequently gets involved in solving murder cases. Notable for its fast-paced, hard-boiled dialogue and witty one-liners, the show features a host of memorable characters such as Police Inspector Hellman (played by Raymond Burr) and Novak's drunken ex-doctor friend, Jocko Madigan (played by Tudor Owen).

Created by Webb and his roommate Richard L. Breen, the show eventually moved to a nationwide network under the Mutual network and evolved into Johnny Madero, Pier 23. Both series capture the grit and noir style synonymous with waterfront detective stories of the time. The clever dialogue, suspenseful plots, and unforgettable characters make Pat Novak, for Hire a standout series in the old-time radio genre.