Radio
Legends:
This Is Your FBI, Volume 4
Liner notes written by Harlan Zinck
During
radio's 'golden age,' there was only one series that carried the official
approval of the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- an approval so strong, in
fact, that Bureau Chief J. Edgar Hoover frequently referred to it as "our show".
Featuring newsreel-type dramatic music and employing a semi-documentary style in
both its narration and in its portrayal of both criminals and federal agents,
"This Is Your FBI" was not only officially sanctioned by the Bureau but was even
allowed to use closed case files as the basis for its weekly stories. Jerry
Devine, the producer/director of the series, was even allowed to attend a
two-week session at the FBI academy in order to get a true-to-life feel for the
workings of the Bureau -- and maintained his familiarity with evolving FBI
procedures by making regular trips to Washington throughout the series'
eight-year run.
For the first two years of the series, "This Is Your FBI" was broadcast from New
York, where it benefited from the acting talents of many of the most familiar
voices in network radio. Performers such as Mandel Kramer, Elspeth Eric, and
Santos Ortega lent an air of authenticity to the proceedings with their
realistic portrayals of extortionists, kidnappers, murderers, racketeers, and
other criminals -- all of whom would eventually be caught and convicted by the
patient and methodical agents of the FBI. Likewise, the steady and intense
narrative skills of Frank Lovejoy and Dean Carlton brought the stories
full-circle, emphasizing not only the nature of the crimes but the tireless
efforts of the Bureau to gather the evidence necessary to bring the criminals to
justice.
"This Is Your FBI" was a big hit for the American Broadcasting Company, bringing
increased popularity and higher ratings to the then-two-year-old network - plus
the generous funding provided by its sponsor: the wealthy and venerable
Equitable Life Assurance Society. Consequently, ABC lavished considerable
resources on its production -- including the use of a full orchestra, original
musical scores, and subtle but effective sound effects techniques that brought
each episode to full dramatic life. Heard today, it's obvious that the goal of
the series was to glorify the workings of the FBI -- but what's surprising is
the dramatic punch many of the episodes still carry for modern listeners; an
undeniable tribute to the men and women who produced the series so many years
ago.
The twenty programs in this Radio Legends collection offer ten full hours of
engrossing radio drama from one of the premier crime anthology series of all
time.
Here is the complete content of this 10-CD Radio Legends collection:
Old Lady Larceny
Friday, February 21, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Innocent Thief
Friday, February 28, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Divorced Child
Friday, March 7, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Fugitive Pirate
Friday, March 14, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Vicious Shakedown
Friday, March 21, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Henpecked Thief
Friday, March 28, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Used Baby Racket
Friday, April 4, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Curious Patient
Friday, April 11, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Juvenile Shakedown
Friday, April 18, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Unfortunate Daughter
Friday, April 25, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Henpecked Swindler
Friday, May 2, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Wayward Brothers
Friday, May 9, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Professional Killer
Friday, May 16, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Reluctant Thief
Friday, May 23, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Frustrated Mice
Friday, May 30, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Fugitive Traveler
Friday, June 6, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Curious Camera Man
Friday, June 13, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Horoscope Homicide
Friday, June 20, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Mysterious Fugitive
Friday, June 27, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Careless Killer
Friday, July 11, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
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