Radio
Legends:
This Is Your FBI, Volume 5
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:
Unhappy Hijacker
Friday, July 18, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Benevolent Hijacker
Friday, August 1, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Uninvited Partner
Friday, August 8, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Big Build Up
Friday, August 15, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Ambitious Widow
Friday, August 22, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Benevolent Corpse
Friday, September 5, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Innocent Witness
Friday, September 12, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Melancholy Mind Reader
Friday, September 26, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Half Pint Horse Players
Friday, October 10, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Friendly Frame-Up
Friday, October 17, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Merchants Of Arson
Friday, October 24, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Gullible Groom
Friday, November 7, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Runaway Gangster
Friday, November 14, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Trail Of Terror
Friday, November 28, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Indifferent Mother
Friday, December 5, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Lady Luck's Husband
Friday, December 12, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Happy Honeymooners
Friday, December 26, 1947 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
Sorrowful Safe Cracker
Friday, January 2, 1948 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Unwilling Hostess
Friday, January 9, 1948 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
The Mercenary Mother
Friday, January 16, 1948 - 30:00 - ABC
Sponsored by the Equitable Life Assurance Society
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