True Crime Classics

Episod

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  Mr X 27.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: July 16, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #13, "Mr X," a mysterious patient with no memory or identification lies recovering in a hospital, while author Paula Maitland finds herself tormented by persistent anonymous telephone calls. The caller's voice, strange and unsettling, repeatedly asks about her overdue second novel, driving the successful writer to distraction and preventing her from working. Inspector Hood refers her to the brilliant Dr. Morelle, who agrees to visit her home that evening to hear the mysterious caller for himself. Miss Frayle, ever eager to help, insists on accompanying the doctor in case danger arises. However, before Dr. Morelle can investigate, Paula's husband arrives with a shocking allegation: he believes his wife never actually wrote her bestselling first novel, Broken Journey. He claims she returned from a holiday in Devon with the completed manuscript, but her inability to produce a second book reveals her as a fraud. As Dr. Morelle prepares to untangle this web of mystery, the connection between the amnesiac Mr. X and Paula Maitland's literary deception begins to emerge.
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  Poisoned Air 26.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: July 9, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #12, "Poisoned Air," Doctor Morelle and his secretary Miss Frayle are invited by Professor Hugo Russell to witness a demonstration of his new poisonous gas, designed to kill insect pests. The professor also mentions his upcoming wedding to his secretary, Miss Bella Goodwin, though his legendary absent-mindedness raises questions about whether he'll even remember to attend his own ceremony. When they arrive at the laboratory the next morning, tension crackles beneath the surface. The professor's assistant, the handsome Kurt Emmanuel from Vienna, harbors deep feelings for Bella and attempts to convince her to call off the wedding. Meanwhile, the dangerous gas they've been developing proves as lethal as promised, capable of causing sudden death with just a whiff. As romantic entanglements collide with deadly scientific work, Doctor Morelle finds himself drawn into a case where poisoned emotions may prove just as dangerous as poisoned air.
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  The Gambler 25.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: July 2, 1957 In A Case For Doctor Morelle #11, "The Gambler," the famous detective and his secretary Miss Frayle are drawn into a puzzling case when they stumble upon a ringing telephone box during an evening walk. Answering the call, they hear the frantic voice of Mrs. Ludlow summoning a doctor to her Chelsea home, convinced something terrible has happened to her husband Alex. The distressed woman explains she returned early from a party, gripped by a premonition of disaster, but was too frightened to enter her husband's study herself. When Dr. Morelle and Miss Frayle investigate, they find the room empty, despite Mrs. Ludlow's certainty that her husband was inside. As the episode unfolds, hints emerge about Mrs. Ludlow's dangerous gambling obsession, particularly her reckless behavior at the roulette table where she loses considerable sums. Dr. Morelle observes that she exemplifies the gambler's fallacy, refusing to accept that each spin of the wheel is independent of the last. The case promises to spiral into what Dr. Morelle describes as a vortex of disaster and death, with Mrs. Ludlow's compulsion at its center.
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  The Wedding Dress 24.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: June 25, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #10, "The Wedding Dress," young Audrey Templeton is plagued by mysterious nightmares and unexplained disturbances in the days leading up to her wedding. Her aunt, Mrs. Lambert, seeks Doctor Morelle's help after someone repeatedly enters Audrey's bedroom at night, and the frightened bride-to-be becomes convinced that someone is trying to prevent her marriage to Johnny Fitzgerald. Mrs. Lambert reveals that Audrey was engaged once before three years ago, but her fiancé Richard Conway vanished during a mountain climbing expedition and was never found. While Mrs. Lambert consults with Doctor Morelle in London, a terrifying incident occurs at home. Audrey narrowly escapes being crushed against a garage wall by the family car when the chauffeur Ames fails to notice her presence. Is this another accident, or is someone deliberately trying to harm the nervous bride? Doctor Morelle agrees to visit the Lambert household that evening under the pretense of being interested in haunted houses, hoping to determine whether Audrey's fears are merely pre-wedding anxiety or something far more sinister.
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  The Black Ruby 23.03.2026 29min

  Originally Aired: June 18, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #9, "The Black Ruby," Mr. Hampton seeks Dr. Morelle's help after surviving a harrowing plane crash over the Indian Ocean. Hampton recently purchased a legendary Burmese ruby known as the Black Ruby in Bombay, despite warnings from the jeweler who authenticated it. Now safely back in London, Hampton faces a new crisis: his wife Sonia is convinced the cursed gem will bring disaster to their household and desperately wants him to dispose of it. Hampton fears his neurotic wife may do something drastic if he refuses. Dr. Morelle suspects Sonia's anxiety stems from deeper marital problems rather than superstition, particularly Hampton's frequent travels without her in pursuit of precious stones. When the doctor and Miss Frayle accept an invitation to dinner at the Hampton residence to meet Sonia and view the infamous ruby, a chandelier suddenly crashes from the ceiling, nearly killing the couple. Sonia becomes even more convinced the Black Ruby's deadly reputation is real, while mysterious admirers and questionable friends complicate the household tensions surrounding the cursed gem.
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  Act Of Violence 22.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: June 11, 1957 In A Case For Doctor Morelle #8, "Act Of Violence," Doctor Morelle and his secretary Miss Frayle travel to the Essex countryside to visit Professor Stenberg. On their way, they stop at a garage for directions and encounter a young man who seems strangely disturbed by the doctor's presence. Miss Frayle notices the man's reaction when he hears Doctor Morelle's name, and the doctor cryptically mentions recognizing him from a previous "sordid, lurid affair." The man is Robert Benson, whose name appears on a poster advertising a local concert performance. When they arrive at Professor Stenberg's house, the peaceful visit is disrupted when Benson appears in the garden beneath Miss Frayle's balcony. He desperately insists on speaking with Doctor Morelle, warning Miss Frayle that it's for the doctor's own good. Benson is agitated and defensive, believing the doctor has deliberately come to the area to investigate him. The young man was previously convicted of murder at the Old Bailey, a trial Doctor Morelle attended, though he insists he's innocent. As tensions mount, Doctor Morelle agrees to meet with the clearly troubled young man to discover what he wants.
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  The Will 21.03.2026 31min

  Originally Aired: June 4, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #7, "The Will," Dr. Morelle receives an urgent call from David Beaumont, who is suffering from a severe asthma attack triggered by roses on his breakfast table. When Beaumont arrives for treatment, the doctor employs an unusual technique involving paper roses and a fake adrenaline injection to demonstrate that his patient's condition is psychological rather than physical. Through careful questioning, Dr. Morelle uncovers the truth: Beaumont's asthma attacks began after he discovered his wealthy Uncle Herbert unconscious in the bathtub and briefly considered leaving him there to die in order to inherit under his will. Beaumont confesses that his uncle constantly changes his will, sometimes leaving everything to him, sometimes to his eccentric Aunt Henrietta, and sometimes to Darrell the manservant. Broke and unemployed, Beaumont has been making calculated visits to his uncle's strange household near Wimbledon Common, hoping to stay in the old man's good graces. Dr. Morelle diagnoses the young man's asthma as stemming from profound guilt over his mercenary motives, and prescribes that Beaumont focus on finding employment to make himself independent of any inheritance.
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  Voice In The Night 20.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: May 28, 1957 In A Case For Doctor Morelle #6, "Voice In The Night," an elderly woman named Miss Nicholson arrives at Dr. Morelle's office with a disturbing tale. For the past week, she has been receiving mysterious midnight phone calls from a man warning her that someone is after her money and plans to murder her. Despite reporting the threats to the police, they dismiss her concerns as the worries of a nervous spinster. Living alone in a small Chelsea house with only her elderly dog Billy for company, Miss Nicholson turns to Dr. Morelle for help based on a friend's recommendation. She insists she has no money worth stealing, yet the anonymous caller seems convinced otherwise. After listening to her story, Dr. Morelle agrees to investigate and reassures Miss Nicholson that the threats may not be serious, since warning a victim seems counterproductive for a genuine criminal. However, when Miss Nicholson accidentally leaves her shabby handbag behind, Miss Frayle discovers it is stuffed with five pound notes, possibly thousands of pounds worth. When Miss Frayle rushes after her to return it, Miss Nicholson has mysteriously vanished from Harley Street without a trace.
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  The Blackmailer 19.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: May 21, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #5, "The Blackmailer," Sir Clifford and Lady Forbes desperately seek Doctor Morelle's help when their daughter Cynthia attempts suicide twice by gas and refuses to explain why. The young woman recently returned from London, where she was supposedly in the company of Count Raymond Alvaro, a distinguished older Spaniard to whom she became attached during a family vacation in Spain. Doctor Morelle discovers that Cynthia cashed a cheque for two hundred and fifty pounds at her London bank before returning home, and the money has since vanished without a trace. Working with Inspector Hood, Doctor Morelle investigates Cynthia's movements in London, interviewing staff at Christie's Hotel where she stayed. The trail leads to a darker truth about the charming Count Alvaro and his associate Harry Fox. Doctor Morelle deduces that Cynthia has fallen victim to a sophisticated blackmail scheme involving compromising photographs, preying on her youthful inexperience and fear of scandal. As the investigation unfolds, the detective must not only apprehend the criminals but also help the Forbes family navigate the delicate aftermath of their daughter's traumatic experience.
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  The Sleepwalker 18.03.2026 32min

  Originally Aired: May 14, 1957 In A Case For Doctor Morelle #4, "The Sleepwalker," the brilliant but acerbic Dr. Morelle investigates a disturbing case involving Richard Wilson, a young man plagued by terrifying nightmares in which he attempts to murder his mother with a stiletto. When Richard's mother is found dead in circumstances suggesting a burglary gone wrong, the troubled sleepwalker becomes the prime suspect. Complicating matters is Richard's secret romance with Helen Keene, his mother's secretary companion, a relationship his domineering mother would never have approved. Inspector Hood believes a burglar killed Mrs. Wilson when she interrupted a robbery, pointing to evidence of forced entry and a torn necktie clutched in the victim's hand. However, Dr. Morelle's keen psychiatric insights and careful examination of the crime scene reveal inconsistencies that don't align with the inspector's theory. As he questions Richard, Miss Keene, and examines the physical evidence, Morelle uncovers a far more sinister plot involving insurance policies, suicide clauses, and the psychological principle that criminals are driven by an inner compulsion toward self-destruction. The doctor's investigation leads to a shocking revelation about who orchestrated this elaborate scheme and why.
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  Threat To Kill 17.03.2026 31min

  Originally Aired: May 7, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #3, "Threat To Kill," Film star Helen Desmond receives a chilling anonymous letter threatening her life, supposedly from the jealous wife of an obsessed fan. When the police dismiss it as a publicity stunt, studio chief Mr. Digby calls in the formidable Doctor Morelle to investigate. The case grows more complicated when it becomes clear the letter was sent to Desmond's private address, known only to close friends and studio insiders. As tensions run high at Zenith Film Studios, Desmond refuses to work while the threat hangs over her, jeopardizing the production schedule. The investigation reveals a web of professional jealousies and romantic entanglements. Co-star Ronnie Kavanaugh storms into Digby's office, furious about Desmond monopolizing publicity and suspecting the threat is manufactured for attention. Screenwriter Ashton and secretary Miss Curtis add to the studio intrigue, while hints emerge of complex feelings between Kavanaugh and Desmond. Doctor Morelle agrees to visit the frightened actress, hoping to calm her nerves while uncovering which member of her inner circle might harbor murderous intentions.
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  Confession Of Guilt 16.03.2026 30min

  Originally Aired: April 30, 1957 In A Case For Doctor Morelle #2, "Confession Of Guilt," a shocking murder case draws the famous psychiatrist into a web of deception and remorse. Paula Webb arrives at Dr. Morelle's office confessing that she shot Max Powers, a wealthy fashion magnate found dead in his Park Lane office. She claims Powers, her married lover, promised to leave his wife but betrayed her instead. Armed with a borrowed revolver from Ellis Daker, she confronted Powers in his secretary's office and pulled the trigger. As Inspector Hood investigates and evidence mounts, Dr. Morelle uses his psychiatric expertise to examine not just the facts of the case, but the psychological state of those involved. However, Dr. Morelle begins to notice inconsistencies in Paula's confession and becomes intrigued by curious details surrounding the death scene. The location of the body, a typed suicide note, and the circumstances of the shooting all trouble the astute detective. When he investigates the revolver's ammunition and orchestrates a revealing confrontation, the truth behind Max Powers' death emerges in an unexpected twist that transforms everyone's understanding of that fatal night.
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  Alarm Call 15.03.2026 31min

  Originally Aired: April 23, 1957 A Case For Doctor Morelle #1, "Alarm Call," Dr. Morrell's morning is interrupted when his former secretary, Miss Frayle, arrives with an urgent request. She now works at the nearby Wigmore Hotel, where Baroness Beauville has been found dead in her suite. Miss Frayle escorts the doctor to the hotel, where assistant manager Mr. Winter explains that a waiter discovered the body around half past seven that morning. Upon examining the scene, Dr. Morrell finds the Baroness in her bed with a bottle of sleeping tablets nearby, the top left off. While Mr. Winter assumes it was a heart attack, Dr. Morrell suspects the barbiturate tablets may have induced a fatal coma, though he refuses to rule it suicide or accident. As Dr. Morrell investigates, the Baroness's French companion, Mademoiselle Rolland, arrives and is devastated by the news. The doctor then discovers a French novel inscribed to Anthony Winter with melancholy passages marked in pencil about loneliness and departed friends. When questioned, Mr. Winter reveals he met the Baroness in Geneva and that she helped him secure his current position. The situation grows increasingly suspicious as Dr. Morrell prepares to interview the waiter who made the grim discovery.
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  Kidnapping: Shotgun Hadley 17.01.2026 31min

  A ruthless criminal and his manipulative wife set out to make history by committing the “perfect” kidnapping. Branding her husband as the feared “Shotgun Hadley,” Sally Hadley orchestrates the abduction of an Oklahoma millionaire and demands a massive ransom—confident she can outsmart the FBI. But careful victim testimony, patient federal investigation, and the tracking of marked ransom bills slowly close the net. As greed and paranoia unravel the couple’s partnership, the case ends with a dramatic arrest and the downfall of one of the most notorious kidnapping teams of the era. Originally aired: April 20, 1945. Cast:Leslie Woods, Mandel Kramer, Frank Lovejoy Tags:ThisIsYourFBI, FBI, truecrime, kidnapping, ransom, manhunt, federalagents, 1940s, crime, investigation, publicenemy, ShotgunHadley, SallyHadley, justice, classicradio, dramatizedcrime
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  Max Tyler: The Friend Who Ran 20.05.2025 31min

  In this gripping tale from January 5, 1950, Sergeant Joe Friday faces a personal crisis when a friend from the Army, Max Tyler, is caught robbing a jewelry store—and he’s the one who has to put him away. But when Max escapes from prison just months before a potential parole, Friday is forced to track him down again—this time, with more on the line than just justice. It’s a powerful story about trust, betrayal, and redemption.   Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell   Tags: Dragnet, robbery, escape, prison, LAPD, betrayal, redemption, fugitives, SanQuentin, California, manhunt, noir, detectives, drama, reformation, policework, suspense, 1950s, JoeFriday, friendship
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  Body Buried in the Nursery: The Case of Eric Kelby 25.03.2025 31min

  Originally Aired: September 3, 1949 Body Buried in the Nursery: The Case of Eric Kelby In this haunting Dragnet episode, Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate the sudden disappearance of Agnes Kelby, a devoted wife and mother who vanishes without warning. What begins as a routine missing persons case quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Her husband, Eric Kelby, claims she simply walked out—but her purse, clothes, and most hauntingly, her devotion to her son Bruce, are all left behind. The deeper Friday and Romero dig, the more Eric Kelby’s story begins to fall apart. The stepson, Bruce, fearing for his mother’s safety, secretly contacts the police—sparking an investigation that peels back layers of deceit, greed, and abuse. Piece by piece, the detectives uncover Kelby’s motives: control, jealousy, and a $30,000 life insurance policy. When the trail grows cold, a single overlooked clue from Bruce leads them to a freshly-dug patch of soil in the family’s nursery. There, beneath the roses, lies Agnes Kelby’s body. Tense, methodical, and chillingly real, Body Buried in the Nursery is a classic example of Dragnet's commitment to showing the slow, steady grind of real police work and the emotional cost of justice. Keywords: "Dragnet Eric Kelby episode," "Body Buried in the Nursery radio drama," "September 1949 Dragnet broadcast," "Joe Friday and Ben Romero homicide case," "Agnes Kelby murder mystery," "classic LAPD Dragnet story," "true crime radio dramatization." Cast: Jack Webb (Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting performances by Harry Bartell, Peggy Webber, and Herb Ellis.
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  Auto Burglaries: Myra the Redhead 17.01.2025 31min

  Originally Aired: September 1, 1949 Auto Burglaries: Myra the Redhead: In this gripping episode of Dragnet, Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to the auto theft detail as they track down a sophisticated car burglary ring that has looted more than 250 vehicles across Los Angeles. With stolen property valued at over $200,000, the pressure is on to identify and capture the masterminds behind the operation. Their first break comes when they arrest Stanley Freeman and Joanne Miller, two small-time thieves caught red-handed. As they interrogate the young suspects, the detectives uncover a sprawling crime syndicate led by a mysterious woman known only as Myra—a fiery redhead who recruits teenagers to do her dirty work. With key confessions in hand, Friday and Romero orchestrate an undercover sting operation to lure Myra into the open. The plan leads to a dramatic confrontation at a used car lot filled with stolen goods, where Myra’s empire finally crumbles. But not before she reveals her sharp tongue and ruthless nature, showing no remorse for the young lives she manipulated. This episode delivers a thrilling mix of crime, deception, and justice, capturing the unrelenting determination of the LAPD in bringing criminals to justice. Keywords: "Dragnet Myra the Redhead episode," "September 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday auto theft investigation," "teenage car burglary ring," "LAPD crime procedural drama," "Paul and Myra Hackett stolen goods," "classic police radio series." Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, June Whitley, Joseph Kearns.
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  The Blitz Bandits: A Cop’s Sacrifice 31.12.2024 31min

  This emotional and action-packed episode of Dragnet follows Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero as they hunt the infamous Blitz Bandits, a gang responsible for a spree of violent robberies across Los Angeles. The detectives trace their prime suspects, Mario Kosky and Al Mischikoff, but the duo remains elusive, leaving a trail of chaos and fear in their wake. When a lead brings Friday, Romero, and rookie officer Hank Decker face-to-face with the gang, a fierce shootout ensues. Decker, eager to prove himself, steps into the line of fire, taking down two suspects before succumbing to his injuries. The emotional weight of his sacrifice underscores the risks and relentless dedication of law enforcement officers. This episode captures the grit and humanity of police work, blending tense action with a poignant narrative that honors those who give everything to protect their communities. Keywords: "Dragnet The Blitz Bandits episode," "August 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday Blitz Bandits chase," "Mario Kosky Al Mischikoff robbery gang," "rookie cop Hank Decker sacrifice," "classic police procedural radio," "LAPD crime drama Dragnet." Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, June Whitley, Joseph Kearns.
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  Sixteen Jewel Thefts: The Trail of Walter Tracy 05.12.2024 31min

  In this thrilling episode of Dragnet, Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to the burglary detail to stop a brazen jewel thief whose 16-day spree has left Los Angeles reeling. Dubbed "the 16-night burglar," the elusive criminal has stolen thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels, leaving no fingerprints and baffling investigators. The detectives finally catch a break when stolen items start appearing in local pawnshops, all signed under the name Walter Tracy. Armed with a description and mounting evidence, Friday and Romero track down Tracy in a pawnshop and engage in a tense pursuit through the streets of Los Angeles. Upon his arrest, Tracy refuses to cooperate, forcing the detectives to undertake a grueling search of dozens of hotels and apartments until they locate his hideout. The discovery of the stolen jewels—hidden in jars, cans, and household items—cements the case against Tracy. The episode concludes with his conviction for first-degree burglary and a return to prison, where he faces additional charges from another state. Keywords: "Dragnet Sixteen Jewel Thefts episode," "Walter Tracy jewel thief Dragnet," "August 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday Ben Romero burglary case," "LAPD crime investigation drama," "classic Dragnet jewel heist," "police procedural radio series." Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, June Whitley, Joseph Kearns.
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  Maniac at Large: A Killer’s Trail 04.12.2024 31min

  In this intense episode of Dragnet, Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero face one of their most chilling cases yet: tracking a brutal murderer terrorizing Los Angeles. When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in a hotel room, the detectives uncover the killer’s modus operandi—strangulation followed by vicious mutilation. A trail of clues, including a bloody butcher knife and distinctive footprints, leads them to Robert Long, a man with a thirst for violence. As the investigation unfolds, Long's unrelenting spree continues, leaving another victim and a terrified city in his wake. The detectives engage in a relentless manhunt, braving harsh weather and narrow escapes. The suspense reaches its peak in a dramatic warehouse confrontation, where Long attempts a final, desperate escape. Justice prevails as Friday and Romero bring the killer to a violent end, ensuring the safety of the city. This episode delves into the dark psychology of a killer and showcases the relentless dedication of the LAPD in bringing justice to the streets. Keywords: "Dragnet Maniac at Large episode," "Robert Long serial killer case," "August 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday Ben Romero investigation," "LAPD murder manhunt drama," "hotel murder mystery Dragnet," "classic radio crime series." Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, June Whitley, Joseph Kearns.