That's Boston Blackie, safecracker turned crime fighter and a long-running favorite with fans of straight-ahead detective fiction in a wide range of media. Beginning inauspiciously in a 1919 short story by author Jack Boyle, Blackie progressed from the printed page into silent films, then into talkies - and finally, in the 1940s, into radio. The first radio Blackie was Chester Morris, who played the role in a long series of B movies during the 1940s. Beginning in 1944 as a summer replacement series for "Amos 'n' Andy", Morris brought a certain wrong-side-of-the-tracks charm to his portrayal and gave the character a well-crafted introduction to the broadcast medium. But the longest-running radio Blackie was an odd casting choice: Broadway and sometime soap opera actor Richard Kollmar, best known to radio fans along the Eastern seaboard as the urbane Dick of WOR's "Breakfast with Dorothy and Dick," a morning show which also featured his wife, newspaper columnist Dorothy Kilgallen.
This week, the audio book version of NBC Radio's Boston Blackie has made it into the top 50 bestsellers in the Radio category. You can legally download or stream this audio book and listen to it for free at Spotify, and in high quality at Audible.
Boston Blackie
by NBC Radio
Length: 9:11 h
Published: 04-19-16
You can download this book free of charge if you log in with your Amazon login data for a
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Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. One
by Chester Morris
Length: 17:56 h
Published: 2011
Tracks:
29:28 1944-06-23 - Episode 1 - The Rockwell Diamond 29:46 1944-06-30 - Episode 2 - Fifty Hunter Street 29:50 1944-07-14 - Episode 4 - The Star of the Nile 29:33 1944-07-21 - Episode 5 - Black Market Meat Ring 29:35 1944-07-28 - Episode 6 - Polly Morrisons Gun Collection 29:51 1944-08-04 - Episode 7 - Alice Manweather Dead or Alive 28:37 1944-08-11 - Episode 8 - The Missing String of Pearls 26:40 1945-04-25 - Episode 3 - The Wentworth Diamonds 24:20 1945-05-02 - Episode 4 - John Walters Murder 26:56 1945-05-09 - Episode 5 - Coverup for Mary 26:43 1945-05-16 - Episode 6 - The William Blaine Vase 27:05 1945-06-06 - Episode 9 - Mrs Boston Blackie 27:15 1945-06-11 - Episode 10 - The Oscar Wolfe Case 26:44 1945-06-18 - Episode 11 - The Sam Bellows Case 27:06 1945-06-25 - Episode 12 - The Larry Brown Case 26:21 1945-07-02 - Episode 13 - Blackie Jilts Mary 27:01 1945-07-09 - Episode 14 - The Worthington Pearls 25:39 1945-07-16 - Episode 15 - Blackies Car Kills a Woman 25:44 1945-07-23 - Episode 16 - The Case of the Three Way Split 25:59 1945-07-30 - Episode 17 - The Mary At Sea 26:34 1945-08-06 - Episode 18 - Hypnotic Murder 26:25 1945-08-13 - Episode 19 - Evelyn Jones Murdered 27:21 1945-08-20 - Episode 20 - Blackie Steals a Necklace for Charity 26:21 1945-09-13 - Episode 23 - Bill Cranes Attorney 27:01 1945-09-20 - Episode 24 - The Fred Arlen Murder 26:27 1945-10-04 - Episode 25 - Westfield Diamonds 25:39 1945-10-11 - Episode 26 - The Copy of Diamond Bracelet 26:47 1945-10-18 - Episode 27 - Boxers Murder Case 25:43 1945-10-25 - Episode 28 - Richards Diamond Case 27:56 1945-11-01 - Episode 29 - Mary Disappears 26:40 1945-11-08 - Episode 30 - Amnesia Victim 25:53 1945-11-15 - Episode 31 - Murder in the Music Room 26:27 1945-11-22 - Episode 32 - Blackie Kidnapped 28:59 1945-11-29 - Episode 33 - Simmons Construction Murder 27:56 1945-12-06 - Episode 34 - Williams Missing Pearl Necklace 26:48 1945-12-13 - Episode 35 - Murder At the Movies 26:18 1945-12-20 - Episode 36 - TV Poisoning 24:06 1945-12-27 - Episode 37 - The Masters Diamond 23:12 1946-01-03 - Episode 38 - The Sword Swallower 23:48 1946-01-22 - Episode 41 - The Disappearing Body
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Spotify Free)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Three
by Chester Morris
Length: 17:54 h
Published: 2011
Tracks:
26:40 1946-11-19 - Episode 84 - Bill and Harry Fifty G Necklace 27:33 1946-11-26 - Episode 85 - The Lenny Powell Murder 27:11 1946-12-03 - Episode 86 - Blackie Goes to Jail for Diamond Theft 25:48 1946-12-10 - Episode 87 - Mary Registered Nurse 26:58 1946-12-17 - Episode 88 - Police Impersonater 26:01 1946-12-24 - Episode 89 - The Derailed Gold Train 27:50 1946-12-31 - Episode 90 - Carl Browning Cleaning Shop 26:31 1947-01-07 - Episode 91 - Jack Small Alias Bill Bigelow 23:45 1947-01-14 - Episode 92 - Blackie and the Fur Thefts 26:05 1947-01-21 - Episode 93 - The Search for Jim Gary 27:43 1947-01-28 - Episode 94 - Jacque Pierre and the Diamonds 32:26 1947-02-04 - Episode 95 - The Peters Mix-Up 24:36 1947-02-11 - Episode 96 - Jailbirds Murdock and Dawson 26:55 1947-02-18 - Episode 97 - 7 Years Bad Luck for Florence Wells 27:25 1947-02-25 - Episode 98 - Joe Delivers the Goods 27:08 1947-03-04 - Episode 99 - Larry the Kid vs Savinni 27:17 1947-03-11 - Episode 100 - 10th Street Gym and Stolen Car Ring 27:09 1947-03-18 - Episode 101 - Sam Fishers Past 27:52 1947-03-25 - Episode 102 - Horseroom Thefts of Boston Blackie 28:00 1947-04-01 - Episode 103 - The Bus to Valley Junction 27:56 1947-04-08 - Episode 104 - Aggie Rogers Murder 27:37 1947-04-15 - Episode 105 - Phonograph Murder 27:36 1947-04-22 - Episode 106 - Millicent Bromley Kidnapped 27:44 1947-04-29 - Episode 107 - Baseball and Gambling 26:31 1947-05-07 - Episode 108 - Mrs Petersons Insurance Policy 26:55 1947-05-14 - Episode 109 - Joe Adams Drowned 26:46 1947-05-21 - Episode 110 - Blackie Breaks Into Prison 28:06 1947-05-28 - Episode 111 - The Ghost of Florence Newton 26:15 1947-06-04 - Episode 112 - Man Following Eva 23:35 1947-06-11 - Episode 113 - Blackie Shoots a Watchman 27:41 1947-06-18 - Episode 114 - Crooked Carter Brother 24:06 1947-06-25 - Episode 115 - Joe Nelsons Pet Shop Gambling Scheme 26:21 1947-07-02 - Episode 116 - Johnny Burns Imported Woolins 25:51 1947-07-09 - Episode 117 - Death Comes to the Harmonica Man 27:22 1947-07-16 - Episode 118 - The Randolph Construction Gang Bank Robb 26:23 1947-07-23 - Episode 119 - Blackies Body in Wax 25:30 1947-07-30 - Episode 120 - Poetry in My Soul-Mayor Rogers Killed 27:58 1947-08-06 - Episode 121 - The Butcher Boy Gang 27:20 1947-08-13 - Episode 122 - Burning His House Behind Him 26:11 1947-08-20 - Episode 123 - Murder of John Austin
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Spotify Free)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Two
by Chester Morris
Length: 17:55 h
Published: 2011
Tracks:
24:21 1946-01-29 - Episode 42 - The John Williams Inheritance Case 24:02 1946-02-05 - Episode 43 - The Brandon Jewel Robbery 23:37 1946-02-12 - Episode 44 - The Congdon Ransom 27:08 1946-02-19 - Episode 45 - Harry Benson Murders His Wife 26:51 1946-02-26 - Episode 46 - A Vase Leads to Murder 27:00 1946-03-05 - Episode 47 - Tom Everett Murder With an Alibi 26:40 1946-03-12 - Episode 48 - The Colorblind Accomplice 26:29 1946-03-19 - Episode 49 - The Worthington Ghost 25:45 1946-03-26 - Episode 50 - Pierre the Designer 27:27 1946-04-16 - Episode 53 - The Baseball Player Murder 26:45 1946-04-23 - Episode 54 - The Stolen Car Ring 27:06 1946-04-30 - Episode 55 - The Frances Fielding Murder 26:07 1946-05-07 - Episode 56 - The Winthrope Jewel Robberies 26:31 1946-05-14 - Episode 57 - The Merry-Go-Round Murder 28:44 1946-05-21 - Episode 58 - The Blaine Brothers Pawn Shop Murder 28:26 1946-05-28 - Episode 59 - The Escaped Prisoner 27:00 1946-06-04 - Episode 60 - Three Witnesses to Will Killed 25:25 1946-06-11 - Episode 61 - The Disappearing Plane 27:39 1946-06-18 - Episode 62 - The Hooded Gang Protection Racket 26:54 1946-06-25 - Episode 63 - Gambler Joe Garland Killed 26:43 1946-07-02 - Episode 64 - Uncle Frank Murdered By Joe Parker 29:46 1946-07-09 - Episode 65 - The Skating Rink Murders 30:02 1946-07-16 - Episode 66 - The Murdered Truck Driver 26:17 1946-07-23 - Episode 67 - The Murdering Cuckoo Clock 24:37 1946-07-30 - Episode 68 - Mutiny Lead to Murder Aboard the Swan 26:37 1946-08-06 - Episode 69 - Jerry Williams Fixed Court Case 27:30 1946-08-13 - Episode 70 - The Diamond Smugglers 27:55 1946-08-20 - Episode 71 - Jealous Partners and Arson 26:22 1946-08-27 - Episode 72 - The Rockwell Diamond 26:50 1946-09-03 - Episode 73 - The Stolen Rare Book 27:47 1946-09-10 - Episode 74 - Backstage Murder 28:17 1946-09-17 - Episode 75 - The Apartment Swindler 27:16 1946-09-24 - Episode 76 - The Abbott Painting 27:48 1946-10-01 - Episode 77 - The Undersea Murder 27:25 1946-10-08 - Episode 78 - Murdered Show Dog Owner 27:38 1946-10-15 - Episode 79 - Murder At the Rodeo 26:51 1946-10-22 - Episode 80 - Faraday Shot 26:08 1946-10-29 - Episode 81 - Grannys Witchcraft 25:31 1946-11-05 - Episode 82 - A New Face for Joe Harvey 28:10 1946-11-12 - Episode 83 - Only One Way Out for Me
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Spotify Free)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Five
by Chester Morris
Length: 14:02 h
Published: 2011
Tracks:
28:34 1948-08-11 - Episode 174 - Bobby Rogers to Be Executed 29:46 1948-08-18 - Episode 175 - Mrs George Trillings Maid Is Murdered 29:51 1948-08-25 - Episode 176 - Robertson Poisons Wife Over the Phone 23:02 1948-09-01 - Episode 177 - Reynolds and the Stolen Goods 24:33 1948-09-08 - Episode 178 - Kingston and the Disappearing Building 26:37 1948-10-06 - Episode 182 - Marked Money-Joe Gatlings Father 24:55 1948-12-08 - Episode 191 - Killer Lightning 27:49 1948-12-22 - Episode 193 - Rings for Santa 24:50 1949-01-05 - Episode 195 - Disappearing Fourth Floor 25:53 1949-01-12 - Episode 196 - Broken Clock Murder 25:39 1949-01-19 - Episode 197 - A Boat the Viking Is On 29:14 1949-02-02 - Episode 199 - Mary Asks Blackie to Get Song Published 30:08 1949-02-09 - Episode 200 - 50 G in Bonds to Be Divided 30:02 1949-02-16 - Episode 201 - Fred Palmers Dock Racket 30:08 1949-02-23 - Episode 202 - Archie Grants Club 77 30:38 1949-03-02 - Episode 203 - Fake Accident Racket 26:12 1949-03-09 - Episode 204 - Dolly Preston Calls for Help 29:37 1949-03-16 - Episode 205 - Kidnapped Murderer 28:17 1949-03-23 - Episode 206 - Sightseeing Bus 29:48 1949-03-30 - Episode 207 - Amadon Pearls 28:29 1949-04-06 - Episode 208 - Duke Murders Jo Jo 25:07 1949-04-13 - Episode 209 - Jewelry Store Owner Killed for Watch 30:04 1949-04-20 - Episode 210 - Madame Zina Fortune Teller 27:24 1949-04-27 - Episode 211 - Dynamite Thompson Murdered 28:17 1949-05-04 - Episode 212 - Joe Gates Murdered On Bus 29:26 1949-05-11 - Episode 213 - Information On Senator Given to Blackie 29:52 1949-05-18 - Episode 214 - Imperial Oil Company Racket 29:51 1949-05-25 - Episode 215 - Blackie and Mary Go to Canyon Dude Ranch 29:10 1949-06-01 - Episode 216 - Pudgy and the Stolen Tire Racket 29:19 1949-06-08 - Episode 217 - Ma Vie Perfume
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Spotify Free)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. One
by Chester Morris
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Napster)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Two
by Chester Morris
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Napster)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Four
by Chester Morris
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Napster)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Three
by Chester Morris
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Napster)
Boston Blackie - Old Time Radio Show, Vol. Five
by Chester Morris
▶ Listen now for free (provided by Napster)
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