The Amazing Mr. Malone

The Amazing Mr. Malone (initially known as Murder and Mr. Malone[1]) is an American radio crime drama series based on the John Malone series of mystery novels by Craig Rice. The series ran on ABC from January 11, 1947, through September 24, 1950, and was broadcast on NBC Radio from May 25, 1951, through July 13, 1951.[2]

The Amazing Mr. Malone
Other names
  • Murder and Mr. Malone
  • John J. Malone for the Defense
  • Attorney John J. Malone
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Syndicates
  • ABC
  • NBC
Starring
  • Gene Raymond
  • George Petrie
  • Frank Lovejoy
Announcer
  • Arthur Gary
  • Art Gilmore
  • Dick Tufeld
Created byCraig Rice
Produced byBernard L. Schubert

Characters and story edit

Socialite John Joseph Malone is a tough Chicago criminal lawyer who takes on a new case in each episode.[3] Each episode began by establishing who the suspects were for a specified crime. After one of them was arrested, Malone was hired to defend the accused person.[1] Malone never gives up until justice is done.[3] Malone went beyond defending his clients in court by "taking to the streets to uncover the evidence he needs to clear them."[4]

Frank Lovejoy had the title role initially. Gene Raymond replaced him effective September 21, 1949, and George Petrie replaced Raymond beginning on Jay 25, 1951.[5]

Production edit

Bernard L. Schubert was the producer; Bill Rousseau and Richard Lewis were the directors. The writers were Craig Rice[2] and Gene Wang.[3] John Duffy provided the music.[2] Announcers were Dresser Dahlstead, Arthur Gary, Art Gilmore, and Dick Tufeld.[5]

The Malone character first appeared in the book Eight Faces at Three in 1939.[6] The Amazing Mr. Malone was developed by Bernard L. Schubert.[7]

Television edit

The series had a brief television run from September 24, 1951 to March 10, 1952 on ABC, with Lee Tracy in the title role.[8] The TV series was sponsored by the Seiberling Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio and was seen alternately with Mr. District Attorney.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (September 2, 2015). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland. p. 240. ISBN 978-1-4766-0528-9. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Dunning, John (May 7, 1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 469. ISBN 978-0-19-977078-6. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Production" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 19, 1949. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. ^ Terrace, Vincent (6 October 2022). From Radio to Television: Programs That Made the Transition, 1929-2021. McFarland. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-4766-8836-7. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Cox, Jim (June 14, 2015). Radio Crime Fighters: More Than 300 Programs from the Golden Age. McFarland. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-4766-1227-0. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Erickson, Hal (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948-2008. McFarland. pp. 35–36. ISBN 9780786454525. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  7. ^ "film maker" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 9, 1956. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Lee Tracy" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 37 (4): 26. March 1952. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  9. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. pg. 39. ISBN 0-345-45542-8

External links edit