Richard Diamond, Private Detective - Single Episodes
Old Time Radio Researchers Group
RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE
In 1945, Dick Powell portrayed Phillip Marlowe in the movie "Murder My Sweet" based on Raymond Chandler's novel "Farewell My Lovely". This was a radical departure in character for Mr. Powell from a Hollywood song and dance man to a hard-boiled detective. On June 11,1945, the Lux Radio Theater brought "Murder My Sweet" to radio, again with Dick Powell in the lead. These two performances prompted his selection for the part of Richard Rogue, in Rogue’s Gallery after his role for Lux Radio Theater and Richard Diamond came four years later. Richard Diamond, Private Detective came to NBC in 1949. Diamond was a slick, sophisticated detective, with a sharp tongue for folks who needed it. Diamond enjoyed the detective life, but not as much as entertaining his girl, Helen Asher. After each show, he would croon a number to his Park Avenue sweetheart. Mr. Powell, a former song and dance man, was perfect for the role. He added an extra dimension to the 40's hokey private eye drama. Diamond was a rough gumshoe that would often get knocked on the head with a revolver butt or other items. His counterpart on the police force was Lt. Levinson who often accepted Diamond's help reluctantly. Levinson would claim to get stomach trouble whenever Diamond would call him and would take bicarbonate to settle his aching stomach. Although they always seem at odds with each other, Diamond and Levinson were best friends. The plot theme remained fairly constant throughout the entire run of the show, Diamond getting beat up and solving a tough murder case with the support of the police department. Remarkably, for all the gun fights, Diamond never got shot. And for all his bravado, he had a serious case of vertigo. Helen Asher was portrayed by Virginia Gregg, who also played the part of Brooksie on Let George Do It and Betty Lewis on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Blake Edwards wrote the early shows and also directed a few. Music was composed by David Baskerville and later by Frank Wirth. In January of 1951, the series moved to ABC under the full sponsorship of Camel cigarettes. Then in May of 1953, the series moved to CBS but all shows were repeats from the 1950-51 Rexall sponsored season on NBC. Richard Diamond was one of the radio shows which successfully moved to television with David Janssen, later of The Fugitive fame, in the title role of Richard Diamond. The opening scene of the television show often featured the long lovely legs of Mary Tyler Moore, who went on to fame in The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Mary was replaced on the Richard Diamond show when it became known that she owned the mystery legs.NEW: Updated with Version 2 Files on 30-May-2007
From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
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Bewertungen
R Waldrop
This is a GREAT series! As I discover more of these wonderful radio shows, I become more grateful to Librivox and app developers for this ever-expanding library of entertainment! The writing in this series is fun, with some real laugh out loud moments, good story and dialog, and I have become such a fan of Dick Powell, too.
Richard Diamond Radio Program Production
Max Reiner
Can anyone tell me was there a live orchestra on the show or just library cues? I surely loved this show. Dick Powell was absolutely perfect for the part. Where were the shows done? Were they edited on tape. I think tape came in 1948. So these showed had the capability to be edited on tape. Thanks it for now. Maxy.
Ahead of its time...
TheModernaire
Where to begin? Voiceover work by the amazing actors breathes life into the imaginative, innovative, quick-witted and entertaining writing that was second to none in the era the show was broadcast. Personal favorites for newbies - 'The Gray Man' and 'Blue Serge Suit' among too many others to mention. Enjoy!
I love these shows!
VickyK
These shows have everything you could want in a show. They are great detective stories with music and comdey mixed in. My favorites are the Van Dyke Seance Case, Oklahoma Cowboy Murder Case, and Jerome J. Jerome. They are funny with a great detective story!
Files Updated!
OTRRArchive
FYI: Replaced files on this page from the Version 3 Release (01-Jan-2020). For the full OTRR Release, see the OTRR Certified page: <a href="https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Richard_Diamond_Private_Detective" rel="nofollow">OTRR Richard Diamond, Private Detective</a> - Old Time Radio Researchers Group
Richard Diamond
Edward A
The crazy 1 liners do it for me. He spouts off to the wrong people and usually gets his clock cleaned. It all works out in the end.. LOVE IT !!!!!!
Richard Diamond
PollieM
This program is one of the better Private Detective radio series. It is well worth downloading and listening too.
Hello, one of the best hard boiled P.I series with a softner.
SGL