First Published in 1973. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In 1967, Jim Harmon published the first edition of The Great Radio Heroes to great acclaim. Thirty-three years later comes an illustrated, corrected, revised and greatly expanded new edition... Once there was a time--and it was not so long ago--when radio listening, especially to the dramas, was one of the most important events in many a young person's life. People developed a love affair with the radio, and though the old times are now gone forever, the love affair continues. The heroes and settings of radio drama spurred the imagination to supply its own and much better images than visual media provided. There were no padded shoulders on the Lone Ranger, Superman flew with no jiggly trick photography, and the Martians whom Orson Welles helped attack the Earth were more convincing than anything the movies can provide. For those who have been under the thrall of radio's alluring call, your new host Jim Harmon provides reminiscences of the heyday of radio programming, with insights on such radio dramas as I Love a Mystery, Gangbusters, The Shadow, Inner Sanctum, Batman and Robin, Superman, Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, Adventures by Morse and a couple of dozen more. Photographs, a bibliography, and an index are included to enhance the reader's journey into a past time when radio was the favorite pastime.

First published in 1973

From the 1920s to the 1950s, radio was the entertainment source for millions. Two of the primary themes of radio serials were mysteries and adventure. This is a detailed analysis of the important programs in these genres - ""Jack Armstrong,"" ""The Green Hornet,"" ""Sergeant Preston,"" ""Tom Mix,"" and more. Each entry includes type of series, broadcast days, air dates, sponsors, network, cast and production credits, and a comprehensive essay. When, as often happened, the series landed in other media, that is examined as well.

Sherlock Holmes is once again after the game which is afoot, but in the West of Tom Mix. Captain Midnight takes to the air and the virtual airwaves for us to solve a spy case. Mr. District Attoney solves a historic crime. Johnny Dollar adds a page to his expense account. Chandu the Magician lifts the veil on another mystery. These beloved characters from the world of old time radio are not gone forever, but live again in these pages in brand new stories, especially prepared for this edition. These short stories are in standard reading form, not re-tread scripts. Using you own imagination you can not only read them but hear those voices and sounds in your mind. Those who loved the "Theatre of Imagination" will love these stores pertaining to it from well-known authors including William F. Nolan, Jack A. French, Richard Lupoff, Jon Swartz, Steve Kallis, and Jim Harmon.

Here it is! The "meets" volume! Ever wondered what might happen if The Whistler meets Mysterious Traveler Sherlock Holmes meets Raffles Johnny Dollar goes into Duffy's Tavern Jack Benny meets Richard Diamond Captain Midnight meets Sky King Gunsmoke meets Have Gun Will Travel The Bickersons meet Fibber McGee & Molly Mary Noble meets Lum & Abner Just Plain Bill visits the Halls of Ivy The Great Gildersleeve meets Honest Harold Vic & Sade meet Aunt Fanny from Breakfast Club The Sea Hound meets Scarlet Queen ? Discover the answers to these and more in the third volume of the popular series of NEW adventures of old-time radio fiction. Praise for Volume 1: A terrific bunch of writers, all with the ability to make these shows sound as fresh as they were in their heyday. Laura Wagner, Classic Images The enthusiasm of the writers and their respect for the period is infectious. Jon L. Breen, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine