The Falcon (radio series)
| Genre | Mystery-detective drama |
|---|---|
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | Blue Network Mutual NBC |
| Starring | Berry Kroeger James Meighan Les Tremayne Les Damon George Petrie |
| Announcer | Ed Herlihy Jack Costello |
| Written by | Gene Wang Bernard Dougall Jay Bennett |
| Directed by | Carlo De Angelo Richard Lewis Stuart Buchanan |
| Produced by | Bernard L. Schubert |
| Original release | April 10, 1943 – November 27, 1954 |
| Sponsored by | Gem Razors and Blades Anahist Kraft Foods General Mills |
The Falcon radio series premiered on the Blue Network on April 10, 1943, continuing on NBC and Mutual until November 27, 1954.[1] Some 70 episodes were produced.
"Drexel Drake" (a pseudonym of Charles H. Huff) created Michael Waring, alias the Falcon, a free-lance investigator and troubleshooter, in his 1936 novel, The Falcon's Prey. It was followed by two more novels (The Falcon Cuts In, 1937 and The Falcon Meets a Lady, 1938) and a 1938 short story. In 1941, RKO made a movie, The Gay Falcon, based on a 1940 short story, "Gay Falcon," by Michael Arlen, rechristening Arlen's Gay Stanhope Falcon as Gay Lawrence aka the Falcon. It became a film series, and its popularity led eventually to the radio series. No explanation for the nickname was ever mentioned in any of the dramatizations. The Michael Waring Falcon was also the hero in three late 1940s movies starring John Calvert, and a television series starring Charles McGraw.[2]
Characters and story
Like the Falcon film series, the radio plots mixed danger, romance and comedy in equal parts. Each show began with a telephone ringing and Michael Waring, the Falcon, answering the phone. Speaking with a woman whose voice was never heard, Waring would explain that he had an urgent situation in which he had to deal with criminals. This led into the standard opening, followed by the week's tale of adventure. Often, incompetent police were unable to solve the mysteries without his help.
Actors
Actors who portrayed the Falcon on radio: Berry Kroeger (1943), James Meighan (1945–47), Les Tremayne (1947–1950), Les Damon (1950–1953) and George Petrie (1953–1954). Ed Herlihy and Jack Costello were the announcers.
References
- ^ Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Pp. 239-240.
- ^ Smith, Kevin Burton; "The Falcon (Michael Waring, Gay Stanhope Falcon, Gay Lawrence, Tom Lawrence)"