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ABC Mystery Time also known as Mystery Time Classics

Thursday nights were filled with A-List talent on ABC thanks to the convenience of magnetic tape on ABC Mystery Time. Enjoy this series of mystifying tales starring Sir Laurence Olivier with these organ ripping episodes.

ABC Mystery Time

14 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 5 hours, 30 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
6 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
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Play a sample episode :

"ABC Mystery Time Death Walked In"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Mystery (1957-1958)

Sir Laurence OlivierAfter RCA divested itself of the Blue Network in 1943 and it came under the ownership of Lifesaver Candy King Edward J. Noble, it was rebranded as ABC, the American Broadcasting Company. From the beginning, ABC struggled to create new programming to compete with "the Big Three Networks", NBC, CBS, and the Mutual Network. At the same time, ABC was also trying to compete in the new arena of TV.

One way to increase its programing was for ABC to allow broadcast from German Magnetophon taking equipment or the new AMPEX process touted by crooner Bing Crosby. To the established networks, only live broadcasts could hope to give the needed fidelity, but Bing demonstrated that taping could be used to produce higher quality shows as well as being easier on the talent. Bing was known to tape several episodes around his golf schedule after moving to ABC after NBC disallowed taping.

One way ABC used tape to increase its content library was to schedule a mystery/thriller program each weeknight at 8:30. The lineup included Mike Malloy, Private Eye on Monday, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on Tuesday, Mystery Classics on Wednesday, Mystery Classics on Thursday, and Police Blotter on Fridays. Not only did the programs share a theme and a timeslot, but they were also each hosted by The Breakfast Club's Don Dowd.

Thursday's Mystery Classics had a couple of audience grabbing hooks; first, it took a cue from CBS's classic Escape and turned to classic literature for stories to adapt, the program was also willing to pay for A-List movie talent to appear on the program. Big names included Jon Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Orson Welles, Michael Redgrave, and Sir Laurence Olivier. Best of all for the producers, this high-grade talent could be hired for relatively cheap because the actors could tape episodes around their schedule, however, the program came too late in the Golden Age of Radio to gain classic status. Olivier's performances in Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Suicide Club" are considered highwater marks for the program.

For more exciting mystery programs, see also Five Minute Mysteries and I Love a Mystery.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

  • Show Rating

    14
    10     4


    COMMENTS

    This series was one of my favorite on the radio when I was young. I remember hugging my brother in fear. My older brother has passed now, but years later now listening alone, these shows are still quite charming.

    Herbert Verified Purchase

    I just want to thank you. I am far too young to remember any of these shows, I was born in the late 1970's. I do believe that these shows need to be preserved and shared with the world. I started out listening to CBSRMT and donated to them. My small donation does not do much for the overall need, but it's nice to help. Thank you all for sharing this with us. I will be sure to share with everyone I know, and encourage them to donate what they can to preserve this part of Americana.

    Bryan Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    14 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 5 hours, 30 min
    14 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 5 hours, 30 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 14 shows - total playtime 5 hours 30 minutes
    2. ABC Mystery Time 560501 Sherlock Speckled Band.mp3
    3. Abc Mystery Time Death By Proxy.mp3
    4. Abc Mystery Time Death Walked In.mp3
    5. Abc Mystery Time Four Fatal Jugglers.mp3
    6. Abc Mystery Time Four Time Loser.mp3
    7. Abc Mystery Time Half An Hour.mp3
    8. Abc Mystery Time Murder In Haste.mp3
    9. Abc Mystery Time My Adventure In Norfolk.mp3
    10. Abc Mystery Time No One Will Ever Know.mp3
    11. Abc Mystery Time Overcoat.mp3
    12. Abc Mystery Time Picture of Dorian Gray.mp3
    13. Abc Mystery Time Success Story.mp3
    14. Abc Mystery Time Suicide Club.mp3
    15. Abc Mystery Time Tale.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    14 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 5 hours, 30 min
    14 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 5 hours, 30 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 14 shows - total playtime 5 hours 30 minutes
    2. ABC Mystery Time 560501 Sherlock Speckled Band.mp3
    3. Abc Mystery Time Death By Proxy.mp3
    4. Abc Mystery Time Death Walked In.mp3
    5. Abc Mystery Time Four Fatal Jugglers.mp3
    6. Abc Mystery Time Four Time Loser.mp3
    7. Abc Mystery Time Half An Hour.mp3
    8. Abc Mystery Time Murder In Haste.mp3
    9. Abc Mystery Time My Adventure In Norfolk.mp3
    10. Abc Mystery Time No One Will Ever Know.mp3
    11. Abc Mystery Time Overcoat.mp3
    12. Abc Mystery Time Picture of Dorian Gray.mp3
    13. Abc Mystery Time Success Story.mp3
    14. Abc Mystery Time Suicide Club.mp3
    15. Abc Mystery Time Tale.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    14 recordings on 6 Audio CDs. Total playtime 5 hours, 30 min
    14 recordings on 6 Audio CDs
    total playtime 5 hours, 30 min

    ABC Mystery Time Disc A001

    1. Abc Mystery Time Death By Proxy
    2. Abc Mystery Time Death Walked In

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    ABC Mystery Time Disc A002

    1. Abc Mystery Time Four Fatal Jugglers
    2. Abc Mystery Time Four Time Loser
    3. Abc Mystery Time Half An Hour

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    ABC Mystery Time Disc A003

    1. Abc Mystery Time Murder In Haste
    2. Abc Mystery Time My Adventure In Norfolk

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    ABC Mystery Time Disc A004

    1. Abc Mystery Time No One Will Ever Know
    2. Abc Mystery Time Overcoat

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    ABC Mystery Time Disc A005

    1. Abc Mystery Time Picture of Dorian Gray
    2. Abc Mystery Time Success Story
    3. Abc Mystery Time Suicide Club

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    ABC Mystery Time Disc A006

    1. Abc Mystery Time Tale
    2. ABC Mystery Time 560501 Sherlock Speckled Band

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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