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Barrie Craig also known as Barry Craig or Barry Crane, Confidential Investigator

William Gargan played Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator, as more laid-back and likable than other Hard-Boiled Detectives of the era.

Barrie Craig (Barry Craig)

64 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 30 hours, 21 min)
available in the following formats:

2 MP3 CDs
or
32 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 05, 1951:

"Paper Bullet"



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

William Gargan
Detective drama
(1951 - 55)

Your man when you can't go to the cops... Confidentiality a specialty...

William Gargan stars as Barry Craig

By the time NBC was celebrating its Silver Jubilee - 25 years of technological, talent, infrastructure, and commercial success in broadcasting. With the roll-out of the 1951 fall radio line up, the "Hard-Boiled" Detective genre was beginning to get a little stale. Smart-aleck tough guys who lived by their personal codes of honor while demonstrating an ability to deliver and absorb a degree of violence were still popular and would remain so for several more seasons, as well as getting a boost on the Small Screen. However, these rough and tumble gumshoes just were not as fresh as they were at the end of the War. William Gargan as Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator tried but did not change the situation, however, Craig would become one of radio's most likable sleuths.

Brooklyn-native Bill Gargan had a nearly ideal background for playing a radio gumshoe. His father had been a detective. Young Bill got his start as a "Salesman" delivering bootleg liquor to Manhattan speakeasies. Later he got into the detective game himself, working as a collection agent for a clothing manufacturer before stepping into the "$10-a-day-plus-expenses" world of regular detective work; guarding payrolls, tailing suspects, bodyguarding, and the like. The agency let him go after he lost track of a diamond salesman he was supposed to be protecting. Fortunately, he went to visit his brother at work; Edward Gargan was a successful character actor and Bill got a stage job as well.

Barry Craig actor, William GarganGargan would land parts as cops, priests, and adventurers on stage before moving to Hollywood where he would enjoy moderate success in mostly "B" Grade films (he played Ellery Queen in three different films in 1942) and appeared in several different detective roles on West Coast Radio. Just before creating Barry Craig, Gargan starred as Martin Kane, Private Eye for US Tobacco on NBC Radio, and took the role to the small screen where it became TV's first "Cops and Robbers" show.

Barry Craig was a less intense detective than some of his pulp-magazine inspired contemporaries like Sam Spade, Mike Hammer, or Philip Marlowe. He generally got along with the cops, was in the business because it was his job and (almost) paid the bills. He would point out that he was a "confidential investigator" rather than a private eye, which indicated that he held his client's privacy in high regard. However, if the case could be resolved with a win for the little guy, so much the better.

In 1958, Gargan's acting career was cut off when he was forced to have his larynx removed to stave off cancer. He learned to employ an artificial voice box and became an outspoken anti-smoking crusader. William Gargan passed away in 1979 after suffering a heart attack aboard a flight from New York to San Diego

See also Broadway is My Beat, Dragnet, Jack Webb Collection, Johnny Dollar, Nero Wolfe, and Pat Novak for Hire.

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

    28
    23     5


    COMMENTS

    VERY NICE SHOW TO ENJOY LATE AT NIGHT

    Franklin Verified Purchase

    This is one show that left me wanting more, there was nothing that really stands out to set Barrie Craig apart from other radio detectives - I still enjoy listening to it, but definitely not in the same league with the top notch detectives or distinctive shows.

    Peter Verified Purchase

    Love the old programs and some of which I actually listened to as a kid---a long time ago! I really enjoy them and they have no commercials.

    Robert Verified Purchase

    love it

    Patrick Verified Purchase

    Great!

    Andrew Verified Purchase

    I enjoy detective stories. He not "wise cracking" like Richard Diamond, nor as engaging as Johnny Dollar, but he is as described--an investigator. Solving the mystery involved in each show is entertaining and satisfying.

    Jimmie Verified Purchase

    Great stuff!!

    Mathys 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.



    64 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 30 hours, 21 min
    64 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 30 hours, 21 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 - 32 shows - total playtime 15 hours 26 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 511017 The Judge and the Champ.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 511024 Microfilm in the Fishtank.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 511031 Corpse on Delivery.mp3
    5. Barrie Craig 511107 The Case of the Borrowed Knife.mp3
    6. Barrie Craig 511114 Dead on Arrival.mp3
    7. Barrie Craig 511121 Murder in Wax.mp3
    8. Barrie Craig 511128 The Case of the Naughty Necklace.mp3
    9. Barrie Craig 511205 The Paper Bullets.mp3
    10. Barrie Craig 511212 Death and the Purple Cow.mp3
    11. Barrie Craig 511219 Ghost of a Chance.mp3
    12. Barrie Craig 511226 Song of Death.mp3
    13. Barrie Craig 520102 Death of a Private Eye.mp3
    14. Barrie Craig 520109 Murder Island.mp3
    15. Barrie Craig 520116 Fatal Appointment.mp3
    16. Barrie Craig 520123 The Deadly Fight.mp3
    17. Barrie Craig 520130 A Very Odd Job.mp3
    18. Barrie Craig 520206 Diary of Death.mp3
    19. Barrie Craig 520213 A Time to Kill.mp3
    20. Barrie Craig 520220 Motive for Murder.mp3
    21. Barrie Craig 520227 Murder In Mink.mp3
    22. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills.mp3
    23. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel.mp3
    24. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion.mp3
    25. Barrie Craig 520624 The Big Kill.mp3
    26. Barrie Craig 520708 The Long Way Home.mp3
    27. Barrie Craig 521008 Murder By Threes.mp3
    28. Barrie Craig 521015 Dead Loss.mp3
    29. Barrie Craig 530104 Crimson Queen.mp3
    30. Barrie Craig 530215 The Girl on The Doorstep.mp3
    31. Barrie Craig 530301 Behold a Corpse.mp3
    32. Barrie Craig 530503 Beware the Walking Dog.mp3
    33. Barrie Craig 530614 The Lost Lady.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 32 shows - total playtime 14 hours 55 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 530719 Scream for Murder.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 530922 Kitchens Come with Knives.mp3
    5. Barrie Craig 531013 Fog Over Murder.mp3
    6. Barrie Craig 531103 The Lonely Corner.mp3
    7. Barrie Craig 540119 Strange Vision.mp3
    8. Barrie Craig 540202 Zero Hour.mp3
    9. Barrie Craig 540330 The Embezzler.mp3
    10. Barrie Craig 540406 The Schemers.mp3
    11. Barrie Craig 540525 The Corpse Who Was Wrong.mp3
    12. Barrie Craig 540706 The Tough Guy.mp3
    13. Barrie Craig 540713 Murder by Error.mp3
    14. Barrie Craig 540727 Death Buys a Bedroom.mp3
    15. Barrie Craig 540803 For Love of Murder.mp3
    16. Barrie Craig 540810 Death's Bargain Basement.mp3
    17. Barrie Craig 540817 Mid-Summer Lunacy.mp3
    18. Barrie Craig 540824 Blood Money.mp3
    19. Barrie Craig 540831 Hay Is for Homicide.mp3
    20. Barrie Craig 540907 Ghosts Don't Die in Bed.mp3
    21. Barrie Craig 541107 Life Line.mp3
    22. Barrie Craig 541121 The Sneak Assassin.mp3
    23. Barrie Craig 541219 Dead Bull in a China Shop.mp3
    24. Barrie Craig 550105 Angel of Death.mp3
    25. Barrie Craig 550209 Nobody Lives There Anymore.mp3
    26. Barrie Craig 550216 The Moving Target.mp3
    27. Barrie Craig 550302 Sweet Larceny.mp3
    28. Barrie Craig 550309 Corpse on the Town.mp3
    29. Barrie Craig 550330 Never Murder a Mummy.mp3
    30. Barrie Craig 550505 Confession of Murder.mp3
    31. Barrie Craig 550512 Visitor at Midnight.mp3
    32. Barrie Craig 550609 Sucker Bait.mp3
    33. Barrie Craig 550623 Two Dead Men.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    64 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 30 hours, 21 min
    64 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    total playtime 30 hours, 21 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 - 32 shows - total playtime 15 hours 26 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 511017 The Judge and the Champ.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 511024 Microfilm in the Fishtank.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 511031 Corpse on Delivery.mp3
    5. Barrie Craig 511107 The Case of the Borrowed Knife.mp3
    6. Barrie Craig 511114 Dead on Arrival.mp3
    7. Barrie Craig 511121 Murder in Wax.mp3
    8. Barrie Craig 511128 The Case of the Naughty Necklace.mp3
    9. Barrie Craig 511205 The Paper Bullets.mp3
    10. Barrie Craig 511212 Death and the Purple Cow.mp3
    11. Barrie Craig 511219 Ghost of a Chance.mp3
    12. Barrie Craig 511226 Song of Death.mp3
    13. Barrie Craig 520102 Death of a Private Eye.mp3
    14. Barrie Craig 520109 Murder Island.mp3
    15. Barrie Craig 520116 Fatal Appointment.mp3
    16. Barrie Craig 520123 The Deadly Fight.mp3
    17. Barrie Craig 520130 A Very Odd Job.mp3
    18. Barrie Craig 520206 Diary of Death.mp3
    19. Barrie Craig 520213 A Time to Kill.mp3
    20. Barrie Craig 520220 Motive for Murder.mp3
    21. Barrie Craig 520227 Murder In Mink.mp3
    22. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills.mp3
    23. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel.mp3
    24. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion.mp3
    25. Barrie Craig 520624 The Big Kill.mp3
    26. Barrie Craig 520708 The Long Way Home.mp3
    27. Barrie Craig 521008 Murder By Threes.mp3
    28. Barrie Craig 521015 Dead Loss.mp3
    29. Barrie Craig 530104 Crimson Queen.mp3
    30. Barrie Craig 530215 The Girl on The Doorstep.mp3
    31. Barrie Craig 530301 Behold a Corpse.mp3
    32. Barrie Craig 530503 Beware the Walking Dog.mp3
    33. Barrie Craig 530614 The Lost Lady.mp3

    1. Volume 2 - 32 shows - total playtime 14 hours 55 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 530719 Scream for Murder.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 530922 Kitchens Come with Knives.mp3
    5. Barrie Craig 531013 Fog Over Murder.mp3
    6. Barrie Craig 531103 The Lonely Corner.mp3
    7. Barrie Craig 540119 Strange Vision.mp3
    8. Barrie Craig 540202 Zero Hour.mp3
    9. Barrie Craig 540330 The Embezzler.mp3
    10. Barrie Craig 540406 The Schemers.mp3
    11. Barrie Craig 540525 The Corpse Who Was Wrong.mp3
    12. Barrie Craig 540706 The Tough Guy.mp3
    13. Barrie Craig 540713 Murder by Error.mp3
    14. Barrie Craig 540727 Death Buys a Bedroom.mp3
    15. Barrie Craig 540803 For Love of Murder.mp3
    16. Barrie Craig 540810 Death's Bargain Basement.mp3
    17. Barrie Craig 540817 Mid-Summer Lunacy.mp3
    18. Barrie Craig 540824 Blood Money.mp3
    19. Barrie Craig 540831 Hay Is for Homicide.mp3
    20. Barrie Craig 540907 Ghosts Don't Die in Bed.mp3
    21. Barrie Craig 541107 Life Line.mp3
    22. Barrie Craig 541121 The Sneak Assassin.mp3
    23. Barrie Craig 541219 Dead Bull in a China Shop.mp3
    24. Barrie Craig 550105 Angel of Death.mp3
    25. Barrie Craig 550209 Nobody Lives There Anymore.mp3
    26. Barrie Craig 550216 The Moving Target.mp3
    27. Barrie Craig 550302 Sweet Larceny.mp3
    28. Barrie Craig 550309 Corpse on the Town.mp3
    29. Barrie Craig 550330 Never Murder a Mummy.mp3
    30. Barrie Craig 550505 Confession of Murder.mp3
    31. Barrie Craig 550512 Visitor at Midnight.mp3
    32. Barrie Craig 550609 Sucker Bait.mp3
    33. Barrie Craig 550623 Two Dead Men.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



    64 recordings on 32 Audio CDs. Total playtime 30 hours, 21 min
    64 recordings on 32 Audio CDs
    total playtime 30 hours, 21 min

    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A001

    1. Barrie Craig 511017 The Judge and the Champ
    2. Barrie Craig 511024 Microfilm in the Fishtank

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A002

    1. Barrie Craig 511031 Corpse on Delivery
    2. Barrie Craig 511107 The Case of the Borrowed Knife

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A003

    1. Barrie Craig 511114 Dead on Arrival
    2. Barrie Craig 511121 Murder in Wax

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A004

    1. Barrie Craig 511128 The Case of the Naughty Necklace
    2. Barrie Craig 511205 The Paper Bullets

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A005

    1. Barrie Craig 511212 Death and the Purple Cow
    2. Barrie Craig 511219 Ghost of a Chance

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A006

    1. Barrie Craig 511226 Song of Death
    2. Barrie Craig 520102 Death of a Private Eye

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A007

    1. Barrie Craig 520109 Murder Island
    2. Barrie Craig 520116 Fatal Appointment

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A008

    1. Barrie Craig 520123 The Deadly Fight
    2. Barrie Craig 520130 A Very Odd Job

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A009

    1. Barrie Craig 520206 Diary of Death
    2. Barrie Craig 520213 A Time to Kill

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A010

    1. Barrie Craig 520220 Motive for Murder
    2. Barrie Craig 520227 Murder In Mink

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A011

    1. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills
    2. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A012

    1. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion
    2. Barrie Craig 520624 The Big Kill

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A013

    1. Barrie Craig 520708 The Long Way Home
    2. Barrie Craig 521008 Murder By Threes

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A014

    1. Barrie Craig 521015 Dead Loss
    2. Barrie Craig 530104 Crimson Queen

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A015

    1. Barrie Craig 530215 The Girl on The Doorstep
    2. Barrie Craig 530301 Behold a Corpse

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A016

    1. Barrie Craig 530503 Beware the Walking Dog
    2. Barrie Craig 530614 The Lost Lady

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A017

    1. Barrie Craig 530719 Scream for Murder
    2. Barrie Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A018

    1. Barrie Craig 530922 Kitchens Come with Knives
    2. Barrie Craig 531013 Fog Over Murder

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A019

    1. Barrie Craig 531103 The Lonely Corner
    2. Barrie Craig 540119 Strange Vision

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A020

    1. Barrie Craig 540202 Zero Hour
    2. Barrie Craig 540330 The Embezzler

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A021

    1. Barrie Craig 540406 The Schemers
    2. Barrie Craig 540525 The Corpse Who Was Wrong

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A022

    1. Barrie Craig 540706 The Tough Guy
    2. Barrie Craig 540713 Murder by Error

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A023

    1. Barrie Craig 540727 Death Buys a Bedroom
    2. Barrie Craig 540803 For Love of Murder

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A024

    1. Barrie Craig 540810 Death's Bargain Basement
    2. Barrie Craig 540817 Mid-Summer Lunacy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A025

    1. Barrie Craig 540824 Blood Money
    2. Barrie Craig 540831 Hay Is for Homicide

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A026

    1. Barrie Craig 540907 Ghosts Don't Die in Bed
    2. Barrie Craig 541107 Life Line

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A027

    1. Barrie Craig 541121 The Sneak Assassin
    2. Barrie Craig 541219 Dead Bull in a China Shop

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A028

    1. Barrie Craig 550105 Angel of Death
    2. Barrie Craig 550209 Nobody Lives There Anymore

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A029

    1. Barrie Craig 550216 The Moving Target
    2. Barrie Craig 550302 Sweet Larceny

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A030

    1. Barrie Craig 550309 Corpse on the Town
    2. Barrie Craig 550330 Never Murder a Mummy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A031

    1. Barrie Craig 550505 Confession of Murder
    2. Barrie Craig 550512 Visitor at Midnight

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Barrie Craig (Barry Craig) Disc A032

    1. Barrie Craig 550609 Sucker Bait
    2. Barrie Craig 550623 Two Dead Men

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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