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Big Story

Newspaper reporters from around the country entered their true, heroic stories of reporting the news to win a chance on the airwaves and $500 from the sponsor of the show, Pall Mall.

Big Story

46 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 20 hours, 41 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
23 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
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Play a sample episode from January 07, 1948:

"Big Story - A Manhunt In Manhattan"



... or click here to save the Mp3 file to your computer
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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

True Crime Drama (1947-1955)

Big Story

Pall Mall advertisement, sponsor of Big StoryBased on real life news stories, Big Story featured murder and other violent crime cases from the point of view of a newspaper reporter. A unique and exciting format, Big Story dramatized a different news reporter and their heroic deed each week. According to the ads of the day, this program starred "a reporter who has solved a crime, exposed a corrupt political administration, smashed a racket, or performed some other notable public service. At the end of each program the real news reporter was brought on the air and given a $500 reward by the sponsor of the show, Pall Mall.

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

Big Story was a great success. It ranked with the top old time radio shows of its day, and in its first year on the air, Big Story even topped the ratings of Bing Crosby's Philco Radio Time. So grab your press pass and start scribbling some notes, because this is one Big Story you won't want to miss! (Please note that some of these rare recordings are of inferior sound quality.)

For more newspaper-crime reporting, see also: Big Town, Big Story, Casey Crime Photographer, Europe Confidential, Front Page Farrell, Night Beat, and Shorty Bell Cub Reporter.

Big Story

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

    5
    3     2


    COMMENTS

    I used to listen to the "Big Story" when I was a young person back in the late 40s and early 50s. I still like the stories. I was disappointed that the theme music had been cut off as that is one of the things I liked about the program. In fact that led me a strong interest in music for the rest of my life.

    Richard

    Reply
    Earlier today, I happened to listen to the second episode of Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson in Big Town, and it was still gripping — He actually played a real bastard, trying to break a decent guy who was legitimately suing the paper. And he knew what he was doing was wrong.

    David Verified Purchase

    Reply

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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.



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 41 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 20 hours, 41 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 46 shows – total playtime 20 hours
    2. Big Story 470521 The Tactless Texan.mp3
    3. Big Story 470604 010 Thirteenth Key James Fusco.mp3
    4. Big Story 470917 025 The Cornered Cat.mp3
    5. Big Story 471001 027 Tcot Counterfeit Coins Jack Adams.mp3
    6. Big Story 471015 029 Bobbysox Kid Bayonne Dorothy Kilgallen.mp3
    7. Big Story 471126 035 Unfinished Love Song Howard Beaufait.mp3
    8. Big Story 471210 037 Tcot Final Curtain Aubrey Maddock.mp3
    9. Big Story 471217 038 Tcot Ambitious Hobo Russell Wilson.mp3
    10. Big Story 480107 041 Manhunt In Manhattan Ted Prager.mp3
    11. Big Story 480505 058 Pillars Of Society William Miller.mp3
    12. Big Story 480512 059 Lucky Longshot Robert Early Part 2 Only.mp3
    13. Big Story 480519 060 Deadline Murder Rolf K Mills.mp3
    14. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1.mp3
    15. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2.mp3
    16. Big Story 480721 069 Lottery Racket Keeler Mccartney.mp3
    17. Big Story 490105 093 Murderous Kid Al Aaronson.mp3
    18. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges.mp3
    19. Big Story 490309 102 Respected Chemist Dead Ike Mcanally.mp3
    20. Big Story 490608 115 Bitterest Man Earth Julian C Houseman.mp3
    21. Big Story 490720 121 Poison Pen Murders Tom Mercer.mp3
    22. Big Story 491012 133 Loneliest Man On Earth Ray Sprigle.mp3
    23. Big Story 491214 142 Three Golden Coins Nolan Bullock.mp3
    24. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick.mp3
    25. Big Story 500111 146 Gambling Divorce Murder Frank Mcculloch.mp3
    26. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll.mp3
    27. Big Story 500621 169 Death In Family William Noble.mp3
    28. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi.mp3
    29. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith.mp3
    30. Big Story 500816 175 Code of the Underworld.mp3
    31. Big Story 501018 186 Puritan Morality Violent Death.mp3
    32. Big Story 501108 189 Bobby Soxer Story Paul Schoenstein.mp3
    33. Big Story 501115 190 Dead Certainty Kenneth Mccormick.mp3
    34. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson.mp3
    35. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith.mp3
    36. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty.mp3
    37. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen.mp3
    38. Big Story 511114 248 Killer Who Wanted What Couldnt Have.mp3
    39. Big Story 520319 260 Friendly Betrayal Alan Cowperthwaite.mp3
    40. Big Story 521008 282 Body Found Tamiami Trail William Adams.mp3
    41. Big Story 530204 299 3 Gangsters Don Morrisey Biggest Catch.mp3
    42. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson.mp3
    43. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg.mp3
    44. Big Story 540127 337 Too Terrible Be Believed Arthur Mielke.mp3
    45. Big Story 540324 345 Witness Violence And Death John Cahlan.mp3
    46. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl.mp3
    47. Big Story 541020 362 Deadly Sound Of Laughing Sid Hughes.mp3

  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 20 hours, 41 min
    46 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    550 MB – total playtime 20 hours
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 46 shows – 550 MB – total playtime 20 hours
    2. Big Story 470521 The Tactless Texan.mp3
    3. Big Story 470604 010 Thirteenth Key James Fusco.mp3
    4. Big Story 470917 025 The Cornered Cat.mp3
    5. Big Story 471001 027 Tcot Counterfeit Coins Jack Adams.mp3
    6. Big Story 471015 029 Bobbysox Kid Bayonne Dorothy Kilgallen.mp3
    7. Big Story 471126 035 Unfinished Love Song Howard Beaufait.mp3
    8. Big Story 471210 037 Tcot Final Curtain Aubrey Maddock.mp3
    9. Big Story 471217 038 Tcot Ambitious Hobo Russell Wilson.mp3
    10. Big Story 480107 041 Manhunt In Manhattan Ted Prager.mp3
    11. Big Story 480505 058 Pillars Of Society William Miller.mp3
    12. Big Story 480512 059 Lucky Longshot Robert Early Part 2 Only.mp3
    13. Big Story 480519 060 Deadline Murder Rolf K Mills.mp3
    14. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1.mp3
    15. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2.mp3
    16. Big Story 480721 069 Lottery Racket Keeler Mccartney.mp3
    17. Big Story 490105 093 Murderous Kid Al Aaronson.mp3
    18. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges.mp3
    19. Big Story 490309 102 Respected Chemist Dead Ike Mcanally.mp3
    20. Big Story 490608 115 Bitterest Man Earth Julian C Houseman.mp3
    21. Big Story 490720 121 Poison Pen Murders Tom Mercer.mp3
    22. Big Story 491012 133 Loneliest Man On Earth Ray Sprigle.mp3
    23. Big Story 491214 142 Three Golden Coins Nolan Bullock.mp3
    24. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick.mp3
    25. Big Story 500111 146 Gambling Divorce Murder Frank Mcculloch.mp3
    26. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll.mp3
    27. Big Story 500621 169 Death In Family William Noble.mp3
    28. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi.mp3
    29. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith.mp3
    30. Big Story 500816 175 Code of the Underworld.mp3
    31. Big Story 501018 186 Puritan Morality Violent Death.mp3
    32. Big Story 501108 189 Bobby Soxer Story Paul Schoenstein.mp3
    33. Big Story 501115 190 Dead Certainty Kenneth Mccormick.mp3
    34. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson.mp3
    35. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith.mp3
    36. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty.mp3
    37. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen.mp3
    38. Big Story 511114 248 Killer Who Wanted What Couldnt Have.mp3
    39. Big Story 520319 260 Friendly Betrayal Alan Cowperthwaite.mp3
    40. Big Story 521008 282 Body Found Tamiami Trail William Adams.mp3
    41. Big Story 530204 299 3 Gangsters Don Morrisey Biggest Catch.mp3
    42. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson.mp3
    43. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg.mp3
    44. Big Story 540127 337 Too Terrible Be Believed Arthur Mielke.mp3
    45. Big Story 540324 345 Witness Violence And Death John Cahlan.mp3
    46. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl.mp3
    47. Big Story 541020 362 Deadly Sound Of Laughing Sid Hughes.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



    46 recordings on 23 Audio CDs. Total playtime 20 hours, 0 min
    46 recordings on 23 Audio CDs
    total playtime 20 hours, 0 min
    Add Collection on Audio CD to Cart
    46 recordings on 23 Audio CDs
    $115.00

    Or buy individual audio CDs below:

    Big Story Disc A001

    1. Big Story 470521 The Tactless Texan
    2. Big Story 470604 010 Thirteenth Key James Fusco
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A002

    1. Big Story 470917 025 The Cornered Cat
    2. Big Story 471001 027 Tcot Counterfeit Coins Jack Adams
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A003

    1. Big Story 471015 029 Bobbysox Kid Bayonne Dorothy Kilgallen
    2. Big Story 471126 035 Unfinished Love Song Howard Beaufait
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A004

    1. Big Story 471210 037 Tcot Final Curtain Aubrey Maddock
    2. Big Story 471217 038 Tcot Ambitious Hobo Russell Wilson
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A005

    1. Big Story 480107 041 Manhunt In Manhattan Ted Prager
    2. Big Story 480505 058 Pillars Of Society William Miller
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A006

    1. Big Story 480512 059 Lucky Longshot Robert Early Part 2 Only
    2. Big Story 480519 060 Deadline Murder Rolf K Mills
    3. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A007

    1. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2
    2. Big Story 480721 069 Lottery Racket Keeler Mccartney
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A008

    1. Big Story 490105 093 Murderous Kid Al Aaronson
    2. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A009

    1. Big Story 490309 102 Respected Chemist Dead Ike Mcanally
    2. Big Story 490608 115 Bitterest Man Earth Julian C Houseman
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A010

    1. Big Story 490720 121 Poison Pen Murders Tom Mercer
    2. Big Story 491012 133 Loneliest Man On Earth Ray Sprigle
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A011

    1. Big Story 491214 142 Three Golden Coins Nolan Bullock
    2. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A012

    1. Big Story 500111 146 Gambling Divorce Murder Frank Mcculloch
    2. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A013

    1. Big Story 500621 169 Death In Family William Noble
    2. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A014

    1. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith
    2. Big Story 500816 175 Code of the Underworld
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A015

    1. Big Story 501018 186 Puritan Morality Violent Death
    2. Big Story 501108 189 Bobby Soxer Story Paul Schoenstein
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A016

    1. Big Story 501115 190 Dead Certainty Kenneth Mccormick
    2. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A017

    1. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith
    2. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A018

    1. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen
    2. Big Story 511114 248 Killer Who Wanted What Couldnt Have
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A019

    1. Big Story 520319 260 Friendly Betrayal Alan Cowperthwaite
    2. Big Story 521008 282 Body Found Tamiami Trail William Adams
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A020

    1. Big Story 530204 299 3 Gangsters Don Morrisey Biggest Catch
    2. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A021

    1. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg
    2. Big Story 540127 337 Too Terrible Be Believed Arthur Mielke
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A022

    1. Big Story 540324 345 Witness Violence And Death John Cahlan
    2. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A023

    1. Big Story 541020 362 Deadly Sound Of Laughing Sid Hughes
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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