Welcome to OTRCAT.com: Old Time Radio Catalog
Home > Drama

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

26 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 11 hours, 958 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
13 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
Add to wishlist
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
Print

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

    7
    4     3


    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

    Leave a comment

    You have reached the maximum number of votes for a unregistered user.

    Please login or create a new account to continue...

    You have reached the maximum number to down votes in this page.

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



    26 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 11 hours, 958 min
    26 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 11 hours, 958 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 26 shows – total playtime 11 hours, 15 minutes
    2. Big Story 470604 010 Thirteenth Key James Fusco.mp3
    3. Big Story 470917 025 The Cornered Cat.mp3
    4. Big Story 471001 027 Tcot Counterfeit Coins Jack Adams.mp3
    5. Big Story 471210 037 Tcot Final Curtain Aubrey Maddock.mp3
    6. Big Story 471217 038 Tcot Ambitious Hobo Russell Wilson.mp3
    7. Big Story 480107 041 Manhunt In Manhattan Ted Prager.mp3
    8. Big Story 480505 058 Pillars Of Society William Miller.mp3
    9. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1.mp3
    10. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2.mp3
    11. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges.mp3
    12. Big Story 490309 102 Respected Chemist Dead Ike Mcanally.mp3
    13. Big Story 490608 115 Bitterest Man Earth Julian C Houseman.mp3
    14. Big Story 5-0210 339 Search That Saved a Life.mp3
    15. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick.mp3
    16. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll.mp3
    17. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi.mp3
    18. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith.mp3
    19. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson.mp3
    20. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith.mp3
    21. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty.mp3
    22. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen.mp3
    23. Big Story 520319 260 Friendly Betrayal Alan Cowperthwaite.mp3
    24. Big Story 521008 282 Body Found Tamiami Trail William Adams.mp3
    25. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson.mp3
    26. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg.mp3
    27. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl.mp3

  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    26 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 11 hours, 958 min
    26 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    309 MB – total playtime 11 hours, 15 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart
    Print
    1. 26 shows – 309 MB – total playtime 11 hours, 15 minutes
    2. Big Story 470604 010 Thirteenth Key James Fusco.mp3
    3. Big Story 470917 025 The Cornered Cat.mp3
    4. Big Story 471001 027 Tcot Counterfeit Coins Jack Adams.mp3
    5. Big Story 471210 037 Tcot Final Curtain Aubrey Maddock.mp3
    6. Big Story 471217 038 Tcot Ambitious Hobo Russell Wilson.mp3
    7. Big Story 480107 041 Manhunt In Manhattan Ted Prager.mp3
    8. Big Story 480505 058 Pillars Of Society William Miller.mp3
    9. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1.mp3
    10. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2.mp3
    11. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges.mp3
    12. Big Story 490309 102 Respected Chemist Dead Ike Mcanally.mp3
    13. Big Story 490608 115 Bitterest Man Earth Julian C Houseman.mp3
    14. Big Story 5-0210 339 Search That Saved a Life.mp3
    15. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick.mp3
    16. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll.mp3
    17. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi.mp3
    18. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith.mp3
    19. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson.mp3
    20. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith.mp3
    21. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty.mp3
    22. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen.mp3
    23. Big Story 520319 260 Friendly Betrayal Alan Cowperthwaite.mp3
    24. Big Story 521008 282 Body Found Tamiami Trail William Adams.mp3
    25. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson.mp3
    26. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg.mp3
    27. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl.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



    26 recordings on 13 Audio CDs. Total playtime 11 hours, 15 min
    26 recordings on 13 Audio CDs
    total playtime 11 hours, 15 min
    Add Collection on Audio CD to Cart
    26 recordings on 13 Audio CDs
    $65.00

    Or buy individual audio CDs below:

    Big Story Disc A001

    1. Big Story 5-0210 339 Search That Saved a Life
    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 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 A004

    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 A005

    1. Big Story 480630 066 Hate Between Bro Sister B Hendry Pt1
    2. Big Story 480707 067 Woman Witch Grg Cleveland Bullette Pt2
    3. Big Story 490126 096 Jig Saw Joseph Wirges
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A006

    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 A007

    1. Big Story 500104 145 Murder Frustrated Father Sam Melnick
    2. Big Story 500301 153 26 Years Explode Frameup Ralph Goll
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A008

    1. Big Story 500621 Afrs 049 William T. Noble, Lapier, Mi
    2. Big Story 500712 172 Hunch That Paid Off Bill Griffith
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A009

    1. Big Story 501129 192 Triple Murder T R Johnson
    2. Big Story 501206 193 Paul Grays Missing Wife Beckwith
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A010

    1. Big Story 510404 210 Poker Game Death William E Doherty
    2. Big Story 510725 226 Wife Poisoned Bus Bergen
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A011

    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 A012

    1. Big Story 530401 307 Miracle Phone Call D.Patterson Paterson
    2. Big Story 530930 320 Back From Dead J.Browne Ptsbgh Sun Tlg
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Big Story Disc A013

    1. Big Story 541006 360 Ugly Story Man C.Gleeson Willows Jrnl
    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

LISTENERS WHO ENJOYED THESE RECORDINGS ALSO COLLECTED