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The Casebook of Gregory Hood

Beginning as a replacement of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holme, The Casebook of Gregory Hood developed into an original crime drama in its own right

Casebook of Gregory Hood

20 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 8 hours, 50 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
9 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from July 15, 1946:

"South Of The Border"



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

Harry Bartell
Mystery Drama
(1946 - 1951)

It all started because Sherlock Holmes was in trouble.  The trouble came not from an expected source like Professor Moriarty, Irene Adler, sniper Sebastian Moran, or "the Napoleon of Blackmail" Charles August Milverton. The Great Detective's troubles all arose on Radio Row, some of them would make sense, others defy explanation, but in the end, it would play in the favor of Gregory Hood.

Between 1939 and 1946, Basil Rathbone had played the detective in fourteen films of various quality. During the same period, he had appeared in The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with his movie costar, Nigel Bruce playing Dr. Watson. For the first few seasons, they pitched Bromo Quinine on the Blue Network but in the spring of 1943, the program was retooled for Petri Wines on Mutual. Things began to fall apart about the time New Adventures was preparing for the 1946 summer break.

After playing the part for so many years, Rathbone was (justifiably) beginning to fear that his reputation as a well-rounded actor would be superseded by typecasting. He not only cut ties from the film parts, but he left the radio program as well. Whether this was due to financial considerations, objections to the way New Adventures was using the Consulting Detective, or simply upset over the loss of Rathbone is not known (the show moved over to ABC Radio starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce with new sponsorship).

Preparations were already underway for New Adventures' summer replacement, which would use most of the show's production company, including Announcer Harry Bartell, Dean Fosler handling the music, and most importantly, Anthony Boucher and Denis Green writing. Boucher and Green invented the character of a Gentleman Detective Gregory Hood and veteran radio actor Gale Gordon was brought onboard to bring Hood to life.

"Gentleman Detective" usually refers to a character who solves crimes even though his normal job has nothing to do with police work or crime-fighting. Gregory Hood was a buyer and seller of rare artworks and antiquities. This would have brought him into contact with plenty of nefarious underworld types, but Hood was also a bit of a "super-man" much Holmes had been before him. Based out of San Francisco's Nob Hill, Hood was a genius piano player and composer, a self-taught forensics expert, master of ancient and modern weapons and fighting systems, a gourmet, and a dedicated wine snob who maintained an extensive cellar. His Nob Hill headquarters apartment was managed by his Chinese valet, Fong.

The format for The Casebook of Gregory Hood was only slightly modified from that of New Adventures. The show would open with Announcer Bartell being invited to enjoy a refreshing glass of Petri Wine while Hood or his sidekick and attorney, Sanderson "Sandy" Taylor related this week's story.

Casting Gale Gordon to play Hood was an inspired choice, and one of the actor's few opportunities to move out of a supporting role (the last time being on the kiddie serial The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon in 1935). Gordon appeared as Hood on the last episode of New Adventures on May 27, 1946, the next day his regular as "Mayor La Trivia" made its last broadcast before going on summer break. The Casebook of Gregory Hood debuted on June 3, 1946, and probably earned Gordon a decent summer paycheck. When the summer season ended, however, Gordon was unwilling to commit to further Hood episodes and the role went to "Mr. Radio", Elliott Lewis.

The fall season began on September 30, 1946, and although he had several other projects going, Lewis stayed with the part until the end of the 1947 spring season. The show transferred to ABC, where it was sustained by the Network off and on until 1950.

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

    3
    3     0


    COMMENTS

    Thank you!

    Lawrence

    Good shows, although some times it's a little creepy that Gale Gordon is solving crimes and not hurmtping Constance Brooks of Lucille Ball. Recommended.

    George Verified Purchase

    I've been listening to OTR for over 30 years and I only recently discovered The Casebook of Gregory Hood. I love it.

    Delores Verified Purchase

    This was a summer replacement series for Sherlock Holmes, and started out with Gale Gordon. Halfway thru the sponsor wanted a change to Elliot Lewis. When Lewis went to do the show, he found that no one told Gordon. He had shown up to do the show too, So Lewis had to tell him that he was being replaced. No big deal, since Gordon was one o the busiest radio actors at that time. But Lewis made it up to him. When Lewis was producing the second Lucy program, he hired Gordon to play Mr Mooney. I think GG got the better end of that deal.

    Scott Verified Purchase

    After the Petry Wine into, which was the intro for Sherlock Holmes, I find Gregory Hood to be a bit of a letdown. The sound quality is not that sharp and the writing is a bit of a disappointment. Peter

    Peter Verified Purchase

    Casebook of Gregory Hood was a summer replacement for Sherlock Holmes. It was an interesting concept but considerating what we saw of Gordon on TV with Lucille Ball and Eve Arden, he is hardly remembered today as the suave, amateur detective.

    John Verified Purchase

    Great series. Enjoyed all episodes.

    William 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.



    20 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 8 hours, 50 min
    20 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 8 hours, 50 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 20 shows - total playtime 8 hours 50 minutes
    2. Casebook Gregory Hood Promo On Sherlock Holmes.mp3
    3. Gregory Hood 460603 001 Three Silver Pesos.mp3
    4. Gregory Hood 460610 002 Black Museum.mp3
    5. Gregory Hood 460617 003 Murder Of Gregory Hood.mp3
    6. Gregory Hood 460624 004 Adventure Of Beeswax Candle.mp3
    7. Gregory Hood 460701 005 Murder In Celluloid.mp3
    8. Gregory Hood 460708 006 Derringer Society.mp3
    9. Gregory Hood 460715 007 South Of Border.mp3
    10. Gregory Hood 460722 008 Red Capsule.mp3
    11. Gregory Hood 460729 009 Forgetful Murderer.mp3
    12. Gregory Hood 460805 010 Double Diamond.mp3
    13. Gregory Hood 460819 012 Mad Dancer [last 20 Minutes Only].mp3
    14. Gregory Hood 460930 018 Gregory Hood Suspect.mp3
    15. Gregory Hood 461007 019 Adventure Of Sad Clown.mp3
    16. Gregory Hood 461014 020 Eloquent Corpse.mp3
    17. Gregory Hood 461125 026 White Masters.mp3
    18. Gregory Hood 470505 049 Fifth Avenue.mp3
    19. Gregory Hood 480000 Unknown Murder Bill Lattimore-only 18min.mp3
    20. Gregory Hood 491015 131 Carnival Of Death.mp3
    21. Gregory Hood 500810 172 Case Of Overpraised Season-last half.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    20 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 8 hours, 50 min
    20 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 8 hours, 50 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 20 shows - total playtime 8 hours 50 minutes
    2. Casebook Gregory Hood Promo On Sherlock Holmes.mp3
    3. Gregory Hood 460603 001 Three Silver Pesos.mp3
    4. Gregory Hood 460610 002 Black Museum.mp3
    5. Gregory Hood 460617 003 Murder Of Gregory Hood.mp3
    6. Gregory Hood 460624 004 Adventure Of Beeswax Candle.mp3
    7. Gregory Hood 460701 005 Murder In Celluloid.mp3
    8. Gregory Hood 460708 006 Derringer Society.mp3
    9. Gregory Hood 460715 007 South Of Border.mp3
    10. Gregory Hood 460722 008 Red Capsule.mp3
    11. Gregory Hood 460729 009 Forgetful Murderer.mp3
    12. Gregory Hood 460805 010 Double Diamond.mp3
    13. Gregory Hood 460819 012 Mad Dancer [last 20 Minutes Only].mp3
    14. Gregory Hood 460930 018 Gregory Hood Suspect.mp3
    15. Gregory Hood 461007 019 Adventure Of Sad Clown.mp3
    16. Gregory Hood 461014 020 Eloquent Corpse.mp3
    17. Gregory Hood 461125 026 White Masters.mp3
    18. Gregory Hood 470505 049 Fifth Avenue.mp3
    19. Gregory Hood 480000 Unknown Murder Bill Lattimore-only 18min.mp3
    20. Gregory Hood 491015 131 Carnival Of Death.mp3
    21. Gregory Hood 500810 172 Case Of Overpraised Season-last half.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



    20 recordings on 9 Audio CDs. Total playtime 8 hours, 50 min
    20 recordings on 9 Audio CDs
    total playtime 8 hours, 50 min

    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A001

    1. Casebook Gregory Hood Promo On Sherlock Holmes
    2. Gregory Hood 460603 001 Three Silver Pesos
    3. Gregory Hood 460610 002 Black Museum

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A002

    1. Gregory Hood 460617 003 Murder Of Gregory Hood
    2. Gregory Hood 460624 004 Adventure Of Beeswax Candle

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A003

    1. Gregory Hood 460701 005 Murder In Celluloid
    2. Gregory Hood 460708 006 Derringer Society

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A004

    1. Gregory Hood 460715 007 South Of Border
    2. Gregory Hood 460722 008 Red Capsule

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A005

    1. Gregory Hood 460729 009 Forgetful Murderer
    2. Gregory Hood 460805 010 Double Diamond

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A006

    1. Gregory Hood 460819 012 Mad Dancer [last 20 Minutes Only]
    2. Gregory Hood 460930 018 Gregory Hood Suspect

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A007

    1. Gregory Hood 461007 019 Adventure Of Sad Clown
    2. Gregory Hood 461014 020 Eloquent Corpse

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A008

    1. Gregory Hood 461125 026 White Masters
    2. Gregory Hood 470505 049 Fifth Avenue

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Casebook of Gregory Hood Disc A009

    1. Gregory Hood 480000 Unknown Murder Bill Lattimore-only 18min
    2. Gregory Hood 491015 131 Carnival Of Death
    3. Gregory Hood 500810 172 Case Of Overpraised Season-last half

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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