Welcome to OTRCAT.com: Old Time Radio Catalog
Loading. Please wait...

John Michael Hayes Collection

best known as the screenwriter for several big Alfred Hitchcock films, including Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and To Catch a Thief. John Michael Hayes also wrote for old time radio shows such as Escape, Sam Spade, Night Beat, Suspense and more!

John Michael Hayes

27 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 12 hours, 2638 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
14 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
Add to wishlist
Play a sample episode from February 14, 1950:

"Escape: Two If By Sea"



... 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.

John Michael HayesJohn Michael Hayes hitchhiked from Massachusetts to Los Angeles to find work writing radio scripts. Legend has it that he actually hobbled his way out there on two canes, having suffered rheumatoid arthritis. Legend further has it that he promptly, somewhat mysteriously, landed a gig writing for My Favorite Husband.

Hayes was a gifted writer of dialogue and of all elements of dramatic writing. He was a screenwriter for several big Alfred Hitchcock films, including Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and To Catch a Thief. He once told an interviewer, "much of my dialogue is indirect, with layers of meaning."

It's interesting to note that before making his name as a screenwriter, Hayes was a veteran radio writer. In fact, he was approached by Hitchcock because the film director was a fan of The Adventures of Sam Spade and Suspense, the legendary radio programs for which Hayes wielded his pen.

Sam Spade was, of course, the Maltese Falcon character created by Dashiell Hammett. In 1946, the radio show, The Adventures of Sam Spade, began airing on ABC. Top-flight writers Jason James and Bob Tallman originally manned the helm. John Michael Hayes came aboard in 1950 for the NBC iteration of the show. Sam Spade was a lecherous and treacherous cynic, a template for the hard-boiled detective. The producer who brought him to life on the radio was William Spier, who also wrought Suspense, for which he also hired Hayes.

Suspense was an acclaimed, now-legendary series drawing the best talent. Actors who brought to life Hayes' taut scripts include Barbara Stanwyck,Alan Reed, Alfred Hitchcock and John Michael HayesWilliam Bendix, and Ava Gardner. Many of Hayes' stories took place in dark offices or streets, involving psychological dilemmas, eerie strangers, and paranormal vexations. Hayes drew conflict between characters with acerbic and tense exchanges.

When not collaborating with Alfred Hitchcock, John Michael Hayes wrote chilling, intelligent, and darkly humorous scripts for oldtime radio. This collection includes many episodes of Suspense and Sam Spade, as well as Night Beat, Escape, and Rocky Jordan.

For more author based collections, see also:

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

    0
    0     0


    COMMENTS

    Wages Of Sin has crackling dialogue and a top performance by Ida Lupino in the lead. Noir at its best.

    Jack Verified Purchase

    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.



    27 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 12 hours, 2638 min
    27 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 12 hours, 2638 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 27 shows – total playtime 12 hours, 43 minutes
    2. Escape 500214 110 Two If By Sea.mp3
    3. Night Beat 501020 Judge Arnolds Daughter.mp3
    4. Nightbeat 510304 041 Big John Mcmasters.mp3
    5. Richard Diamond 510223 087 Lady In Distress.mp3
    6. Rocky Jordan 490703 Map Of Murder.mp3
    7. Sam Spade 500903 Farmers Daughter Caper.mp3
    8. Sam Spade 501201 Dog Bed Caper.mp3
    9. Sam Spade 510202 String Of Death Caper.mp3
    10. Sam Spade 510209 Sure Thing Caper.mp3
    11. Sam Spade 510223 The Shot In The Dark Caper.mp3
    12. Samspade 510330 Vendetta Caper.mp3
    13. Samspade 510413 Civic Pride Caper.mp3
    14. Suspense 470501 243 Lady In Distress.mp3
    15. Suspense 500525 386 Very Much Likenightmare.mp3
    16. Suspense 501019 399 Wages Of Sin.mp3
    17. Suspense 510111 411 Vamp Till Dead.mp3
    18. Suspense 510118 412 Welldressed Corpse.mp3
    19. Suspense 510208 415 Windy City Six.mp3
    20. Suspense 510301 418 Gift Of Jumbo Brannigan.mp3
    21. Suspense 510412 424 Early To Death.mp3
    22. Suspense 510510 428 Death On My Hands.mp3
    23. Suspense 570929 718 Vamp Till Dead Afrts.mp3
    24. Suspense 571013 720 Welldressed Corpse Afrts.mp3
    25. Whistler 451105 180 Harvest Of Death.mp3
    26. Whistler 451112 181 Seeing Eye.mp3
    27. Ytjd 500314 041 Eighty Five Little Minks.mp3
    28. Ytjd 500418 046 The Story Of Thr Tenoeight.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    27 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 12 hours, 2638 min
    27 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    350 MB – total playtime 12 hours, 43 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 27 shows – 350 MB – total playtime 12 hours, 43 minutes
    2. Escape 500214 110 Two If By Sea.mp3
    3. Night Beat 501020 Judge Arnolds Daughter.mp3
    4. Nightbeat 510304 041 Big John Mcmasters.mp3
    5. Richard Diamond 510223 087 Lady In Distress.mp3
    6. Rocky Jordan 490703 Map Of Murder.mp3
    7. Sam Spade 500903 Farmers Daughter Caper.mp3
    8. Sam Spade 501201 Dog Bed Caper.mp3
    9. Sam Spade 510202 String Of Death Caper.mp3
    10. Sam Spade 510209 Sure Thing Caper.mp3
    11. Sam Spade 510223 The Shot In The Dark Caper.mp3
    12. Samspade 510330 Vendetta Caper.mp3
    13. Samspade 510413 Civic Pride Caper.mp3
    14. Suspense 470501 243 Lady In Distress.mp3
    15. Suspense 500525 386 Very Much Likenightmare.mp3
    16. Suspense 501019 399 Wages Of Sin.mp3
    17. Suspense 510111 411 Vamp Till Dead.mp3
    18. Suspense 510118 412 Welldressed Corpse.mp3
    19. Suspense 510208 415 Windy City Six.mp3
    20. Suspense 510301 418 Gift Of Jumbo Brannigan.mp3
    21. Suspense 510412 424 Early To Death.mp3
    22. Suspense 510510 428 Death On My Hands.mp3
    23. Suspense 570929 718 Vamp Till Dead Afrts.mp3
    24. Suspense 571013 720 Welldressed Corpse Afrts.mp3
    25. Whistler 451105 180 Harvest Of Death.mp3
    26. Whistler 451112 181 Seeing Eye.mp3
    27. Ytjd 500314 041 Eighty Five Little Minks.mp3
    28. Ytjd 500418 046 The Story Of Thr Tenoeight.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



    27 recordings on 14 Audio CDs. Total playtime 12 hours, 43 min
    27 recordings on 14 Audio CDs
    total playtime 12 hours, 43 min

    John Michael Hayes Disc A001

    1. Whistler 451105 180 Harvest Of Death
    2. Whistler 451112 181 Seeing Eye

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A002

    1. Suspense 470501 243 Lady In Distress
    2. Rocky Jordan 490703 Map Of Murder

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A003

    1. Escape 500214 110 Two If By Sea
    2. Ytjd 500314 041 Eighty Five Little Minks

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A004

    1. Ytjd 500418 046 The Story Of Thr Tenoeight
    2. Suspense 500525 386 Very Much Likenightmare

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A005

    1. Sam Spade 500903 Farmers Daughter Caper
    2. Suspense 501019 399 Wages Of Sin

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A006

    1. Night Beat 501020 Judge Arnolds Daughter
    2. Sam Spade 501201 Dog Bed Caper

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A007

    1. Suspense 510111 411 Vamp Till Dead
    2. Suspense 510118 412 Welldressed Corpse

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A008

    1. Sam Spade 510202 String Of Death Caper
    2. Suspense 510208 415 Windy City Six

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A009

    1. Sam Spade 510209 Sure Thing Caper
    2. Richard Diamond 510223 087 Lady In Distress

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A010

    1. Sam Spade 510223 The Shot In The Dark Caper
    2. Suspense 510301 418 Gift Of Jumbo Brannigan

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A011

    1. Nightbeat 510304 041 Big John Mcmasters
    2. Samspade 510330 Vendetta Caper

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A012

    1. Suspense 510412 424 Early To Death
    2. Samspade 510413 Civic Pride Caper

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A013

    1. Suspense 510510 428 Death On My Hands
    2. Suspense 570929 718 Vamp Till Dead Afrts

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    John Michael Hayes Disc A014

    1. Suspense 571013 720 Welldressed Corpse Afrts

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

LISTENERS WHO ENJOYED THESE RECORDINGS ALSO COLLECTED