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Nightwatch

Ride along with Culver City Police Officers in real recordings from the squad car.

Nightwatch

49 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 22 hours, 449 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
24 Audio CDs


Choose your CD format
or order disks individually: Add to Cart
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Play a sample episode from September 25, 1954:

"Motel Sheets And Lock Out"



... 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.

Real Police Ride-along (1954-55)

Featuring the police officers of Culver City, California, Nightwatch was the first show featuring real-life police officers on the job. The show was created and hosted by Donn Reed, a long-time radio man.

1950's Police CarReed rode along with police officers as they performed their jobs. Radio listeners of Nightwatch heard everything from sanitarium escapees to burglars to attempted murder. It was a slice-of-life that most people never heard before and were only too happy to listen to on the radio as long as it stayed on the radio.

Reed billed himself as a Police Recorder, providing Nightwatch narration in a low voice. He came up with idea by chance when he met a fellow handball player who was also a police officer with the Culver City department. In the course of the conversation, the officer invited Reed on a "ride along". Reed wasted no time in accepting the invitation and Nightwatch was born. After gaining permission to record from Police Chief W.N. Hidebrande, the networkpicked up the show and it was off.

Some of Nightwatch had some humor to them like the drunk woman beating a man with her shoe but most were tragic. When you listen to the show about the escaped mental patient, you can hear the pain in the husband's voice when he has to send his wife back to the sanitarium.

Ride along with Culver City police officers in the 1950s with Nightwatch!  For other law enforcement excitements see also Dragnet, Police Headquarters, Mr. District Attorney, This Is Your FBI, Tales of the Texas Rangers, and I Was a Communist for the FBI.

(Please note many of these Nightwatch recordings are of mixed audio quality)

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

    8
    7     1


    COMMENTS

    I love this series. Reminds me of my time long ago as the cop on the beat.

    Bill Verified Purchase

    I received my order yesterday and can't wait to get them on the I-pod. I really enjoy Nightwatch. Pretty groundbreaking stuff for the time. Will order more after we return from vacation.

    John 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.



    49 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 22 hours, 449 min
    49 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 22 hours, 449 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 49 shows – total playtime 22 hours, 7 minutes
    2. Nightwatch 540107 e00 audition-On the Scene Reports.mp3
    3. Nightwatch 540405 e01 Nude Prowler.mp3
    4. Nightwatch 540412 e02 311 Southgate.mp3
    5. Nightwatch 540503 e03 Glass Breaker.mp3
    6. Nightwatch 540510 e04 Peanut Butter Part 1.mp3
    7. Nightwatch 540517 e05 Peanut Butter Part 2.mp3
    8. Nightwatch 540524 e06 Santa Baby.mp3
    9. Nightwatch 540604 e07 Kid Explosives.mp3
    10. Nightwatch 540611 e08 Paper Hanger.mp3
    11. Nightwatch 540618 e09 Kenny Narco and Headplate.mp3
    12. Nightwatch 540625 e10 Big Search.mp3
    13. Nightwatch 540702 e11 Slugger.mp3
    14. Nightwatch 540710 e12 Hammer 211.mp3
    15. Nightwatch 540717 e13 Car Wings and Floor Sleepers.mp3
    16. Nightwatch 540724 e14 Old Bat and Crowbar.mp3
    17. Nightwatch 540731 e15 Boy Go Home.mp3
    18. Nightwatch 540807 e16 Three Time Loser and Shotgun Boy.mp3
    19. Nightwatch 540814 e17 Old Fashioned Suicide.mp3
    20. Nightwatch 540821 e18 Shock.mp3
    21. Nightwatch 540828 e19 Weeper.mp3
    22. Nightwatch 540904 e20 Fence 447 and Western Union Raid.mp3
    23. Nightwatch 540911 e21 Inhalator and Jawbreaker.mp3
    24. Nightwatch 540918 e22 Strippers and Pix Stash.mp3
    25. Nightwatch 540925 e23 Motel Sheets and Lock Out.mp3
    26. Nightwatch 541007 e24 Pick up and Whose Crazy.mp3
    27. Nightwatch 541014 e25 Triangle and Peacemaker.mp3
    28. Nightwatch 541021 e26 Orange Balls and Bridge Jumper.mp3
    29. Nightwatch 541028 e27 Mississippi, Psyco 288 and Kingston.mp3
    30. Nightwatch 541104 e28 Grandma, Shoe Shine and Wifebeater.mp3
    31. Nightwatch 541111 e29 Kidnap.mp3
    32. Nightwatch 541118 e30 Child Desertion, Gabby and Kicker.mp3
    33. Nightwatch 541125 e31 Bleeder Safe.mp3
    34. Nightwatch 541202 e32 Rolling Pin and Luger.mp3
    35. Nightwatch 541216 e34 Scum, Beastwork and Phone Burgler.mp3
    36. Nightwatch 541223 e35 Goldie 211.mp3
    37. Nightwatch 541230 e36 Beer Can.mp3
    38. Nightwatch 550113 e38 Aunt Suicide.mp3
    39. Nightwatch 550120 e39 Smash, Turkey and Larry.mp3
    40. Nightwatch 550127 e40 Polio and Fog.mp3
    41. Nightwatch 550203 e41 Care and Jug.mp3
    42. Nightwatch 550210 e42 Ma and Pa Heinz and Chase.mp3
    43. Nightwatch 550217 e43 Bra.mp3
    44. Nightwatch 550224 e44 Knife, Bread, Body and Get-Away.mp3
    45. Nightwatch 550301 e00 Uncensored Out-takes.mp3
    46. Nightwatch 550310 e46 Bubble Gum and Baby.mp3
    47. Nightwatch 550317 e47 Crazy and Buy.mp3
    48. Nightwatch 550324 e48 Whiskers and Black Eye.mp3
    49. Nightwatch 550331 e49 Gd Lady and Mr Peepers.mp3
    50. Nightwatch 550407 xxx Unused Material (uncensored).mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    49 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 22 hours, 449 min
    49 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    335 MB – total playtime 22 hours, 7 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 49 shows – 335 MB – total playtime 22 hours, 7 minutes
    2. Nightwatch 540107 e00 audition-On the Scene Reports.mp3
    3. Nightwatch 540405 e01 Nude Prowler.mp3
    4. Nightwatch 540412 e02 311 Southgate.mp3
    5. Nightwatch 540503 e03 Glass Breaker.mp3
    6. Nightwatch 540510 e04 Peanut Butter Part 1.mp3
    7. Nightwatch 540517 e05 Peanut Butter Part 2.mp3
    8. Nightwatch 540524 e06 Santa Baby.mp3
    9. Nightwatch 540604 e07 Kid Explosives.mp3
    10. Nightwatch 540611 e08 Paper Hanger.mp3
    11. Nightwatch 540618 e09 Kenny Narco and Headplate.mp3
    12. Nightwatch 540625 e10 Big Search.mp3
    13. Nightwatch 540702 e11 Slugger.mp3
    14. Nightwatch 540710 e12 Hammer 211.mp3
    15. Nightwatch 540717 e13 Car Wings and Floor Sleepers.mp3
    16. Nightwatch 540724 e14 Old Bat and Crowbar.mp3
    17. Nightwatch 540731 e15 Boy Go Home.mp3
    18. Nightwatch 540807 e16 Three Time Loser and Shotgun Boy.mp3
    19. Nightwatch 540814 e17 Old Fashioned Suicide.mp3
    20. Nightwatch 540821 e18 Shock.mp3
    21. Nightwatch 540828 e19 Weeper.mp3
    22. Nightwatch 540904 e20 Fence 447 and Western Union Raid.mp3
    23. Nightwatch 540911 e21 Inhalator and Jawbreaker.mp3
    24. Nightwatch 540918 e22 Strippers and Pix Stash.mp3
    25. Nightwatch 540925 e23 Motel Sheets and Lock Out.mp3
    26. Nightwatch 541007 e24 Pick up and Whose Crazy.mp3
    27. Nightwatch 541014 e25 Triangle and Peacemaker.mp3
    28. Nightwatch 541021 e26 Orange Balls and Bridge Jumper.mp3
    29. Nightwatch 541028 e27 Mississippi, Psyco 288 and Kingston.mp3
    30. Nightwatch 541104 e28 Grandma, Shoe Shine and Wifebeater.mp3
    31. Nightwatch 541111 e29 Kidnap.mp3
    32. Nightwatch 541118 e30 Child Desertion, Gabby and Kicker.mp3
    33. Nightwatch 541125 e31 Bleeder Safe.mp3
    34. Nightwatch 541202 e32 Rolling Pin and Luger.mp3
    35. Nightwatch 541216 e34 Scum, Beastwork and Phone Burgler.mp3
    36. Nightwatch 541223 e35 Goldie 211.mp3
    37. Nightwatch 541230 e36 Beer Can.mp3
    38. Nightwatch 550113 e38 Aunt Suicide.mp3
    39. Nightwatch 550120 e39 Smash, Turkey and Larry.mp3
    40. Nightwatch 550127 e40 Polio and Fog.mp3
    41. Nightwatch 550203 e41 Care and Jug.mp3
    42. Nightwatch 550210 e42 Ma and Pa Heinz and Chase.mp3
    43. Nightwatch 550217 e43 Bra.mp3
    44. Nightwatch 550224 e44 Knife, Bread, Body and Get-Away.mp3
    45. Nightwatch 550301 e00 Uncensored Out-takes.mp3
    46. Nightwatch 550310 e46 Bubble Gum and Baby.mp3
    47. Nightwatch 550317 e47 Crazy and Buy.mp3
    48. Nightwatch 550324 e48 Whiskers and Black Eye.mp3
    49. Nightwatch 550331 e49 Gd Lady and Mr Peepers.mp3
    50. Nightwatch 550407 xxx Unused Material (uncensored).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



    49 recordings on 24 Audio CDs. Total playtime 22 hours, 7 min
    49 recordings on 24 Audio CDs
    total playtime 22 hours, 7 min

    Nightwatch Disc A001

    1. Nightwatch 540107 e00 audition-On the Scene Reports
    2. Nightwatch 540405 e01 Nude Prowler
    3. Nightwatch 540412 e02 311 Southgate

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A002

    1. Nightwatch 540503 e03 Glass Breaker
    2. Nightwatch 540510 e04 Peanut Butter Part 1

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A003

    1. Nightwatch 540517 e05 Peanut Butter Part 2
    2. Nightwatch 540524 e06 Santa Baby

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A004

    1. Nightwatch 540604 e07 Kid Explosives
    2. Nightwatch 540611 e08 Paper Hanger

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A005

    1. Nightwatch 540618 e09 Kenny Narco and Headplate
    2. Nightwatch 540625 e10 Big Search

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A006

    1. Nightwatch 540702 e11 Slugger
    2. Nightwatch 540710 e12 Hammer 211

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A007

    1. Nightwatch 540717 e13 Car Wings and Floor Sleepers
    2. Nightwatch 540724 e14 Old Bat and Crowbar

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A008

    1. Nightwatch 540731 e15 Boy Go Home
    2. Nightwatch 540807 e16 Three Time Loser and Shotgun Boy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A009

    1. Nightwatch 540814 e17 Old Fashioned Suicide
    2. Nightwatch 540821 e18 Shock

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A010

    1. Nightwatch 540828 e19 Weeper
    2. Nightwatch 540904 e20 Fence 447 and Western Union Raid

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A011

    1. Nightwatch 540911 e21 Inhalator and Jawbreaker
    2. Nightwatch 540918 e22 Strippers and Pix Stash

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A012

    1. Nightwatch 540925 e23 Motel Sheets and Lock Out
    2. Nightwatch 541007 e24 Pick up and Whose Crazy

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A013

    1. Nightwatch 541014 e25 Triangle and Peacemaker
    2. Nightwatch 541021 e26 Orange Balls and Bridge Jumper

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A014

    1. Nightwatch 541028 e27 Mississippi, Psyco 288 and Kingston
    2. Nightwatch 541104 e28 Grandma, Shoe Shine and Wifebeater

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A015

    1. Nightwatch 541111 e29 Kidnap
    2. Nightwatch 541118 e30 Child Desertion, Gabby and Kicker

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A016

    1. Nightwatch 541125 e31 Bleeder Safe
    2. Nightwatch 541202 e32 Rolling Pin and Luger

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A017

    1. Nightwatch 541216 e34 Scum, Beastwork and Phone Burgler
    2. Nightwatch 541223 e35 Goldie 211

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A018

    1. Nightwatch 541230 e36 Beer Can
    2. Nightwatch 550113 e38 Aunt Suicide

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A019

    1. Nightwatch 550120 e39 Smash, Turkey and Larry
    2. Nightwatch 550127 e40 Polio and Fog

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A020

    1. Nightwatch 550203 e41 Care and Jug
    2. Nightwatch 550210 e42 Ma and Pa Heinz and Chase

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A021

    1. Nightwatch 550217 e43 Bra
    2. Nightwatch 550224 e44 Knife, Bread, Body and Get-Away

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A022

    1. Nightwatch 550301 e00 Uncensored Out-takes
    2. Nightwatch 550310 e46 Bubble Gum and Baby

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A023

    1. Nightwatch 550317 e47 Crazy and Buy
    2. Nightwatch 550324 e48 Whiskers and Black Eye

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Nightwatch Disc A024

    1. Nightwatch 550331 e49 Gd Lady and Mr Peepers
    2. Nightwatch 550407 xxx Unused Material (uncensored)

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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