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Van Heflin in Old Time Radio

The War interrupted Van Heflin's career before he could establish himself as a leading man. He was a major player in noir dramas and had the lead in the first season of radio's The Adventures of Philip Marlowe.

Van Heflin

42 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 25 hours, 2803 min)
available in the following formats:

2 MP3 CDs
or
30 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from April 01, 1938:

"Seven Waves Away"



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

Van Heflin
(1910 – 1971)

Van HeflinA strong work ethic is as important in Hollywood as it is anywhere, although there are examples of it working against stardom. Some critics have pointed out that Van Heflin was too good, too honest of an actor to make it as a big star. Which was probably just fine with Heflin.

Emmett Evan Heflin, Jr. was an Oklahoma dentist's son who was drawn to the sea. Born in 1908, after his parents split he was sent to live with his grandmother in California. After high school, he signed onto a freighter bound for New York, and at the end of the voyage, after seeing the lights of Broadway, he enrolled in the University of Oklahoma to study law but developed an interest in acting. After two years, he returned to the sea and spent the next three years tramping around the Pacific before giving school another try, this time at the prestigious Yale School of Drama.

His initial forays on Broadway in 1934 were disasters which closed nearly as fast as they opened. In 1936, he caught a break in the lead of "End of Summer" at the Guild Theatre. The play was well received by the critics, and it was seen by Katharine Hepburn who was impressed enough to find Heflin a spot in A Woman Rebels (1936). Heflin stayed with RKO for a year, but did not get any good parts, so returned to Broadway.

Hepburn was struggling with the label of "box-office poison", and backed the play The Philadelphia Story (the rights to the play were a gift from Howard Hughes) as a comeback vehicle. She again displayed her confidence in Heflin by giving him one of the major roles, but when the show was adapted by MGM the part was given to James Stewart who was "starrier".

Although MGM left Heflin out of The Philadelphia Story (1940), they did give him a contract and began grooming him for starring roles in B pictures and supporting roles in features like Santa Fe Trail (1940) and Johnny Eager (1942), a gangster picture for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Van HeflinVan interrupted his contract at MGM during the War to serve with the First Motion Picture Unit of the Ninth Air Force as a combat photographer.

After the War, Van began the transition from leading man to character actor. The part he is best remembered for was as a rancher struggling against the odds in Shane (1953). NBC took advantage of his film noir reputation by casting him in the title role for the first season of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe in 1947. He also made radio noir appearances on Suspense and reprised several of his movie roles on Lux Radio Theater.

Heflin's last film was Airport (1970), where he played a bomber scheming to blow himself up on an airplane so that his wife can collect the insurance. On June 6, 1971, Heflin suffered a heart attack while swimming alone in a pool. He managed to struggle to the ladder where he clung until discovered by rescuers. He also clung to life, although he never regained consciousness. He passed away at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on July 23, 1971. According to his instructions, there was no public funeral, and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific.

Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor Van Heflin. One at 6311 Hollywood Blvd for Motion Pictures and another at 6125 Hollywood Blvd commemorating his work in Television.

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

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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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.



    42 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 25 hours, 2803 min
    42 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 25 hours, 2803 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 31 shows – total playtime 19 hours, 50 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450802 17 Parade.mp3
    3. Cavalcade Of America 471201 Towards Horizon.mp3
    4. Columbia Workshop 380402 084 Seven Waves Away.mp3
    5. Columbia Workshop 380922 107 He Doubles In Pipes.mp3
    6. Escape 490928 Wild Oranges.mp3
    7. Ford 481008 40 Madam Bovary.mp3
    8. Ft 470304 004 I Give You Maggie.mp3
    9. Ft 520625 276 Problem Child Problem.mp3
    10. Guest Star 540704 0380 Van Heflin Last Boot.mp3
    11. Guild On Air 501231 056 State Fair.mp3
    12. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540516 53 Damon Runyon.mp3
    13. Hallmark Playhouse 510222 116 Valley Forge.mp3
    14. Hedda Hopper 501104 Joseph Cotton.mp3
    15. Lux Radio 460121 511 Johnny Eager.mp3
    16. Lux Radio 460311 518 Presenting Lily Mars.mp3
    17. Lux Radio 470526 573 Vacation From Marriage.mp3
    18. Lux Radio 481129 634 Brief Encounter.mp3
    19. Lux Radio 490919 668 Green Dolphin Street.mp3
    20. Lux Radio 491107 675 High Wall.mp3
    21. Lux Radio 500911 711 Heiress.mp3
    22. Lux Radio 510108 728 Once More My Darling.mp3
    23. Lux Radio 550222 911 Shane.mp3
    24. Man Called 510525 33 Man Girl And Plot.mp3
    25. Nbc University 481107 015 Arrowsmith.mp3
    26. Philip Marlowe 470617 Red Wind.mp3
    27. Philip Marlowe 470708 King In Yellow.mp3
    28. Philip Marlowe 470805 Trouble Is My Business.mp3
    29. Radio Readers Digest 470403 057 Man Conquered Devils Island.mp3
    30. Radio Readers Digest 471127 090 Why Keep Heart Cold Storage.mp3
    31. Sealtest Variety 490317 026 Live From Shamrock.mp3
    32. Sgt 450723 255 Smilin Through.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 11 shows – total playtime 5 hours, 55 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Suspense 470130 Three Blind Mice.mp3
    3. Suspense 480826 Song Of Heart.mp3
    4. Suspense 490310 Three O Clock.mp3
    5. Suspense 491110 Murder Of Aunt Delia.mp3
    6. Suspense 501130 Lady In Red Hat.mp3
    7. Suspense 530608 Mystery Of Mary Celeste.mp3
    8. Suspense 531012 Shot.mp3
    9. Suspense 540510 Last Days Of John Dillinger.mp3
    10. Suspense 590412 Too Hot To Live.mp3
    11. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here.mp3
    12. Un Radio 500000 Document A777.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    42 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 25 hours, 2803 min
    42 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    708 MB – total playtime 25 hours, 46 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 31 shows – 545 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 50 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450802 17 Parade.mp3
    3. Cavalcade Of America 471201 Towards Horizon.mp3
    4. Columbia Workshop 380402 084 Seven Waves Away.mp3
    5. Columbia Workshop 380922 107 He Doubles In Pipes.mp3
    6. Escape 490928 Wild Oranges.mp3
    7. Ford 481008 40 Madam Bovary.mp3
    8. Ft 470304 004 I Give You Maggie.mp3
    9. Ft 520625 276 Problem Child Problem.mp3
    10. Guest Star 540704 0380 Van Heflin Last Boot.mp3
    11. Guild On Air 501231 056 State Fair.mp3
    12. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540516 53 Damon Runyon.mp3
    13. Hallmark Playhouse 510222 116 Valley Forge.mp3
    14. Hedda Hopper 501104 Joseph Cotton.mp3
    15. Lux Radio 460121 511 Johnny Eager.mp3
    16. Lux Radio 460311 518 Presenting Lily Mars.mp3
    17. Lux Radio 470526 573 Vacation From Marriage.mp3
    18. Lux Radio 481129 634 Brief Encounter.mp3
    19. Lux Radio 490919 668 Green Dolphin Street.mp3
    20. Lux Radio 491107 675 High Wall.mp3
    21. Lux Radio 500911 711 Heiress.mp3
    22. Lux Radio 510108 728 Once More My Darling.mp3
    23. Lux Radio 550222 911 Shane.mp3
    24. Man Called 510525 33 Man Girl And Plot.mp3
    25. Nbc University 481107 015 Arrowsmith.mp3
    26. Philip Marlowe 470617 Red Wind.mp3
    27. Philip Marlowe 470708 King In Yellow.mp3
    28. Philip Marlowe 470805 Trouble Is My Business.mp3
    29. Radio Readers Digest 470403 057 Man Conquered Devils Island.mp3
    30. Radio Readers Digest 471127 090 Why Keep Heart Cold Storage.mp3
    31. Sealtest Variety 490317 026 Live From Shamrock.mp3
    32. Sgt 450723 255 Smilin Through.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 11 shows – 163 MB – total playtime 5 hours, 55 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Suspense 470130 Three Blind Mice.mp3
    3. Suspense 480826 Song Of Heart.mp3
    4. Suspense 490310 Three O Clock.mp3
    5. Suspense 491110 Murder Of Aunt Delia.mp3
    6. Suspense 501130 Lady In Red Hat.mp3
    7. Suspense 530608 Mystery Of Mary Celeste.mp3
    8. Suspense 531012 Shot.mp3
    9. Suspense 540510 Last Days Of John Dillinger.mp3
    10. Suspense 590412 Too Hot To Live.mp3
    11. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here.mp3
    12. Un Radio 500000 Document A777.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



    42 recordings on 30 Audio CDs. Total playtime 25 hours, 46 min
    42 recordings on 30 Audio CDs
    total playtime 25 hours, 46 min

    Van Heflin Disc A001

    1. Columbia Workshop 380402 084 Seven Waves Away
    2. Columbia Workshop 380922 107 He Doubles In Pipes

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A002

    1. Sgt 450723 255 Smilin Through
    2. Arch Obolers Plays 450802 17 Parade

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A003

    1. Lux Radio 460121 511 Johnny Eager

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A004

    1. Lux Radio 460311 518 Presenting Lily Mars

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A005

    1. Suspense 470130 Three Blind Mice
    2. Ft 470304 004 I Give You Maggie

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A006

    1. Radio Readers Digest 470403 057 Man Conquered Devils Island

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A007

    1. Lux Radio 470526 573 Vacation From Marriage

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A008

    1. Philip Marlowe 470617 Red Wind
    2. Philip Marlowe 470708 King In Yellow

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A009

    1. Philip Marlowe 470805 Trouble Is My Business
    2. Radio Readers Digest 471127 090 Why Keep Heart Cold Storage

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A010

    1. Cavalcade Of America 471201 Towards Horizon
    2. Suspense 480826 Song Of Heart

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A011

    1. Ford 481008 40 Madam Bovary

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A012

    1. Nbc University 481107 015 Arrowsmith

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A013

    1. Lux Radio 481129 634 Brief Encounter
    2. Suspense 490310 Three O Clock

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A014

    1. Sealtest Variety 490317 026 Live From Shamrock

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A015

    1. Lux Radio 490919 668 Green Dolphin Street

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A016

    1. Escape 490928 Wild Oranges

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A017

    1. Lux Radio 491107 675 High Wall

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A018

    1. Suspense 491110 Murder Of Aunt Delia

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A019

    1. Un Radio 500000 Document A777

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A020

    1. Lux Radio 500911 711 Heiress

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A021

    1. Hedda Hopper 501104 Joseph Cotton
    2. Suspense 501130 Lady In Red Hat

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A022

    1. Guild On Air 501231 056 State Fair

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A023

    1. Lux Radio 510108 728 Once More My Darling

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A024

    1. Hallmark Playhouse 510222 116 Valley Forge
    2. Man Called 510525 33 Man Girl And Plot

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A025

    1. Ft 520625 276 Problem Child Problem

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A026

    1. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A027

    1. Suspense 530608 Mystery Of Mary Celeste
    2. Suspense 531012 Shot

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A028

    1. Suspense 540510 Last Days Of John Dillinger
    2. Hallmark Hall Of Fame 540516 53 Damon Runyon
    3. Guest Star 540704 0380 Van Heflin Last Boot

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A029

    1. Lux Radio 550222 911 Shane

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Van Heflin Disc A030

    1. Suspense 590412 Too Hot To Live

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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