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William Gargan (Bill Gargan) Collection

best known for his hard-boiled detective roles in Barry Craig and Martin Kane, William Gargan also appeared in variety old time radio shows, Lux Radio, Command Performance and more!

William Gargan

68 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 35 hours, 1666 min)
available in the following formats:

2 MP3 CDs
or
39 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from December 12, 1951:

"Death and the Purple Cow"



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

William Gargan
(1905 – 1979)

William Gargan & Helen Mack
Sometimes there is a sense of irony that runs through the stories and back-stories of Old Time Radio and rarely do we find a story quite as ironic as William Gargan: Maria Montez, William Gargan, & Turhan BeyGargan's big brother Edward was born in Brooklyn on July 17, 1902, and exactly three years later to the day, William was born. Their father was both a book keeper and book maker. The performing bug seems to have infected Edward early on; he began acting immediately after leaving school, and would go on to become one of Hollywood's most prolific "bit players" (a large number of his more than 300 movie and TV appearances were uncredited).

William was a little more indirect in his path to the spotlight. He worked a number of jobs including soda-jerking and streetcar conducting. He even spent time in his father's world as a collection agent for bookmakers. He sold bootleg whiskey to speak-easies and eventually joined a detective agency. His career took a turn one day while visiting Ed backstage at a musical comedy. The company needed a stagehand, but soon enough William moved in front of the stage lights.

The brothers separately got into films in the early 1930s. As part of his MGM contract, William appeared on several episodes of the studio's radio show Good News of 1940. He played a number of stereotypical Irish roles, cops, priests and reporters, eventually landing the role of Ellery Queen, helping to cement himself to detective roles. When his association with MGM came to an end in 1943 he toured with the USO for a time, and considered it as the most rewarding experience of his career.

William GarganGargan seemed to truly hit his stride in Martin Kane, Private Investigator. Many early TV programs were taken from successful radio shows, but this isn't necessarily the case with Martin Kane; Gargan premiered the show on radio in 1949, then took the character to TV three weeks later, and continued until 1951, when the role in both media was given to Lloyd Nolan. But it was Martin Kane that put William Gargan on the map.

The show was sponsored by the U.S. Tobacco company, whose product was used extensively on both the TV and radio programs.

The cast change left Gargan open to change roles to Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator. Barry Craig was standard PI fare, although Gargan played him somewhat low key and less hard-boiled. Craig was "your man when you can't go to the cops. Confidentiality a specialty." Craig took a page from Sam Spade and narrated the stories, but less hard-boiled than some other detectives, almost with a sense of humor.

The real irony of Gargan's role as Martin Kane came to light in 1958 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. In 1960 it was necessary for his larynx to be removed. Eventually he learned to speak using an artificial voice box, and became an activist against the dangers of smoking.

William Gargan passed away from a heart attack in 1973 while on a flight from New York to San Diego.

This collection includes Gargan's many appearances in Barry Craig, I Deal In Crime, and Martin Kane as well as rare guest appearances in shows such as Command Performance, Bing Crosby Show, Good News of 1940, Lux Radio Theater, Murder Will Win Out, and Obsession.

For more great old time radio actors please see Frank Lovejoy, Jeff Chandler,Gerald Mohr, William Conrad, and Paul Frees.

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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    Believe it or not radio shows are so much better than t v show to many ads too long forget what you were watching I'll be checking you out right now I have a bunch of tapes to listen to I was a big fan of old time radio.

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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.



    68 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00. Total playtime 35 hours, 1666 min
    68 recordings on 2 MP3 CDs for just $10.00
    total playtime 35 hours, 1666 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 33 shows – total playtime 15 hours, 34 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion.mp3
    5. Barry Craig 501219 Remo Tourchno Ending.mp3
    6. Barry Craig 510131.mp3
    7. Barry Craig 510507 Philanthropist Bride.mp3
    8. Barry Craig 511003 01 Simultaneous Man.mp3
    9. Barry Craig 511010 Case Of The Gossip Columnist.mp3
    10. Barry Craig 511017 03 Judge And The Champ HQ.mp3
    11. Barry Craig 511024 04 Microfilm In Theffishtank.mp3
    12. Barry Craig 511031 05 The Bailjumper.mp3
    13. Barry Craig 511107 06 Borrowed Knife.mp3
    14. Barry Craig 511114 07 Dead On Arrival.mp3
    15. Barry Craig 511121 08 Murder In Wax.mp3
    16. Barry Craig 511128 09 The Naughty Necklace.mp3
    17. Barry Craig 511205 10 The Paper Bullet.mp3
    18. Barry Craig 511212 11 Death And The Purple Cow.mp3
    19. Barry Craig 511219 12 Ghost Of A Chance Akaremo Torch HQ.mp3
    20. Barry Craig 511226 13 Song Of Death Aka Blonde In River.mp3
    21. Barry Craig 520102 14 Death Of A Private Eye HQ.mp3
    22. Barry Craig 520109 15 Murder Island.mp3
    23. Barry Craig 520116 16 Muriel'S Murder Case.mp3
    24. Barry Craig 520123 Boxer Doyles Belt.mp3
    25. Barry Craig 520130 The Puppet (No Close).mp3
    26. Barry Craig 520206 Claw Killer Of Seneca (No Close).mp3
    27. Barry Craig 520213 Cupie Doll.mp3
    28. Barry Craig 520220 The Motive For Murder.mp3
    29. Barry Craig 520709 The Long Way Home.mp3
    30. Barry Craig 521008 Julius And Cleo (No Close).mp3
    31. Barry Craig 521015 Dead Loss.mp3
    32. Barry Craig 521225 Song Of Death.mp3
    33. Barry Craig 530104 Crimson Queen (No Close).mp3
    34. Barry Craig 530215 The Redhead HQ.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 35 shows – total playtime 19 hours, 53 minutes
      MP3 CD
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barry Craig 530301 The Impostor HQ.mp3
    3. Barry Craig 530503 Walking The Dog.mp3
    4. Barry Craig 530614 Case Of Lost Lila Thorne HQ.mp3
    5. Barry Craig 530719 Scream For Murder.mp3
    6. Barry Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest HQ.mp3
    7. Barry Craig 530908 097 State Executioner.mp3
    8. Barry Craig 530922 The Late Sam Jenkins (No Close).mp3
    9. Barry Craig 531003 Alias Clark Smith.mp3
    10. Bing Crosby 481013 074 Philco Rt W William Gargan.mp3
    11. Bing Crosby 481027 076 Philco Rt W William Powell.mp3
    12. CP 450111 157 Linda Darnell Janet Blair Jimmy Durante.mp3
    13. Good News 400104 53 W Ann Sothern William Gargan.mp3
    14. Good News 400111 054 William Gargan.mp3
    15. Good News 400118 055 Lola Lane.mp3
    16. Good News 400201 057 A Marshall W Gargan.mp3
    17. Good News 400208 057 Ronald Colman Ida Lapino.mp3
    18. Good News 400215 059 Virginia Bruce.mp3
    19. Good News 400222 060 Warren Williams.mp3
    20. Guest Star 490306 0102 Husband Sitter William Gargan.mp3
    21. Hall of Fame 440507 021 Moral Victory.mp3
    22. I Deal In Crime 460121 01 Laura Shields Case.mp3
    23. I Deal In Crime 460415 10 William Davis Case.mp3
    24. I Deal In Crime 470927 00 Abigail Murray Case.mp3
    25. Lux 390306 209 Oneway Passage.mp3
    26. Lux 410317 299 Cheers for Miss Bishop.mp3
    27. Martin Kane Private Detective 531022 Part 1.mp3
    28. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029 Part 2.mp3
    29. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029.mp3
    30. Murder Will Out 460508 Swindled Song Writer.mp3
    31. Obsession 03 Clinging Hate William Gargan.mp3
    32. The Living God 420401 Chapter 1.mp3
    33. The Living God 420401 Chapter 2.mp3
    34. The Living God 420403 Chapter 3.mp3
    35. The Living God 420404 Chapter 4.mp3
    36. The Living God 420405 Chapter 5.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    68 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00. Total playtime 35 hours, 1666 min
    68 recordings on 2 MP3 Collection Downloads for just $10.00
    974 MB – total playtime 35 hours, 27 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. Volume 1 – 33 shows – 428 MB – total playtime 15 hours, 34 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 1: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills.mp3
    3. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel.mp3
    4. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion.mp3
    5. Barry Craig 501219 Remo Tourchno Ending.mp3
    6. Barry Craig 510131.mp3
    7. Barry Craig 510507 Philanthropist Bride.mp3
    8. Barry Craig 511003 01 Simultaneous Man.mp3
    9. Barry Craig 511010 Case Of The Gossip Columnist.mp3
    10. Barry Craig 511017 03 Judge And The Champ HQ.mp3
    11. Barry Craig 511024 04 Microfilm In Theffishtank.mp3
    12. Barry Craig 511031 05 The Bailjumper.mp3
    13. Barry Craig 511107 06 Borrowed Knife.mp3
    14. Barry Craig 511114 07 Dead On Arrival.mp3
    15. Barry Craig 511121 08 Murder In Wax.mp3
    16. Barry Craig 511128 09 The Naughty Necklace.mp3
    17. Barry Craig 511205 10 The Paper Bullet.mp3
    18. Barry Craig 511212 11 Death And The Purple Cow.mp3
    19. Barry Craig 511219 12 Ghost Of A Chance Akaremo Torch HQ.mp3
    20. Barry Craig 511226 13 Song Of Death Aka Blonde In River.mp3
    21. Barry Craig 520102 14 Death Of A Private Eye HQ.mp3
    22. Barry Craig 520109 15 Murder Island.mp3
    23. Barry Craig 520116 16 Muriel'S Murder Case.mp3
    24. Barry Craig 520123 Boxer Doyles Belt.mp3
    25. Barry Craig 520130 The Puppet (No Close).mp3
    26. Barry Craig 520206 Claw Killer Of Seneca (No Close).mp3
    27. Barry Craig 520213 Cupie Doll.mp3
    28. Barry Craig 520220 The Motive For Murder.mp3
    29. Barry Craig 520709 The Long Way Home.mp3
    30. Barry Craig 521008 Julius And Cleo (No Close).mp3
    31. Barry Craig 521015 Dead Loss.mp3
    32. Barry Craig 521225 Song Of Death.mp3
    33. Barry Craig 530104 Crimson Queen (No Close).mp3
    34. Barry Craig 530215 The Redhead HQ.mp3

    1. Volume 2 – 35 shows – 546 MB – total playtime 19 hours, 53 minutes
      Instant Download
      Volume 2: $5.00
      Add To Cart
    2. Barry Craig 530301 The Impostor HQ.mp3
    3. Barry Craig 530503 Walking The Dog.mp3
    4. Barry Craig 530614 Case Of Lost Lila Thorne HQ.mp3
    5. Barry Craig 530719 Scream For Murder.mp3
    6. Barry Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest HQ.mp3
    7. Barry Craig 530908 097 State Executioner.mp3
    8. Barry Craig 530922 The Late Sam Jenkins (No Close).mp3
    9. Barry Craig 531003 Alias Clark Smith.mp3
    10. Bing Crosby 481013 074 Philco Rt W William Gargan.mp3
    11. Bing Crosby 481027 076 Philco Rt W William Powell.mp3
    12. CP 450111 157 Linda Darnell Janet Blair Jimmy Durante.mp3
    13. Good News 400104 53 W Ann Sothern William Gargan.mp3
    14. Good News 400111 054 William Gargan.mp3
    15. Good News 400118 055 Lola Lane.mp3
    16. Good News 400201 057 A Marshall W Gargan.mp3
    17. Good News 400208 057 Ronald Colman Ida Lapino.mp3
    18. Good News 400215 059 Virginia Bruce.mp3
    19. Good News 400222 060 Warren Williams.mp3
    20. Guest Star 490306 0102 Husband Sitter William Gargan.mp3
    21. Hall of Fame 440507 021 Moral Victory.mp3
    22. I Deal In Crime 460121 01 Laura Shields Case.mp3
    23. I Deal In Crime 460415 10 William Davis Case.mp3
    24. I Deal In Crime 470927 00 Abigail Murray Case.mp3
    25. Lux 390306 209 Oneway Passage.mp3
    26. Lux 410317 299 Cheers for Miss Bishop.mp3
    27. Martin Kane Private Detective 531022 Part 1.mp3
    28. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029 Part 2.mp3
    29. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029.mp3
    30. Murder Will Out 460508 Swindled Song Writer.mp3
    31. Obsession 03 Clinging Hate William Gargan.mp3
    32. The Living God 420401 Chapter 1.mp3
    33. The Living God 420401 Chapter 2.mp3
    34. The Living God 420403 Chapter 3.mp3
    35. The Living God 420404 Chapter 4.mp3
    36. The Living God 420405 Chapter 5.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



    68 recordings on 39 Audio CDs. Total playtime 35 hours, 27 min
    68 recordings on 39 Audio CDs
    total playtime 35 hours, 27 min

    William Gargan Disc A001

    1. Obsession 03 Clinging Hate William Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A002

    1. Lux 390306 209 Oneway Passage

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    William Gargan Disc A003

    1. Good News 400104 53 W Ann Sothern William Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A004

    1. Good News 400111 054 William Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A005

    1. Good News 400118 055 Lola Lane

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    William Gargan Disc A006

    1. Good News 400201 057 A Marshall W Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A007

    1. Good News 400208 057 Ronald Colman Ida Lapino

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    William Gargan Disc A008

    1. Good News 400215 059 Virginia Bruce

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    William Gargan Disc A009

    1. Good News 400222 060 Warren Williams

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    William Gargan Disc A010

    1. Lux 410317 299 Cheers for Miss Bishop

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    William Gargan Disc A011

    1. The Living God 420401 Chapter 1
    2. The Living God 420401 Chapter 2
    3. The Living God 420403 Chapter 3
    4. The Living God 420404 Chapter 4

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    William Gargan Disc A012

    1. The Living God 420405 Chapter 5

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    William Gargan Disc A013

    1. Hall of Fame 440507 021 Moral Victory

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    William Gargan Disc A014

    1. CP 450111 157 Linda Darnell Janet Blair Jimmy Durante
    2. I Deal In Crime 460121 01 Laura Shields Case

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    William Gargan Disc A015

    1. I Deal In Crime 460415 10 William Davis Case
    2. Murder Will Out 460508 Swindled Song Writer

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    William Gargan Disc A016

    1. I Deal In Crime 470927 00 Abigail Murray Case
    2. Bing Crosby 481013 074 Philco Rt W William Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A017

    1. Bing Crosby 481027 076 Philco Rt W William Powell
    2. Guest Star 490306 0102 Husband Sitter William Gargan

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    William Gargan Disc A018

    1. Barry Craig 501219 Remo Tourchno Ending
    2. Barry Craig 510131

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    William Gargan Disc A019

    1. Barry Craig 510507 Philanthropist Bride
    2. Barry Craig 511003 01 Simultaneous Man

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    William Gargan Disc A020

    1. Barry Craig 511010 Case Of The Gossip Columnist
    2. Barry Craig 511017 03 Judge And The Champ HQ

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    William Gargan Disc A021

    1. Barry Craig 511024 04 Microfilm In Theffishtank
    2. Barry Craig 511031 05 The Bailjumper

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    William Gargan Disc A022

    1. Barry Craig 511107 06 Borrowed Knife
    2. Barry Craig 511114 07 Dead On Arrival

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    William Gargan Disc A023

    1. Barry Craig 511121 08 Murder In Wax
    2. Barry Craig 511128 09 The Naughty Necklace

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    William Gargan Disc A024

    1. Barry Craig 511205 10 The Paper Bullet
    2. Barry Craig 511212 11 Death And The Purple Cow

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    William Gargan Disc A025

    1. Barry Craig 511219 12 Ghost Of A Chance Akaremo Torch HQ
    2. Barry Craig 511226 13 Song Of Death Aka Blonde In River

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    William Gargan Disc A026

    1. Barry Craig 520102 14 Death Of A Private Eye HQ
    2. Barry Craig 520109 15 Murder Island

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    William Gargan Disc A027

    1. Barry Craig 520116 16 Muriel'S Murder Case
    2. Barry Craig 520123 Boxer Doyles Belt

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    William Gargan Disc A028

    1. Barry Craig 520130 The Puppet (No Close)
    2. Barry Craig 520206 Claw Killer Of Seneca (No Close)

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    William Gargan Disc A029

    1. Barry Craig 520213 Cupie Doll
    2. Barry Craig 520220 The Motive For Murder

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    William Gargan Disc A030

    1. Barrie Craig 520325 Love That Kills
    2. Barrie Craig 520610 Corpse On A Carousel

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    William Gargan Disc A031

    1. Barrie Craig 520617 Murder In Motion
    2. Barry Craig 520709 The Long Way Home

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    William Gargan Disc A032

    1. Barry Craig 521008 Julius And Cleo (No Close)
    2. Barry Craig 521015 Dead Loss

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    William Gargan Disc A033

    1. Barry Craig 521225 Song Of Death
    2. Barry Craig 530104 Crimson Queen (No Close)

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    William Gargan Disc A034

    1. Barry Craig 530215 The Redhead HQ
    2. Barry Craig 530301 The Impostor HQ

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    William Gargan Disc A035

    1. Barry Craig 530503 Walking The Dog
    2. Barry Craig 530614 Case Of Lost Lila Thorne HQ

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    William Gargan Disc A036

    1. Barry Craig 530719 Scream For Murder
    2. Barry Craig 530809 The Thirteenth Guest HQ

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    William Gargan Disc A037

    1. Barry Craig 530908 097 State Executioner
    2. Barry Craig 530922 The Late Sam Jenkins (No Close)

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    William Gargan Disc A038

    1. Barry Craig 531003 Alias Clark Smith
    2. Martin Kane Private Detective 531022 Part 1
    3. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029 Part 2

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    William Gargan Disc A039

    1. Martin Kane Private Detective 531029

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