Podcast
The Marlowe Files
Hosted by OTRPODS · EN
Welcome to The Marlow Files, a show that brings you classic noir detective stories from the golden age of radio. Rediscover the hard-boiled world of Raymond Chandler's iconic private eye through these re-broadcasts of the beloved radio program. First airing in 1947, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe became one of radio's most celebrated detective series, known for its sharp dialogue, atmospheric storytelling, and compelling mysteries. Follow Philip Marlowe, brought to life by talented radio actors, as he navigates the mean streets of Los Angeles, solving cases that take him from penthouses to dive bars, uncovering secrets, lies, and deadly schemes along the way. What sets Philip Marlowe apart is its noir atmosphere, witty narration, and complex plots that keep you guessing until the very end. Each episode delivers a complete mystery filled with memorable characters, dangerous dames, and the kind of tough-talking detective work that defined the genre. Whether you're a longtime fan of old-time radio or discovering these classic mysteries for the first time, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe promises to deliver suspenseful entertainment and a nostalgic journey through one of radio's most iconic detective series. Tune in and let the mysteries of Philip Marlowe captivate your imagination.
15episodes
Episodes
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Cardinal Murder Case
3w ago00:26:55Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: April 19, 1949Philo Vance #41, "Cardinal Murder Case,"Tony Cardinal, a former racket boss turned would-be gentleman, is attempting to transform himself into a respectable member of society with the help of his English butler, Jamesy. Living in luxury with a dozen English-cut suits and carefully learning proper etiquette, Tony is spending money lavishly on his new lifestyle while pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman named Lola. Jamesy patiently coaches his employer on the finer points of proper speech and deportment, though Tony's rough edges still show through his enthusiasm for his new life.When Lola calls to arrange an evening drive, she expresses concern about someone who dislikes Tony intensely—a man named Al Bailey, whom Tony dismisses as a skunk not worth worrying about. Despite Tony's casual attitude toward this potential threat, the mention of an enemy from his criminal past hints at danger lurking beneath the surface of his reformed existence, setting the stage for the trouble that's about to unfold.
Transcribe →Green Girls Murder Case
3w ago00:27:01Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: April 12, 1949Philo Vance #40, "Green Girls Murder Case," begins with shocking news over the radio: Jane Green, daughter of wealthy merchant Eric Green, has been found stabbed to death near her home around midnight. The police are completely baffled, with Sergeant Heath admitting that a lack of clues may hinder the investigation. Neither Jane's distraught parents nor her sister Penny can provide any motive for the brutal killing, leaving authorities at a standstill.When District Attorney Markham calls Vance, the conversation takes an unexpected turn. Despite the mysterious nature of the case, Markham insists he won't need Vance's help, claiming that Sergeant Heath and his men will eventually find something. Vance, however, senses something is amiss. As he confides to his secretary Miss Williams, Markham clearly doesn't want him involved in this investigation, and Vance believes he knows exactly why. What secret is Markham trying to protect, and what connection might the District Attorney have to the Green family murder?
Transcribe →Movie Murder Case
3w ago00:26:47Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: April 5, 1949Philo Vance #39, "Movie Murder Case," takes listeners behind the scenes of a troubled Western film production where tensions run as high as the balcony stunts. Art Ingram, a demanding and difficult leading man with 70 Westerns to his credit, clashes with director Ed Hadey and the crew during the filming of a dangerous fight scene. As the cameras roll and stunt doubles perform treacherous falls, Art's caustic complaints about the script, his co-star Joyce, and everyone around him create a powder keg atmosphere on set. The antagonism reaches a chilling peak when Joyce cryptically remarks that she wishes Art had taken the dangerous balcony fall himself, adding ominously that perhaps he wouldn't have gotten back up.When the volatile mix of Hollywood egos, dangerous stunts, and bitter resentments culminates in murder, the urbane detective Philo Vance must navigate the complex web of grudges and motives among cast and crew. With no shortage of suspects who despised the victim, Vance faces the challenge of determining which member of this fractious film production turned their anger into deadly action.
Transcribe →High Hat Murder Case
4w ago00:26:56Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: March 29, 1949Philo Vance #38, "High Hat Murder Case," opens with an unexpected visit to Philo Vance's office. Sarah Payton, a plain-spoken 34-year-old woman, arrives with an extraordinary request. After a lifetime of being overlooked and ignored, she recently inherited a substantial fortune, which brought her a year of happiness. Now she believes someone intends to murder her, but rather than seeking protection, she makes a shocking proposition: she wants to pay Vance not to investigate her murder should it occur. She calmly explains that she wants her would-be killer to escape justice, particularly if he manages to elude the police.Vance, accustomed to unusual cases, finds himself confronted with the strangest request of his career. When he refuses to accept her bizarre offer, Sarah Payton remains unfazed. Despite Vance's attempts to learn the identity of her potential murderer, she refuses to cooperate, reasoning that since he won't help her protect the killer, she has no obligation to assist him. The mystery deepens as Vance must determine whether this enigmatic woman is genuinely in danger or if something more complex is at play.
Transcribe →White Willow Murder Case
4w ago00:26:57Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: March 22, 1949Philo Vance #37, "White Willow Murder Case,"When stockbroker Stuart Ames takes a phone call from his sweetheart Dawn while conducting business, he has no idea his day is about to take a deadly turn. After arranging an evening rendezvous with Dawn, Ames receives an unwelcome visit from Mr. LeRoy, a client who has lost everything—$150,000—on Ames' recommendation to invest heavily in White Willow refineries. LeRoy mortgaged all his possessions based on Ames' assurance that the stock was solid, but with no merger materializing and the stock plummeting 15 points, LeRoy is ruined and furious.As LeRoy's rage intensifies, he makes a chilling declaration: somebody is going to take this loss lying down, and it won't be him. The confrontation between the desperate, bankrupt investor and the smooth-talking broker sets the stage for murder, drawing the sophisticated detective Philo Vance into a case where financial ruin and deadly revenge collide in the high-stakes world of Wall Street speculation.
Transcribe →Million Dollar Murder Case
May 2900:26:49Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: March 15, 1949Philo Vance #36, "Million Dollar Murder Case,"The wealthy and paranoid Mr. Simmons has transformed his mansion into a fortress, complete with a ten-foot wall, an elaborate electric eye alarm system, and a cliff protecting the rear. As he proudly demonstrates his security measures to his new caretaker Harold, Simmons reveals the depth of his fear, believing that numerous enemies from his ruthless business dealings may seek revenge. He trusts no one completely, not even Harold, and keeps a gun on him at all times for protection from his own household. Despite his fortress and weapons, Simmons claims to finally feel safe and at ease, looking forward to spending his remaining years in this burglar-proof sanctuary.However, Simmons' confidence in his impenetrable defenses may be misplaced. He mentions his loyal secretary Betty Jannis, who stands to inherit a considerable fortune upon his death, and hints at suspicious connections involving a mysterious Mr. Clease. As the paranoid millionaire boasts that nobody can reach him in his secure estate, the stage is set for a classic locked-room mystery that will require Philo Vance's considerable deductive skills to unravel.
Transcribe →Curtain Call Murder Case
May 2700:26:54Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: March 8, 1949Philo Vance #35, "Curtain Call Murder Case,"As curtain time approaches at a Broadway theater, aging actor Richard West prepares for his entrance with the help of his dresser Al, carefully concealing the gray in his hair. His pre-show routine is violently interrupted when Jean, a desperate young blonde woman, bursts into his dressing room demanding that West make good on his broken promises. He had sworn to secure her both a part in the current production and a future in pictures, but has failed to deliver. Betrayed and furious, Jean produces a bottle of acid from her handbag, threatening to destroy the vain actor's face so he'll never deceive another woman. After a struggle, West manages to wrest the bottle away from her.Jean storms out with an ominous promise to return and "really play for keeps," leaving West to compose himself before going on stage. With a theater full of suspects, wounded pride, and a dangerous threat hanging over the production, the stage is set for murder.
Transcribe →Listless Murder Case
May 2500:26:47Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: March 1, 1949Philo Vance #34, "Listless Murder Case,"A seemingly legitimate charity operation masks a sinister fraud scheme orchestrated by the calculating Mr. Miller and his assistant Donald. As donations pour in totaling $130,000 in less than two weeks, Miller reveals his criminal enterprise: only a fraction of the money collected for Consolidated Charities actually reaches those in need, while he pockets the rest. The scheme depends on maintaining the facade of legitimacy through Morton Gary, a prominent citizen serving as chairman whose name on their letterhead ensures public trust. When Donald voices concern about what might happen if Gary discovers the truth, Miller's chilling response suggests he's prepared to silence the chairman permanently.The tension escalates when Elise Avery, one of Miller's operatives, calls in celebrating a five-thousand-dollar contribution from an unsuspecting donor. As the fraud deepens and the stakes grow higher, Miller's cryptic warning that Gary will "never finish" if he starts talking hints at murder. The stage is set for Philo Vance to untangle this web of charitable deception before Miller makes good on his deadly threat.
Transcribe →Herringbone Murder Case
May 2300:26:58Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: February 22, 1949Philo Vance #33, "Herringbone Murder Case," opens in an upscale dress shop where proprietor Miss Payne confronts her employee Claire Collins with damning evidence of embezzlement. After dismissing a customer, Mrs. Wentworth, Miss Payne coldly reveals she knows Claire has been stealing from the business, siphoning off profits totaling $12,465. Despite Claire's protests that she needed the money and promises to repay it, Miss Payne delivers an ultimatum: produce the full amount by Saturday or face criminal charges.The confrontation leaves Claire in a desperate situation with only days to come up with an impossible sum of money. As the scene closes, Claire ominously suggests she may need to find "another way out" of her predicament, setting the stage for the mystery that will unfold. With Miss Payne's unforgiving demand and Claire's darkly ambiguous response, the episode promises a tense investigation into whatever deadly consequences follow from this volatile confrontation in the refined world of high-end fashion.
Transcribe →Butler Murder Case
May 2100:26:51Tap to summarizeOriginally Aired: February 15, 1949Philo Vance #32, "Butler Murder Case," opens with a chilling scene in a dentist's office that quickly transforms from routine to deadly. Dr. Michael receives what appears to be an ordinary patient complaining of a toothache, but the visitor reveals himself as an enforcer for the mysterious Professor Powell. The thug delivers a stark ultimatum: pay ten thousand dollars or face death disguised as an accident. Despite his wife Grace's innocent phone call checking on dinner plans, Dr. Michael refuses to be intimidated and orders the blackmailer out of his office.The dentist's defiant stand against Professor Powell's extortion scheme sets the stage for a dangerous confrontation. With the criminal organization threatening to make murder look accidental, Dr. Michael finds himself in mortal peril. The case presents Philo Vance with a complex investigation involving organized crime, extortion, and the question of whether the dentist will become the next victim of Powell's ruthless operation. The detective must unravel this sinister plot before the threatened "accident" becomes a reality.
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