Philo Vance - Single Episodes
Old Time Radio Researchers Group
PHILO VANCE
Philo Vance was the detective creation of S. S. Van Dine first published in the mid 1920s. Vance, in the original books, is an intellectual so highly refined he seems he might be ghostwritten by P. G. Wodehouse. Take this quote from The Benson Murder Case, 1924, as Vance pontificates in his inimitable way: "That's your fundamental error, don't y' know. Every crime is witnessed by outsiders, just as is every work of art. The fact that no one sees the criminal, or the artist, actu'lly at work, is wholly incons'quential." Thankfully, the radio series uses only the name, and makes Philo a pretty normal, though very intelligent and extremely courteous gumshoe. Jose Ferrer played him in 1945. From 1948-1950, the fine radio actor Jackson Beck makes Vance as good as he gets. George Petrie plays Vance's constantly impressed public servant, District Attorney Markham. Joan Alexander is Ellen Deering, Vance's secretary and right-hand woman. The organist for the show is really working those ivories, and fans of old time radio organ will especially enjoy this series. Perhaps one reason the organist "pulls out all the stops" is because there seems to be little, if any, sound effects on the show. Philo Vance, the radio series, does pay homage to the original books in that both were, even in their own time, a bit out of date and stilted. From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.Updated with Version 2 Files on 24-May-2007
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
Confusing and messy
A. A.
I'll start with the con(only 1)- quality of recordings is petty good, you can hear actors pottery clear. However, the whole show is very confusing and frustrating to listen to, since the whole time you're trying to figure out what's going on. Voices are very similar to each other and it's hard to understand who's speaking. Also, stories will start with some random conversion, and only after several minutes there is a chance that one could deduce what's going on. In majority of episodes, the main character doesn't walk in till a half way into the episode. Moreover, the crime doesn't happen till halfway through the episode (in majority of episodes), and it gets resolved in confusing way (most of the time it's not even clear that the case was solved or not). And, the sound effects, especially music (the organs), are not pleasant. PS- episodes that are listed 2 or 3 minutes are actually full episodes, it's just not possible to fast forward or rewind past that minute (it doesn't show up on the timeline).
Philo, Naked
harron68
I'm not used to shows without ads or announcers or a melodic theme. The series has good plotting but seems to have been made on a budget. Organ music is a bit jarring. Acting is good, all in all above par for detective shows of the era.
I wish these were better
jonfrum
For context, I'm a big Philip Marlowe/Sam Spade OTR fan. This series just doesn't work for me. I listened to a few episodes, and the quality of the writing just isn't up to Marlowe/Spade snuff, and nor is the acting. The cop in the series is of the Hollywood variety - painfully inept. Every episode I listened to ran the same stereotype into the ground. I wanted to like this series, but just can't recommend it.
Good Entertainment
gnumedia
Miss Deering is actually given decent lines instead of being the usual vapid and imbecilic foil for Mr Big. Sadly but typically, the organist has not been credited for his sometimes heavy handed contributions. Geez-some of those chord choices! However difficult for us more contemporary listeners, it is part of the history of this wonderful genre; more, please.
Organ Hell
Angels Walk
I loved the dramatic episodes, however, the Organ music was annoying,obnoxious, dreadful, horribly distracting & completely unnecessary. Ruined the entire atmosphere the actor's tried to create...Oh Well.
I love this program
foxyryan
I love a detective story this is entertaining worth listening to.
A LibriVox Listener
Fun. Sounds like William Powel who did Vance in the movies.
Use link for OTRR Certified Set
nokneesOTRguy
The zipped download file on this page expands to only 3 episodes. You can listen to all series episodes individually. To download all episodes use the OTRR Certified Set link in the Notes section. Takes you to an OTRR page where you can download 653.8 MB and 666.9 MB Zip files. I'll rate the series after listening to more episodes. Not sure how I'll respond to OTR with a great organist but few sound effects.