Stand By for Crime - Single Episodes


(4.5 stars; 70 reviews)

STAND BY FOR CRIME This show, from the early 1950s, is a good example of the true story style of delivery made popular in radio's classic crime shows Gangbusters and Mr. District Attorney . Of course, the best and most popular of the true crime shows was Dragnet -- the monotone, "just the facts" style demanded by Jack Webb in the show made two points at once: first, that the show wasn't a typical melodramatic crime show, as had been on radio since "the good old days", and more importantly, that we were along for the ride on another day at the office -- in this case, a policeman's “day at the office". Not a true crime show, as this is drama, but this show features Chuck Morgan, as played by Glen Langen, a very believable news anchor at KOP, a Los Angeles radio station. He is pals with Lieutenant Bill Miggs of the police force, who tips him off to hot crime news. Also in on the capers is Morgan's "Gal Friday", Carol Curtis, played by Adele Jurgens. The three meet all types -- mostly on the shady side of the street. In real life, Glen and Adele were husband and wife, the two marrying in 1949. They had met on the movie set of The Treasure of Monte Cristo . On the show, the repartee between the two is strictly old school and quite enjoyable. The dialogue is solid and makes the most of the plots. Unheralded and left for dead, Stand By for Crime is well worth your time. From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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Reviews

Some scripts have been used in other series.


(4 stars)

While the reuse of scripts is rather common in OTR, one interesting use is found in "Trixie's Bank Heist," which happens to be the same script used in Danger Dr. Danfield's "Trixie and the Bank Job" from 1946. Listening to the different deliveries is a great way to analyze actor's styles and directing styles.

Pretty much the bottom of the OTR barrel


(1 star)

Pretty awful on all levels: writing, acting and all. The normal sexism of the time amps up to the highest level, and Chuck is unable to refer to his secretary ever without mentioning she is blonde. Why this matters so much is deeply mysterious. The scripts are written as if Joe McCarthy is standing over the writers' shoulders and saying "no, be more jingoistic, your communists aren't being comically evil yet. Be more heavy-handed." I know it went onto the rota of one OTR streaming channel and was pulled by popular request.

Langen vs. Langen


(3 stars)

Scripts not up to the quality of his "MYSTERY IS MY HOBBY." The plots are not so much straight mysteries, as with the overwrought dialog of the "Trixie" episode. The plus here over his other series is the absence of the police chief. To have a love interest, "glamour puss" could've been a good thing but it's used purely as a foil warning Langen of danger. The sound at least is good,and there are enough shows to make it worthy of inclusion here.

Stand By


(2 stars)

Stand by for Crime is no masterpiece but it makes an honest effort to entertain. I'm actually here to put in a plug for the guy who writes the intros to the stories. Believe me, I've had my share of getting stuck writing things like that, but this person really worked at it, putting in enough info and enthusiasm to make me give Stand By another listen. I like people who try and this guy deserves. full marks. For what it's worth, THANKS!

Good Audio Quality


(4 stars)

Good audio quality. I'm guessing these were copied here from vertical cut transcriptions because there's no hiss. Sounds like the main character is talking too close to a ribbon microphone because he bass is somewhat overwhelming. I had to switch off my subwoofer speaker to hear him clearer. Thanks for sharing. :)

Blatant chauvinism


(2 stars)

The way Chuck treats his girlfriend is incredibly terrible. In one episode, he tells her to “ drop dead,” which goes beyond the “shut up” he had also said to her. His nickname for her also is cringe-worthy.

STAND BY FOR CRIME


(5 stars)

STAND BY FOR CRIME is a recent discovery for me. The sound quality is excellent and the scripts have held up well over time. Most enjoyable program.

Enjoyable show!


(4 stars)

This is one of my favorite crime shows. For some reason, all the show lengths are shown incorrectly. These are actually half-hour slhows.