True Crime Classics

In this gripping episode of “Dragnet,” Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero face off against a ruthless gang of quick-trigger gunmen who have moved into Los Angeles, determined to kill the first cop who tries to apprehend them. The drama unfolds as they respond to a stake-out where a fellow officer, Fred Lindsey, has been killed in a bar hold-up. As the investigatio...

In this chilling episode of “Dragnet,” Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to a robbery detail where a terrifying criminal, dubbed “The Werewolf,” has been terrorizing Los Angeles. This ruthless assailant has attacked and robbed 18 women over the past six weeks, leaving them battered and unconscious. With no solid leads and a city in fear, the pressure is on f...

In this intense and gripping episode of Dragnet , originally aired on June 10, 1949, Detective Sergeant Joe Friday (played by Jack Webb) and his partner Ben Romero are thrust into a tense investigation after two police officers are shot outside a seedy café in Los Angeles. As the detectives follow the trail of clues, they discover that a nickel-plated .44 caliber Smith & Wesson was used...

In the chilling final episode of "Crime Classics," titled "Good Evening, My Name Is Jack The Ripper," Thomas Hyland, the ever-intriguing connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, delves into one of history's most notorious unsolved mysteries. Set against the fog-shrouded streets of London in 1888, this episode revisits the terror that gripped the Whitechapel district as a r...

In this captivating episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-curious connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the chilling tale of "Ali Pasha, A Turkish Delight." Set within the opulent yet treacherous world of the Ottoman Empire, this episode unravels a story where power, betrayal, and murder are everyday affairs. The narrative focuses on Ali Pasha, a...

In this intriguing episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the astute connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, unravels the tale of "The Death of a Baltimore Birdie and Friend." Set against the backdrop of a sweltering summer night in August 1953, this episode delves into the dark and tangled world of a prizefighter whose life takes a sinister turn involving love and m...

In this compelling episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the insightful connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the chilling tale of "The Assassination of Leon Trotsky." This episode delves into the life and death of one of history’s most influential revolutionaries, Leon Trotsky, whose tumultuous journey from Russian exile to his final days in Mexico...

In this darkly intriguing episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-astute connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, recounts the bizarre and cunning story of "Mr. Jonathan Jewett: How He Most Peculiarly Cheated The Hangman." Set in an era when the gallows loomed large as the ultimate arbiter of justice, this tale delves into the mind of a man who dared to outwit...

In this gripping episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the distinguished connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, delves into the chilling tale of "The Lethal Habit of Marquise de Brinvilliers." Set in the opulent yet perilous world of 18th century France, this story uncovers the deadly hobbies of the Marquise Henri De Brinvilliers, a man of influence and lethal inte...

In this intriguing episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-curious connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, unravels the mystery of "Mr. Clarke’s Skeleton in Mr. Aram’s Closet: The Noise It Made." Set against the foggy backdrop of Yorkshire in 1758, this tale explores a murder long forgotten—until the discovery of a skeleton shakes the town a...

In this chilling episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the astute connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the darkly intriguing story of "Bunny Baumler: A Brush with Fame and Four Murders in a Beer Hall." Set in the bustling city of Nuremberg in 1820, this episode delves into the life of Bunny Baumler, a man who struggled with just about everything—ex...

In this intriguing episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the insightful connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the story of "Widow Magee and the Three Gypsies: A Vermont Fandango." Set in the picturesque yet unforgiving landscape of 1850 Vermont, this tale follows the enchanting Widow Magee, a woman whose beauty and charm captivate three wandering gypsies....

In this compelling episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the astute connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, narrates the chilling story of "Cesare Borgia: His Most Difficult Murder." Set in the heart of Rome in the year 1500, this tale dives deep into the sinister world of Cesare Borgia, one of history's most infamous figures. As Rome simmers with plots and counterp...

In this gripping episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the meticulous connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the harrowing tale of "James Evans Fireman: How He Extinguished a Human Torch." Set in the industrial city of Manchester, England, in the year 1826, this story combines elements of true love and horrifying violence. James Evans, a dedicated fireman,...

In this poignant episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-curious connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, brings to life a chilling tale of love and betrayal in Tsarist Russia. "The General’s Daughter: A Russian Tragedy in the Frozen Neva" is a story steeped in secrecy, passion, and the unforgiving cold of a Russian winter. Set in the opulent but dangero...

In this captivating episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-intriguing connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the dramatic story of "Robby Boy Balfour: How He Wrecked the Big Prison’s Reputation." Set against the austere backdrop of Scotland in 1707, this tale explores the life of Robby Boy Balfour, a man whose actions brought disgrace to a on...

In this fascinating episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the meticulous connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the chilling tale of "Old Six Toes: How He Stopped Construction on the BBC." Set in old India, where an old man and a young wife create a deadly mix, this story reveals a murder most foul. The episode takes listeners into the depths of a sinister...

In this riveting episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-insightful connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, brings us the chilling tale of "The Tiger and Brad Ferguson." Set against the rugged backdrop of New Hampshire in 1842, this story delves into the dark and mysterious events that led to a fatal confrontation. Brad Ferguson, an ordinary man, finds himsel...

In this intriguing episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the ever-curious connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, recounts the strange and eerie story of "Roger Nems: How He, Though Dead, Won the Game." Set during the reign of Charles II, this tale unfolds in the quiet countryside of Suffolk, England, in 1676. Roger Nems, an unsuspecting gentleman, finds himself in...

In this gripping episode of "Crime Classics," Thomas Hyland, the connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders, presents the harrowing tale of "The Good Ship Jane: Why She Became Flotsam." Set in the year 1821, this episode dives deep into the dark world of piracy and betrayal on the high seas. The Good Ship Jane was once a vessel of promise, sailing the vast oceans with a hopef...

In this chilling episode of "Crime Classics," titled "Jean Baptiste Troppmann: Killer of Many," Thomas Hyland takes us back to 1865 France, under the reign of Louis Napoleon, to unravel the dark and twisted tale of a young man driven by greed and ambition. Jean Baptiste Troppmann, though only a youth, harbors a sinister plan to secure fame and fortune through a series of brutal murders. The story...

In "The Incredible History of John Shepard," a fascinating episode of "Crime Classics" originally aired on February 3, 1954, listeners are drawn into the daring and cunning world of one of old England's most infamous criminals. John Shepard, a name that sent shivers down the spines of London's wealthy, was a master thief and escape artist whose exploits became the stuff of legend. This episode beg...

Step back into the early 19th century with "The Boorn Brothers and the Hangman: A Study in Nip and Tuck," a fascinating episode of "Crime Classics" that originally aired on January 27, 1954. Set in Rutland, Vermont, in 1817, this episode tells the strange and gripping tale of the Boorn brothers, whose lives took a dark turn that led them to the gallows. In this eerie and atmospheric story, a man i...

Step into the dark and foggy streets of 1857 Glasgow, Scotland, with this chilling episode of "Crime Classics" titled "Madeline Smith: Maid or Murderess, Which?" Originally aired on January 20, 1954, this episode dives into the true story of a young woman whose charm masked a deadly secret. Madeline Smith, a lovely and seemingly innocent lady, was more than just a member of Glasgow’s society...

Step into the ancient city of Rome with "Twenty-Three Knives Against Caesar," an episode from the classic radio series "Crime Classics," originally aired on February 10, 1954. This dramatic retelling of the infamous assassination of Julius Caesar takes a unique "Crime Classics" perspective on one of history's most notorious events. It’s the year 44 BC in Rome, where a conclave of toga-clad a...