Mathew Slade Presented by the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio cover art

Mathew Slade Presented by the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Mathew Slade Presented by the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

By: Adam Graham
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About this listen

 The Golden Age of Radio is usually viewed as having concluded on September 30, 1962. Yet the meaning of the date is often overstated. It marked the cancellation of the last two remaining network radio shows, Suspense and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

However, it is often misstated as "the day radio drama died." Radio drama never went away entirely, even in the United States.The only American detective show launched during the 1960s was The Starlight Mystery Theater, featuring Mathew Slade (often spelled with the more common "Matthew" Slade). It aired over the small Pacifica Radio Network on a bi-weekly basis, with a feature-length opener, Day of the Phoenix, which was based on an unfilmed screenplay.

The series was based on a Canadian radio series that aired from 1957-1960. The creative team had high hopes of testing out Slade radio scripts and expanding them into film or even a television series, with Slade as an international troubleshooter, to cash in on the popularity of the James Bond franchise. None of these came to fruition.

However, an eleven-episode run over the Pacifica radio network was resyndicated further as a thirteen-episode offering by breaking the featuring length first episode into a three-part story. The series was syndicated by the American Forces Network, specifically the Far East Network of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, among others.

The series starred up-and-coming actor William Wintersole as Slade, Norman Belkin as Sergeant Sid Dinelli, and Sylvia Walden as his secretary, Jonesy. In many ways, the series was quite similar to programs of a decade previously, with typical private investigator fare. The series is often viewed as an homage to the earlier programs.Copyright Adam Graham Art Entertainment & Performing Arts
Episodes
  • Mathew Slade: Who Killed My Penpal?

    Mathew Slade: Who Killed My Penpal?
    Mar 11 2025
    Today's Mystery: Slade goes to Los Angeles to find out what happened to the penpal of an eccentric millionaire.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 22, 1964

    Originating from Hollywood

    Starring: William Wintersole as Mathew Slade; Sylvia Walden as Jonesy; Norman Belkin as Sid Dinelli

    Aired as Starlight Mystery Theater. Also known as Matthew Slade, Private Investigator.

    Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Paul, Patreon supporter since May 2024.

    Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

    Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

    Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Mathew Slade: Passage to Tangiers

    Mathew Slade: Passage to Tangiers
    Mar 4 2025
    Today's Mystery: Matt takes an assignment from two fantastic characters in Morocco to hunt a fantastic treasure.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 8, 1964

    Originating in Hollywood

    Starring: William Wintersole as Mathew Slade

    Aired as Starlight Mystery Theater. Also known as Matthew Slade, Private Investigator.

    Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Doc, Patreon supporter since February 2016

    Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

    Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

    Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Mathew Slade: The Secret Grey Man

    Mathew Slade: The Secret Grey Man
    Feb 25 2025
    Today's Mystery: Slade finds himself at Morro Bay in a mystery involving an old army buddy who is a secret agent.

    Original Radio Broadcast Date: October 25, 1964

    Originating in Hollywood

    Starring: William Wintersole as Mathew Slade

    Aired as Starlight Mystery Theater. Also known as Matthew Slade, Private Investigator.

    Support the show monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net

    Patreon Supporter of the Day: Shawn, Patreon supporter since June 2021.

    Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

    Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

    Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

    Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

    Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins

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