The Great Detectives Present the Man Called X (Old Time Radio) cover art

The Great Detectives Present the Man Called X (Old Time Radio)

The Great Detectives Present the Man Called X (Old Time Radio)

By: Adam Graham
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Summary

 Before there was James Bond, I Spy, or Danger Man, there was The Man Called X.

The Man Called X began during the latter part of World War II as the founding of the O.S.S. sparked public interest in espionage, spies, and secret missions. The series outlasted the war and starred Herbert Marshall as the Man Called X (aka Ken Thurston) traveling the world to troubleshoot threats to peace, the security of the U.S., and the world into the 1950s.

In his journeys, Thurston was joined by a criminal and conman Pegon Zellschmidt (Hans Conreid and then Leon Belasco) who would assist Thurston but also often would sell him out to the bad guys before eventually helping him in the end.

The series began as a summer replacement in 1944 over CBS and was picked up for 26 26-week run over the Blue Network (which later became ABC) in the fall of 1944. It was then brought back for summer runs over NBC in 1945 and 46, before landing back at CBS for a seventy-eight week run from 1947-48. After two years off the air, the series returned to NBC for its final two seasons where it aired along with the similar Dangerous Assignment. The concept was revived as a syndicated TV show starring Barry Sullivan in 1956.

Your host Adam Graham is your guide through all circulating episodes. This series originally aired as part of The Great Detectives of Old TIme Radio from 2020-2023Commentary Copyright 2020 Art Entertainment & Performing Arts
Episodes
  • Man Called X: Cargo Confidente

    Man Called X: Cargo Confidente
    May 15 2026
    Original Release Date: September 1, 2021

    The Man Called X travels to a dude ranch outside of Helena, Montana to uncover a plot to smuggle foreign agents into the U.S.

    Original Air Date: March 10, 1951

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

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

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

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

    Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Man Called X: Dope Smuggling

    Man Called X: Dope Smuggling
    May 9 2026
    Original Release Date: August 25, 2021

    When Pegon’s arrested for smuggling opium, he claims innocence. Ken goes to Guadalajara to find out who planted it on him.

    Original Air Date: March 3, 1951

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

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

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

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

    Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Man Called X: A Tiny Bit of Microfilm

    Man Called X: A Tiny Bit of Microfilm
    May 1 2026
    Original Release Date: August 18, 2021

    The Man Called X travels to Tehran to meet a contact on a plane who has details for the Soviet plans for Iran.

    Original Air Date February 24, 1951

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

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

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

    Give us a call at 208-991-4783

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

    Check out our social media at https://www.greatdetectives.net
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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