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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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 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
  • EP3437: Man Called X: Professor Czorny Has Disappeared

    EP3437: Man Called X: Professor Czorny Has Disappeared
    Apr 28 2021
    A famed scientist has disappeared and a music box sent in the mail sends Ken Thurston beyond the Iron Curtain to Czechoslovakia. Original Air Date: November 3, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net 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…
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    32 mins
  • Man Called X: A Journey to Xenophon

    Man Called X: A Journey to Xenophon
    Jan 9 2026
    Original Release Date: April 21, 2021

    The Man Called X travels aboard a cattle boat to the Greek Island of Xenophon in hope of recovering stolen radioactive isotopes.

    Original Air Date: October 27, 1950

    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
    36 mins
  • Man Called X: One Way to Makassar

    Man Called X: One Way to Makassar
    Jan 2 2026
    Original Release Date: April 14, 2021

    The Man Called X travels to Indonesia to board a freighter in hopes of catching the head of an international espionage ring.

    October Air Date: October 20, 1950

    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
    34 mins
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