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
Listen for free

About this listen

 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: Red Messenger

    Man Called X: Red Messenger
    Jun 9 2021
    Original Release Date: June 9, 2021

    The Man Called X goes to Austraia to find out how the secerts of U.S. Atomic research is finding its hands into the hands of an enemy power.

    Original Air Date: December 16, 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
    35 mins
  • Man Called X: Pipeline for Peace

    Man Called X: Pipeline for Peace
    Feb 20 2026
    Original Release Date: June 2, 2021

    Ken goes to Beirut to stop weapons smuggiling that threatens to destablize the Middle East.

    Original AIr Date: December 9, 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: Dr. Alvarez's Laboratory

    Man Called X: Dr. Alvarez's Laboratory
    Feb 13 2026
    Original Release Date: May 26, 2021

    Ken travels to Guatamala where a newly developed airborne form of cholera has been stolen.

    Original Air Date: December 2, 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
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.