The Falcon, Vol. 1

The Falcon radio series aired from 1943 until 1954. “The Falcon” was an alternate identity for detective Michael Waring. Like the Falcon movies, the radio plots mixed danger, romance, and comedy in equal parts. Each show began with a telephone ringing and Michael Waring, the Falcon, answering the phone. Speaking with a woman whose voice was never heard, Waring would explain that he had an urgent situation he had to deal with. This led into the standard opening, followed by the week’s tale of adventure. Often, incompetent police were unable to solve the mysteries without his help.

Waring was billed on radio as a freelance detective who was “always ready with a hand for oppressed men and an eye for repressed women.” Berry Kroeger, James Meighan, Les Tremayne, Les Damon, and George Petrie portrayed “The Falcon” during its radio run.

The twelve episodes included here, which aired in 1950 and 1951, are “The Case of the Carved Ham,” “The Case of the Gangster’s Girl,” “The Case of the Mighty Muscle,” “The Case of the Invisible Thug,” “The Case of the Raw Deal,” “The Case of the Harried Husband,” “The Case of the Stooge’s Errand,” “The Case of the Puzzling Pinup,” “The Case of the Widow’s Gorilla,” “The Case of the Rich Racketeer,” “The Case of the Double Exposure,” and “The Case of the Disappearing Doll.”