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Mystery-detective drama · NBC Blue / CBS / NBC

Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons

October 12, 1937 – April 19, 1955 · 554 broadcasts

Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons is radio's most prolific detective -- and one of its most durable dramas, running some eighteen years and roughly 1,690 broadcasts from 1937 to 1955. Created by the serial-factory team of Frank and Anne Hummert and named for a 1906 Robert W. Chambers novel, it starred Bennett Kilpack as the grave, kindly "tracer of lost persons," with Jim Kelly as his comic Irish legman, Mike Clancy. In its early years Keen searched out the missing -- runaways, vanished husbands, people who had simply walked away from their lives. After the show became a weekly half-hour in November 1943, he turned increasingly to murder, and the surviving episodes are tidy, self-contained "Murder Case" puzzles solved in Kilpack's magisterial voice; Arthur Hughes and Phil Clarke later took the role. The program never aimed for great subtlety -- its plots lean on coincidence and its Clancy on broad ethnic comedy -- but its formula was so recognizable that it inspired radio's fondest parody, Bob and Ray's "Mr. Trace, Keener Than Most Persons." The theme, fittingly grand, was Noel Coward's "Someday I'll Find You."

Collection status: 63 of 554 held (11% complete)
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Episode Spine

Grouped by year. Jump to the full list below, or open a season on its own page.

1940

May 9, 1940 The Case of the Missing Doll Listen (MP3)
May 30, 1940 The Case of the Woman Who Wasn't Needed Listen (MP3)
June 5, 1940 The Case of the Woman Who Wasn't Needed Listen (MP3)
June 11, 1940 The Case of the Missing Doll Part 4

1941

April 17, 1941 The Case of the Young Husband Who Thought His Wife Failed Him Listen (MP3)
May 13, 1941 The Young Husband Who Thought His Wife Failed Him" "mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Perso Bs Kolynos Thursdays 7:30 - 8

1943

December 2, 1943 (untitled)
December 9, 1943 (untitled)
December 16, 1943 (untitled)
December 23, 1943 (untitled)
December 30, 1943 (untitled)

1944

January 6, 1944 The Case of the Moonless Night Listen (MP3)
January 13, 1944 The Case of the Missing Witness Listen (MP3)
January 20, 1944 The Case of the Girl Who Sang Too Well Listen (MP3)
January 27, 1944 Man Who Didn't Come Home
February 3, 1944 The Case of the Girl Who Flirted Listen (MP3)
February 10, 1944 The Case of the Boy Who Used Big Words Listen (MP3)
February 17, 1944 The Case of Mr. Treavor's Secret Listen (MP3)
February 24, 1944 The Case of Murder in the Air Listen (MP3)
March 2, 1944 Lady Who Didn't Want to Be Found
March 9, 1944 (untitled)
March 16, 1944 The Case of the Strange Display Listen (MP3)
March 23, 1944 Room That Vanished
March 30, 1944 (untitled)
April 6, 1944 (untitled)
April 13, 1944 The Case of the Leaping Dog Listen (MP3)
April 20, 1944 Little Black Book
April 27, 1944 (untitled)
May 4, 1944 (untitled)
May 11, 1944 (untitled)
May 18, 1944 (untitled)
May 25, 1944 (untitled)
June 1, 1944 (untitled)
June 8, 1944 (untitled)
June 15, 1944 The Case of the Woman in Blue Listen (MP3)
June 22, 1944 Hidden Motive
June 29, 1944 (untitled)
July 6, 1944 (untitled)
July 13, 1944 (untitled)
July 20, 1944 (untitled)
July 27, 1944 (untitled)
August 3, 1944 (untitled)
August 10, 1944 (untitled)
August 17, 1944 (untitled)
August 24, 1944 (untitled)
August 31, 1944 (untitled)
September 7, 1944 Voices from the Past
September 14, 1944 Siamese Cat
September 21, 1944 Painted Horse
September 28, 1944 Landlocked Sailor
October 5, 1944 Missing Motive
October 12, 1944 Man Who Sent Flowers
October 19, 1944 Jeweled Hat Pin
October 26, 1944 Marked Hand
November 2, 1944 Loaded Suitcase
November 9, 1944 Girl and the Lost Violin
November 16, 1944 The Case of the Frightened Child Listen (MP3)
November 23, 1944 Two Strange and Beautiful Sisters
November 30, 1944 Stone That Was Worth a Fortune
December 7, 1944 The Strange Case of the Guilty Woman
December 14, 1944 The Nightmare Murder Case Listen (MP3)
Keen's only lead to a vanished man is his daughter's uneasy dream tying her father to a killing.
December 21, 1944 Rainbow Butterfly
December 28, 1944 Man Who Wanted to Murder

1945

January 4, 1945 Guilty Conscience
January 11, 1945 Mr Keen Takes a Partner
January 18, 1945 Barber Shop Quartet
January 25, 1945 Death Train
February 1, 1945 Evil Spirit
February 8, 1945 Corpse That Talked
February 15, 1945 Man in the Tower
February 22, 1945 Music Box That Wouldn't Quit Playing
March 1, 1945 Cross-Eyed Cat
March 8, 1945 Hidden Voice
March 15, 1945 The Case of the Absent Minded Professor Listen (MP3)
A poisoning leaves a young woman a fortune -- and makes her the prime suspect.
March 22, 1945 Bloodstained Piece of Tin
March 29, 1945 Girl at the Switchboard
April 5, 1945 Walking Corpse
April 12, 1945 (untitled)
April 19, 1945 Dangerous Wedding
April 26, 1945 (untitled)
May 3, 1945 Man with the Scar
May 10, 1945 House on Washington Square
May 17, 1945 The Foot Light Murder Case
May 24, 1945 Black Sheep
May 31, 1945 Missing Shoes
June 7, 1945 Room 501
June 14, 1945 20,000 Alibis
June 21, 1945 Missing Spectacles
June 28, 1945 Lonely Road
July 5, 1945 Murder on the Beach
July 12, 1945 (untitled)
July 19, 1945 (untitled)
July 26, 1945 (untitled)
August 2, 1945 (untitled)
August 9, 1945 (untitled)
August 16, 1945 (untitled)
August 23, 1945 (untitled)
August 30, 1945 (untitled)
September 6, 1945 The Amazing Case of the Broadway Columnist
September 13, 1945 Murder by Candlelight
September 20, 1945 Necktie Murders
September 27, 1945 The Weird Case of the Girl Named Ethel
October 4, 1945 Smiling Corpse
October 11, 1945 Hidden Room
October 18, 1945 Perfect Murder
October 25, 1945 Jealous Sister
November 1, 1945 The Strange Case of Anna Norton
November 8, 1945 Man with the Twisted Mouth
November 15, 1945 Missing Bridegroom
November 22, 1945 Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze
November 29, 1945 The Strange Case of Charley Lorimer Listen (MP3)
A woman turns to Keen after both her fiance and a former sweetheart drop out of sight.
December 6, 1945 The Ballet Murder Case
December 13, 1945 The Weird Case of the Tolling Bell
December 20, 1945 Man Who Confessed
December 27, 1945 Forecast of Death

1946

January 3, 1946 The Sinister Case of the Talking Bird
January 10, 1946 Disappearing Corpse
January 17, 1946 The Strange Case of the Sound of Death
January 24, 1946 The Strange Case of the Bald Headed Man
January 31, 1946 Lonely Road
February 7, 1946 Murdered Bride
February 14, 1946 The Strange Case of Nancy Rodgers
February 21, 1946 The Amazing Case of the Shrunken Head
February 28, 1946 Scarborough Murders
March 7, 1946 Golden Palm
March 14, 1946 Twisted Ring
March 21, 1946 Candid Cameraman
March 28, 1946 Blackstone Mansion
April 4, 1946 Poisoned Quill
April 11, 1946 Talking Mummy
April 18, 1946 Runaway Horse
April 25, 1946 The Sinister Case of the Wandering Singer
May 2, 1946 Sea Cove Strangler
May 9, 1946 Fabulous Necklace
May 16, 1946 Death in the Park
May 23, 1946 The Case of the Glamorous Widow Listen (MP3)
A secretary begs Keen to find who killed her employer, a young, wealthy, glamorous widow.
May 30, 1946 Golden Scorpion
June 6, 1946 House of Death
June 13, 1946 The Tragic Case of the Chiming Watch
June 20, 1946 Unfinished Portrait
June 27, 1946 Stuffed Kangaroo
July 4, 1946 Whimpering Dog
July 11, 1946 Phantom Killer
July 18, 1946 Scar-Faced Stoker
July 25, 1946 The Weird Case of the Roaring Lion
August 1, 1946 Straw-Hat Murder
August 8, 1946 Fatal Ruby
August 15, 1946 Sinister Room
August 22, 1946 Mapleton Murder
August 29, 1946 Prelude to Death
September 5, 1946 Pinpoint Murder
September 12, 1946 Yellow Envelope
September 19, 1946 Leaping Shark
September 26, 1946 Great Montclair
October 3, 1946 Vanishing Strangler
October 10, 1946 Man Who Repented
October 17, 1946 The Sedan Murder Case
October 24, 1946 Crowded Cemetery
October 31, 1946 (untitled)
November 7, 1946 Corpse Who Struck Back
November 14, 1946 White Carnation Murder
November 21, 1946 Bloodstained Calendar
November 28, 1946 Murder Mansion
December 5, 1946 Missing Teacup
December 12, 1946 Wife Who Dreamed of Murder
December 19, 1946 Lead-Lined Capsule
December 26, 1946 Murder and the Double Mystery

1947

January 2, 1947 Telephone That Would Not Stop Ringing
January 9, 1947 Goat Woman
January 16, 1947 Walking Death
January 23, 1947 Phantom Bugler
January 30, 1947 The Good Samaritan Murder Case
February 6, 1947 Velvet Park Jewel Murder
February 13, 1947 Ghost of Anita Marlowe
February 20, 1947 The Weird Case of the Glass-Topped Coffin
February 27, 1947 The Weird Case of the Gulf Stream Horror
March 6, 1947 The Enoch Arden Murder Case
March 13, 1947 Hidden Corpse
March 20, 1947 The Weird Case of William Hunter
March 27, 1947 Bloodstained Bookmark
April 3, 1947 Jealous Husband
April 10, 1947 Faded Sapphire
April 17, 1947 The Terrifying Case of the Riderless Horse
April 24, 1947 The Terrifying Case of the Unhappy Bridegroom
May 1, 1947 Man Who Was Killed Twice
May 8, 1947 Living Dead
May 15, 1947 Beckoning Voices
May 22, 1947 Murder and the Mental Marvel
May 29, 1947 Bargain for Murder
June 5, 1947 Flower of Death
June 12, 1947 Iron Lady
June 19, 1947 Poisoned Glass
June 26, 1947 Park Drive Murders
August 28, 1947 Man Who Traveled with Death
September 4, 1947 Hat Pin Murders
September 11, 1947 The Auction Sale Murder Case
September 18, 1947 Perpetual Widow
September 25, 1947 The Spiny Ridge Murder Case
October 2, 1947 Bloodstained Nail File
October 9, 1947 The Sinister Case of the Yellow Roses
October 16, 1947 Talking Corpse
October 23, 1947 Appointment with Death
October 30, 1947 Teletype Murder
November 6, 1947 The Crossword Murder Case
November 13, 1947 Bulletproof Vest
November 20, 1947 Poisoned Well
November 27, 1947 The Ferryboat Murder Case
December 4, 1947 (untitled)
December 11, 1947 Murdered Author
December 18, 1947 Spider Killer
December 25, 1947 The Strange Case of the Christmas Bells

1948

January 1, 1948 Tin Pan Alley Killing
January 8, 1948 Broken Glass
January 15, 1948 Man Who Was Buried
January 22, 1948 Frozen Body Murder
January 29, 1948 Creeping Death
February 5, 1948 The Double Death Murder Case
February 12, 1948 The Weird Case of Death and the Shoplifter
February 19, 1948 Vanishing Murderer
February 26, 1948 Dripping Candlestick
March 4, 1948 Picture of Death
March 11, 1948 Secret Murder
March 18, 1948 Terror Over the Phone
March 25, 1948 Emerald of Death
April 1, 1948 Death Train
April 8, 1948 Deadly Perfume
April 15, 1948 Broken Mirror
April 22, 1948 Murder and the Sharp Scissors
April 29, 1948 Rehearsal of Death
May 6, 1948 Motion Picture Murder
May 13, 1948 Murder on a May Afternoon
May 20, 1948 Letter of Death
May 27, 1948 Elephant Gun Murder
June 3, 1948 Murder in Room Three Twenty Seven
June 10, 1948 Omen of Death
June 17, 1948 Murder Monster
June 24, 1948 Murder in the House of Horrors
July 1, 1948 Prophecy of Death
July 8, 1948 Murder in the Zoo
July 15, 1948 Death and the Weird Music
July 22, 1948 Murder, Old and New
July 29, 1948 Death on Coral Beach
August 5, 1948 Figure of Death
August 12, 1948 The Engagement Party Murder
August 19, 1948 Lingering Death
August 26, 1948 The Most Amazing Case of Murder
September 2, 1948 The Tomcat Murder Case
September 9, 1948 The Signet Ring Murder Case
September 16, 1948 Murder on a Moonlight Cruise
September 23, 1948 Strange Death of Stuart Blair
September 30, 1948 The Black Slipper Murder Case
October 7, 1948 Murder at 60 Miles an Hour
October 14, 1948 The Brocade Chair Murder Case
October 21, 1948 Murder in the Air
October 28, 1948 The Identical Twins Murder Case Listen (MP3)
November 4, 1948 The Howling Dog Murder Case
November 11, 1948 The Fashion Show Murder Case
November 18, 1948 Murder Meets the Train
November 25, 1948 Amazing Death of Cyrus Wake
December 2, 1948 Package of Death
December 9, 1948 Invisible Murder
December 16, 1948 Arrow of Death
December 23, 1948 Murder Evidence from the Dead
December 30, 1948 The Blue Dust Murder Case

1949

January 6, 1949 Raffle of Death
January 13, 1949 Murdered Bridegroom
January 20, 1949 The Beautiful Showgirl Murder Case
January 27, 1949 Murder on the High Seas
February 3, 1949 Murder on the Dance Floor
February 10, 1949 Murder on Phantom Beach
February 17, 1949 Murder at Dawn (vigil of Death)
February 24, 1949 Murdered Heiress
March 3, 1949 Murder and the Strange Woman
March 10, 1949 Murder Calendar
March 17, 1949 Amazing Clue to Murder (murder in the Dark)
March 24, 1949 Murder and the Suspicious Wife
March 31, 1949 The Mirror Murder Case
April 7, 1949 The Ace of Spades Murder Case
April 14, 1949 The Poison Pen Murder Case
April 21, 1949 The Birthday Party Murder Case
April 28, 1949 The Deserted House Murder Case
May 5, 1949 Murder Comes to Supper
May 12, 1949 The Beauty Salon Murder Case
May 19, 1949 Murder on Edgewood Lake
May 26, 1949 The Green Stocking Murder Case
June 2, 1949 Wife Who Confessed Murder
June 9, 1949 The Case of Murder and the Star of Death Listen (MP3)
Keen hunts the thief who lifted a fabled gem and left its owner dead.
June 16, 1949 The African Blowgun Murder Case
June 23, 1949 Murder and the Policeman's Wife
June 30, 1949 Murder on the Boardwalk
July 7, 1949 The Silver Locket Murder Case
July 14, 1949 The Perfect Place for Murder
July 21, 1949 Murder and the Bolted Room
July 28, 1949 The Society Murder Case
August 4, 1949 Murder and the Picnic in the Country
August 11, 1949 The Yellow Rose Murder Case
August 18, 1949 The Sleep Walker Murder Case
August 25, 1949 Telephone That Would Not Stop Ringing
September 1, 1949 Million Dollar Murder
September 8, 1949 Unmarried Husband
September 15, 1949 The Case of Murder and the Bloodstained Necklace Listen (MP3)
A rich widow is found slain, gripping a strand of cheap imitation pearls no one can explain.
September 22, 1949 The Yellow Tallon Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A brother asks Keen to explain his sister's death, whose one grim clue points to a great bird's talon.
September 29, 1949 The Case of Murder with a Thousand Witnesses Listen (MP3)
A fair-day pie judge collapses, poisoned, after tasting his own wife's entry before a crowd.
October 6, 1949 The Case of the Man Who Invented Death Listen (MP3)
An eccentric inventor chasing a way to turn base metal into gold is found murdered.
October 13, 1949 The Silver Dagger Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A wealthy woman is stabbed to death with a silver dagger, and Keen traces the blade.
October 20, 1949 The Martin Street Murder Case
October 27, 1949 The Case of the Ruthless Murderers Listen (MP3)
The businessman whose testimony once sent a man to prison is killed, and Keen looks for the score-settler.
November 3, 1949 The Forgotten Cave Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A treasure hunter seeks Keen after his partner is murdered deep inside the cave they were searching.
November 10, 1949 The Engaged Girl Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A rich man's sister is murdered soon after quarreling with his bride-to-be.
November 17, 1949 The Concrete Cellar Murder Case
November 24, 1949 The Crown of Doom Murder Case
December 1, 1949 The Masquerade Ball Murder Case
December 8, 1949 Sign of Death
December 15, 1949 The Chinchilla Coat Murder Case
December 22, 1949 Three Fingered Murderer
December 29, 1949 The Octopus Murder Case

1950

January 5, 1950 The Case of the Rushville Murder Listen (MP3)
A psychiatrist's married daughter is killed just after he warns her an escaped, vengeful patient is loose.
January 12, 1950 Murder on the Sightseeing Bus
January 19, 1950 Bride and Groom Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A bride barely a week married is murdered on her honeymoon, and Keen probes the new husband.
January 26, 1950 The Telephone Book Murder Case Listen (MP3)
Keen investigates the killing of a man who never reached the bachelors' party he was bound for.
February 2, 1950 The Weeping Willow Murder Case
February 9, 1950 The Case of Murder and the Jewel Thief Listen (MP3)
A celebrated jewel thief going straight calls Keen for help -- and is dead before he can say why.
February 16, 1950 Two Faced Murderer Listen (MP3)
A wife swears she saw her husband's old rival at the window; hours later the husband is dead.
February 23, 1950 The Tealeaf Murder Case Listen (MP3)
March 2, 1950 The Haunted House Murder Case
March 9, 1950 The Case of the Melody of Murder Listen (MP3)
A young man asks Keen to look into the strangling of his sister, a promising concert pianist.
March 16, 1950 The Innocent Flirtation Murder Case Listen (MP3)
After a jealous husband challenges a noted architect over his wife, the architect turns up murdered.
March 23, 1950 The Yellow Parrot Murder Case
March 30, 1950 The Fashion Model Murder Case
April 6, 1950 The Case of the Murdered Detective Listen (MP3)
A police-detective friend of Keen and Clancy is killed while working a charity-theft case.
April 13, 1950 The Eccentric Millionaire Murder Case Listen (MP3)
Keen investigates the murder of a reclusive millionaire and the household that stood to gain.
April 20, 1950 The Country Club Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A wealthy heiress is murdered at her country club, and Keen sifts the members' secrets.
April 27, 1950 The Case of the Woman Who Married a Murderer Listen (MP3)
A frightened wife comes to Keen convinced her husband killed the old boyfriend she left behind.
May 4, 1950 The King Cobra Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A woman dies of a cobra's bite aboard a cruise ship, and Keen asks how the snake got there.
May 11, 1950 The Case of Murder and the Missing Car Listen (MP3)
A rich man's car vanishes and returns with the body of his daughter's suitor in the back seat.
May 18, 1950 Missing Countess
May 25, 1950 The Broken Window Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A wealthy man is murdered at home by an intruder who came in through a broken window.
June 1, 1950 The Quicksand Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A woman begs her sister to fetch her from a newly rented house, then vanishes before the sister arrives.
June 8, 1950 The Quicksand Murder Case
June 15, 1950 The Skull and Crossbones Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A wealthy man is poisoned at his own dinner table, and Keen reads the warning that came before.
June 22, 1950 The Diamond Mine Murder Case
June 29, 1950 The Dance Hall Murder Case
July 6, 1950 Murder and the Missing Clue
July 13, 1950 The Ice Cube Murder Case
July 20, 1950 Murder in the Old Curiosity Shop
July 27, 1950 Murder on a Foggy Night
August 3, 1950 The Silver Wedding Murder Case
August 10, 1950 Model for Murder
August 17, 1950 The Emerald Necklace Murder Case
August 24, 1950 Murder and the Howling Ghost
August 31, 1950 Murder and the Sacred Tiger
September 7, 1950 The Lighthouse Murder Case
September 14, 1950 The Silver Treasure Murder Case
September 21, 1950 Murder in the Elevator
September 28, 1950 The Swiss Clock Murder Case
October 5, 1950 Murder and the Phantom Voice
October 12, 1950 The Hitchhiker Murder Case
October 19, 1950 The Beautiful Dancer Murder Case
October 26, 1950 Man Who Wanted to Murder
November 2, 1950 The Lonely Acres Murder Case
November 9, 1950 The One-Legged Man Murder Case
November 16, 1950 The Gorilla Murder Case
November 23, 1950 The Music Box Murder Case
November 30, 1950 The Eight Million Dollar Murder Case
December 7, 1950 Redheaded Murderer
December 14, 1950 The Powder Puff Murder Case
December 21, 1950 Murder and the Voodoo Doll
December 28, 1950 Murder and the Poisoned Towel

1951

January 4, 1951 The Homing Pigeon Murder Case
January 11, 1951 Murder and the Thousand Dollar Bill
January 18, 1951 The Rich Sister-Poor Sister Murder Case
January 25, 1951 The Nylon Stocking Murder Case
February 1, 1951 The Diamond Necklace Murder Case
February 8, 1951 The Grandmother's Warning Murder Case
February 15, 1951 The Deep Well Murder Case
February 22, 1951 Murder and the Gypsy Palm Reader
March 1, 1951 The Wristwatch Murder Case
March 8, 1951 The Yellow Monster Murder Case
March 15, 1951 The Checkerboard Murder Case
March 22, 1951 The Airport Murder Case Listen (MP3)
Keen investigates a man shot dead in an airport phone booth.
March 29, 1951 Murder and the One-Eyed Man
April 5, 1951 The Alarm Clock Murder Case
April 12, 1951 The River Warehouse Murder Case
April 19, 1951 The Matinee Idol Murder Case
April 26, 1951 The Missing Wife Murder Case
May 3, 1951 The Duck Pond Murder Case
May 10, 1951 The Typewriter Murder Case
May 17, 1951 The Dance Hall Murder Case
May 24, 1951 The Hotel Carling Murder Case
May 31, 1951 The Bonfire Murder Case
June 7, 1951 The Locked Room Murder Case
June 14, 1951 The Candid Camera Murder Case
June 21, 1951 The Hidden Body Murder Case
June 28, 1951 The Swimming Pool Murder Case
July 5, 1951 The Dummy Key Murder Case
July 12, 1951 The Poison Pen Murder Case
July 20, 1951 The Case of Murder and the Strange Woman Listen (MP3)
When a young crooner is murdered, suspicion settles on an obsessed fan.
July 27, 1951 The Photograph Album Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A young actress is murdered on her walk home, and an old photo album holds the key.
August 3, 1951 The Strange Murder of Carrie Ellis Listen (MP3)
A dazed woman comes to Keen confessing she killed someone -- but cannot say why.
August 10, 1951 The Abandoned Well Murder Case Listen (MP3)
Keen investigates after a wealthy man's body is found at the bottom of an abandoned well.
August 17, 1951 The Poisoned Sandwich Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A law student calls for help, but Keen and Clancy arrive to find him dead of a poisoned sandwich.
August 24, 1951 The Fire Escape Murder Case
August 31, 1951 The Rose Garden Murder Case
September 6, 1951 The Murder and the Sleep Walker
September 13, 1951 The Surprise Motive Murder Case
September 20, 1951 The Guilty Conscience Murder Case
September 27, 1951 The Cat's Milk Murder Case
October 4, 1951 The Country Club Murder Case
October 11, 1951 The Fantastic Murder of Peter Nash
October 18, 1951 The Rich Young Widow Murder Case
October 25, 1951 Murder with Style
November 1, 1951 The Phone Call Murder Case
November 8, 1951 Murder on a Lonely Street
November 15, 1951 The Deceived Woman Murder Case
November 22, 1951 The Strange Caller Murder Case
November 29, 1951 The House of Hate Murder Case
December 6, 1951 Murder at a Mile a Minute Listen (MP3)
A wealthy man is gunned down by a motorcyclist roaring past at speed.
December 13, 1951 The Famous Actress Murder Case
December 20, 1951 The Footprints of Terror Murder Case
December 27, 1951 Murder in the Snow

1952

January 3, 1952 The Open Window Murder Case
January 10, 1952 The Beautiful Twins Murder Case
January 17, 1952 The Alcoholic Bride Murder Case
January 24, 1952 The Evil Husband Murder Case
January 31, 1952 The Frightened Husband Murder Case
February 7, 1952 The Lake in the Park Murder Case
February 14, 1952 The Happy Couple Murder Case
February 21, 1952 Murder and the Girl in the Pink Cape
February 28, 1952 The Box Office Murder Case
March 6, 1952 The Honeymoon Cottage Murder Case
March 13, 1952 The Silver Candlestick Murder Case Listen (MP3)
An actor-model takes a house-call job, thinks better of it, and is killed with a silver candlestick.
March 20, 1952 The House on the Cliff Murder Case
March 27, 1952 Murdered Bridegroom
April 3, 1952 The Rented Cottage Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A man is murdered soon after closing a suspiciously cheap deal to rent a cottage.
April 10, 1952 The Mother's Plea Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A wife confronting her husband's mistress becomes the suspect when the mistress is killed, and asks Keen to clear her.
April 17, 1952 The Apple Orchard Murder Case
April 24, 1952 The Tunnel of Love Murder Case
May 1, 1952 Murder and the Broadway Star (show Is Back on Cbs from This Point On)
May 8, 1952 The Lonesome Road Murder Case
May 15, 1952 The Fortune Teller Murder Case
May 22, 1952 The Lost Letter Murder Case
May 29, 1952 The Red Candle Murder Case
June 5, 1952 The Swimming Pool Murder Case
June 12, 1952 The Wedding Anniversary Murder Case
June 19, 1952 The Sleeping Woman Murder Case
June 26, 1952 Man Who Expected Murder
July 3, 1952 The Cliff Side Murder Case
July 10, 1952 The Howling Dog Murder Case
July 17, 1952 The Snake Bite Murder Case
July 24, 1952 The Man Who Lived Danger
July 31, 1952 The Garden Party Murder Case
August 7, 1952 The Night of Terror Murder Case
August 14, 1952 The Dinner Guest Murder Case
August 21, 1952 The Beautiful Swimming Star Murder Case
August 28, 1952 (untitled)
September 4, 1952 The Famous Author Murder Case
September 11, 1952 The Yellow Scarf Murder Case
September 18, 1952 The Greek Vase Murder Case
September 25, 1952 The Top Hat Murder Case
October 3, 1952 Murder and the Emerald Snuffbox
October 10, 1952 Voice of Murder
October 17, 1952 Murder and the Bald Headed Man
October 24, 1952 The Gossip Column Murder Case Listen (MP3)
A gossip columnist is murdered on the air, moments before airing a damaging item.
October 31, 1952 Murder and the Sealed Box Mystery
November 7, 1952 Murder and the Prize-Winning Bull Listen (MP3)
A farmer's prize bull is slaughtered, and soon the farmer himself is murdered.
November 14, 1952 The Skull and Crossbones Murder Case
November 21, 1952 Murder and the Magician
November 28, 1952 The Monkey Mask Murder Case
December 5, 1952 Murder and the Girl in a Trance
December 12, 1952 The Sharpshooter Murder Case
December 19, 1952 The Skating Rink Murder Case
December 26, 1952 The Sister-In-Law Murder Case

1953

January 2, 1953 The Triple Warning Murder Case
January 2, 1953 Murder and the Clawing Hand
January 9, 1953 The Footprint Murder Case
January 16, 1953 The Snowman Murder Case
January 23, 1953 Murder and the Pretty Young Actress
January 30, 1953 The South American Poison Murder Case
February 13, 1953 The Hidden Fortune Murder Case
February 20, 1953 The S. O. S. Murder Case
February 27, 1953 Murder and the Haunted Farm
March 6, 1953 The Jealous Father Murder Case
March 13, 1953 The Platinum Blonde Murder Case
March 20, 1953 The Fish Market Murder Case
March 27, 1953 Murder and the Girl at the Piano
April 3, 1953 The Black Feather Murder Case
April 10, 1953 The Gift Package Murder Case
April 17, 1953 The Wax Doll Murder Case
April 24, 1953 Murder on the Fifteenth Floor
May 1, 1953 Murder and the Glittering Eye
May 8, 1953 Murder and the Disappearing Dagger
May 15, 1953 The Green Ghost Murder Case
May 22, 1953 The Surprise Party Murder Case
May 29, 1953 Murder and the Handsomest Man
June 5, 1953 Murder and the Jack-In-The-Box
June 12, 1953 The Bow and Arrow Murder Case
June 19, 1953 The Borrowed Money Murder Case
June 26, 1953 Murder and the Bullfighter's Sword
July 3, 1953 The Piggy Bank Murder Case
July 10, 1953 Murder and the Giant Shadow
July 17, 1953 Murder on Skeleton Beach
July 24, 1953 The Ghost Wife Murder Case
July 31, 1953 The Hall of Mirrors Murder Case
August 7, 1953 The Final Warning Murder Case
August 14, 1953 The Strange Clue Murder Case
August 21, 1953 Murder and the Capsule of Death
August 28, 1953 The Poison Pen Letter Murder Case
September 4, 1953 Murder and the Limping Man
September 11, 1953 The Hat Pin Murder Case
September 18, 1953 Murder and the Haunted Room
September 25, 1953 Murder and the Green-Eyed Monster
October 2, 1953 The Unpaid Alimony Murder Case
October 9, 1953 The Beautiful Widow Murder Case
October 16, 1953 The Scandal-Monger Murder Case
October 23, 1953 The Jealous Rival Murder Case
October 30, 1953 Murder and the Girl Who Couldn't Talk
November 6, 1953 The Death Bargain Murder Case
November 13, 1953 Murder and the Face at the Window
November 20, 1953 The Fifty Thousand Dollar Reward Murder Case
November 27, 1953 The Jungle Knife Murder Case
December 4, 1953 The Career Girl Murder Case
December 11, 1953 Murder and the Broken Promise
December 18, 1953 The Shoplifter Murder Case
December 25, 1953 Missing Witness

1954

January 1, 1954 Murder and the Fabulous Gift
January 8, 1954 Murder and the Grieving Cat
January 15, 1954 The Forbidding House Murder Case
January 22, 1954 Murder and the Killer with Purple Hands
January 29, 1954 The Wooden Tombstone Murder Case
February 5, 1954 The Firebug Murder Case
February 12, 1954 Murder and the Runaway Suspect
February 19, 1954 Murder and the Handwriting on the Wall
February 26, 1954 The Birthday Gift Murder Case
March 5, 1954 The Paris Model Murder Case
March 12, 1954 Murder by Moonlight
March 19, 1954 Murder and the Dead Man's Secret
March 26, 1954 Murder and the Woman with Tangled Hair
April 2, 1954 Murder on Horror Hill
April 9, 1954 Murder and the Leopard That Changed His Spots
April 16, 1954 The Black Cloak Murder Case
April 23, 1954 The Knife-Thrower Murder Case
April 30, 1954 The Death Rattle Murder Case
May 7, 1954 The Million Dollar Murder Case
May 14, 1954 The Cannibal Plant Murder Case
May 21, 1954 Murder by Remote Control
May 28, 1954 Murder and the Tattooed Arm
June 4, 1954 Murder and the Ivory Monkey
June 11, 1954 The Theatrical Star Murder Case
June 18, 1954 Murder and the Sultan's Dagger
June 21, 1954 Shrieking Prisoner Murder Case Part 1 Listen (MP3)
A woman asks Keen to find who killed her husband at his eccentric aunts' house, where a scream and a gunshot hint at a captive. (Shrieking Prisoner serial, opening)
June 23, 1954 Shrieking Prisoner Murder Case Part 3 Listen (MP3)
Keen and Clancy press deeper into the strange household and the secret behind the shrieking. (Shrieking Prisoner serial)
June 24, 1954 Shrieking Prisoner Murder Case Part 4 Listen (MP3)
A relative does all she can to obstruct Keen's investigation of the household murder. (Shrieking Prisoner serial)
June 25, 1954 Shrieking Prisoner Murder Case Part 5 Listen (MP3)
Keen breaks past the obstruction to name the killer behind the shrieking prisoner. (Shrieking Prisoner serial, conclusion)

1955

February 22, 1955 The Case of Murder and the Revengeful Ghost Listen (MP3)
A woman asks Keen to investigate her fiance's death, which she blames on his late wife's vengeful ghost.
The Story

Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons is radio's most prolific detective -- and one of its most durable dramas, running some eighteen years and roughly 1,690 broadcasts from 1937 to 1955. Created by the serial-factory team of Frank and Anne Hummert and named for a 1906 Robert W. Chambers novel, it starred Bennett Kilpack as the grave, kindly "tracer of lost persons," with Jim Kelly as his comic Irish legman, Mike Clancy. In its early years Keen searched out the missing -- runaways, vanished husbands, people who had simply walked away from their lives. After the show became a weekly half-hour in November 1943, he turned increasingly to murder, and the surviving episodes are tidy, self-contained "Murder Case" puzzles solved in Kilpack's magisterial voice; Arthur Hughes and Phil Clarke later took the role. The program never aimed for great subtlety -- its plots lean on coincidence and its Clancy on broad ethnic comedy -- but its formula was so recognizable that it inspired radio's fondest parody, Bob and Ray's "Mr. Trace, Keener Than Most Persons." The theme, fittingly grand, was Noel Coward's "Someday I'll Find You."

Full story — coming soon while it's being curated.
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