Adventures Of The Falcon, The (OTRR Certified)

[Robert]

In 1940, Michael Arlen created the character of GAY FALCON, also known simply as “THE FALCON”, in his short story, “Gay Falcon”, as a sort of freelance adventurer and troubleshooter, definitely on the hardboiled side, a man who made his living keeping his mouth shut and engaging in dangerous enterprises. 
 
And, like Boston Blackie, a long, lucrative and convoluted career in other media followed that single short story appearance, as The Falcon's occupation and even his name were changed from medium to medium. 
 
The Falcon was first brought to the screen in 1941, in a RKO film, as a replacement for its popular series of 'B' movies featuring Leslie Charteris' “The Saint”.  Except for the name change, at first it was pretty hard to tell the difference.  The Falcon was now a good-looking suave, sophisticated type, a sort of freelance gentleman adventurer.  Whatever the reason, the first film, 1941's “The Gay Falcon”, was successful enough to warrant a long string of sequels, three with George Sanders (who had previously played The Saint) in the lead, although now called GAY LAWRENCE and nine more with Sanders' real-life brother, Tom Conway, as the Falcon's brother, TOM LAWRENCE. 
 
Over the course of the RKO series, the Falcon gradually became more of your standard private eye.  The third Falcon movie, 1942's "The Falcon Takes Over", was the first filmed adaptation of Chandler's "Farewell, My Lovely", substituting The Falcon for Philip Marlowe.
 
The success of the movies led to a radio series that premiered on the NBC's Blue Network in April 1943, and aired for the next eleven years.  It was here that his transition into a private eye was finalized, with The Falcon, now named MICHAEL WARING working as a hardboiled investigator who was always ready with a hand for oppressed men and an eye for repressed ladies.

It aired on two different networks with many different days and time slots, but was always a 30-minute show.
 
Barry Kroeger was the first radio voice of The Falcon (1943), followed by James Meighan (1943-1947); Les Tremayne (1947-1950); Les Damon (1950-1952, on NBC) and finally by George Petrie (1953-1954, back on Mutual). 
 
Nearly all the shows were broadcast from New York.  New York was the scene, and the thugs were pretty tough. Each show usually started out with a telephone call to The Falcon from a beautiful woman.  Answering in his slightly British accent, he would turn her down and another adventure followed.  Waring was snappy an sarcastic with the police who were unable to solve the mysteries.  Like the films, the radio plots mixed danger romance and comedy in mostly equal parts. 
 
The Falcon had no serious love interest or even a catty secretary like other detectives put up with. He got rid of the love interest on the phone right at the beginning of the program. His methods were solid and serious, and the cops were usually several steps behind him on the chase. His lines were sharp and cutting. He had little patient with the police
 
Gem razorblades was the sponsor in the late 40's. In the Kraft period of 50-51, Ed Herlihy usually delivered the commercials.
 
A total of about 90 shows, representing the length of the radio run, are available today.
 
The series started on Saturday, April 10, 1943 at 7pm [EST] on the BLUE (NBC) network, starring Barry Kroeger (21 episodes). Then James Meighan held the starring role from September 1, 1943 to January 5, 1944 on Wednesdays at 7:05pm (19 episodes).

[Matt M]

Thanks. These are great-Matt

[Couch Potato]

Thank you Robert

[Riklaa]

Thanks Robert ---------------  Rick

[M Stewart]

Thanks for taking the time and *effort* to make all of these programs available.

++Mike