The Fat Man - "The Nightmare Murders" 01/17/51 (HQ) Old Time Radio/Detective

The Fat Man, a popular radio show during the 1940s and early 1950s was a detective drama based on characters by Dashiell Hammett. It starred J. Scott Smart in the title role, as a detective who started out anonymous but rapidly acquired the name 'Brad Runyon'.
Broadcast from the studios of WJZ in Newark, New Jersey, the series premiered on the ABC Radio Network on Monday, January 21, 1946, at 8:30pm, as part of a block of four new programs (I Deal in Crime, Forever Tops, and Jimmy Gleason's Diner). Based on Dashiell Hammett's fiction, The Fat Man was further developed by producer, E.J. ("Mannie") Rosenberg. The program was directed by Clark Andrews, creator of Big Town, and Charles Powers. The main writer was Richard Ellington, with other scripts by Robert Sloane and Lawrence Klee.
Program: The Fat Man w/J. Scott Smart
Title: The Nightmare Murders
Date: 01-17-1951
Sponsor: Buick
Network: ABC
Note: This old time radio show is in the public domain* and from my personal collection and can be used for historical, educational, and entertainment purposes.
*We have checked with the Library of Congress regarding the status of old time radio recordings made prior to 1978 and that all such recordings are generally in the public domain, as sound recordings were not allowed under the previous copyright law and such recordings have not been granted copyright status under the new laws.

[@davidsigalow7349]

These shows are very good, and this particular episode was excellent.

[@Suebarrows50]

Jack Smart was my uncle. I wish I could have met him... what a talent! Thank you for remembering him.

[@vestibulate]

Sue Barrows I understand he was an accomplished painter. Do you have any of his canvases?

[@michaelklein5242]

Wow, that's great! I really enoy him in this series and really like the movie version he did for Universal-International (with a very young Rock Hudson!). Makes me wish they did more--he was great!

[@AntaresSelket]

This was a terrific show. I have several OTR, but I listen to them so often, I practically know them all by heart. So, I am glad to find shows I haven't heard on your channel. Thank you.

[@venetianortrup8693]

Old radio shows are Great house work companions

[@waterschannel7987]

Another winner, thanks for making these classics available. They are habit forming.

[@uslines]

One of my favorite shamus characters. Great radio voice and fantastic theme music.....as fat as the man himself.

[@wilde4445]

I certainly do not miss TV! Thank you.

[@scottleft3672]

yes....ive not watched it since analog died.....

[@walterwheeler5465]

A very good episode of "The Fat Man" with J. Scott Smart. If interested, a 1951 movie was released staring J. Scott Smart as "The Fat Man." It did not result in a movie sequel or series probably because of the change in the movie studios and the rapid development of television.

[@michaelklein5242]

It's a neat film, and one directed by the legendary showman, William Castle!

[@betsya7054]

This was excellent. Ty

[@bodegabreath4258]

Love it. Evokes a vanished age that is undoubtedly far more appealing in the mind’s 👁 than it would have been in fact. Would love to hear more. TYVM.

[@cobb6609]

Good Show. Load some more. And Thanks.

[@rtblues]

Cool channel. The Australian version of The Fat Man is very good as well, in fact I somehow like a little more than the USA version. Great work here, thanks,,,,

[@jbarsinister]

evidently there was an Australian version of this show. you tube has a tv show that was the pilot for a failed series, that starred J Scott Smart (also known as the voice).

[@ceceliabarker2763]

Thank you.

[@Hotshotter3000]

I love how he constantly mentions food analogies in this. It's like they HAVE to keep talking about how fat he is.

[@walterwheeler5465]

A very good episode of "The Fat Man" with J. Scott Smart. The audio is excellent, which increases the listening pleasure. As a group, the American male population, as noted below, was not as tall as now, averaging 5 feet 7 to 8 inches in the 1940's. An added point of interest is the question from David Wechsler's intelligence test (WAIS) of the time asking for the height of the average American male, which at the time was 5' 7". Income to buy food was limited resulting in slimmer waistlines. So, when "The Fat Man" got on the scales, 237 pounds was heavy. Again, thank you for making this fine episode available to the listeners.

[@Suebarrows50]

+Walter Wheeler. My mom, Jack's sister, told me stories of his famous spaghetti feeds in Hollywood - big parties where he made everything from scratch. He did like his spaghetti!

[@scottleft3672]

all the servicemen were over 6 foot....they towerd over australians in the 40's....and we were "long of leg" too.

[@michaelklein5242]

Sheesh--today, 237 pounds is the average weight of elementary school children, yanno? 😜

[@howardkahn717]

Terrific !!!!!!!

[@Gohot229]

Don't let'm fool you brother, reach for the Real Mckoy.

[@lylejohnson7591]

I wonder if The Fat Man was created to compete with Nero Wolf.

[@vleldaddio210]

237 lbs FAT !?!? J.SMART had some Great Dance moves 👐🙌👏

[@quirkykaleidoscope]

I am enjoying The Fat Man more than Nero Wolfe. That's saying something, since Sydney Greenstreet is one of my favorite actors.

[@brax2574]

Reminds me of Nero wolfe

[@jimbronaugh]

This shows how things have changed. '237 pounds. The fat man. 237 lbs is the average weight of a 13 year old in middle school now. Of course 5'6" was the tall for men at that time and now 6'5" is the norm for teenagers. Insurance schedules for that period stated that the average man should weigh between 110 and 130 pounds. They was really tiny guys.

[@davidcarlson2152]

One hand on the smartphone and one hand in a super-size Doritos feedbag.

[@scottleft3672]

"HERE COMES....THE FAT MAN....! "....lol....only in the past, does real life exist ....nowdays....." take it easy....my head..."..." I KNOW....WHAT YOU MEAN ".....classic.

[@CartoonManWhoo]

Was this the only actor to play Brad Runyon?

[@russellrubert833]

It appears "Cannon" was not an original idea. Odd, for some reason I want to buy a Buick.

[@Patrick-ud3vu]

So... The smart car came out in 1951 as a Buick!?

[@debbyparker4436]

😏😁 Hah ....😂😂🤣 Okay , back then SMART meant really stylish and good looking 👍😁

[@pallasathena17]

Anyone know the rest of the cast?

[@pallasathena17]

Actually, the credits are read at the end.

[@Dulcimertunes]

Very strange.

[@GGray-gg4yn]

I counted 7 mistakes without trying that kept me from enjoying this show !

[@Raildawwwg]

Cosy!

[@ronostick9718]

"The Fat Man" - a very enjoyable radio show. What would today's PC Snowflakes say about the title?

[@JOHNNYGARAGEPUNK]

YOUR SITE IS GREAT I LOVE ALL YOUR OTR SHOWS, ESPECIALLY THE CRIME, THRILLER ONES KEEP POSTING VIDEOS OF QUALITY ITS WELL APPRECIATED. IM NOW A GENUINE OTR FANBOY! THANKYOU.

[@AntiqueRadios]

John, your compliment is much appreciated. Thanks and enjoy the shows!

[@JOHNNYGARAGEPUNK]

Thankyou I DO & I WILL ENJOY ALL THE OTHERS IVE NOT YET HEARD CHEERS