ABC Mystery Time – Also Known as Mystery Time Classics
Thursday nights on ABC brought listeners an unforgettable blend of classic literature and Hollywood glamour, thanks to the innovative use of magnetic tape recording. ABC Mystery Time, also known as Mystery Time Classics, aired from 1957 to 1958, part of a weeknight mystery lineup hosted by The Breakfast Club’s Don Dowd. By embracing the then-new AMPEX tape technology—championed by Bing Crosby—ABC could afford to attract A-List talent, including the incomparable Sir Laurence Olivier. This 26-episode collection, totaling over 10 hours of thrilling audio, captures a rare moment in radio history when convenience met artistry, producing some of the most spine-tingling mysteries ever broadcast. From Oscar Wilde adaptations to original chillers, these are the organ-ripping tales that collectors treasure.
Collection Highlights
- Sir Laurence Olivier in Two Landmark Performances: Hear Olivier’s chilling portrayal in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and his gripping turn in “The Suicide Club,” widely considered highwater marks for the series.
- A Who’s Who of Stage and Screen: Beyond Olivier, the program attracted legendary talents like John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Orson Welles, and Michael Redgrave, all of whom brought their A-game to condensed classic adaptations.
- An Innovative Production History: ABC’s pioneering use of magnetic tape allowed these stars to record episodes around their busy schedules, resulting in a rare blend of high fidelity and spontaneous performance that live broadcasts could not match.
- Rare and Varied Episodes: This collection includes not only the Thursday “Mystery Classics” installments but also crossovers from the full weeknight lineup—including tales from Sherlock Holmes, Mike Malloy, and Police Blotter—all hosted by the beloved Don Dowd.
Track Listing
Show all 52 tracks (10 hours, 18 min)
- ABC Mystery Time 471004 The Sire de Maletroits Door
- ABC Mystery Time 560501 Sherlock Speckled Band
- ABC Mystery Time 560514 Mike Malloy
- ABC Mystery Time 560516 Summer Storm
- ABC Mystery Time 560518 Police Blotter
- ABC Mystery Time 570927 Death Rides the Storm
- ABC Mystery Time 571011 The Third Grace
- ABC Mystery Time 571108 I'll Dance On Your Grave
- ABC Mystery Time 571115 They'll Never Believe Me
- ABC Mystery Time 580103 Collectors Items
- ABC Mystery Time 580110 The Orla
- ABC Mystery Time 580131 The Mysterious Mansion
- Abc Mystery Time Death By Proxy
- Abc Mystery Time Death Is My Caller
- Abc Mystery Time Death Walked In
- Abc Mystery Time Four Fatal Jugglers
- Abc Mystery Time Four Time Loser
- Abc Mystery Time Half An Hour
- Abc Mystery Time Murder In Haste
- Abc Mystery Time My Adventure In Norfolk
- Abc Mystery Time No One Will Ever Know
- Abc Mystery Time Overcoat
- Abc Mystery Time Picture of Dorian Gray
- Abc Mystery Time Success Story
- Abc Mystery Time Suicide Club
- Abc Mystery Time Tale
- ABC Mystery Time 471004 The Sire de Maletroits Door
- ABC Mystery Time 560501 Sherlock Speckled Band
- ABC Mystery Time 560514 Mike Malloy
- ABC Mystery Time 560516 Summer Storm
- ABC Mystery Time 560518 Police Blotter
- ABC Mystery Time 570927 Death Rides the Storm
- ABC Mystery Time 571011 The Third Grace
- ABC Mystery Time 571108 I'll Dance On Your Grave
- ABC Mystery Time 571115 They'll Never Believe Me
- ABC Mystery Time 580103 Collectors Items
- ABC Mystery Time 580110 The Orla
- ABC Mystery Time 580131 The Mysterious Mansion
- Abc Mystery Time Death By Proxy
- Abc Mystery Time Death Is My Caller
- Abc Mystery Time Death Walked In
- Abc Mystery Time Four Fatal Jugglers
- Abc Mystery Time Four Time Loser
- Abc Mystery Time Half An Hour
- Abc Mystery Time Murder In Haste
- Abc Mystery Time My Adventure In Norfolk
- Abc Mystery Time No One Will Ever Know
- Abc Mystery Time Overcoat
- Abc Mystery Time Picture of Dorian Gray
- Abc Mystery Time Success Story
- Abc Mystery Time Suicide Club
- Abc Mystery Time Tale
