Molle Mystery Theater

The sponsor of this show, Sterling Drugs, makers of Molle Shave Cream, used it as a vehicle for advertising. In over a decade, the show went through several incarnations, beginning first as Molle Mystery Theater, then simply Mystery Theater in '48, as Sterling emphasized Bayer Aspirin and Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Several versions were broadcast in the early 50s,

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As Molle Mystery Theater through 1948, the show centered around the character Geoffrey Barnes, a crime fiction expert and connoisseur who served as host. Bernard Lenrow played Barnes with a suave subtlety that foreshadowed the host of Crime Classics, a fact-based crime show that ran in '53-'54. The Molle Mystery Theater starred some of the best of New York's radio actors, including Joseph Julian, Anne Seymour, and Raymond Edward Johnson (the famous Raymond of the Inner Sanctum Mysteries, and librarian of the Crime Club.) Hosted by Peter Lorre, Bernard Lenrow, and Roc Rogers, the series also featured special appearances by Richard Widmark,  Budd Collyer, Martin Gable, Mandel Kramer, Elspeth Eric, and Frank Lovejoy (who does a great job as Randy Stone in the old time radio show Nightbeat.)

The shows were tight and tension filled, with a fine orchestra score and solid production values. Classic tales from well-known authors, as well as modern unknowns were presented, and the endings were often twists or shockers.

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When it moved in 1948, it was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert, who made their name in soap operas. The Geoffrey Barnes host was kept, but the shows were considered by fans to be less inventive. Alfred Shirley (who also played Watson of Sherlock Holmes) played a new character, Inspector Hearthstone of the Death Squad. Hearthstone was spun off as Hearthstone of the Death Squad, and then in 1951 through 1954, broadcast as continuation of Mystery Theater with a new format. The show was also known as Mark Sabre. Robert Carroll played Inspector Mark Sabre, with James Westerfield as Sgt. Maloney. Again, the Hummerts were in charge, and their style was much more like classic old time radio drama of the 1930s than a crime show airing in the 1950s.

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For more mystery anthology entertainment, the greatest show is Suspense. Escape is a classic thriller show too, as is Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Lights Out and the several runs of Sherlock Holmes.