The Phyl Coe Mysteries

Detective (1936 )

Phyl Coe is "the beautiful girl detective," star of The Phyl Coe Mysteries. The old time radio show came out in 1936, making Phil Coe the first woman crime fighter on the radio. The name Phyl (which is short of Phyllis) Coe was created because the show's sponsor was Philco Radio Tubes.

When the show aired each week, listeners were invited to solve the crime for cash prizes ($50,000 was awarded amongst the winners). Starring Bud Collyer, radio listeners were to obtain a booklet from their local Philco Tube dealer, "phil out" the solution to the mystery, and mail it in to the sponsor. The solutions were read on the next weeks program.

For more female detective action, see also: Dame Detectives - Rare Female Crimefighters.