Box 13 | Old Time Radio follows former newspaper reporter and mystery writer Dan Holiday as he searches for adventure—and finds danger, crime, and mystery instead. Through a newspaper ad inviting people to send unusual assignments to Box 13, Holiday is drawn into cases involving murder, deception, missing persons, criminals, and unexpected twists. Each episode is an Old Time Retro Radio production, presenting the original broadcast with gently cleaned and mastered audio, a newly produced introduction and closing, and custom episode artwork. Starring Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday, Box 13 combines detective fiction, mystery, suspense, and classic radio adventure. Rediscover classic old time radio detective stories, mystery, crime drama, private-eye adventures, suspense, and vintage radio.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
From Box 13, “Flash of Light” is episode 27, originally broadcast February 20, 1949. The mystery serial stars Alan Ladd as writer-adventurer Dan Holiday, with Sylvia Picker as Suzy.
Jerry Fuller arrives from a small town unable to explain two missing days in the city. He remembers the upscale Red Swan, a startling flash of light, and waking in a shabby rooming house without his money or return ticket. Hoping to avoid embarrassment at home, he asks Dan Holiday to find out what happened. Written by Russell Hughes and directed by Vern Carstensen.
Box 13 presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:53 Original Broadcast
27:26 Closing
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
4 Oct 2026
Box 13 - "One of These Four" (Old Time Radio, 2012)
Box 13 presents “One of These Four,” originally broadcast May 8, 1949. In episode 38 of Alan Ladd’s mystery-adventure series, Ladd stars as adventure writer Dan Holiday. The episode was written by Russell Hughes and directed by Vern Carstensen.
An anonymous invitation promises Holiday a first-class voyage, but Pier 9 leads him to a private yacht and three equally puzzled strangers. When their host declares that one of the four guests is a murderer, the voyage becomes a dangerous contest of suspicion and deduction.
Box 13 presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:48 Original Broadcast
27:18 Closing
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
2 Oct 2026
Box 13 - "Short Assignment" (Old Time Radio, 2012)
Box 13 presents “Short Assignment,” listed as episode 7. This archival presentation is dated 2012; the original Box 13 radio drama is generally cataloged as having aired on October 3, 1948, and is also known as “George Flit, Detective.”
Mystery writer Dan Holiday, played by Alan Ladd, agrees to fill in for uneasy private detective Walter Flit at an elegant gathering tied to a troubled young heir. What begins as a modest favor draws Holiday into a tense circle of wealthy guests, mounting suspicions, and possible murder.
Box 13 presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:54 Original Broadcast
27:26 Closing
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/box-13-old-time-radio--7222653/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).
Support Old Time Retro Radio at https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio (https://www.patreon.com/oldtimeretroradio)
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