Johnny Madero, Pier 23

Last updated
Johnny Madero, Pier 23
GenreDetective adventure
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
SyndicatesMutual
Starring Jack Webb
AnnouncerTony LaFrano
Written by Richard L. Breen
Herb Margolis
Lou Markheim
Directed byNat Wolff
Original releaseApril 24, 1947 – September 4, 1947
Opening theme I Cover the Waterfront [1]

Johnny Madero, Pier 23 (sometimes listed as Johnny Modero, Pier 23 or Johnny Madero-Pier 23) was a 30-minute radio detective drama series which was broadcast on Mutual Thursday at 8 p.m. from April 24, 1947, to September 4, 1947. [2] [3] It was the first nationwide program for star Jack Webb. [4]

Contents

Plots and cast

The storylines follow the footsteps of fast-talking, wisecracking Johnny Madero (Webb), who runs a boat shop on the San Francisco waterfront, rents boats and usually drops in for a weekly chat with Father Leahy (Gale Gordon). When investigating a crime, Madero manages to solve the mystery before tough cop Warchek (William Conrad). The supporting cast sometimes included Betty Lou Gerson, [5] Elaine Burke, Bob Holden, Herb Butterfield, Irvin Lee and Herbert Rawlinson. The program came out a year after Pat Novak, for Hire (1946) originally aired and based in the same locale, San Francisco. It lasted a year before Pat Novak, for Hire returned to radio with Jack Webb back in the lead role.

Other personnel

Harry Zimmerman provided the background music. Nat Wolff directed the scripts by Richard L. Breen, Herb Margolis and Lou Markheim. The program's announcer was Tony LaFrano.

See also

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References

  1. Terrace, Vincent (2003). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931–1972. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 123. ISBN   978-0786449255.
  2. Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 374. ISBN   978-0-19-507678-3 . Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  3. "'Dragnet' actor Jack Webb dead at 62". Associated Press. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  4. Hayde, Michael J. (2001). My Name's Friday: The Unauthorized But True Story of Dragnet and the Films of Jack Webb. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House Publishing, Inc. p. 14. ISBN   1581821905 . Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  5. "The Johnny in Jack" (PDF). Radio Life. June 8, 1947. Retrieved 3 December 2014.

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