Created by Blake Edwards (of Pink Panther fame), Richard Diamond, Private Detective came to NBC radio in 1949 starring film actor and crooner Dick Powell. Powell had recently played Philip Marlowe in the popular RKO film Murder My Sweet and jumped at the chance to play a suave detective on radio. Richard Diamond was a lighthearted New York-based private eye who enjoyed ribbing the cops and singing songs to his millionairess girlfriend, Helen Asher (played by Virginia Gregg). It’s theme “Leave it to Love” was whistled by Powell at the beginning of each episode. Powell’s company (Four Star Television) produced a TV version of Richard Diamond, Private Detective for CBS in 1957. David Janssen, who would later gain fame as Dr. Richard Kimble on The Fugitive was cast as TV’s Richard Diamond. Sam, Diamond’s beautiful secretary in the TV series, was only shown from the waist down. Those beautiful legs belonged to Mary Tyler Moore, as well as other actresses.
9-17-49 The Jerome J. Jerome Case
9-24-49 The $200,000 Bundle
10-29-49 The Bill Kirby Case
11-5-49 The Singing Critic
11-12-49 The $50,000 Diamond Heist
11-19-49 The Jacoby Case
11-26-49 William Carter Loses His Memory
12-3-49 The Ruby Idol Case
12-31-49 The Thomas Jason Case
1-7-50 Butcher’s Protection Association
1-4-53 Ben Johnson Shot
1-11-53 The Trip to Miami
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