"Murder as a steady occupation has its handicaps… the pay is high, but so are the gallows from which, sooner or later, they hang you."

Running from 1951 through 1955, Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator is about a New York private eye. Produced in New York from 1951 to 1954 and then moved it to Hollywood where it aired from 1954 to 1955.  This entertaining old time radio series originally titled "Barry Crane" was later renamed "Barrie Craig." 

The series starred William Gargan (also played detective Martin Kane) as Barrie Craig, the lone private detective, who worked and solved cases from his Madison Avenue office.  Gargan actually worked in as a private detective, collecting agent; his duties ranged from doing stakeouts to working as a bodyguard.  He was shot while on the investigating a deadbeat customer. This life experience surely added to the depth of his characterization of Barrie Craig, Ellery Queen (three films) and Martin Kane.

While most detectives at the time were no nonsense hardboiled types, Barrie Craig is extraordinary due to his laid back personality.  He rarely gets worried even in life threatening situations, it takes a lot to ruffle his feathers.  Craig narrates the story much like Joe Friday in Dragnet and Sam Spade.

An interesting note: two Inner Sanctum scripts were actually reused in the Barrie Craig series.

Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator was an old time radio detective series that was produced and aired from New York in 1951 - 1954. This crime series followed the life of Barrie Craig, who was portrayed by actor William Gargan. Gargan played the New York City private eye so well that the program continued its airing in Hollywood from 1954 - 1955. Craig ran his operation from his office in Madison Avenue. He solved crimes, relentlessly pursued criminals, and was not above taking odd jobs. Whereas majority of the investigative themed old radio shows featured no-nonsense and hard-boiled detectives, Barrie Craig poked fun at the traditional local private eye with his laid-back and easy-going manner.

Entertain yourself with the mysterious cases of Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator!

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