Product ID: TAONWDE
Control Number: 7498144
The Adventures of Nero Wolfe 28 Episodes
The Adventures of Nero Wolfe was a classic detective radio series based on the celebrated literary sleuth created by Rex Stout. Centered around the brilliant but reclusive orchid-loving detective Nero Wolfe and his street-smart assistant Archie Goodwin, the show brought to life the witty banter, complex cases, and richly drawn characters that made the novels so beloved. Known for its clever plots and intellectual style, the radio series captured the spirit of the books while adapting them into fast-moving half-hour mysteries.
With a blend of cerebral deduction and sharp-tongued narration, The Adventures of Nero Wolfe offered a distinctly sophisticated take on the radio detective genre.
The Stars
Several actors portrayed Nero Wolfe during the series’ various runs, including:
– J.B. Williams in the early 1943–44 ABC version
– Santos Ortega in the 1944–45 Mutual series
– Francis X. Bushman and later Sydney Greenstreet (of Casablanca fame) in the most well-known NBC Radio run from 1950–1951
Archie Goodwin, Wolfe’s quick-witted, wisecracking assistant and the show’s narrator, was played by actors such as Elliott Reid and Gerald Mohr, depending on the series.
Greenstreet’s portrayal of Wolfe is often regarded as the definitive radio version, bringing gravitas, precision, and dry humor to the famously immobile detective.
Key Dates
• The earliest radio version of Nero Wolfe aired on ABC from July 1943 to December 1944.
• A second version ran on Mutual from 1944 to 1945.
• The best-known version aired on NBC Radio from October 20, 1950, to April 27, 1951, starring Sydney Greenstreet.
• A total of 25 episodes from the Greenstreet run are known to survive and remain widely circulated among OTR collectors.
Other Information
Unlike most action-oriented detective shows, Nero Wolfe emphasized dialogue, deduction, and character over physical confrontations. Wolfe rarely left his New York brownstone, preferring to send Archie to gather information, while he solved the mystery from his desk—usually while tending to his prized orchids or enjoying a gourmet meal.
Each episode featured a standalone mystery, often involving blackmail, murder, or missing persons, with Wolfe unraveling complex motives through logic and interrogation. Archie’s narration gave the stories a casual, sometimes sarcastic tone, contrasting with Wolfe’s formal, erudite manner.
The radio series stayed faithful to Rex Stout’s original characterizations and plotting, making it a treat for fans of the books. Though the show never reached the same mass popularity as Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, it carved out a niche among listeners who preferred their mysteries smart and dialogue-driven.
Today, The Adventures of Nero Wolfe is remembered as one of the most intelligent and well-crafted detective series of the radio era—an audio homage to one of fiction’s most brilliant (and immovable) sleuths.
Suggested Retail Price: $12.49
Mice Price: $9.69
Length: 12.5
Width: 28
Weight: 0.0500 pounds
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