Martin Kane, Private Eye


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

From Wikipedia:

Martin Kane, Private Eye was an American radio series and television crime series sponsored by United States Tobacco Company. It aired as a radio series from 1949 to 1952 and was simultaneously also a TV series around the same time, until 1954.

Martin Kane, Private Eye began as a 1949–52 radio series starring William Gargan in the title role as New York City private detective Martin Kane. It aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System, broadcast Sundays at 4:30pm from 7 August 1949 to 24 June 1951.

When the crime drama moved to NBC Radio on 1 July 1951, Lloyd Nolan took over the title role until mid-1952. Lee Tracy portrayed Kane for the remainder of the radio series, ending 21 December 1952.

The radio episodes aired between 1949 and 1952 were not merely audio rebroadcasts of the television show, but original episodes produced for the radio medium. Only 29 radio broadcasts are known to exist.

Gargan, Nolan, Tracy, and Mark Stevens played the title role in Martin Kane, Private Eye on live television, airing on NBC Television Network from 1 September 1949 until 17 June 1954. The series, again sponsored by United States Tobacco Company, integrated commercials into the detective drama by having Martin Kane enter his favorite tobacco shop where he discussed pipe tobaccos and cigarettes with the tobacconist Happy McMann (Walter Kinsella), before leaving to continue the mystery narrative.

Walter Greaza portrayed Capt. Leonard. Captain Evans was played by Loring Smith, Capt. Burke by Frank M. Thomas, King Calder as Lt. Gray, Sgt. Ross by Nicholas Saunders, and Sgt. Strong by Michael Garrett. Frank Burns produced and directed shows scripted by Harry Kane and Lawrence Young. Charles Paul provided the music. At the start and finish of the show, Kane was shown in shadow, lighting his pipe. 

Highlights
Eddie Foy III on appearing on Martin Kane, Private Eye and various other productions in the '50s
02:28
Joyce Randolph on appearing on Martin Kane, Private Eye
00:40
Stewart MacGregory on acting as stage coordinator for Armstrong Circle Theatre and Martin Kane, Private Eye
05:28
Eddie Foy III on his early feelings about television
01:50
Who talked about this show

Eddie Foy III

View Interview
Eddie Foy III on appearing on Martin Kane, Private Eye and various other productions in the '50s
02:28
Eddie Foy III on his early feelings about television
01:50

Stewart MacGregory

View Interview
Stewart MacGregory on acting as stage coordinator for Armstrong Circle Theatre and Martin Kane, Private Eye
05:28

Joyce Randolph

View Interview
Joyce Randolph on appearing on Martin Kane, Private Eye
00:40

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