Pat Novak for Hire featured a boat shop owner on the San Francisco waterfront--a tough guy in a dark and rough place.  A typical episode involved Novak taking an odd job on the side and ending up with a dead body. The unique setting and hard-boiled dialogue (complete with clever metaphors and witty quips) made the series popular with listeners.

Jack Webb of 'Dragnet' fame (pictured) played the lead character for most episodes. The majority of his quick-tongued exchanges took place with police inspector Hellman, who was played by Raymond Burr. Friend Jocko Madigan (Tudor Owen) was also on hand to help solve cases. The series ran from 1946-47 with more episodes in 1949.

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