Description

• Run Dates and Networks: The show had a fairly long run, from 1943 to 1954, and aired on multiple networks:
  • NBC: 1943-1948
  • CBS: 1948-1951
  • ABC: 1951-1954
• Sponsor: It was initially sponsored by Sterling Drugs, specifically for their Mollé Brushless Shaving Cream, which gave the show its distinctive name. When Mollé ceased sponsorship in 1948, the title was often shortened to "Mystery Theater."
• Format:
  • Anthology: For much of its run, it was an anthology series, presenting a different self-contained mystery or suspense story each week. These stories often featured classic tales from well-known authors and contemporary works, with twists and shocking endings.
  • Host/Annotator: During its NBC run and part of its CBS run, the show featured a host named Geoffrey Barnes, played by Bernard Lenrow. Barnes was described as an "annotator" or "connoisseur of crime" who would help listeners analyze and understand the mysteries.
  • Character Focus: In its later years, particularly on CBS, the format shifted to center around a single character, Inspector Hearthstone (played by Alfred Shirley), and was even titled "Hearthstone of the Death Squad" for a period. On ABC, it became "Inspector Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad" or "Mark Saber Mysteries."
• Production Quality: "Mollé Mystery Theatre" was known for its high production values, including strong scripts, fine orchestral scores, and performances by talented radio actors, including up-and-coming stars like Richard Widmark and Frank Lovejoy.
• Legacy: It's considered a significant part of the Golden Age of Radio, offering "spine-tingling plays and stories" that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Many episodes are still available today as part of old-time radio archives.