Get this and get it straight. Crime is a suckers road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave.

The story you are about to hear is true, only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective.

The Adventures of the Saints starring Vincent Prize

Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action-packed expense account

America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

Yours truly, Johnny Deller. And the Hello and welcome to Down These Mean Streets where this week we're saluting one of my favorite radio detective stars,

the Krunner turned hard-boiled hero Dick Powell.

Powell was born November 14th, 1904, and today we're celebrating his birthday with two

episodes from his exploits as radio private eyes. Up first is Rogue's Gallery, Powell's first weekly mystery series

following his well-received career reinvention in Murder My Sweet.

With his performance as Philip Marlow in that film, Powell was able to shake off the

image of a baby-faced singer and embark on a new era of leading man tough guy roles.

Today we'll hear Powell as Richard Rogue in special added attraction

originally aired on the mutual network on January 31st, 1946.

In this one rogue is hired to investigate threats on the life of a diva acrobat only to find a murder at the circus.

Then we'll hear one of my favorite shows, Richard Diamond Private Detective.

This series created by future film director Blake Edwards,

combined both sides of Powell's persona, the G Libb Noir Hero, and the Golden Throated Singer.

Each week Richard Diamond would solve a case with his wits, his fists, and his 38,

and he'd wrap it all up by singing a tune to his Park Avenue girlfriend.

Joining Powell in the series was one of radio's best supporting casts.

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