Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons 1950 The Case of the Rushville Murder
Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons was one of radio's longest running shows, airing October 12, 1937, to April 19, 1955, continuing well into the television era. It was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert, who based it upon Robert W. Chambers' 1906 novel The Tracer of Lost Persons. The sponsors included Whitehall Pharmacal (as in Anacin, Kolynos Toothpaste, BiSoDol antacid mints, Hill's cold tablets and Heet liniment), Dentyne, Aerowax, RCA Victor and Chesterfield cigarettes. It aired on the NBC Blue network until 1947, when it switched to CBS.
Characters and story
Bennett Kilpack began as Mr. Keen in 1937 with Arthur Hughes and then Phil Clarke stepping into the role later in the series. The kindly Keen and his faithful assistant, Mike Clancy (Jim Kelly), entertained listeners for 18 years. With 1690 nationwide broadcasts, Mr. Keen was the most resilient private detective in a namesake role. The nearest competitors were Nick Carter, Master Detective (726 broadcasts), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (657) and The Adventures of the Falcon (473). Only 59 of the 1690 Mr. Keen programs are known to survive.
Richard Leonard directed scripts by Barbara Bates, Stedman Coles, Frank Hummert, Lawrence Klee and Bob Shaw. James Fleming and Larry Elliott were the announcers. Al Rickey's band provided the background music, including the program's theme, "Someday I'll Find You."
Satires
The cliches, stereotypes and simplistic dialogue provided much fodder for Bob and Ray's parody, Mr. Trace, Keener Than Most Persons, broadcast in numerous variations. It was also combined with rival detective show Martin Kane, Private Eye and satirized by Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis in Mad magazine's fifth issue (June–July 1953), as Kane Keen! Private Eye.
The character of Mr. Keen was referenced by Alfred Hitchcock in one of his television shows, according to The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion by Patrik Wikstrom and Martin Grams, Jr. Mr. Keen is also mentioned in the stage version of Bye Bye Birdie by the character Mr. Harry MacAfee, who was played by Paul Lynde.
In the "Honeymooners" sketch, "Razor Blades", appearing on the October 12, 1951 episode of Cavalcade of Stars, Ralph Kramden cannot find his razor blades. When he questions Alice Kramden about it, she responds, "What am I? Mrs. Keen, Tracer of Lost Razor Blades?".
-
LIVE
The Dan Bongino Show
1 hour agoThis Is Easily The Worst Interview I've Ever Seen (Ep. 2345) - 10/08/2024
80,824 watching -
LIVE
The Rubin Report
29 minutes agoWatch Kamala Get Visibly Angry as ‘60 Minutes’ Host Asks Unexpected Questions
2,239 watching -
UPCOMING
Benny Johnson
23 minutes agoKamala Picks Fight with DeSantis, Politicizes Hurricane Before Landfall | Campaign in PANIC
1 -
Matt Kohrs
12 hours agoStock Market Open: NEW HIGHS INCOMING! || The MK Show
13.7K5 -
40:06
-
LIVE
LFA TV
14 hours agoTIME FOR TAKEOVER! | LIVE FROM AMERICA 10.8.24 11am EST
934 watching -
2 MIKES LIVE
13 hours agoThe Mike Schwartz Show 10-08-2024
3.37K -
DVR
The Tom Renz Show
1 hour agoHurricane Kamala and the Epic Failure of Her Response
4.78K -
37:54
BonginoReport
4 hours agoWant FEMA Funds? Don't Be White Or Straight (Ep.59) - 10/08/24
45.8K170 -
DVR
Vigilant News Network
15 hours ago‘Supercharged’ Mega-Storm Poised to Ravage Florida | The Daily Dose
40.5K15