Martin Kane, Private Eye began as a 1949-52 radio series starring William Gargan in the title rôle 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 [poster, right] 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. VIDEO: Stars William Gargan [above photo]. 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.
