THE ADVENTURES OF FRANK RACE

Full Name:	Frank Race
Nationality:	American
Organization:	None
Occupation	Private Investigator

Creator:	Bruce Eells
Time Span:	1949 - 1949

ABOUT THE SERIES

Frank Race is a private investigator.

Mostly he seems to work for insurance companies trying on their behalf to get to the bottom of all sorts of underhanded schemes and tricks. A large number of those find their solutions being located in foreign countries often involving people inside the governments of those nations or those wanted to be inside.

We learn immediately that Race had been a practicing attorney before the start of World War II. He was one of the many unsung heroes of that global conflict, earning an impressive number of medals and citations while working for the O.S.S. where his missions took into plenty of dangerous locations and situations. He found he enjoyed it.

The narrator for the many recorded adventures of Race tells us this in the opening words of the first case, ""Many things were changed during the War. The face of the Earth altered and the people of the Earth changed. Before the war, Frank Race was as an attorney, but he traded his law books for the cloak-and-dagger of the OSS. And when the war was over, his former life was over, too . . . adventure had become his business!"

As indicated, when the War ended and he returned to civilian life, he found that the life of a trial attorney no longer satisfied him. "I got fidgety in courtrooms. It's a handicap; it irritates the judges." His solution was to find another line of work that allowed him to be closer to where the kind of action he had grown to like could be found.

As often is the case in the assignments that come his way, Race gets into a good number of skirmishes and tough scrapes. His quickness with his fists and a pistol are impressive and help keep him alive over and over. His aim is deadly and up close, his "commando moves" are considerable.

Helping him survive on more than one occasion is an interesting fellow named Mark Donovan, a New York City cab driver who is perpetually hunting Race down on behalf of one insurance company or another wanting help on a case. Donovan does not stop at personal paging duties, however. For reasons never really explained, Donovan is almost always tagging along with Race on his varied assignments. He even heads overseas a lot with Race. This does come in hand when an experienced man behind a wheel is called for or an extra set of fists (and a tire wrench now and then). He is also good for listening to Race explain his thought patterns which helps we the listeners but often leaves Donovan more confused than before.

Race is single, decidedly so since his ever-wandering eyes would not be tolerated by any spouse. His good looks and glib tongue help make sure that his approaches - and he is never reluctant in the least to make an approach - are met with considerable interest. If Race kept little black books, he would undoubtedly have volumes.

Good Line:
- Regarding a man who accosts him obviously under the influence of something, "those orbs told me he'd been smoking a brand they don't advertise."
- Description of a particular claim adjuster: "a man with the instinct of a ferret and a gaze you could use for sandpaper."
- Talking about a beautiful 30-year-old brunette, she was "the kind of 30 to make a 16-year-old regret his youth."
- Regarding a very boring hostess at a party, Race opines, "She had about as much depth as a wading pool".

RADIO / AUDIO


Number of Episodes:	43
First Appearance:	1949
Last Appearance:	1949
Network:	Syndication

REGULAR CAST
Tom Collins	Frank Race [ ep. 1-22 ]
Paul Dubov	Frank Race [ ep. 23-43 ]
Tony Barrett	Mark Donovan [ ep. 1-43 ]

On May 1, 1949 on many radio stations across the United States, the adventures of Frank Race began airing. The stories were offered in syndication by Bruce Eells Productions. This meant the dates and times of their airing in the various regions lay solely at the discretion of the station manager, therefore some stations would run them on Mondays while others would go with Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Similarly, depending on the area, the show might air early in the evening at 7 pm or much later in prime time like 9:30.

Many of the stations did not keep it to one 30-minute adventure per week, especially those stations which did not start broadcasting them until many months after the initial release. It was not unusual to find a station here or there which had back-to-back episodes and I found at least one which aired 4 in single evening.

In October of 1949, the last of the 43 episodes saw its inaugural run. Many stations began a lengthy period of re-runs so it is possible to find lists of airings of repeats as late as 1952 and maybe beyond.

The role of Frank Race was played by veteran actor Tom Collins for the first 22 episodes and then turned over to Paul Dubov for the last 21. I do not know the reason for the switch.

Tony Barrett was the voice of Mark Donovan, Race's sidekick, for the entire run.

All of the adventures of Frank Race still exist and can be found online. They are also available for purchase from a couple of sources, include Radio Archives, which is where I grabbed the image for this page (the alterations are mine).


1	The Hackensack Victory Episode S1-01, first aired 05/01/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott A man named Chalmers Lathem, an executive VP with Intercontinental Maritime Underwriters, asks for a meeting with Frank Race to explain how there had been two claims from the same company for freighters which had recently just disappeared - ships, crew, and cargo. He had just left that meeting when he is accosted by goons wanting him to stay out of the case.

2	The Darling Debutante Episode S1-02, first aired 05/08/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott A friend of Mark Donovan who also drives a hack needs Frank Race's help because the woman found dead the day before and now lying in the morgue is likely that driver's wife and he will be the prime suspect. Race will find that the real killer was a duchess who was definitely no lady.

3	The Istanbul Adventure Episode S1-03, first aired 05/15/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race is in Istanbul when a lovely lady outrunning bullets races out of the night to bump into Race. Race was planning on leaving Turkey the next day but decides to stick around to help her, especially when she talks about an American who has been hurt and needs a doctor. Soon intruders graze Race with a bullet himself and kill the American. The woman disappeared! Some time later, she shows up again when Race is in Cannes on a new case. That case deals with aid shipments to Istanbul which had been hijacked.

4	The Seventeen Black Episode S1-04, first aired 05/22/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott After winning three times at a Saratoga casino roulette table on 17 - Black, Frank Race is pulled back to NYC by Mark because of a new case. An employee at a company insured by one of firms that Race works with stole $60k and up and committed suicide. Races is asked to find the missing loot.

5	The Enoch Arden Adventure Episode S1-05, first aired 05/29/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott An interesting case is presented to Frank Race in the form of a beautiful woman who needs help proving her husband, missing for 7 years, is really dead so she can collect his insurance. Except she has already collected the half million and left for Switzerland. But then when Race follows her, she hands him a locker key and says the money is hidden there. And then things get complicated.

6	The Vanishing President Episode S1-06, first aired 06/05/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race is asked to look into the disappearance of three vessels which had gone missing, crew and all. The ships were insured by the same company but were owned by different enterprises. Each was sailing from the States to South America empty so regular piracy seemed unlikely. Race would discover that empty holds mean space to transport illegal arms and that kind of firepower can help overthrow a small country.

7	The Baradian Letters Episode S1-07, first aired 06/12/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott In Paris on vacation, Frank Race confronted by two women in his hotel room, one of them being a lady who had helped him out once during one of his OSS adventures. Now she is in danger of being murdered and turns to Race for help. A bigwig named Baradian is behind it. He tells Race that he is now being blackmailed because of a series of romantic letters he sent to the woman many years before. He is not happy with the extortion.

8	The Airborne Adventure Episode S1-08, first aired 06/19/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott An underwriter is insuring the delivery of a set of plans for a new plane. Those specs are being transported from Trieste to London and then on to New York via courier and the company wants Frank Race to be that courier. Naturally some very unscrupulous people want their hands on these plans and some of them come from the other side of the Iron Curtain.

9	The Shanghai Incident Episode S1-09, first aired 06/26/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott A old college football teammate calls on Frank Race for help. He is now an underwriter of insurance and needs Race to finish the work of another investigator who was murdered on a job. South China Airline is a cargo hauling company and lately it has been losing a lot of it all across southern China. It is Race's task to find who has been stealing the stuff and why did they kill the other agent. Just after arriving in Shanghai but before starting work, he is accosted by a knife and offered a bribe to just leave.

10	The Juvenile Passenger Episode S1-10, first aired 07/03/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Race gets an urgent call from Donovan needing his help at 1 am. When Race joins him at his cab, he finds a 14-year-old girl in the back of the taxi. Donovan says she climbed into his cab while he was getting some coffee at 11 and now refuses to get out, saying she would kill herself if he did not just keep driving. She is a resident of an orphanage who has run away because jewelry she did not steal was found under her mattress and she is threatened with jail. Race agrees to help her prove her innocence. Things get complicated when the young lady is later suspected of murder!

11	The Reckless Daughter Episode S1-11, first aired 07/10/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race and Mark Donovan are in a "section of the European continent" which was war-torn from WWII. It is only after accidentally getting involved in a police matter which lands Donovan in jail for resisting arrest that Race learns the reason for the summons to the country. A group of American businessmen want to open shop in this impoverished country but underwriters will not cover their efforts because of the instability of government. What is desired is for a renowned citizen of the land, Anton Vandim, to step in a Prime Minister but he is now a recluse. Race, an old acquaintance of the man is asked to find out why he is so hesitant.

12	The Silent Heart Episode S1-12, first aired 07/17/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott In New York during summer, Race is asked to visit an insurance actuary who is pondering a sad anomaly. A county in New England has had an unexplained dramatic upswing in death by recently acquired heart disease. Looking further, it is determined a good number of the deceased had been business partners of one company or another. It is suspected that a murder ring was operating here, forcing business owners to take on a new partner and then dying soon after. Race heads to the small city at the center of the trouble.

13	The Garrulous Bartender Episode S1-13, first aired 07/24/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Race is urgently summoned to Los Angeles where an underwriter is having trouble with an embezzlement case costing the insurance company $100k. The man suspected of stealing the money has disappeared and likely headed to Mexico. Race is asked to find who is behind the theft and stop it before it can be duplicated all over the country.

14	The Vanishing Favorite Episode S1-14, first aired 07/31/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race and Mark Donovan are enjoying the day at the horse race track when the Secretary of the track asks for an immediate meeting. The matter not only involves the track but it might also involve "the future of horse racing in this country". In particular is one horse, Flames of Athens, which is due to be shipped across country if someone does not kill him first. Several attempts have already been made and Race is asked to keep him alive. The question then is why is this horse in danger?

15	The Embittered Secretary Episode S1-15, first aired 08/07/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott A new case looked to be pretty mundane - a wealthy man had some jewelry go missing and wanted it recovered. Things turn far less common when murder steps in.

16	The Talking Bullet Episode S1-16, first aired 08/14/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Blackie Martin is a convict destined for the gas chamber. His escape was kept under wraps by the officials hoping to catch him before anyone noticed but then the judge who presided over the case was found murdered in the courthouse so the matter went public. Martin had vowed to kill the judge and all others involved in convicting him. Frank Race was immediately interested because he was the man who captured Martin the first time.

17	The Fat Man's Loot Episode S1-17, first aired 08/21/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott The Fat Man in this title refers to the late Nazi war-criminal Hermann Goering. An insurance underwriter calls Frank Race in to show him some impressive gems recently placed on the market. They were part of a batch stolen by Goering during the War. Race's job is to head to Germany to find the man who is in possession of the rest of them and bring him in for justice.

18	The Generals Lady Episode S1-18, first aired 08/28/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott In Tunis Frank Race was looking up a pal named Pete who was an international insurance investigator. Race learns his friend was seriously hurt, beaten to a pulp by a massive man named Le Pas who wears a ring meant to inflict horrible damage to a victim's face. At the root of the trouble was a plot to start a civil war in an African country to allow a seller of nitrates to renege on a contract to get a better price.

19	The Violent Virtuoso Episode S1-19, first aired 09/04/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott A gorgeous woman calls on Frank Race's apartment to talk to him about a stolen ring, taken by a friend. The friend is also a dear friend of Race so he is reluctant to take the case. The alleged thief is a renowned actress involved in a situation that will lead to jealously leading to murder.

20	The Fourth Round Knockout Episode S1-20, first aired 09/11/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Mark Donovan drags Frank Race to a boxing match in Brooklyn to see a young heavyweight, Freddie Natchez, who is an up-and-comer. The young man is handling his opponent with ease until the 4th round when a simple blow by the other guy knocks Natchez out. Donovan was suspecting a dive until it is learned that Freddie was dead, a victim of poisoning. This is just the first death for this case.

21	The Three On A Match Episode S1-21, first aired 09/18/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race is in Bordeaux heading to a bar late in the evening when Mark Donovan and another man race up to him, followed by a gunshot. The man is being hunted by a beautiful woman and three henchmen. The matter deals with a cache of brand-new £1000 notes.

22	The Roughnecks Will Episode S1-22, first aired 09/25/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott An old college and OSS buddy makes a desperate call to Frank Race for help. The man is a partner in a large law firm. The matter deals with an old man named Collins who is a recluse and one of the country's 10 richest men. Race's lawyer friend is concerned because someone broke into his office and took a look at the rich man's will. It was a short testament listing four names and decreeing simply that the vast fortune go to the last surviving member of the group. The lawyer called it "an invitation to murder!"

23	The Green Doubloon Episode S1-23, first aired 10/02/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Frank Race and Mark Donovan had just flown into Calan, a city along the Panama Canal. He is there to see if he could convince an embezzler to part with $300k in exchange for his freedom.

24	The Sobbing Bodyguards Episode S1-24, first aired 10/09/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott Mark Donovan is in a terrible bind as he hauls a body into Frank Race's apartment. Race's help is needed because the deceased is a gangster boss that Donovan had had a run-in with months before which ended up with Donovan being beaten. Now the leader is dead and Donovan knows he is a prime suspect.

25	The Divers Loot Episode S1-25, first aired 10/16/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott In London, Frank Race is looking forward to heading back to NYC when a new case drops in his lap. An accidental death case needs to be investigated since the deceased was shot to death! Accident? How is a sunken ship off England with a nice stash of gold coins involved?

26	Adventure In Mormon Country Episode S1-26, first aired 10/23/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

27	The Brooklyn Accent Episode S1-27, first aired 10/30/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

28	The Six Week Cure Episode S1-28, first aired 11/06/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

29	The Fairway Beauty Episode S1-29, first aired 11/13/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

30	The Runway Queen Episode S1-30, first aired 11/20/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

31	The Lady In The Dark Episode S1-31, first aired 11/27/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

32	The Silent Tongue Episode S1-32, first aired 12/04/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

33	The Kandy Killing Episode S1-33, first aired 12/11/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

34	The Undecided Bride Episode S1-34, first aired 12/18/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

35	The Gold Worshipper Episode S1-35, first aired 12/25/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

36	The House Divided Episode S1-36, first aired 01/01/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

37	The Pharaohs Staff Episode S1-37, first aired 01/08/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

38	The Count Trefanno Crest Episode S1-38, first aired 01/15/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

39	The Night Crawler Episode S1-39, first aired 01/22/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

40	The Kettle Drum Episode S1-40, first aired 01/29/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

41	The Loveable Character Episode S1-41, first aired 02/05/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

42	The Black Friars Bridge Episode S1-42, first aired 02/12/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

43	The Big Top Episode S1-43, first aired 02/19/1949 Director: Buckley Angel Writer: Joel Murcott [plot unknown]

MY COMMENTS

Had I lived back when there was no (for all intents and purposes) television to watch and I wanted something other than books to entertain me for a while in the evening, I would absolutely have been a fan of Frank Race. His adventures are exciting and interesting and quite varied.

Well, varied in the places he goes and the problems he solves. They all tend to have the same formula when it comes to how he handles things. Mark Donovan will always be the one to track him down for the next case. He will always meet some beautiful woman to dally about with. He will always find someone to punch in the nose - usually more than once. And so on. These are not really bad repetitions as they are what makes them fun.

Most of the tales are not spy stories but enough of them were, and even many that were not took him to exotic locales, so this series is considered a spy series by many listers of such things and I would definitely be one of them.

GRADE

My Grade: B

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