Premium Only Content

Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons 1952 The Silver Candlestick Murder Case
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?".
-
2:41:18
Barry Cunningham
3 hours agoIT IS UPON US! PRESIDENT TRUMP IS BRINGING A FIERCE STORM TO WASHINGTON, DC!
32.9K58 -
12:23
Exploring With Nug
21 hours ago $1.75 earnedSUV Found In Private Pond While Searching For Missing Man!
7.75K1 -
53:57
Tactical Advisor
4 hours agoUnboxing New Guns and Mystery Box | Vault Room Live Stream 033
32.8K5 -
LIVE
Mally_Mouse
2 hours agoSpicy Saturday!! - Let's Play: Chained Together
131 watching -
1:15:16
Jeff Ahern
6 hours ago $7.66 earnedThe Saturday Show with Jeff Ahern
33.2K7 -
LIVE
a12cat34dog
3 hours agoELIMINATING ALL CRIME :: RoboCop: Unfinished Business :: FINISHING THE DLC {18+}
125 watching -
1:38:52
Michael Franzese
19 hours agoEpstein. Diddy. Coverups. What the Government Isn’t Telling You
73.5K173 -
LIVE
SilverFox
5 hours ago🔴LIVE - Elden Ring - Stream Doesn't End Until We Beat The Game
73 watching -
LIVE
WorldofGaming
17 hours agoMario Party Unleashes the Madness!
29 watching -
2:23:40
Robert Gouveia
9 hours agoObama Traitors get CRIMINAL REFERRAL! Motion to UNSEAL! Rupert Murdoch SUED!
61.8K125