Gang Busters: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting [Paperback]

Martin Grams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

From 1935 to 1958, GANG BUSTERS established a reputation for presenting authentic case histories from the files of law enforcement, re-enactments of the criminal underworld including "Baby-Face" Nelson, Ma Barker and her boys, John Dillinger, and Willie "The Actor" Sutton. Thrilling escapades such as the Alcatraz Prison Riot and million dollar bank robberies were the subject of GANG BUSTERS broadcasts. Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf (father of the same Gulf-War Schwarzkopf) and New York's Lewis J. Valentine were two of the many weekly hosts who introduced each broadcast. Like AMERICA'S MOST WANTED, GANG BUSTERS presented weekly "clues" describing convicts at large, assailants wanted by the F.B.I., and listeners paid close attention to the details, giving local law enforcement the "edge" over evading criminals. Within the program's first eight years, the program was responsible for the apprehension of 277 criminals! This book documents the history of the radio and television series, including documentation covering the 1942 Matinee Serial, two 1956 movies, the comic books, and a detailed broadcast log and episode guide for all 1,008 radio broadcasts and 50+ television broadcasts. Lawsuits from listeners, background production, a biography about the creator, Phillips H. Lord, and much more can be found within these pages.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fascinating view of crime during the rip-roaring twenties and thirties! -- Bullets and Bows, August 2004

About the Author

Martin Grams, Jr. is the author and co-author of numerous books about old-time radio and old-time television including "The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion," "The I Love a Mystery Companion," "Inner Sanctum Mysteries: Behind the Creaking Door," "Radio Drama: An American Chronicle," "The Have Gun - Will Travel Companion," "The History of the Cavalcade of America," "Suspense: Twenty Years of Thrills and Chills," "The CBS Radio Mystery Theater: An Episode Guide and Handbook," "Invitation to Learning" and "Information Please." Mr. Grams has also contributed chapters and appendixes for "The Alfred Hitchcock Story," "It's That Time Again" and "Vincent Price: Midnight Marquee Actor Series."

Product Details

• Paperback: 700 pages
• Publisher: OTR Publishing (July 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0970331061
• ISBN-13: 978-0970331069
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,613,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Grams is the author and co-author of more than 20 books, and contributed numerous appendixes and chapters for other books. His book on THE TWILIGHT ZONE was the winner of the 2008 Rondo Award for "Best Book of the Year." His recent book on THE GREEN HORNET has been well-received by critics. Martin is an active member of SPERDVAC, research consultant for a major film magazine and volunteers his time to help the Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Convention held annually in Maryland every September.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting ... Gang Busters ... Martin Grams Jr. (2004)", February 7, 2010

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gang Busters: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting (Paperback)

OTR Publishing presents "GANG BUSTERS: THE CRIME FIGHTERS OF AMERICAN BROADCASTING", by Martin Grams Jr. --- The sound effects of police sirens, tommy guns, and screeching tires that opened the show were dramatic --- Our author is once again very thorough, which brings us to the popular "Gang Busters" radio program that was first heard in 1936 and aired until 1957 --- As stated with its creator, Phillips H. Lord, worked with J. Edgar Hoover to bring closed FBI cases to the listening public --- All scripts were based on actual police records and had to be approved by the Bureau first.

The GANG BUSTERS book documents the history of the radio program, a complete episode guide with plots, casts, etc. for every radio and television broadcast --- Also documented are the 67 comic books, 3 Big Little Books, the 1942 Matinee Serial, the two movies (1955 and 1956), the GANG BUSTERS collectibles, a biography about Phillips H. Lord who created the program --- A very good read for those who needed who crave the knowledge of old time radio.

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUSIVE:
1. The origin of GANG BUSTERS, including a biography of Phillips H. Lord.
2. The story behind the apprehension of Lawrence Devol, and many other criminals.
3. An overview of the cast and crew responsible for the radio productions.
4. Details and broadcast logs for Lord's other radio programs including "PHILIP MORRIS THRILLS" (1935-36) and "SKY BLAZERS" (1939-40).
5. The case of Martin Durkin, and his attempts to prevent his crimes from being dramatized over the radio.
6. Documentary about the 1942 Saturday Matinee Serial of the same name.
7. Fan mail from radio listeners reprinted.
8. Biography of Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf and his involvement with the GANG BUSTERS program.
9. Biography of Lewis J. valentine and his involvement with the GANG BUSTERS program.
10. Sponsorship disputes regarding TIDE, COLGATE and other sponsors.
11. The Campaign of Frank X. Reller and his attempts to have GANG BUSTERS removed from the airwaves.
12. The case of the Charles Albert Boyer lawsuit.
13. The case of Mr. Frederick King and his lawsuit with GANG BUSTERS.
14. The lawsuit involving Philip H. Lord and the Crown Toy Manufacturing Corporation.
15. The case of John Harvey Bugg and the successful apprehension.
16. The popularity of crime shows and the 1948 boycott against GANG BUSTERS.
17. Documentary about the 1950s TV series of the same name.
18. Documentary about the 1955 movie and the 1957 feature film "GUNS DON'T ARGUE".
19. Radio and television proposals that never made it into feasible scripts for the series.
20. Rejected proposals for GANG BUSTERS from faithful listeners.
21. GANG BUSTERS collectibles are also documented.
22. A complete episode guide featuring all 1,008 GANG BUSTERS radio broadcasts including episode numbers, titles, broadcast dates, plot descriptions, broadcast day and time, and much, much more.
23. Same for the television series.

Martin Grams book documents the entire history of the Gang Busters radio programs --- A complete with everything you as a fan and collector crave and wanted to know --- As an avid follower of the series through my collection this book is a one of a kind.

Total Page: 700 Pages ~ OTR Publishing #ISBN-10: 0970331061 ~ (July 2004)

5.0 out of 5 stars great and thick book!, August 26, 2009

By 

Ben Ohmart "book publisher" (Albany, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gang Busters: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting (Paperback)

I've been a fan of Martin Grams for years now. The man KNOWS how to write massive tomes on classic TV shows. This is another in a long line of very detailed informational books that NEEDS to be used by colleges on the history of TV. Can't recommend it enough.