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Original ABC Mystery Theater Mark Saber header logo

ABC Mystery Theater [Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad] Radio Program
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Robert Carroll as Inspector Mark Saber
Robert Carroll as Inspector Mark Saber

ABC Mystery Theater Spot Ad, May 5, 1954
ABC Mystery Theater Spot Ad,
May 5, 1954

Background

ABC Mystery Theater aired from 1951-1954, with two original seasons of scripts and one season of repeats from the second season. Season One introduced Inspector Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad and his able assistant, Sergeant Tim Maloney. For Season One, character actor Robert Carroll was heard as Inspector Mark Saber. Sergeant Tim Maloney was portrayed by James Westerfield then Douglas Chandler. For Seasons Two and Three, Les Damon, of The Adventures of The Falcon and The Thin Man played the part of Inspector Saber and Walter Burke played the part of Sgt. Maloney.

Robert Carroll snapshot bio from 1952's Who's Who In Radio and Television
Robert Carroll snapshot bio from 1952's Who's Who In Radio and Television

Tracing the lineage of ABC Mystery Theater is no mean task. At the same time that ABC was airing its Radio version of Mystery Theater, it was also airing both a Television Mystery Theater and a program named Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad. TV's Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad starred another Falcon alumnus, Tom Conway, from the Film run of The Falcon. For it's first two seaons, ABC affiliates equipped with both Television and Radio were airing a Radio version of 'Mark Saber' as ABC Mystery Theater and a Television version of 'Mark Saber' called either Mark Saber, Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad, or Homicide Squad.

ABC Mystery Theater's first season introduced the Inspector Mark Saber character; a senior inspector in a large metropolitan city's Homicide Squad, Saber's division handles only murders--of every flavor and every kind imaginable. Indeed, reviewers of the era began to complain about the level of what were becoming fairly routine murders in most mystery and crime dramas of the mid-1940s to mid-1950s. This didn't stop ABC Mystery Theater from scripting a new murder of some kind every week for both of its first two seasons.

ABC Mystery Theater ran for its first two years directly against the similarly themed CBS Mystery Theatre of 1950-1951 and CBS's Hearthstone of The Death Squad in 1952. Hearthstone of the Death Squad was simply most of the scripts from the two years of CBS Mystery Theatre repackaged as their own series. The immediate similarities are pretty obvious--Death Squad vs Homicide Squad, Inspector vs Inspector, and metropolitan murders vs metropilitan murders. They often ran on the same day and in some instances in the same time slot. In the end, neither Inspector Hearthstone or Inspector Saber prevailed.

There were equal amounts of murder appearing on Television, comprised of programs that were either spin-offs of Radio programs, or in some cases running head to head with their Radio or Television counterpart. I'm sure this made for fascinating water cooler conversation among the Network Programmers, but it didn't serve the Radio audience very well.

It should also be noted that an ABC Mystery Theater aired some years later as ABC Mystery Theater in two apparently distinct incarnations: ABC Mystery Classics and ABC Masters of Mystery .

Series Derivatives:

 Mark Saber Television Program (1951)
Genre: Anthology of Golden Age Radio Crime Dramas
Network(s): ABC
Audition Date(s) and Title(s): Unknown
Premiere Date(s) and Title(s): Season One: 51-10-03 01 The Case of The Gilded Jade
Season Two: 52-10-08 01 The Case of The Telltale Tie
Season Three: 52-10-07 01 The Case of The Weeping Widow
Run Dates(s)/ Time(s): 51-10-03 to 54-06-30; ABC; One-Hundred fifteen, 30-minute programs; Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
Syndication: None
Sponsors: Dr. Lyon's Tooth Powder; Phillips Milk of Magnesia; Bayer Aspirin
Director(s): Unknown
Principal Actors: Robert Carroll, Douglas Chandler, Wally Maher, James Westerfield, Les Damon, Walter Burke
Recurring Character(s): Inspector Mark Saber of the Homicide Squad [Robert Carroll, Les Damon], Sergeant Tim Maloney [Douglas Chandler, James Westerfield, Walter Burke]
Protagonist(s): Inspector Mark Saber of the Homicide Squad
Author(s): Unknown
Writer(s) Robert Tallman
Music Direction: Clark 'Doc' Whipple
Musical Theme(s): Unknown
Announcer(s): Roger Foster
Estimated Scripts or
Broadcasts:		 115
Episodes in Circulation: 4
Total Episodes in Collection: 4
Provenances:
RadioGOLDINdex, Hickerson Guide, Ben Kibler.

Notes on Provenances:

The most helpful provenance was the log of the RadioGOLDINdex and newspaper radio listings.

Given the dearth of information about this series, all that can be done at this point is to identify as many contemporaneous program dates and titles as we can research from newspaper listings. A tip o'the hat to Ben Kibler for a heads up on the third season of ABC Mystery Theater.

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Mystery Theater - Inspector Mark Saber [Sabre] of The Homicide Squad [ABC] Program Log
Date Episode Title Avail. [Premiere EpisodeNotes
51-10-03
1
 The Case of the Gilded Jade
N
 [Premiere Episode, Season One;
ABC; Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Carroll as Inspector Mark Saber]

"A former CBS show bows on a new network and the first tale is called The Case of the Gilded Jade . True story of a murder case cracked by a old reporter"

51-10-03 Portsmouth TImes - 8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC; Robert Carroll, Broadway actor, will be heard in the starring role of Inspector Mark Saber of the homicide bureau on "Mystery Theater". The new drama will present the story "The Case of the Gilded Jade".
51-10-10
2
 The Case of the Cancelled Bride
Y
 51-10-10 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Cancelled Bride", a spine chiller for the homicide squad, will be presented on "Mystery Theater". Robert Carroll will be heard as Inspector Saber in a mystery which takes place on a gold-plated yacht in a raging storm.
51-10-17
3
 The Case of the Corpse Named Smith
N
 51-10-24 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: a simple matter of subtraction is used to the best of advantage by Inspector Mark Saber to wrap up a murder case on "Mystery Theater". When Saber and Sgt. Tmothy Maloney arrive a the scene of a diamond theft, they find a corpse. Saber, after some crime detection, names the murderer then finds him an apparent suicide.
51-10-24
4
 The Case of The Thirty-Seven Diamonds
N
 "A corpse is found where once were 37 diamonds but Inspector Saber solves the A murder."
51-10-31
5
 The Case of the Man on the Beach
N
 51-10-31 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: Inspector Mark Ssber has enough trouble on his hands with two women without the added problem of identifying two corpses on "Mystery Theater". However, the inspector gts both in "The Case of the Man on the Beach".
51-11-07
6
 The Case of the Flowers for A Grave
N
 Stars Robert Carroll

51-11-07 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Flowers for a Grave", will confront Inspector Mark Saber on "Mystery Theater". Robert Carroll is heard as the inspector.
51-11-14
7
 The Case of the Blue Truth
N
 51-11-14 Portsmouth Times - 8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A group of hypnotized cultists comprise the suspects in "The Case of the Blue Truth", featuring Robert Carroll as Inspector Mark Saber and Douglas Chandler as Sgt. Maloney. It's on "Mystery Theater".
51-11-21
8
 The Case of the Late Lamented
N
 51-11-21 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Late Lamented", the story of a girl who tried to frame her sister for the murder of their father, will be presented on "Mystery Theater", starring Robert Carroll and Douglas Chandler.
51-11-28
9
 The Case of the Eloquent Corpse
N
 51-11-28 Portsmouth Times - 8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: The charred bones of a human body found in a high-intensity furnace provide a high-intensity plot for the story to be presented on "Mystery Theater".
51-12-05
10
 The Case of the Singing Canary
N
 51-12-05 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt. Timothy Maloney of the homicide squad go through "The Case of the Singing Canary". The show stars Robert Carroll as the inspector and Douglas Chandler plays Sgt Maloney.
51-12-12
11
 The Case of the Man With Money to Burn
N
 51-12-12 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: Co-stars Robert Carroll and Douglas Chandler portray the main characters in "The Case of the Man With Money to Burn." The story is a suspense-thriller involving the sudden murder of a two-gun Texan who struck it rich in the oil fields.
51-12-19
12
 The Case of El Supremo
N
 51-12-19 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: Inspector Mark Saber and Sergeant Tim Maloney come close to death in the mountain stronghold of an exiled South American dictator in "The Case of El Supremo: on tonight's "Mystery Theater."
51-12-26
13
 The Case of the Fallen Lady
N
 "Accident or murder."
52-01-02
14
 The Case of the Publicity Murders
N
 Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.

52-01-02 Portsmouth Times - 8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A press-agent stund and the phoney stick-up of a movie starlet backfires into three killings in "The Case of the Publicity Murders" on "Mystery Theater." The murderer is described by Inspector Mark Saber as the "ad lib killer."
52-01-09
15
 The Case of The Silent Partner
N
 52-01-09 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Silent Partner" is tonight's presentation "Mystery Theater." The story concerns Fred King, released from prison after serving five years for his part in a $90,000 holdup. He finds that his partners in crime have cheated him out of his share of the loot.
52-01-16
16
 The Case of the Jane Doe Murder
N
 52-01-16 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: The body of a girl whose coarse work-worn hands seem incongruous with her valuable fur coat leads Inspector Mark Saber on a chase which involves three more murders on "Mystery Theater."
52-01-23
17
 The Case of The Traveling Terror
N
 52-01-23 Portsmouth Times - 8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A young hitchhiker turns out to be a psychopathic killer in "The Case of the Traveling Terror," heard tonight on "Mystery Theater."
52-01-30
18
 The Case of The Anxious Mother
N
 "A strange game of canasta in which one of the players is marked for death is aired tonight in "The Case of the Anxious Mother" on Mystery Theater." Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt. Tim Maloney. arrive on the scene to prevent a murder."

52-01-30 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A strange game of canasta in which one of the players is marked for death is aired tonight in "The Case of the Anxious Mother," on "Mystery Theater." Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt. Tim Maloney arrive on the scene to prevent a murder.
52-02-06
19
 The Case of the Silver Mouse
N
 "Murder trail leads to wife of slain policeman."

52-02-13
20
 The Case of The Portrait In Red

Y
 "A manhunt that leads to the slayer of painter Dewitt Paul. The suspects are a movie actress and her husband, the painter's patron, and the murder victim's deserted wife."
 Sponsored by Lyon's Tooth Powder

52-02-13 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Case of the Portrait In Red," tale of art, love, and murder.

Announces The Case of the Voice of Death as next
52-02-20
21
 The Case of The Voice of Death
N
 52-02-20 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): vengeance-seeking woman is murder victim.
52-02-27
22
 The Case of the White Barrier
N
 52-02-27 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: The violence of nature and the violence of man team up in a story of blizzard, murder and greed in "The Case of the White Barrier" heard on tonight's "Mystery Theater."
52-03-05
23
 The Case of the Crazy Fox
N
 52-03-05 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: An escaped homicidal maniac bent on revenge and a cool, crafty killer enliven things on the walled Aiken estate in "The Case of the Crazy Fox," heard on "Mystery Theater."
52-03-12
24
 The Case of the Unseen Hand
N
 52-03-12 Portsmouth Times
Sgt. Tim Maloney considers resigning from the force in order that he may not be involved in the arrest of a couple he believes to be innocent. Inspector Mark Saber ferrets out the truth, justice is done and Maloney remains a policeman in tonight's "Mystery Theater" presentation.
52-03-19
25
 The Case of the Moth and the Flame
N
 52-03-19 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: An inside job, a $200,000 bank robbery, engages the sleuthing attentions of Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt Tim Maliney in "The Case of the Moth and the Flame" on "Mystery Theater."
52-03-26
26
 The Case of the Outside Chance
N
 52-03-26 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): murder in a motel.
52-04-02
27
 The Case of The Embezzler's Ketch
N
 52-04-02 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A hunt for a bank cashier, who fled with $100,000 i cash and negotiable securities, occupies Inspector Mark Saber in "The Case of the Embezzler's Ketch" on "Mystery Theater."
52-04-09
28
 The Case of the Wistful Widow
Y
 52-04-09 Brainerd Daily Dispatch
ABC--7 Mystery Theater "The Wistful Widow."

Announces The Case of the Visiting Firemen as next
52-04-16
29
 The Case of The Visiting Firemen
N
 52-04-16 Long Beach Press Telegram
"Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt.Tim Maloney pose as gullible tourists in Tijuana in "The Case of the Visiting Firemen" on MYSTERY THEATER at 7:30, KECA. Their mission is to break up a diamond smuggling ring."

52-04-16 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m..--Mystery Theater (WISC): detectives break diamond-smuggling ring.
52-04-23
30
 The Case of the Borrowed Corpse
N
 52-04-23 Lowell Sun
MYSTERY THEATER The Case of the Borrowed Corpse WLAW 8.
52-04-30
31
 The Case of the Tropical Fish
N
 52-04-30 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A $200,000 jewel robbery and two muders lead Inspector Mark Saber to a pet shop and the solution of "The Case of the Tropical Fish."

52-04-30 Evening Independent
ABC 8 Mystery theater "Tropical Fish."

52-04-30 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): $200,000 gems decorate guppy tank.
52-05-07
32
 The Case of the Beauty and The Beast
N
 52-05-07 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Beauty and The Beast," inolves a deep, strange love that leads a Texas millionaire to keep his guilt-ridden wife locked up on tonight's "Mystery Theater" presentation.
52-05-14
33
 The Case of the Murder by Accident
N
 Wednesday

52-05-14 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: The story of love and violence unfolds in the "Mystery Theater" presentation of "Murder by Accident." Robert Carroll and James Westerfield co-star in this thrilling drama.
52-05-21
34
 The Case of the Man With Two Heads
N
 52-05-21 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: "The Case of the Man With Two Hands" will be heard on "Mystery Theater." The story concerns a man who creates a phantom existence that leads to robery, murder and his own destruction.
52-05-28
35
 The Case of the Silver Fish
N
 52-05-28 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: A killer, eager to get his hand on a million-dollar bequest, drowns an elderly man in "The Case of the Silver Fish" on "Mystery Theater."
52-06-04
36
 The Case of the Vanishing Corpse
N
 52-06-04 Chester Times
8:00 p.m.--WFIL--"The Case of the Vanishing Corpse" on Mystery Theater.

52-06-04 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: The body of a murder victim, wanted by Internal Revenue Bureau agents, proves to be the key in the "Mystery Theater" presentation of "The Case of the Vanishing Corpse."
52-06-11
37
 The Case of the Menacing Rock
N
 52-06-11 Portsmouth Times
8 p.m.--WNXT-ABC: Inspector Mark Saber and Sergeant Tim Maloney risk their lives digging in a caved-in mine to reach a trapped man in "The Case of the Menacing Rock" on "Mystery Theater." They are aided by three men, one of whom may be a killer.

Summer Break
52-10-08
1
 The Case of The Tell-tale Tie
Y
 [Premiere Episode, Season Two]
Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.;

52-10-09 Long Beach Press Telegram
Les Damon as Inspector Mark Sabre; Walter Burke is Sgt. Tim Maloney

52-10-08 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): double murder and double-cross in "The Case of the Tell-Tale Tie."

Sponsored by Phillips Milk of Magnesia
52-10-15
2
 The Morning-After Murder
N
 "It concerns a young hotel 'clerk who awakes' with a hangover and a possible charge of murder against him."

52-10-15 Long Beach Press-Telegram
This is mystery night on radio and "Morning-After Murder" is scheduled on MYSTERY THEATERat 7:30 on KECA. It concerns a young hotel clerk who awakes with a hangover and a possible charge of murder against him.
52-10-22
3
 The Case of the Panama Lady
N
 52-10-22 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): Inspector Saber chases killer to Panama, meets mysterious senorita

52-10-22 Long Beach Press-Telegram - "The Case of the Panama Lady" keeps Inspector Saber very busy on MYSTERY THEATER at 7:30 on KECA. Les Damon is Saber and Walter Burke Sgt. Tim Maloney.
52-10-29
4
 The Case of the Undersea Cave
N
 52-10-29 Evening Independent
ABC--8 Mystery Theater, "Undersea Cave."
52-11-05
5
 The Case of Murder by Mistake
N
 "Hollywood columnist gets death threat"

52-11-05 Evening Independent - ABC 8 Mystery Theater, "Murder by Mistake.
52-11-12
6
 The Case of Death on the Downbeat
N
 52-11-12 Evening Independent
ABC 8 Mystery Theater, "Death on the Downbeat."

52-11-12 Long Beach Independent
A chiseling band leader takes an unscheduled bow through a window 11 floors up- on "The Case of Death on the Downbeat" on KECA at 7:30.
52-11-19
7
 The Case of Mr. Big
N
 "Mob chief's plan for revenge backfires."

52-11-19 Evening Independent
ABC--8 Mystery Theater, "Mr Big."
52-11-26
8
 The Case of the Midnight Meeting
N
 52-11-26 Long Beach Press-Telegram
More crime on Mystery Theater in "The Case of the Midnight Meeting" hits the airwaves at 7:30 on KECA. Mark Saber and Tim Maloney match wits with dark forces of dictatorship.
52-12-03
9
 The Case of the Faithless Redhead
N
 52-12-03 Evening Independent
ABC--8 Mystery Theater, "Faithless Redhead."
52-12-10
10
 The Case of the Yellow Haired Killer
N
 "A man is stabbed while asking for help."

52-12-10 San Antonio Light
"The Yellow-haired Killer" is the subject of Mystery Theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday over KABC.
52-12-17
11
 Title Unknown
N
 52-12-17 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): young rancher becomes murder suspect.
52-12-24
12
 The Case of Miss Finesse
N
 52-12-24 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): fraud and murder at the race track.
52-12-31
13
 The Case of the Crossed Fingers
N
 52-12-31 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Case of the Crossed Fingers."
53-01-07
14
 The Case of the Talking Corpse
N
 53-01-07 Long Beach Press Telegram
An apparent cadaver leads ot the undoing of a thug and killer in "The Case of the Talking Corpse" on KECA at 7:30 p.m. Les Damon is starred as Inspector Mark Saber during Mystery Theater

"Ruse traps fugitive killer."
53-01-14
15
 The Case of the Kid's Last Pitch
N
 53-01-14 Long Beach Press Telegram
Mark Saber, Homicide Inspector, gets mixed up with an exbaseball player who is pitching hand grenades for racketeers. The case is solved between- 7:30 and 8 p. m. on KECA

53-01-14 San Antonio Light
"The Kid's Last Pitch" is presented on Mystery Theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday over KABC.
53-01-21
16
 The Case of the Wrong Kid
N
 53-01-21 Long Beach Press Telegram
Mark Saber of Homicide finds hot lead and hot cars his dish on "Mystery Theater, on KECA 7:30 p.m.

53-01-21 San Antonio Light
"The Wrong Kid" is presented on Mystery Theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday over KABC.

53-01-21 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): detective shot while trying to arrest teen-ager with bad record.
53-01-28
17
 Title Unknown
N
 53-01-28 Brainerd Daily Dispatch
ABC--7 Mystery Theater
53-02-04
18
 The Case of the San Quentin Killer
The Case of the Tunnel of Love
N
 53-02-04 Brainerd Daily Dispatch
ABC--7 Mystery Theater, "San Q. Killer."

53-02-04 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): gangster, inspector meet in "Tunnel of Love."
53-02-11
19
 The Bomb That Boomeranged
N
 "Killer's second murder brings him to justice."

53-02-11 The Progress
ABC--8, Mystery Theater, "The Bomb That Bommeranged."
53-02-18
20
 Title Unknown
N
 "Mark Saber investigates the case of a whodunit fan who is herself "a black widow spider" and becomes a real criminal engaging in such tasks as murder, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon."

53-02-18 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): resort hotel loses two tenants by murder.
53-02-25
21
 The Case of the Dead Man's Crimes
N
 "Inspector Mark Saber and Sergeant Tim Maloney will be faced with a gallery of suspects as they plunge through a miasmas of suspicion and hatred to find the darkly-motivated killer of a millionairess"

53-02-25 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Case of the Dead Man's Crimes."
53-03-04
22
 Murder By Schedule
N
 53-03-04 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): gum wrapper leads to killer.

53-03-04 Evening Tribune
ABC--7 Mystery Theater, "Murder By Schedule."
53-03-11
23
 The Case of the Deadly Houseparty
N
 54-03-11 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): boy's music helps trap killers.

53-03-11 Portsmouth Times
Inspector Mark Saber gets a pair of killers to "face the music" through a ruse involving a lad practicing his music in "The Case of the Deadly Houseparty," on "Mystery Theater" over WNXT tonight from 8 to 8:30.
53-03-18
24
 The Case of the Harmless Crank
N
 53-03-18 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): drunk's phone callsaves man from chair.

53-03-18 Brainerd Daily Dispatch
ABC--7 Mystery Theater, "Harmless Crank."
53-03-25
25
 The Case of the Impossible Killing
N
 53-03-25 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): threat closes mouth of would-be stool pigeon.

53-03-25 The Bee
ABC--8 Mystery Theater, "The Impossible Killing."
53-04-01
26
 Title Unknown
N
 53-04-01 Wisconsin State Journal - WISC 7:00 Mystery Theater

"Gas blast kills businessman"
53-04-08
27
 The Case of the Last Resort
N
 53-04-08 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): death raises question--murder, suicide, or accident?

52-04-08 Portsmouth Times
The body of a man who had everything to die for is found in "The Case of the Last Resort" heard at 8 on Mystery Theater over WWNXT. Inspector Mark Saber will attempt to learn if its a case of murder, accident or suicide.
53-04-15
28
 The Case of the Man They Couldn't Kill
N
 53-01-21 Long Beach Press Telegram
Double jeopardy almost saves
an arrogant young murderer on
ihe "Mystery Theater" whodunit
over KECA-at 7:30 p. m.

53-04-15 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): legal technicality almost saves killer.

"A hunt for a killer and a potential Killer -- the latter a mad dog. A gunman kills an elderly proprietor of a store and is bitten and later tracked down by the old man's beagle, a rabid dog. Efforts to capture the murderer and the dog, a menace to the city provide the action of tonight's story"
53-04-22
29
 The Case of the Beggarman Thief Murder
N
 53-04-22 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): killer learns too late of important error.

52-04-22 Portsmouth Times
A killer learns too late that his victim would have save him the trouble of murder by committing suicide in "The Case of the Beggarman Thief Murder" heard at 8 tonight on Mystery Theater over WNXT.
53-04-29
30
 The Case of the Night Marauder
N
 53-04-29 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): thief-trained dog spreads terror through city.

52-04-29 Portsmouth Times
A dog taught to be a killer by an animal trainer turned thief spreads terror over Los Angeles on Mystery Theater, heard at 8 over WNXT.
53-05-06
31
 The Case of the Silent Partner
N
 53-05-03 Big Spring Daily Herald
"MYSTERY THEATRE" A gunman's ex-wife, now a secretary in a bank, is a prime suspect in "The Case of the Silent Partner," the thriller for the Wednesday, May 6, broadcast of Mystery Theatre heard on KBST at 7 p.m. After a bank robbery involving a murder, Inspector Mark Saber of the Homicide Squad and Sergeant Tim Maloney get back into the case. Things look black for the gunman's ex-wife, particularlyl when $10,000 of the stolen money is found in her purse, but Saber is no man to make snap judgments. His clever sleuthing recovers the money, frees the innocent and unmasks the guilty.
53-05-13
32
 The Case of the Movie Mother
N
 53-05-13 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): glamor girl's mother slain.

52-05-13 Portsmouth Times
One of the nation's top glamor girls, Betsy Mears, figures prominently in "The Case of the Movie Mother," heard at 8 tonight on Mystery Theater over WNXT. Inspector Mark Saber and Sergeant Tim Maloney face a set of suspects including Miss Mears, her father, her friend and stand-in, and the head of Acme Studio.
53-05-20
33
 The Case of the Skyscraper Murders
N
 53-05-20 Wisconsin State Journal - 6 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WLS): two die in plunges from skyscraper's roof.

52-05-20 Portsmouth Times
Two persons plummet from the
roof of a skyscraper, and Inspector
Mark Sazer almost follows them
in "The Case of the Skyscraper
Murders" at 8 p.m. on Mystery Theater over WNXT.
53-05-27
34
 The Case of the Seeing Hands
N
 53-05-27 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): blind piano tuner suspected in musician's death.

"A Mexican criminal slain by his cohorts gets his revenge"
53-06-03
35
 Title Unknown
N
 53-06-03 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): gangsters kidnap daughter of city council president.

"Inspector Saber and Sgt Maloney pursue the work of a southern belle "more lethal than corn likker"
53-06-10
36
 The Case of the Body Next Door
N
 53-06-10 Wisconsin State Journal - 7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): cleaning woman discovers murder victim.

52-06-10 Portsmouth Times
A body found in an office building by a charwoman is the corpus delicti in tonight's episode of Mystery Theater, heard at 9 p.m. over WNXT.
53-06-17
37
 The Case of Death's Big Day
N
 53-06-17 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): crazed boxer causes terror.

52-06-17 Portsmouth Times
A huge boxer, with his brain scrambled from a beating in the ring, dominates the atmosphere of terror in "The Case of Death's Big Day" tonight at 8 on "Mystery Theater" over WNXT
53-06-24
38
 The Case of the Pennies for Death
N
 53-06-24 Wisconsin State Journal
7 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): dead man's pennies give clue to killers.

52-06-24 Portsmouth Times
A dead man who is found with his cupped hands full of pennies is the corpus delicti in tomight's broadcast of •Mystery Theater, heard at 8 over WNXT.
53-07-01
39
 The Case of the Black Vendetta
N
 52-07-01 Portsmouth Times
A Mystery Theater thriller, "The Case of the Black Vendetta," be heard at 8 tonight over WNXT, when Inspector Mark Saber and Sgt. Tim Maloney face and smash a Mafia-like organization.'

52-07-08 Long Beach Press-Telegram
KECA drops "Mystery Theater" for the summer, moving each of the following up 30 minutes: "Mike Malloy" to 7:30, "The Adventure" to 8, "Crossfire" to 8:30 and adding "Cocoanut Grove Orchestra" (Ted Fiorito now) at 9 p. m.

Summer Break
53-10-07
1
 The Case Of the Weeping Widow
N
 [Premiere]

53-10-04 Abilene Reporter-News - The premiere broadcast of the Mystery Theater on KNBC will be heard Wednesday from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Les Damon, as Inspector Mark Saber, will be featured in the Wednesday night series.

53-10-07 Portsmouth Times - Inspector Mark Saber mmets an old flame in "The Case of the Weeping Widow" in the first of the fall series of Mystery Theater at 9:30 on WNXT.
53-10-14
2
 The Comic Strip Murder
N
 53-10-14 Portsmouth Times - Dark things in a comic strip syndicate aren't so funny when murder steps into the picture in "The Comic Strip Murder" on Mystery Theatre at 9:30 on WNXT.
53-10-21
3
 Homicide Highway
N
 53-10-21 Evening Tribune - 8:30 Mystery Theater, "Homicide Highway."
53-10-28
4
 Keep Awake, Sergeant!
N
 53-10-28 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "Keep Awake, Sergeant!, tale of how fair treatment paid off.
53-11-04
5
 Call From A Corpse
N
 53-11-04 Syracuse Herald Journal
WHEN A TEXAN who has just struck oil strikes up a conversation with two strangrs on a train, it is not a good idea for him to tell them that all his newly-acquired wealth is in the suitcase at his side--a thesis that will be proved in "Call From a Corpse" on Mystery Theater tonight at 9:30 over WAGE. The strangers interest in him turns out to be more lethal than solicitous and Inspector Mark Sabre finds himself on the receiving end of a phone call from the man who gasps that he has been shot and left for dead.
53-11-11
6
 $10,000 Buildup
N
 53-11-11 Brainerd Daily Dispatch - ABC 8:30 Mystery Theater, "10,000 Buildup."
53-11-18
7
 Eagle Neck Murder
N
 53-11-18 Portsmouth Times - A carnival troupe housed in an old summer resort hotel gets involved in the murder of the lady of the lodge in "Eagle Neck Murder" on "Mystery Theater" at 9:30 on WNXT.
53-11-25
8
 Title Unknown
N
 53-11-25 Syracuse Herald Journal - Any man would be understandably upset if he were suddenly congratulated on a perfectly legal marriage he knew nothing about. Inspector Mark Saber, of Mystery Theater, intrepid though he may be, is no different in this respect. After he finds through Sgt. Tim Maloney, that he has been wed to a beautiful young lady in the Phoenix, Ariz. City Hall, the facts of the case unfold tonight at 9:30 over WAGE.
53-12-02
9
 Title Unknown
N
 -
53-12-09
10
 Death Goes To School
N
 53-12-09 Evening Tribune
ABC--8:30 Mystery Theater, "Death Goes to School."
53-12-16
11
 Murder Makes Headlines
N
 53-12-16 Syracuse Herald Journal
Looking--and--Listening
By JEREMY GAIGE
A HOLLYWOOD press agent will go to great lengths to get publicity, but when suspected murder enters the picture, so do the police on Mystery Theater tonight at 9:30 over WAGE. Inspector Mark Saber finds the disappearance of a fading movie actress, Vicki Price, turns into something more than a bid for newspaper space. Under the officer's questioning, the actress' punchy butler and bodyguard confesses in a highly unlikel story that he has murdered Vicki. Saber and Maloney find out, however, that he has done this merely to protect his employer's husband, whom, he believes, has actualy done away with his wife. How Vicki's true whereabouts are revealed by Saber are disclosed in the final dramatic scenes of "Murder Makes Headlines."
53-12-23
12
 Title Unknown
N
 53-12-23 Syracuse Herald Journal
A STRADIVARIUS violin is pawned for eight dollars and a neighborhood slum kid is unjustly framed in a murder of a nice old lady in tonight's episode of Mystery Theater at 9:30 over WAGE. Inspector Mark Saber finds himself investigating a saga of family hate masked behind a facade of gentility.
53-12-30
13
 The Gilbert and Sullivan Murders
N
 53-12-30 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Gilbert and Sullivan Murders."
54-01-06
14
 The Murderous Clocks
N
 54-01-06 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Murderous Clocks."
54-01-13
15
 Death Is A Fisherman
N
 54-01-13 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): Mark Saber finds murder in fishing village.
54-01-20
16
 The Man Who Drowned Twice
N
 54-01-20 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Man Who Drowned Twice."
54-01-27
17
 Shadow Of A Doubt
N
 54-01-27 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "Shadow of a Doubt."
54-02-03
18
 The Case Of the Popgun Murders
N
 54-02-03 Wisconsin State Journal - 8:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): racket witness gets threatening letter.
54-02-10
19
 The Case Of the Fallen Star
N
 54-02-10 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): inspector unravels murder of film star.
54-02-17
20
 Lady You Kill Me
N
 54-02-17 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "whodunit" fan becomes a criminal.
54-02-24
21
 Death Calls the Tune
N
 54-02-24 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "Death Calls the Tune."

54-02-25 Oakland Tribune
7:30 p.m., KGO — MYSTERY THEATER: The premiere playing of a weird musical composition presages doom for a character in "Death Calls the Tune."
54-03-03
22
 The Wrong Doorbell
N
 54-03-03 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): researcher gets into trouble with embarrassing questions.
54-03-10
23
 The Deadly Nightshade
N
 54-03-10 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Deadly Nightshade."
54-03-17
24
 Title Unknown
N
 54-03-17 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): stool-pigeon forced to frame innocent woman.
54-03-24
25
 One Word From Johnny
N
 54-03-24 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): murder witness shocked into silence.
54-03-31
26
 The Case Of the Silent Witness
N
 54-03-31 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): gas blast kills businessman.
54-04-07
27
 Believe Me, It's Murder
N
 54-04-07 New York Times - 9:30-WABC--Mystery Theatre: Believe Me, It's Murder, With Les Damon.
54-04-14
28
 His Master's Death
N
 54-04-14 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): mad dog bites killer. 54-04-14 New York Times - 9:30-WABC--Mystery Theatre: His Master's Death, With Les Damon.
54-04-21
29
 The Case Of the Fatal Mistake
N
 54-04-21 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WLS): detectives fear they have sent innocent man to death.
54-04-28
30
 The Case Of the Airtight Alibi
N
 50-04-28 Wisconsin State Journal - 9:15 p.m.--Mystery Theater (WISC): "The Case of the Airtight Alibi."
54-05-05
31
 The Tower Room
N
 54-05-05 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Tower Room," a tale of the disappearance and murder of a member of a strange organization; Les Damon, Walter Burke--WABC.
54-05-12
32
 Curfew For Frankie
N
 -
54-05-19
33
 Sleep No More
N
 54-05-19 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Sleep No More," an insane musician is accused of murder, with Les Damon, Walter Burke and others--WABC.
54-05-26
34
 Death In A Diamond Setting
N
 54-05-22 Winona Republican-Herald - If you like thriller dillers, hear MYSTERY THEATRE Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Inspector Mark Saber works on a murder case and runs into diamond smugglers in next week's episode.
54-06-02
35
 Title Unknown
N
 -
54-06-09
36
 The Case Of Kiowa Jones
N
 54-06-09 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Case of Kiowa Jones," a grizzled but wealthy sourdough is murdered, with Les Damon and Walter Burke--WABC.
54-06-16
37
 Crazy, Man, Crazy
N
 54-06-16 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Crazy, Man, Crazy," murder and jewel theft in a bebop setting, with Les Damon and Walter Burke--WABC.
54-06-23
38
 Until He Dies
N
 54-06-23 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Until He Dies," two murders result from a double cross, with Les Damon, Walter Burke and others--WABC.
54-06-30
39
 Vacation From Death
N
 54-06-30 New York Times - 9:30-10--Mystery Theatre: "Vacation From Death," a gunman visits Mark Saber's apartment, with Les Damon and Walter Burke--WABC.

ABC Mystery Theater [Mark Saber] Biographies
Lester Joseph 'Les' Damon
(Inspector Mark Saber)
Radio, Stage, and Television Actor
(1909-1962)

Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

Radiography:

 1941 Lone Journey
1942 Great Plays
1943 Words At War
1947 The Right to Happiness
1948 Gang Busters
1948 Cavalcade Of America
1950 The Adventures Of the Falcon
1950 Dimension X
1950 The Big Story
1951 Now Hear This
1952 Proudly We Hail
1954 The FBI In Peace and War
1955 The Adventures Of the Abbotts
1955 21st Precinct
1955 X Minus One
1959 Suspense
1960 The Right To Happiness
1960 Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Les Damon, ca. 1949
Les Damon, ca. 1949

Les Damon with character actor Ken Lynch from The Adventures of The Falcon, ca. 1950
Les Damon with character actor Ken Lynch from The Adventures of The Falcon, ca. 1950

Les Damon with Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners episode, A Dog's Life from 1956
Les Damon with Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners episode, A Dog's Life from 1956

Les Damon with Gleason and Carnie in The Honeymooners episode, Pal-O-Mine from 1955
Les Damon with Gleason and Carnie in The Honeymooners episode, Pal-O-Mine from 1955

Les Damon with Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners episode, Safety Award, from 1956
Les Damon with Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners episode, Safety Award, from 1956
 Les Damon was born in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating from high school, Damon got his start in Theatre with the Albee Stock Company in Providence. He also traveled to England to study with the Old Vic Company in London. Based primarily on the East Coast, Damon lived in Califon, NJ for most of his Radio career.

Upon his return from England, Damon enlisted in the Army Air Forces, serving in the China-Burma Theater of World War II, flying over 'the hump' to provide desparately needed supplies and materiel to Chiang Kai Shek's beleagured Chinese Army. Damon was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Les Damon's illustrious career spanned over 30 years on Stage and in Radio and Television. Upon his return from World War II, Damon began his acting career in Radio. After performing in a variety of straight dramatic roles through the mid-1940s, Les Damon began voicing lead roles in The Lone Journey (1941), The Thin Man (1946), The Right to Happiness (1947), The Adventures of The Falcon (1950), and ABC Mystery Theater (as Inspector Mark Saber of The Homicide Squad) (1952). He's probably best remembered for his role as Michael Waring 'The Falcon' in Radio's The Adventures of The Falcon, a role he seems to have enjoyed a great deal. His fans reciprocate that enjoyment to this day.

Damon often worked with his wife, Radio actress Ginger Jones. The two met on Radio assignments and married in 1943. An example of Les Damon's romantic nature is highlighted in this quote from the San Antonio Express, November 10, 1943:

Rice on Ice

"Ginger Jones, of the new daytime serial "Brave Tomorrow" is sporting a beautiful African turquoise set in diamonds, which, on investigation, proves to be more than a mere ring. In a tiny compartment under the stone are two grains of rice which her husband, actor Les Damon, retrieved from his trouser cuffs after their wedding."

The 1950s marked Les Damon's debut in Television, with character roles in The Jackie Gleason Show (1954), The Honeymooners (1955), The Dick Powell Show (1962), The New Breed (1962), and Have Gun Will Travel (1962). Damon also garnered recurring roles in The Guiding Light (1952), As The World Turns (1956), Kitty Foyle (1958), The Edge of Night (1958), and Window On Main Street (1961)

Les Damon's smooth, yet authoritative voice made him ideal for roles such as urbane detectives, slick businessmen, or worldly-wise fatherly types or mentors. His crisp delivery was his trademark, punctuating expositional narratives or commands with just enough menace to keep the listener rivetted to the speaker.

Hospitalized for chest pain at UCLA Medical Center, Damon succumbed to a massive heart-attack at the age of 53. He was survived by his wife, Ginger Jones and daughter Lisa.
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