Richard Diamond - Private Detective

Richard Diamond is a slick, sophisticated private detective who enjoys the detective life, but not as much as entertaining his girl, Helen Asher.

Dick Powell (below with Virginia Gregg), who portrayed Phillip Marlowe in the movie "Murder My Sweet" based on Raymond Chandler's novel "Farewell My Lovely" played the detective.

Mr. Powell was a former song and dance man and was perfect for the lighthearted role. He often ended the show by singing to his girlfriend, Helen, which added an extra dimention to the 40's private eye drama.

Helen Asher was portrayed by Virginia Gregg, who also played the part of Brooksie on Let George Do It and Betty Lewis on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

The show started on April 24, 1949 and ran through September 20, 1953. The shows were written by Blake Edwards (yes, the same Blake Edwards who is married to Julie Andrews and brought us The Pink Panther movies, Victor Victoria and "10.")

Trivia -

• Richard Diamond was one of the radio shows which successfully moved to television with David Janssen, later of The Fugitive and Harry O. fame, in the title role. The opening scene of the television show often featured the long lovely legs of Mary Tyler Moore. Mary was replaced on the Richard Diamond show when it became known that she owned the mystery legs.

And you can get ALL of the circulating episodes of Richard Diamond at the Internet Archive thanks to our friends at the Old Time Radio Researchers Group -

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