The Blue Beetle
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- Publication date
- 2006-07-13
THE BLUE BEETLE
The exploits of Dan Garrett, a rookie patrolman who, by wearing bullet-proof blue chain mail, transformed himself into the mysterious Blue Beetle, a daring crusader for justice.
The Blue Beetle was created by Charles Nicholas. The character made his first appearance in August of 1939 in the comic book Mystery Men #1, published by Fox Features Syndicate.
The Blue Beetle radio serial aired from 05-15-40 to 09-13-40 as a CBS 30 minutes, syndicated series. Actor Frank Lovejoy provided the voice of the Blue Beetle for the first thirteen episodes. Later episodes were uncredited.
After his father was killed by a gangster's bullet, young Dan Garrett joined the New York Police Department, but soon tired of the slow pace and red tape of police work.
With the help of his friend and mentor, pharmacist and drug-store proprietor Dr. Franz, Dan acquired a costume of bullet-proof chain-mail-like cellulose material, and began a second life, fighting crime as The Blue Beetle.
His calling card was a small beetle-shaped marker that he left in conspicuous places to alert criminals to his presence, using their fear of his crime fighting reputation as a weapon against them. For this purpose he also used a "Beetle Signal" flashlight. The Blue Beetle's reputation was not his only weapon -- he carried a revolver in a blue holster on his belt, and was sometimes shown wearing a multi-pouched belt after the style set by Batman. Also in the Batman vein, the Blue Beetle had a "BeetleMobile" car and a "BeetleBird" airplane. In at least one radio adventure, he carries something called a "magic ray machine". The ray machine was a sort of super-scientific cutting device.
OTRR Release Information:
Series Name: The Blue Beetle
Release Status: OTRR Certified Complete
Release Date: May 15, 2005
Release Version: Version 1
Number of CDs: 1
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
Notes
OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHERS GROUP
This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers (OTRR) Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website (www.otrr.org), Old Time Radio Researchers Facebook Group, and Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.
If you are interested in preserving Old Time Radio (OTR), you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Facebook and Groups.io.
Relax, listen, and enjoy!
OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Maintained Set -- This set contains all known episodes in the best available audio condition with the most accurate dates and titles known to be in general circulation and based on current research at the time of release. Replaces OTRR Certified Accurate and OTRR Certified Complete.
OTRR Non-Maintained Set -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Maintenance process.
Pre-2019 OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that was "Certified Accurate" indicated that all the episodes were properly identified and labeled based on current information but that the series did not contain all known extant episodes.
OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that was "Certified Complete" achieved the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implied that all the files in the series were "Certified Accurate" and also indicated that the series was as complete as possible and included all circulating episodes.
OTRR Non-Certified -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Certification process.
Also, beginning in 2019, the version numbers of our OTRR releases changed format -- instead of v1.0 or v2.1, we are now using a version number that reflects the year and month the set was released. The format used is a two-digit year followed by a two-digit month. For example, "v1906" indicates a set that was released in June 2019, or "v1910" indicates a set released in October 2019.
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Reviews
Reviewer:
Superlee
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
November 24, 2011
Subject: 3.5 Stars for The Blue Beetle!
Subject: 3.5 Stars for The Blue Beetle!
I like this show a lot! Yes, it can be referred to as corny and even a bit cheesy, it's no "Box 13," no "Superman" and certainly no "Shadow" but that's ok with me. I don't mind a bit of cheese on my corn :) (sometimes :)
Reviewer:
Poe1809
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 29, 2011
Subject: .
Subject: .
As a comic book fan for the last 30 years(don't tell my anyone, especially my wife) I've always loved the different characters that operated under the name Blue Beetle. This radio show does a great job with the first character of that name, with good action, not made too deep by superfluous story elements, and even some humor. Yes, this is a product of its age with some of the sci-fi aspects, but it is a fun listen nonetheless.
The only knock is the sound. While you can stay hear and understand nearly everything, often it has a murky quality than makes you strain to hear. This would get a five otherwise, but one star off for the sound.
The only knock is the sound. While you can stay hear and understand nearly everything, often it has a murky quality than makes you strain to hear. This would get a five otherwise, but one star off for the sound.
Reviewer:
Anatoon
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
December 11, 2009
Subject: The Blue Beetle
Subject: The Blue Beetle
I found this show doing a search for Frank Lovejoy as I always enjoyed his role in Night Beat. Frank has an excellent voice for radio.
What can I say, The Blue Beetle is rather corny, but I think it must have been aimed towards a young audience. Things like 'magic ray guns', Formula X-J, invisibility formulas, and the like are what children in the day were into. (Yes, back when they had imaginations).
I did listen to them all, the stories are original for the most part and still maintains an entertainment aspect.
What can I say, The Blue Beetle is rather corny, but I think it must have been aimed towards a young audience. Things like 'magic ray guns', Formula X-J, invisibility formulas, and the like are what children in the day were into. (Yes, back when they had imaginations).
I did listen to them all, the stories are original for the most part and still maintains an entertainment aspect.