''The Affairs of Peter Salem'' is an American radio detective drama that was broadcast on
Mutual from April 25, 1949,
or May 7, 1949, until April 18, 1953.
Format
Peter Salem came from a small town
but lived in the East 80s in New York City. Some neighbors considered him disreputable, possibly because of the strange clients who came looking for his help. He was a "suave and sophisticated private detective".
With his sidekick, Marty, Salem avoided violence by using reasoning
"to trip up sophisticated lawbreakers from the city."
The show's producer,
described Salem as "a rather portly, affable bachelor for whom the comforts of life are first thoughts", particularly enjoying good food and relaxing in his easy chair.
His clients provided enough funding for him to enjoy his gourmet tastes.
Salem had "a violent dislike for strenuous exercising" and described himself as fat.
Santos Ortega
Santos Edward Ortega (June 30, 1899 – April 10, 1976) was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for playing Will Hughes in ''As the World Turns'', taking over from Will Lee, who had played the role from the first episode on April 2, ...
portrayed Salem, and
Jack Grimes played Marty. Other actors heard on the show included
Ann Shepherd,
Everett Sloane
Everett H. Sloane (October 1, 1909 – August 6, 1965) was an American character actor who worked in radio, theatre, films, and television.
Early life
Sloane was born in Manhattan on October 1, 1909, to Nathaniel I. Sloane and Rose (Gerst ...
, and
Luis Van Rooten.
Production
In addition to Brown as the producer,
Mende Brown
Mende Brown (1920-2002) was an American writer, producer and director of radio, films and TV who lived and worked in Australia from 1970 to 1991.
His directing on radio included '' The Affairs of Peter Salem''.Sies, Luther F. (2014). ''Encycloped ...
was the director, and
Louis Vittes
Louis Vittes (1911–1969) was an American screenwriter who mostly wrote for television and low-budget films.
Select filmography
*'' Villa!!'' (1958)
*''Showdown at Boot Hill'' (1959)
*'' I Married a Monster from Outer Space'' (1959)
*'' The Eyes ...
was the writer.
''The Affairs of Peter Salem'' was initially broadcast on Monday evenings. On April 30, 1950, it was moved to Sunday evenings as part of a block of adventure and mystery programs on Mutual.
Critical response
A review in the trade publication ''
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' noted "the slick performance of Santos Ortega".
The supporting cast was described as "capable", and the reviewer added, "Script and direction were also okay."
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Affairs of Peter Salem, The
1949 radio programme debuts
1953 radio programme endings
1940s American radio programs
1950s American radio programs
American radio dramas
Detective radio shows
Mutual Broadcasting System programs