Radio Recap: Phyl Coe Radio Mysteries

Phyl Coe Radio Mysteries was a syndicated program that aired during September 6-December 20, 1937. It starred Peggy Allenby as the titular detective Phyllis Coe and none other than Bud Collyer (later of the Adventures of Superman) as her sidekick Tom Taylor. It shouldn't surprise you to learn that "Phyl Coe Radio Mysteries" was a big advertising campaign for Philco radios, similar to Majestic's Master of Mystery serving as a lengthy advertisement for Majestic radios.

Yet, Phyl Coe Radio Mysteries had a gimmick - listeners were invited to help solve the mysteries heard in each episode! Although the programs featured a complete drama that always ended with Phyl identifying the criminal, it lacked the typical radio detective scene where they would expound upon the clues which pointed to the criminal's guilt. Philco dealers provided booklets for listeners to gather the clues for themselves, then mail in their own reasoning for what tipped off Phyl to the criminal's identity, with correct responses leading to cash prizes. That's a pretty great gimmick!

The gimmick is the best part of the series; it's of interest that Phyl is an early female protagonist in the radio mystery genre but the stories themselves are very average radio mystery stories. Still, they're very breezy and easy to listen to.

12 of the 16 episodes of Phyl Coe Radio Mysteries can found in the Old-Time Radio Researchers Library.