A Man called X was a CBS/NBC spy radio series that aired from July 10, 1944 to May 20, 1952. The lead character, Intelligence Agent Ken Thurston, was portrayed by Herbert Marshall. His sidekick, Pagan Zeldchmidt, was played by Leon Belasco. Together, they took various cases, all of which were extremely dangerous, and had happened at different exotic places in the world. The background music was supplied by Gordon Jenkins' Orchestra.
The show was later adapted into a 39-episode television series, with Barry Sullivan taking over the lead role.
| Air Date |
Title |
Synopsis |
| 1947-04-03 |
01 Arctic Expedition |
CBS net. Sponsored by: Frigidaire (commercials deleted). Dr. Stuart Dawson, an authority on uranium deposits, has been thrown overboard while en route to Anarctica. Marshall flubs a line twice in the program's first 3 minutes. He then misses a music cue five minutes into the show. Ken Thurston is then thrown overboard (by the director?). Herbert Marshall, Johnny Green (composer, conductor), Jack Johnstone (director, billed as Jeff Johnstone), Leon Belasco, Milton Merman (writer), Wendell Niles (announcer). |
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| 1947-04-17 |
03 The Oil Refinery |
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| 1947-04-24 |
04 Mr Nessler & Insurance Policy |
+ CBS net. Sponsored by: Frigidaire (commercials deleted). The Acme Oil Company is the victim of sabotage in the Middle East. Ken Thurston flies to Kuwait and then a boat to investigate. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, Jack Johnstone (director), Johnny Green (composer, conductor), Wendell Niles (announcer). |
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| 1947-05-15 |
08 The Stamp Story |
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| 1947-06-05 |
11 Swindle To Honolulu |
+ CBS net. Commercials deleted. A land company in Hawaii has been swindling veterans by selling land it doesn't own. Ken Thurston is framed for murder! Herbert Marshall, Wendell Niles (nnouncer), Leon Belasco, Jack Johnstone (director), Johnny Green (music), Les Crutchfield (writer). |
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| 1947-06-19 |
13 Silver Scarab |
+ CBS net. Sponsored by: Frigidaire. While in Cairo on the trail of pirates on the Red Sea, Ken Thurston is killed by three silver bullets. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, J. Richard Kennedy (originator), Wendell Niles (announcer), Jack Johnstone (director), Sidney Marshall (writer), Johnny Green (composer, conductor). |
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| 1947-06-26 |
14 Rembrandt In Rio |
+ CBS net. Sponsored by: Frigidaire. Ken Thurston travels to Rio in search of four missing Rembrandts. Two murders stand in his way. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, Jack Johnstone (director), Johnny Green (composer, conductor), Les Crutchfield (writer), Wendell Niles (announcer). |
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| 1947-07-24 |
18 Destination Manila |
+ CBS net. Sponsored by: Frigidaire. Ken Thurston and Pegan Zellschmidt are assigned to guard a shipment of radium on a cross-country flight. The program paints an interesting portrait of commercial aviation of the time. "The Man Called X" orates about patriotism at the conlusion of the program. The final commercial has been deleted. The program opening is very slightly upcut. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, Alan Reed, Jack Johnstone (director), Johnny Green (composer, conductor), Wendell Niles (announcer), Les Crutchfield (writer). |
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| 1947-08-07 |
20 Will You Marry Me |
+ CBS net. Commercials deleted. Ray Mulholland has been murdered with a tommy gun. This leads Ken Thurston and Pegan Zellschmidt to Lisbon to investigate an international marriage racket. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, Jack Johnstone (director), Johnny Green (composer, conductor), Wendell Niles (announcer), Les Crutchfield (writer), Maurice Zinn (writer). |
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1 Response to Man Called X
This is absolutely one of my son's and mine favorite series. We listen to it almost every night. I love Pagan or however you spell his name. I wish there were more available.
Brian , 2013-05-12 21:59:19 Edit Delete
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