The Falcon

The Falcon was a popular character in detective fiction in the mid-Twentieth Century. The character first appeared in a short story and novels by Drexel Drake (pen name of Charles H. Huff) as a shadowy crime fighter who has little patience with law enforcement or the niceties of the law. He then moved to a popular film series starring first George Sanders and then Tom Conway (Sander's brother). (In the films, the Falcon is a very Saint-like character.)

Throughout this process, the Falcon had several different names: Michael Waring in the books and short story; Gay Lawrence (Sander's character) and Tom Lawrence (Conway's character) in the movies; and back to Mike Waring in the radio show. The reason for the "Falcon" sobriquet is never revealed.

The radio show was typical of the times, but quite well done. It opens with the Falcon receiving a phone call in which the Falcon refuses an invitation from an unheard lady, pleading the press of business. Next, we hear the criminals plan their crime, then the Falcon gets swept up in the adventure and solves the case.

The show was quite popular and ran from 1942 into the early 1950s. Over the years, several actors played the Falcon and his secretary, Nancy.

For more information, see the Old Time Radio Catalog.

Series description provided by Frank Bell.