Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio

Counterspy: Desert Explosion (A0096)

Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio

Show Notes

Today's Adventure: Counterspy agents launch an elaborate sting operation to trap the mysterious Manuel Rodriguez, a wealthy Mexican rancher suspected of brokering stolen atomic secrets and international espionage. Posing as crooks who have stolen a valuable uranium compound, Peters and Agent Ella Thomas risk their lives to convince Rodriguez they have something worth killing for.

Original Radio Broadcast: August 18, 1949

Originating in New York

Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding, Mandel Kramer as Peters.Also featuring Joan Alexander as Ella Thomas.

Directed by William M. Sweets. Music by Jesse Crawford.

Produced by the Phillips H. Lord Productions.

To subscribe to this podcast, go to greatadventures.info

Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Sean, Patreon supporter since December 2016.

Support the show on a one-time basis at support.greatdetectives.net

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives

More from Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio

Oct 20, 2026

Today's Adventure: When a young Marwa couple finds their happiness threatened by an impossible bride price, Tarzan steps in to help. But a far more dangerous threat emerges when a secret expedition discovers a rich deposit of uranium on tribal land. With ruthless men determined to exploit the discovery for world domination, Tarzan must unite the jungle's tribes before a deadly new weapon changes everything.

Oct 17, 2026

Today's Adventure: David Harding and Harry Peters travel to Switzerland after learning that a notorious international information broker is offering an American atomic scientist—and his knowledge of the nation's nuclear secrets—to the highest bidder. With foreign intelligence agents competing for the scientist's services, Harding must determine whether the scientist has betrayed his country and find a way to prevent America's atomic secrets from falling into enemy hands.Original Radio Broadcast: October 20, 1949Originating in New YorkCast: Don McLaughlin as David Harding

Oct 13, 2026

Today's Adventure: When a series of brutal robberies and savage beatings terrorizes the countryside near Luanda, Tarzan is stunned to discover that he is the prime suspect. Accused of crimes he did not commit, the Lord of the Jungle must escape prison and track down the man impersonating him. But with a dangerous giant known as the Killer and the ruthless Herbert Graves plotting against him, can Tarzan clear his name before the hunt for him turns deadly?

Oct 10, 2026

Today's Adventure: When a series of interstate truck hijackings strikes the Midwest, Counterspy chief David Harding takes over the investigation. The stolen goods are disappearing through an operation that appears to have access to the trucks’ security systems, leaving authorities struggling to catch the thieves. Harding deploys miniature cameras, chemical analysis, and a trail of fluorescent oil to track the stolen shipments—but can his team uncover the mastermind before the hijackings escalate?

Oct 6, 2026

Today's Adventure: Tarzan arrives in the dangerous African port city of Becorata seeking agricultural advice from government advisor Eric Von Horn. But his questions soon put him in the middle of a far more dangerous situation. When a mysterious woman named Gabrielle becomes the target of a deadly plot, Tarzan finds himself racing through the African jungle with her in his arms—and with armed pursuers closing in behind them.

See all episodes →