Let George Do It 1946 04 Xx Audition #2 (george Lincoln, First Scene Is In Elevator)
# Let George Do It - Audition #2
Step into a cramped elevator descending into the murky depths of post-war Manhattan, where our hero George Valentine is about to stumble into a case that will test every ounce of his street smarts and moral fiber. This audition episode crackles with the raw energy of a show still finding its voice—you'll hear the careful positioning of microphones, the purposeful footsteps that place you square in that metal box, and the unmistakable *ding* that signals the doors opening onto trouble. What begins as an ordinary ride down quickly becomes anything but ordinary, as George finds himself entangled with the kind of characters who deal in shadows and secrets. The dialogue snaps with that distinctive 1946 sensibility: sharp, cynical, and infused with the particular weariness of men who've just returned from a world at war.
This audition recording represents a fascinating moment in broadcasting history—the moment before "Let George Do It" became the beloved staple of the Mutual network's detective lineup. Here, before the character of George Valentine was fully crystallized, before Bob Bailey would make the role his own for nearly a decade, we hear the show's creators testing the waters, calibrating the tone and tempo that would eventually define American noir radio. The post-war detective story was entering its golden age, and this episode captures that exact moment of creation, raw and unpolished, when anything still felt possible.
For students of radio history and noir enthusiasts alike, this is essential listening—a glimpse behind the curtain at how one of the era's most entertaining mysteries was born. Settle in, adjust the dial, and let George do what he does best: navigate the dangerous streets of 1946 America with nothing but his wits, his fists, and an unwavering sense of justice.