The Man Called X is an espionage radio drama that aired on CBS and NBC from July 10, 1944, to May 20, 1952.[1] The radio series was later adapted for television and was broadcast for one season, 1956–1957.
Herbert Marshall had the lead role of agent Ken Thurston/"Mr. X", an American intelligence agent[2] who took on dangerous cases in a variety of exotic locations.[1] Leon Belasco played Mr. X's comedic sidekick, Pegon Zellschmidt,[1] who always turned up in remote parts of the world because he had a "cousin" there. Zellschmidt annoyed and helped Mr. X.
Jack Latham was an announcer for the program, and Wendell Niles was the announcer from 1947 to 1948.[3] Orchestras led by Milton Charles, Johnny Green, Felix Mills, and Gordon Jenkins supplied the background music. William N. Robson was the producer and director. Stephen Longstreet was the writer.[4]
The Man Called X replaced America — Ceiling Unlimited on the CBS schedule.[5]
The series was later adapted to a 39-episode syndicated television series (1956–1957) starring Barry Sullivan as Thurston for Ziv Television.[6]
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. John Dunning (radio historian) . 1998 . On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio . New York . Oxford University Press . 431–432 . 978-0195076783. registration . man called x espionage. .