Dangerous Assignment

Dangerous Assignment was an NBC Radio drama series that aired in the United States from 1949 to 1953. The show followed the adventures of special agent Steve Mitchell, who was sent by “The Commissioner” to exotic locations around the world to tackle international intrigue and espionage.

Each episode would open with a teaser scene, then Steve would be summoned to The Commissioner’s office to receive his latest assignment, often involving deception, trickery, and violence. Steve’s cover identity was typically that of a suave foreign correspondent, allowing him to infiltrate various situations and uncover secrets. The series was known for its suspenseful immediacy, with star Brian Donlevy both portraying the protagonist within the action and narrating the events.

The Stars

Brian Donlevy starred as the lead character, special agent Steve Mitchell. Herb Butterfield played the role of “The Commissioner,” Mitchell’s superior who would brief him on each new assignment. The radio series featured many guest stars, including well-known actors such as William Conrad, Raymond Burr, Paul Frees, Jim Davis, Dan O’Herlihy, Richard Boone, and Eddie Cantor, often appearing as different characters in various episodes.

Key Dates

• Dangerous Assignment began as a seven-week summer replacement series on NBC Radio in 1949, premiering on July 9 and running through August 20 of that year.
• The series then returned to the airwaves on February 6, 1950, moving to different timeslots over the next three years before ending its run on July 8, 1953.
• An Australian radio version was produced in 1954-1956, re-doing 52 episodes from the original American run.

Other Information

The radio series was sponsored by various companies over the years, including Ford Motor Company, Wheaties cereal, Anacin, Chesterfield cigarettes, and RCA Victor.

A syndicated television adaptation of Dangerous Assignment aired in the United States during the 1951-1952 season, also starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell. The television series produced 39 episodes, with notable guest stars such as Hugh Beaumont, Paul Frees, Elena Verdugo, Harry Guardino, Lyle Talbot, John Dehner, Michael Ansara, Jim Davis, and Strother Martin.

While the radio series was very popular, some fans felt the stories were somewhat predictable, and television critics were not as enthusiastic about the TV adaptation, describing it as a “pedestrian” spy series.