Pat Novak for Hire

Pat Novak, for Hire is an old-time radio detective drama series that aired from 1946 to 1949. The series was set on the San Francisco waterfront and followed the adventures of the titular character, Pat Novak, a boat shop owner who often found himself embroiled in various mysteries and crimes . The show was originally a regional program produced at KGO in San Francisco, starring Jack Webb in the lead role. When Webb and the show’s writer, Richard L. Breen, moved to Los Angeles to work on a similar series called Johnny Madero, Pier 23, the role of Pat Novak was taken over by actor Ben Morris.

In 1949, the show was picked up for a nationwide run on the ABC network, with Jack Webb returning to the role of Novak.

The Stars

Jack Webb and Ben Morris both played the role of Pat Novak, the show’s protagonist. Webb’s portrayal of Novak was known for its fast-paced, hard-boiled dialogue and witty one-liners, while Morris brought a more world-weary and cynical take to the character.

Other regular cast members included Raymond Burr as Inspector Hellman, the police officer who often clashed with Novak, and Tudor Owen as Jocko Madigan, Novak’s drunken but loyal friend and occasional investigative partner.

The 1949 network version also featured supporting actors such as William Conrad, Virginia Gregg, Stacy Harris, Parley Baer, and Paul Frees.

Key Dates

• Pat Novak, for Hire first debuted as a regional program on the West Coast in 1946, produced at KGO in San Francisco. The show starred Jack Webb in the title role, with scripts written by his roommate, Richard L. Breen.
• In 1947, when Webb and Breen moved to Los Angeles to work on the similar series Johnny Madero, Pier 23, the role of Pat Novak was taken over by actor Ben Morris. The regional version of the show continued to air until 1947.
• In 1949, Pat Novak, for Hire was picked up for a nationwide run on the ABC network, with Jack Webb returning to the lead role. This network version aired from February 13th to June 18th of 1949 before concluding.

Other Information

Pat Novak, for Hire was known for its fast-paced, hardboiled style and clever dialogue, which was typical of the pulp fiction genre. The show often featured sultry female characters and unexpected plot twists, with Novak frequently finding himself framed for murders he didn’t commit.

The series was popular among fans of old-time radio detective dramas, and the character of Pat Novak has since appeared in other media, including a 2005 graphic novel published by Moonstone Books.

The show’s distinctive opening, with the sound of a foghorn and Novak’s weary introduction, “Sure, I’m Pat Novak, for hire,” has become an iconic moment in old-time radio history.