The Green Lama is an American radio adventure drama that was broadcast on CBS from June 5, 1949, to August 20, 1949. It was based on novels about the character of the same name by author Kendell Foster Crossen, who wrote under the pen name “Richard Foster.”
The series followed the adventures of Jethro Dumont, a wealthy young man who had spent ten years in a Tibetan monastery and returned to the United States with “curious and secret powers” that he used to fight crime and injustice.
The Stars
The role of Jethro Dumont, also known as the Green Lama, was played by veteran voice actor Paul Frees. Frees was known for his versatility, often voicing multiple characters in the same production, and his distinctive deep, resonant voice.
Ben Wright, portrayed Dumont’s loyal Tibetan servant, Tulku.
Other notable actors who appeared in the series included Charles Russell, Edgar Barrier, Georgia Ellis, Gloria Blondell, Harry Bartell, Herb Vigran, Jack Kruschen, Jerry Hausner, Lawrence Dobkin, and William Conrad.
Key Dates
- The Green Lama radio series debuted on CBS on June 5, 1949, and ran for 11 episodes.
- The show was initially broadcast on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, but was later moved to Saturdays at 7 p.m. E.T. effective July 16, 1949.
- The final episode aired on August 20, 1949.
Other Information
The character of the Green Lama first appeared in the pulp magazine Double Detective in 1940 and was created by author Kendell Foster Crossen.
In addition to the radio series, the Green Lama also appeared in comic books published by Prize Comics from 1940 to 1943, and later had his own self-titled comic book series published by Spark Publications from 1944 to 1946.
The radio series was produced and directed by various individuals, including Jackson Beck and Jim Burton, and the scripts were written by Crossen, Foster, and Ken Crossen.
The show’s announcer was Art Hannes, and the music was provided by Richard Aurandt.
While the radio series had a relatively short run, it received positive reviews, with a trade publication praising the “exotic atmosphere” and the quality of the writing and acting.
The Green Lama’s unique blend of mysticism, crime-fighting, and adventure made the series a memorable entry in the golden age of radio drama.
