Crime Classics came to CBS September 30, 1953 and was a neat little series of “true crime stories”. This show introduces itself succinctly: “A series of true crime stories from the records and newspapers of every land, from every time. Your host each week, is Mr. Thomas Hyland — connoisseur of crime, student of violence, and teller of murders. ” Thomas Hyland is played by Lou Merrill, although you’d never know it was an “actor” doing the part. The great Elliott Lewis, actor, producer and director of Suspense, Broadway is my Beat and On Stage is in charge of this very intelligent and enjoyable show. Composer Bernard Herrmann duplicated authentic music of the era being dramatized, and Morton Fine and David Friedkin were the writers. Lewis and his writers collected and developed true crime stories expressly for Crime Classics.
