Johnny Madero


(4.2 stars; 6 reviews)

Jack Webb left Pat Novak in San Francisco to go to Hollywood, and Mutual hoped he could bring the magic to a similar character by the name of Johnny Madero. Mutual's remake of Madero prompted legal threats of ABC. So some facts were changed. Wise drunk Jocko Madigan of Pat Novak was replaced by a waterfront priest named Father Leahy. Other than that and a change to the opening, it's hard to tell the difference between the two shows, except Webb amped up the similies from Pat Novak.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

Reviews

Jack Webb in Another Excellent Drama


(5 stars)

"Johnny Madero" is similar to "Jeff Regan" and "Pat Novak for Hire," all three of these staring Jack Webb. The character of "Johnny Madero," compared to the other detective shows of the time, has a distinct and colorful flavor to the plots and dialogue. Johnny Madero is well worth tuning in. Please note that all three of the Jack Webb shows display him as an intense and excitable (impatient) individual. This is much different than "Sergeant Friday," with his low key approach to acting (not over dramatizing). A good show.

Welcome change for Dragnet fans


(4 stars)

A good way to spend a snowy weekend is listening to Old Time Radio detectives solve the world's problems, one case at a time. Jack Webb's Johnny Madero is a welcome change for Dragnet fans.

I wish there were more


(5 stars)

Johnny Madero is horrible. I mean really awful. Those over-ripe film noir similes crash against my sensibilities like a drunk trying to walk down a narrow hallway during an earthquake, and I love it.