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Old-time radio actor · 1918–1998

Joan Banks

Jane on My Friend Irma; The Whistler, Escape and radio soaps.

We have her in 120 episodes of 20 series, 1947 to 1959, and 18 of our live channels play them around the clock, free.

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About Joan Banks

Joan Banks in a 1937 publicity photo
Joan Banks in a 1937 publicity photo.Public domain in the United States (published without a copyright notice). Wikimedia Commons

Hear all 120 Joan Banks episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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Born October 30, 1918, in Petersburg, West Virginia; she won a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Art and also attended Hunter College. Source: Wikipedia

Her radio debut came with Walter O'Keefe in 1936, and she then became the first 'feminine stooge' for the comedy team Stoopnagle and Budd. Source: Wikipedia

She worked steadily in daytime serials, playing Roberta Lansing in John's Other Wife and Peggy O'Neill Kayden in The O'Neills, among many others. Source: Wikipedia

On the CBS serial This Day Is Ours, where she played Eleanor MacDonald, she met Frank Lovejoy; they married on May 31, 1940. Source: Radio Spirits

When Cathy Lewis, the original Jane on My Friend Irma, collapsed at rehearsal, Banks took over the part and kept it until Lewis came back. Source: Radio Spirits

RadioGOLDINdex logs her in 17 Whistler broadcasts and 12 Escape broadcasts, both between 1947 and 1951. Source: RadioGOLDINdex

Her crime and mystery credits also include The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Night Beat, The Man Called X and Suspense. Source: Radio Spirits

Back on radio in the 1970s, she appeared in 33 episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater between 1974 and 1980; on TV she made five Perry Mason appearances, four of them as the killer. Source: Wikipedia

She died of lung cancer in Los Angeles on January 18, 1998. Source: Wikipedia

Listen live: the channels that play Joan Banks

Free 24/7 stations. These play the episodes below, in rotation with the rest of their shows.

Illustrated cover for The Whistler: a lonely rain-slicked city street at night

The series' own channel

The Whistler

14 of her episodes: The Whistler (14)

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Illustrated cover for Escape: a jungle trail at dusk, an old brass compass and a torn map on a rock, a rope bridge over a gorge

The series' own channel

Escape

13 of her episodes: Escape (13)

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Illustrated cover for Suspense: a single desk lamp in a dark room, a revolver and a telephone off the hook on the desk, long shadows across the floor

The series' own channel

Suspense

13 of her episodes: Suspense (13)

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Illustrated cover for Lux Radio Theatre: a 1930s Hollywood theatre stage before a closed gold curtain, a single ribbon microphone in a spotlight

The series' own channel

Lux Radio Theatre

5 of her episodes: Lux Radio Theatre (5)

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Larry Thor on a rain-slick Broadway at night

The series' own channel

Broadway Is My Beat

2 of her episodes: Broadway Is My Beat (2)

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Ophelia Crane, the host of The Midnight Exchange

Mixed channel

The Midnight Exchange

40 of her episodes: The Whistler (14), Suspense (13), Escape (13)

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Buster Pratt, the host of Laugh Track

Mixed channel

Laugh Track

36 of her episodes: My Friend Irma (28), The Adventures of Maisie (7), The Burns and Allen Show (1)

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Sal Vitale, the host of Gumshoe

Mixed channel

Gumshoe

28 of her episodes: The Adventures of Philip Marlowe (8), Richard Diamond, Private Detective (7), The Man Called X (6), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (3), Broadway Is My Beat (2), Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator (1), This is Your FBI (1)

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Illustrated cover for Opening Night: the front of a 1930s art-deco movie palace on premiere night, crossed searchlight beams in the sky

Mixed channel

Opening Night

14 of her episodes: Lux Radio Theatre (5), Family Theater (4), Screen Directors Playhouse (3), Hallmark Playhouse (1), CBS Radio Workshop (1)

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Marshal Ramrod, the host of Dry Gulch

Mixed channel

Dry Gulch

2 of her episodes: Tales of the Texas Rangers (1), The Roy Rogers Show (1)

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Joan Banks’s shows on Stupid Potato

SeriesYearsEpisodes
My Friend Irma1948 to 194928
The Whistler1947 to 195114
Escape1947 to 195013
Suspense1951 to 195913
The Adventures of Philip Marlowe1948 to 19518
Richard Diamond, Private Detective1949 to 19517
The Adventures of Maisie1950 to 19517
The Man Called X19516
Lux Radio Theatre1949 to 19545
Family Theater1956 to 19574
Screen Directors Playhouse1949 to 19513
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar1950 to 19593
Broadway Is My Beat1949 to 19502
Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator19551
CBS Radio Workshop19571
Hallmark Playhouse19481
Tales of the Texas Rangers19511
The Burns and Allen Show19491
The Roy Rogers Show19541
This is Your FBI19491

Joan Banks episodes: 5 free to hear

Each one names Joan Banks on the air, in its cast list or in the show itself. Each title opens the episode’s page: what happens, the transcript from the moment she is named, and listens from any line.

  1. 006- Ring of ThothEscape · August 11, 1947 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  2. Red WindThe Adventures of Philip Marlowe · September 26, 1948 · Whole and free in the podcast
  3. Fred Sears Murder CaseRichard Diamond, Private Detective · June 19, 1949 · Whole and free in the podcast
  4. Unless Love Is MusicHallmark Playhouse · June 24, 1948 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  5. Irma's on a BudgetMy Friend Irma · September 13, 1948 · Episode guide · 60-second listens from any line

Hear all 120 Joan Banks episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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All 120 Joan Banks episodes, by show

The 115 marked Potato Plus are for members: join to hear every one of them, whole, from any moment.

My Friend Irma 28 episodes, 1948 to 1949
  1. Irma's on a BudgetSeptember 13, 1948 · Episode guide · Free
  2. The Professor Loses His JobSeptember 27, 1948 · Potato Plus
  3. The Restaurant Is Losing MoneyOctober 4, 1948 · Potato Plus
  4. Irma Attends a Charity BallOctober 11, 1948 · Potato Plus
  5. Irma Loses Her Boss's GlassesOctober 18, 1948 · Potato Plus
  6. Thanksgiving Is ApproachingNovember 15, 1948 · Potato Plus
  7. Wall Street Magazine Runs ContestNovember 22, 1948 · Potato Plus
  8. Jane Throws a Costume BallNovember 29, 1948 · Potato Plus
  9. Jane Throws a Costume Ball (WJR Aircheck)November 29, 1948 · Potato Plus
  10. Irma Signs up for Piano LessonsDecember 6, 1948 · Potato Plus
  11. Irma Signs up for Piano Lessons ( #13)December 6, 1948 · Potato Plus
  12. Jane Quits Her JobDecember 13, 1948 · Potato Plus
  13. Irma's Christmas PartyDecember 20, 1948 · Potato Plus
  14. Irma Has a New BoyfriendDecember 27, 1948 · Potato Plus
  15. The Double DateJanuary 3, 1949 · Potato Plus
  16. Irma and Jane Swear Off MenJanuary 10, 1949 · Potato Plus
  17. Irma and Al Break UpJanuary 17, 1949 · Potato Plus
  18. Mrs. Rhinelander Is DepressedJanuary 24, 1949 · Potato Plus
  19. Professor Kropotkin to the Old Folks HomeJanuary 31, 1949 · Potato Plus
  20. Train to Lake PlacidFebruary 7, 1949 · Potato Plus
  21. Valentine's DayFebruary 14, 1949 · Potato Plus
  22. Irma Buys a Used CarFebruary 21, 1949 · Potato Plus
  23. Irma Does Her TaxesFebruary 28, 1949 · Potato Plus
  24. Five Hundred DollarsMarch 7, 1949 · Potato Plus
  25. Al Wants to Move to NebraskaMarch 14, 1949 · Potato Plus
  26. Irma Gets FiredMarch 21, 1949 · Potato Plus
  27. April Fool's PartyMarch 28, 1949 · Potato Plus
  28. Owning a Piece of a Wrestler ( )June 6, 1949 · Potato Plus
The Whistler 14 episodes, 1947 to 1951
  1. Murder in HasteDecember 17, 1947 · Potato Plus
  2. Night FinalJanuary 28, 1948 · Potato Plus
  3. What Makes a MurdererApril 7, 1948 · Potato Plus
  4. Chain ReactionMay 12, 1948 · Potato Plus
  5. Lady from the SeaJuly 28, 1948 · Potato Plus
  6. Delayed Christmas PresentDecember 26, 1948 · Potato Plus
  7. Danger Is a Beautiful BlondMay 8, 1949 · Potato Plus
  8. Best FriendAugust 14, 1949 · Potato Plus
  9. Incident at Arroyo GrandeSeptember 25, 1949 · Potato Plus
  10. Ticket to MurderOctober 30, 1949 · Potato Plus
  11. Swan SongDecember 11, 1949 · Potato Plus
  12. JessicaJune 18, 1950 · Potato Plus
  13. IntruderOctober 29, 1950 · Potato Plus
  14. Murder ArrangementFebruary 25, 1951 · Potato Plus
Escape 13 episodes, 1947 to 1950
  1. 006- Ring of ThothAugust 11, 1947 · Episode guide · Free
  2. 024- Papa Benjamin -national broadcast- -1January 21, 1948 · Potato Plus
  3. 024- Papa Benjamin -national broadcast- -2January 21, 1948 · Potato Plus
  4. 024- Papa Benjamin -national broadcast different productionJanuary 24, 1948 · Potato Plus
  5. 026- The Vanishing Lady -national broadcastFebruary 1, 1948 · Potato Plus
  6. 026- The Vanishing Lady -national broadcast different productionFebruary 7, 1948 · Potato Plus
  7. 035- Action -Berry KroegerApril 4, 1948 · Potato Plus
  8. 086- MaracasNovember 22, 1949 · Potato Plus
  9. 090- Figure a DameDecember 20, 1949 · Potato Plus
  10. 093- Vanishing Lady -Del CastilloJanuary 10, 1950 · Potato Plus
  11. 096- Present Tense -1January 31, 1950 · Potato Plus
  12. 096- Present Tense -2January 31, 1950 · Potato Plus
  13. 122- Two Came BackAugust 4, 1950 · Potato Plus
Suspense 13 episodes, 1951 to 1959
  1. The Truth About Jerry BaxterJune 14, 1951 · Potato Plus
  2. Mate BramApril 14, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. Jack KetchSeptember 22, 1952 · Potato Plus
  4. The Frightened CityNovember 10, 1952 · Potato Plus
  5. The StormMarch 2, 1953 · Potato Plus
  6. On a Country RoadJanuary 4, 1954 · Potato Plus
  7. America's BoyfriendJuly 21, 1957 · Potato Plus
  8. Man from TomorrowSeptember 1, 1957 · Potato Plus
  9. Win, Place or DieApril 13, 1958 · Potato Plus
  10. Strange for a KillerJune 15, 1958 · Potato Plus
  11. Out for ChristmasDecember 21, 1958 · Potato Plus
  12. The Thirty Second of DecemberDecember 28, 1958 · Potato Plus
  13. Ivy Is a Lovely Name For A GirlJune 21, 1959 · Potato Plus
The Adventures of Philip Marlowe 8 episodes, 1948 to 1951
  1. Red WindSeptember 26, 1948 · Free
  2. The Black HaloJanuary 15, 1949 · Potato Plus
  3. The Lonesome ReunionFebruary 12, 1949 · Potato Plus
  4. The Headless PeacockJuly 16, 1949 · Potato Plus
  5. The Kid on the CornerDecember 3, 1949 · Potato Plus
  6. The Deep ShadowMarch 21, 1950 · Potato Plus
  7. The Hiding PlaceMay 9, 1950 · Potato Plus
  8. Life Can Be MurderJuly 21, 1951 · Potato Plus
Richard Diamond, Private Detective 7 episodes, 1949 to 1951
  1. Fred Sears Murder CaseJune 19, 1949 · Free
  2. The Martin Hyer CaseJuly 23, 1949 · Potato Plus
  3. The Lynn Knight CaseAugust 6, 1949 · Potato Plus
  4. The House Of Mystery CaseDecember 10, 1949 · Potato Plus
  5. Joyce WallaceMarch 12, 1950 · Potato Plus
  6. The Evans Farmer CaseAugust 23, 1950 · Potato Plus
  7. Monsieur BouchonMarch 16, 1951 · Potato Plus
The Adventures of Maisie 7 episodes, 1950 to 1951
  1. Green Suit JobFebruary 16, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. Anniversary for Maisie and EddieJuly 6, 1950 · Potato Plus
  3. The OrphanageAugust 24, 1950 · Potato Plus
  4. Dude RanchDecember 7, 1950 · Potato Plus
  5. The OrphanageDecember 14, 1950 · Potato Plus
  6. Nick the GamblerApril 5, 1951 · Potato Plus
  7. The PrinceApril 26, 1951 · Potato Plus
The Man Called X 6 episodes, 1951
  1. Operation FiftyJanuary 6, 1951 · Potato Plus
  2. The Black of Diamonds aka Mine SabotageFebruary 10, 1951 · Potato Plus
  3. The Blue UnicornMarch 31, 1951 · Potato Plus
  4. Terror Across the NationApril 28, 1951 · Potato Plus
  5. Knocked Off His FeetMay 11, 1951 · Potato Plus
  6. ViennaJune 22, 1951 · Potato Plus
Lux Radio Theatre 5 episodes, 1949 to 1954
  1. Green Dolphin StreetSeptember 19, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. High WallNovember 7, 1949 · Potato Plus
  3. Mother Wore TightsNovember 14, 1949 · Potato Plus
  4. Goodbye My FancyJanuary 14, 1952 · Potato Plus
  5. Wuthering HeightsSeptember 14, 1954 · Potato Plus
Family Theater 4 episodes, 1956 to 1957
  1. The FenceMarch 14, 1956 · Potato Plus
  2. The Sob-SisterMarch 21, 1956 · Potato Plus
  3. Second ChanceMay 2, 1956 · Potato Plus
  4. Uncle JimJuly 17, 1957 · Potato Plus
Screen Directors Playhouse 3 episodes, 1949 to 1951
  1. Hired WifeFebruary 6, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. This Thing Called LoveFebruary 10, 1950 · Potato Plus
  3. The Velvet TouchAugust 23, 1951 · Potato Plus
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 3 episodes, 1950 to 1959
  1. The Village Scene Matter (The Missing Masterpiece)March 28, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. The Emily Braddock MatterMay 19, 1953 · Potato Plus
  3. The Double Identity MatterOctober 18, 1959 · Potato Plus
Broadway Is My Beat 2 episodes, 1949 to 1950
  1. The Henry Baker Murder CaseDecember 17, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. The Steve Courtney Murder CaseJune 23, 1950 · Potato Plus
Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator 1 episode, 1955
  1. Nobody Lives There AnymoreFebruary 9, 1955 · Potato Plus
CBS Radio Workshop 1 episode, 1957
  1. Ballad of the Iron HorseMarch 3, 1957 · Potato Plus
Hallmark Playhouse 1 episode, 1948
  1. Unless Love Is MusicJune 24, 1948 · Episode guide · Free
Tales of the Texas Rangers 1 episode, 1951
  1. Open and ShutNovember 11, 1951 · Potato Plus
The Burns and Allen Show 1 episode, 1949
  1. Guest - Eddie CantorApril 21, 1949 · Potato Plus
The Roy Rogers Show 1 episode, 1954
  1. Song - Y'all ComeJuly 1, 1954 · Potato Plus
This is Your FBI 1 episode, 1949
  1. The Baby Rental RacketMarch 18, 1949 · Potato Plus

Who Joan Banks worked with most

Named in the same cast lists, counted across the episodes above.

The supporting cast of old-time radio: every actor · Every series, A to Z

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