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Old-time radio actor · 1906–1973

Luis Van Rooten

Denny on Bulldog Drummond; Roxor on Chandu the Magician.

We have him in 86 episodes of 25 series, 1944 to 1962, and 15 of our live channels play them around the clock, free.

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About Luis Van Rooten

Luis van Rooten in the TV series One Step Beyond
Luis van Rooten in the TV series One Step Beyond.Public domain in the United States (copyright not renewed). Wikimedia Commons

Hear all 86 Luis Van Rooten episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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He was born Luis d'Antin van Rooten in Mexico City on November 29, 1906, and came to the United States in 1914, at age 8, with his Belgian grandmother. Source: Wikipedia

His command of languages made him a sought-after military radio announcer during World War II. Source: Wikipedia

His New York Times obituary said his skill with dialects and criminal parts kept him working on as many as 50 shows a month. Source: Wikipedia

He played Denny, the title character's sidekick, on Bulldog Drummond; surviving episodes list him in the part from 1942 to 1948. Source: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

He played the villain Roxor in the late-1940s revival of Chandu the Magician, and also worked on The Mysterious Traveler and the soap Valiant Lady, as Emilio. Source: Wikipedia

In the New York run of I Love a Mystery he played "The Maestro" in "Bury Your Dead, Arizona" (1949) and ranch foreman Jasper in "The Battle of the Century" (1950). Source: Wikipedia

For Radio City Playhouse's "Joey Was Different" (August 22, 1949) he wrote the script and played sixteen different characters. Source: Wikipedia

On film he voiced the King and the Grand Duke in Disney's Cinderella (1950) and played Heinrich Himmler in The Hitler Gang (1944). Source: Wikipedia

He died on June 17, 1973, in Chatham, Massachusetts. Source: Wikipedia

Listen live: the channels that play Luis Van Rooten

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

Bob Bailey in a Los Angeles detective's office at night

The series' own channel

Let George Do It

13 of his episodes: Let George Do It (13)

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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

11 of his episodes: Escape (11)

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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

8 of his episodes: Suspense (8)

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Illustrated cover for X Minus One: a rocket on a launch gantry at night under a sky full of stars, searchlights

The series' own channel

X Minus One

6 of his episodes: X Minus One (6)

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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

1 of his episodes: Lux Radio Theatre (1)

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Ophelia Crane, the host of The Midnight Exchange

Mixed channel

The Midnight Exchange

24 of his episodes: Escape (11), Suspense (8), The Mysterious Traveler (2), Inner Sanctum Mysteries (1), Molle Mystery Theatre (1), Murder at Midnight (1)

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Sal Vitale, the host of Gumshoe

Mixed channel

Gumshoe

20 of his episodes: Let George Do It (13), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (3), The Adventures of Philip Marlowe (2), 21st Precinct (2)

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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

20 of his episodes: CBS Radio Workshop (10), Words at War (3), Cavalcade of America (3), Stroke Of Fate (2), Lux Radio Theatre (1), Proudly We Hail (1)

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Rivet, the host of Signal From Tomorrow

Mixed channel

Signal From Tomorrow

9 of his episodes: X Minus One (6), Dimension X (2), 2000 Plus (1)

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Illustrated cover for The Press Box: an empty 1940s stadium press box at dusk, a vintage microphone on the ledge beside binoculars and a scorecard

Mixed channel

The Press Box

2 of his episodes: We Came This Way (2)

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Illustrated cover for The Variety Hour: a 1940s network radio studio stage with a big band's empty music stands, a grand piano

Mixed channel

The Variety Hour

2 of his episodes: We Came This Way (2)

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Illustrated cover for This Just In: a 1940s network radio newsroom at night, a ribbon microphone beside a teletype machine

Mixed channel

This Just In

2 of his episodes: We Came This Way (2)

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Luis Van Rooten’s shows on Stupid Potato

SeriesYearsEpisodes
Let George Do It1948 to 194913
Escape1947 to 194811
CBS Radio Workshop1956 to 195710
Suspense1948 to 19628
X Minus One1955 to 19566
Top Secret19504
Cavalcade of America1947 to 19533
Under Arrest19493
Words at War1944 to 19453
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar1961 to 19623
21st Precinct1955 to 19562
Cloak and Dagger19502
Dimension X19502
Stroke Of Fate19532
The Adventures of Philip Marlowe1948 to 19492
The Mysterious Traveler19502
We Came This Way19442
2000 Plus19501
Inner Sanctum Mysteries19511
Luke Slaughter of Tombstone19581
Lux Radio Theatre19471
Molle Mystery Theatre19461
Murder at Midnight1
My Son Jeep19531
Proudly We Hail1

Luis Van Rooten episodes: 5 free to hear

Each one names Luis Van Rooten 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 he is named, and listens from any line.

  1. No ContactX Minus One · April 24, 1955 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  2. KnockX Minus One · May 22, 1955 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  3. The Man In The MoonX Minus One · May 29, 1955 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast
  4. The Persian SlippersThe Adventures of Philip Marlowe · October 3, 1948 · Whole and free in the podcast
  5. The Magna CartaWe Came This Way · October 6, 1944 · Episode guide · Whole and free in the podcast

Hear all 86 Luis Van Rooten episodes, and every episode of every show, on demand: Potato Plus, $5 a month.

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All 86 Luis Van Rooten episodes, by show

The 81 marked Potato Plus are for members: join to hear every one of them, whole, from any moment.

Let George Do It 13 episodes, 1948 to 1949
  1. Have Some ExcitementJune 7, 1948 · Potato Plus
  2. The Meek Mr. MurchJune 7, 1948 · Potato Plus
  3. A Piece Of Publicity (aka-Hired for a Bodyguard)June 14, 1948 · Potato Plus
  4. A Piece of PublicityJune 14, 1948 · Potato Plus
  5. Mr. Korawski - American (aka-The Racket)June 28, 1948 · Potato Plus
  6. The Father Who Had Nothing to SaySeptember 13, 1948 · Potato Plus
  7. The Hearse That Was Painted PinkSeptember 20, 1948 · Potato Plus
  8. The Seven Dead YearsOctober 25, 1948 · Potato Plus
  9. Who Is SylviaNovember 22, 1948 · Potato Plus
  10. Death In Fancy DressDecember 27, 1948 · Potato Plus
  11. Murder and One To GoJanuary 3, 1949 · Potato Plus
  12. The Payoff is MurderJanuary 17, 1949 · Potato Plus
  13. Mayhem By ExpertsJanuary 31, 1949 · Potato Plus
Escape 11 episodes, 1947 to 1948
  1. 012- Pollack and the Porroh ManOctober 29, 1947 · Potato Plus
  2. 018- An Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeDecember 10, 1947 · Potato Plus
  3. 024- Papa Benjamin -national broadcast- -1January 21, 1948 · Potato Plus
  4. 027- Snake Doctor -national broadcastFebruary 8, 1948 · Potato Plus
  5. 027- Snake Doctor -national broadcast different productionFebruary 14, 1948 · Potato Plus
  6. 029- How Love Came to Professor Guildea -national broadcastFebruary 22, 1948 · Potato Plus
  7. 029- How Love Came To Professor Guildea -national broadcast different productio (1February 28, 1948 · Potato Plus
  8. 032- The Log of the Evening Star -national broadcastMarch 14, 1948 · Potato Plus
  9. 035- Action -Berry KroegerApril 4, 1948 · Potato Plus
  10. 047- HabitJuly 18, 1948 · Potato Plus
  11. 049- The FugitiveAugust 15, 1948 · Potato Plus
CBS Radio Workshop 10 episodes, 1956 to 1957
  1. Bring on the AngelsJune 8, 1956 · Potato Plus
  2. The Eternal JoanJune 29, 1956 · Potato Plus
  3. Star BoyJuly 27, 1956 · Potato Plus
  4. Sounds of a NationNovember 18, 1956 · Potato Plus
  5. The Crazy LifeJanuary 27, 1957 · Potato Plus
  6. Carlottas SerapeApril 14, 1957 · Potato Plus
  7. Light ShipApril 28, 1957 · Potato Plus
  8. The Seven Hills of RomeJune 9, 1957 · Potato Plus
  9. The Heart of the ManAugust 4, 1957 · Potato Plus
  10. The Celestial OmnibusAugust 18, 1957 · Potato Plus
Suspense 8 episodes, 1948 to 1962
  1. CrossfireApril 10, 1948 · Potato Plus
  2. The DollOctober 23, 1956 · Potato Plus
  3. The Crisis of Dirk DiamondOctober 18, 1959 · Potato Plus
  4. Moonlight SailDecember 27, 1959 · Potato Plus
  5. Tonight at 5 -55April 17, 1960 · Potato Plus
  6. The Green IdolSeptember 17, 1961 · Potato Plus
  7. BreakthroughJanuary 7, 1962 · Potato Plus
  8. Formula for DeathJune 10, 1962 · Potato Plus
X Minus One 6 episodes, 1955 to 1956
  1. No ContactApril 24, 1955 · Episode guide · Free
  2. KnockMay 22, 1955 · Episode guide · Free
  3. The Man In The MoonMay 29, 1955 · Episode guide · Free
  4. NightmareJuly 21, 1955 · Potato Plus
  5. The Vital FactorNovember 30, 1955 · Potato Plus
  6. Surface TensionAugust 28, 1956 · Potato Plus
Top Secret 4 episodes, 1950
  1. A Package in TangiersJune 26, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. The Case of the Tattooed PigeonAugust 13, 1950 · Potato Plus
  3. The Church Without a CrossAugust 20, 1950 · Potato Plus
  4. ConfessionSeptember 18, 1950 · Potato Plus
Cavalcade of America 3 episodes, 1947 to 1953
  1. Woman AloneJune 16, 1947 · Potato Plus
  2. The Valley of the SwansMay 27, 1952 · Potato Plus
  3. A Time to GrowMarch 31, 1953 · Potato Plus
Under Arrest 3 episodes, 1949
  1. Van Gogh's Paris RoadJune 26, 1949 · Potato Plus
  2. The Case of the Evil WitnessJuly 10, 1949 · Potato Plus
  3. The Case of Ruth Cutter's BurglarAugust 21, 1949 · Potato Plus
Words at War 3 episodes, 1944 to 1945
  1. At War44-12-0575The Guys On The GroundDecember 5, 1944 · Potato Plus
  2. At War45-01-0980Borrowed NightJanuary 9, 1945 · Potato Plus
  3. At War45-05-1596The Road To SerfdomMay 15, 1945 · Potato Plus
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar 3 episodes, 1961 to 1962
  1. The Touch-Up MatterFebruary 26, 1961 · Potato Plus
  2. The Takes A Crook MatterFebruary 18, 1962 · Potato Plus
  3. The Blue Rock MatterApril 1, 1962 · Potato Plus
21st Precinct 2 episodes, 1955 to 1956
  1. The ArteryJuly 2, 1955 · Potato Plus
  2. The BakerJanuary 26, 1956 · Potato Plus
Cloak and Dagger 2 episodes, 1950
  1. Operation SelloutSeptember 22, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. Delay on RouteOctober 6, 1950 · Potato Plus
Dimension X 2 episodes, 1950
  1. The Man In The MoonJuly 14, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. No ContactOctober 28, 1950 · Potato Plus
Stroke Of Fate 2 episodes, 1953
  1. The Burr-Hamilton DuelOctober 18, 1953 · Potato Plus
  2. Germany Invades the RhinelandNovember 22, 1953 · Potato Plus
The Adventures of Philip Marlowe 2 episodes, 1948 to 1949
  1. The Persian SlippersOctober 3, 1948 · Free
  2. The Long RopeFebruary 5, 1949 · Potato Plus
The Mysterious Traveler 2 episodes, 1950
  1. The Man from SingaporeApril 4, 1950 · Potato Plus
  2. S O SMay 2, 1950 · Potato Plus
We Came This Way 2 episodes, 1944
  1. The Magna CartaOctober 6, 1944 · Episode guide · Free
  2. The Puritan Revolution (Battle Without Armor)November 24, 1944 · Potato Plus
2000 Plus 1 episode, 1950
  1. When the Worlds MetMay 3, 1950 · Potato Plus
Inner Sanctum Mysteries 1 episode, 1951
  1. The Unforgiving CorpseMay 28, 1951 · Potato Plus
Luke Slaughter of Tombstone 1 episode, 1958
  1. Death WatchApril 27, 1958 · Potato Plus
Lux Radio Theatre 1 episode, 1947
  1. Two Years Before the MastSeptember 22, 1947 · Potato Plus
Molle Mystery Theatre 1 episode, 1946
  1. Doctor and the LunaticApril 26, 1946 · Potato Plus
Murder at Midnight 1 episode,
  1. 46xxxx (038) Death Is No EndPotato Plus
My Son Jeep 1 episode, 1953
  1. Jeep is Smitten With Sub Teacher Mrs Miller #1January 25, 1953 · Potato Plus
Proudly We Hail 1 episode,
  1. Pwh520518189Secret BattletPotato Plus

Who Luis Van Rooten 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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