Night Watch
Before the recent "Reality TV" glut, there was "Reality Radio" and Night Watch was there. This show is a straight crime documentary with no music, sound effects, or actors.
Police reporter Don Reid rode in a prowl car on the night shift with officers from the Culver City, California police department. While wearing a hidden microphone, he captures the sounds and voices of real life drama. From the worried child to the hardened criminal, their stories come through loud and clear.
The names were changed to protect identities, but everything else in this gripping series is real.
Here is a sample of the online episodes currently available at The Old Time Radio Fan:
Nude Prowler
1954-04-05 (5.15 MB) [22:30]
311 Southgate
1954-04-12 (4.89 MB) [21:23]
Glass Breaker
1954-05-03 (5.3 MB) [23:08]
Slugger
1954-07-02 (6.32 MB) [27:37]
Rolling Pin and Luger
1954-12-02 (6.23 MB) [27:14]
Smash, Turkey and Larry
1955-01-20 (6.01 MB) [26:17]
Bubble Gum and Baby
1955-03-10 (6.18 MB) [26:59]