The Fat Man (1946–1951)
Created by Dashiell Hammett, The Fat Man was radio noir with muscle. Starring J. Scott Smart as the portly detective Brad Runyon, the show mixed hard-boiled grit with moral clarity and surprisingly sharp writing.
Though overshadowed by Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe, The Fat Man stood apart for its sharp pacing, evocative sound design, and the weight (literally and figuratively) of its lead.