The Bartered Bridegroom
The archive identifies the 1948 opening story, in which an unexpected marriage proposal puts Rocky in an awkward position.
Listen to this episode ↗Adventure & Spy
The Adventures of Rocky Jordan.
Rocky Jordan would like to run his Cafe Tambourine. Cairo has other plans. Jack Moyles plays the American proprietor whose customers, acquaintances and unwanted visitors keep drawing him into mysteries, with Captain Sam Sabaaya never far from the trouble.
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A cafe where trouble finds a table.
Jordan is a proprietor, not a police detective. That gives the adventures a natural meeting place: someone arrives at the Cafe Tambourine, an invitation or threat follows, and Rocky has to work out what has landed in his lap.
Captain Sam Sabaaya, played by Jay Novello, is his recurring police counterpart. Their uneasy friendship adds another layer to the cases. Expect an overseas adventure setting and a continuing central personality rather than a new cast of principals in every drama.
Welcome to the Tambourine.
The Adventures of Rocky Jordan · THE COLLECTION
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Choose from 91 episodes. Search by title or sort by running time. Some episodes have two available recordings.
Showing 1-20 of 91 recordings.
Valley of the Dead
29:49The Man in the Nile
29:43The Dead Colleen
29:46Cairo Tour
29:41Congo Copper
29:46Ace High Straight
29:48 · 2 recordingsPharaoh's Formula
29:48City of Baksheesh
29:46The Money Changers
29:42The Broken Wing
29:39 · 2 recordingsDilemma
29:40Shakedown
29:42The Man from Damascus
29:33 · 2 recordingsThe Word of a Bishop
24:23The Genacos Affair
29:46
The directory follows the order of the available collection. Historical dates, where verified, are explained in the episode guides.
Istanbul, Cairo and two leading voices.
An earlier CBS West Coast programme, A Man Called Jordan, began in 1945 with the cafe in Istanbul. Rocky Jordan returned in 1948 with the business relocated to Cairo and Jack Moyles in the lead.
The 1948-1950 West Coast run should be distinguished from the 1951 network version starring George Raft. A change in lead performer can therefore signal a different production period, not simply another name for Moyles.
Did you know?
The cafe's move from Istanbul to Cairo accompanies the programme's 1948 return. Keeping that earlier series separate helps explain why not every Jordan recording has the same setting or supporting characters.
Before you listen.
Is Rocky Jordan a detective?
He runs the Cafe Tambourine. Mysteries and dangerous visitors draw him into investigations, while Captain Sabaaya provides the recurring police connection. [1]
Who played Rocky Jordan?
Jack Moyles led the earlier series and the 1948-1950 run. George Raft took the part for the 1951 network version. [1]
Is the cafe in Cairo or Istanbul?
The earlier A Man Called Jordan used Istanbul. The 1948 Rocky Jordan series relocated the cafe to Cairo. [1]
If you enjoy The Adventures of Rocky Jordan.
Bold Venture
For a Havana proprietor and his companion facing Caribbean intrigue.
Box 13
For another civilian who cannot resist following an unusual invitation.
The Adventures of Frank Race
For a more assignment-driven approach to international adventure.
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Sources and recording notes.
Programme and historical references
Heritage Radio Vault recordings
Official The Adventures of Rocky Jordan recordings ↗ supplies the available audio, artwork and modern recording metadata.
The guide distinguishes the 1945 predecessor, the 1948 Cairo series and the 1951 George Raft version. Individual recordings are not assigned a lead performer solely from a modern title or upload date.
Historical references and modern publication dates describe different events. Sources checked 4 November 2026. Original scripts, recordings, performances and music may carry rights belonging to their respective owners. For corrections or rights enquiries: markwilliams@heritageradiovault.com.