Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Sam Spade "The Missing Newshawk Caper" (7-18-48)

The Missing Newshawk Caper (Aired July 8, 1948)


The Adventures of Sam Spade was a radio series based loosely on the private detective character Sam Spade, created by writer Dashiell Hammett for The Maltese Falcon. The show ran for 13 episodes on ABC in 1946, for 157 episodes on CBS in 1946-1949, and finally for 51 episodes on NBC in 1949-1951. The series starred Howard Duff (and later, Steve Dunne) as Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie, and took a considerably more tongue-in-cheek approach to the character than the novel or movie. In 1947, scriptwriters Jason James and Bob Tallman received an Edgar Award for Best Radio Drama from the Mystery Writers of America. Before the series, Sam Spade had been played in radio adaptations of The Maltese Falcon by both Edward G. Robinson (in a 1943 Lux Radio Theater production) and by Bogart himself (in a 1946 Academy Award Theater production), both on CBS.

THIS EPISODE:

July 18, 1948. CBS network. "The Missing Newshawk Caper". Sponsored by: Wildroot Cream Oil. Spade is hired to find a reporter named Ray McCully. Spade finds him all right, stabbed to death! Howard Duff, Lurene Tuttle, Dashiell Hammett (creator), William Conrad, Sara Berner, Bea Benaderet (possibly), Alan Reed, Gil Doud (writer, director), Robert Tallman (writer), Lud Gluskin (music), Dick Joy (announcer). 29:40.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - In The Name Of The Law "Nothing Ever Happens In Chinatown" (1936)

Nothing Ever Happens In Chinatown (1936)


In the Name of the Law was a True Crime radio show from 1936. It says "In the name of the law, we bring you another of the thrilling stories in this exciting series, taken from actual police case files. "In the name of the Law, we bring you another of the thrilling stories in this exciting series, taken from actual police case files."Mrs Mary James found dead in her pool 8-05-35. Her husband Bob is suspected. He had been married several times before and a previous wife was also found dead under suspicious circumstances. Police investigation led to the Killer's arrest. Was it Bob James?

THIS EPISODE:

Nothing Ever Happens In Chinatown (7-26-36) - Syndicated. Commercials added locally. In Chicago's Chinatown, merchant Wong Fu has been shot to death. A detective, who speaks Chinese, sees that truth and justice will triumph. 25:12.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Westen - Bonanza "The Saga Of Annie O'Toole" (10-24-59)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Saga Of Annie O'Toole" (Aired October 24, 1959)


Bonanza chronicled the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, headed by wise widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright (played by Lorne Greene). He had three biological sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the intelligent and moody Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts); the second was the fun and lovable Eric, better known to viewers by his middle name: "Hoss" (Dan Blocker); and the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe" (Michael Landon). The family's cook was the Chinese immigrant Hop Sing (Victor Sen Yung). The family lived on a thousand-square-mile ranch called "The Ponderosa", on the shore of Lake Tahoe in Nevada; the name refers to the Ponderosa Pine, common in the West.

THIS EPISODE:

The Saga of Annie O'Toole adapted for radio from Bonanza aired October 24, 1959. Annie O'Toole and her father head out to the Washoe Diggings after her boyfriend, Swede Lundberg, returns with the deeds to two mines. Annie takes one of the deeds in return for the grub stake she gave Swede. Upon her arrival in Nevada, her father dies and she meets up with the Cartwrights. Against Adam's advice (and with his help), Annie decides to open up a restaurant to supply meals to the hungry miners. Things seem to be going well until Swede shows up with another man who claims that Annie's mine is his.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Broadway Is My Beat "The Case Of Charles Crandall" (5-12-51)

The Case Of Charles Crandall (Aired May 12, 1951)


Broadway Is My Beat, a radio crime drama, ran on CBS from February 27, 1949 to August 1, 1954. With music by Robert Stringer, the show originated from New York during its first three months on the air, with Anthony Ross portraying Times Square Detective Danny Clover. John Dietz directed for producer Lester Gottlieb. Beginning with the July 7, 1949 episode, the series was broadcast from Hollywood with producer Elliott Lewis directing a new cast in scripts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The opening theme of "I'll Take Manhattan" introduced Detective Danny Clover (now played by Larry Thor), a hardened New York City cop who worked homicide "from Times Square to Columbus Circle -- the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world."

THIS EPISODE:

May 12, 1951. CBS network. Sustaining. Charles Crandall is found murdered in an alley. He has no wallet, but he does have an expensive watch and a parking ticket! Charlie Crandall proves to be very much alive. Larry Thor, Elliott Lewis (producer, director), Alexander Courage (composer, conductor), Charles Calvert, Morton Fine (writer), David Friedkin (writer), Jack Kruschen, Lou Merrill, Jeanette Nolan, Joe Walters (announcer), Adam Williams, Peggy Webber, Joy Terry. 29:33.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Academy Award Theater "Guest In The House" (09-25-46)

Guest In The House (Aired September 25, 1946)


Stars and movies with Oscars were the idea - in most cases, the movie stars recreated their academy award roles for the show, or in other cases, fine actors played the parts and gave it a different character. Both ways make for great radio drama and first class Hollywood motion picture star entertainment. The Lux Radio Theater had been doing this kind of radio show in the grandest manner for many years, but sponsor Squibb had the hubris and deep pockets to take on the competition by doing Academy Award Theater right after the Second World War. The year 1946 was pre-television, and so movies were still the major American visual art form, with radio the other popular network entertainment. In this final pre-TV time, Academy Award Theater was thought of as a premier radio production, a wow show, much like CinemaScope was to be in the 1950's when Hollywood felt the box office blow of early TV.

THIS EPISODE:
September 25, 1946. CBS network. "Guest In The House". Sponsored by: Squibb Drugs. A neurotic disrupts the happy home life of her doctor's family. Joan Lorring, Anita Louise, Kirk Douglas. 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - New Adventures Of Michael Shayne "Wandering Fingerprints" (10-02-48)

Wandering Fingerprints (Aired October 2, 1948)


Michael Shayne was a fictional sleuth created by Brett Halliday (a pen name for author Davis Dresser) who was first initiated into the fraternity for detectives in the 1939 novel "Dividend of Death". Dresser based the character on a “tall and rangy” brawler who once saved his life during a braw in a Mexican cantina. The Shayne character would go on to appear in 69 novels, plus a long-running mystery magazine—and in 1941, was brought to the silver screen in Paramount’s Michael Shayne, Private Detective, an adaptation of Dividend of Death that starred Lloyd Nolan, and paved the way for six additional B-mysteries to follow. The New Adventures of Michael Shayne—premiered on July 15, 1948 starring Jeff Chandler.

THIS EPISODE:

October 2, 1948 - Program #11. Broadcaster's Guild syndication, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Case Of The Wandering Fingerprints". Mr. Zeigler can actually move fingerprints from one place to another...which gives him the idea for a clever blackmail racket. The date is approximate. Jeff Chandler, Jack Webb, William P. Rousseau (director, host), John Duffy (composer, conductor), Brett Halliday (creator), Don W. Sharp (producer). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Screen Director's Playhouse "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" (02-17-49)

The Night Has A Thousand Eye (Aired February 17, 1949)


From 01/09/49 to 09/28/51 this series was greatly enjoyed by the radio listening audience. It opened as NBC Theater and was also known as The Screen Director’s Guild and The Screen Director’s Assignment. But most people remember it simply as Screen Director’s Playhouse. Many of the Hollywood elite were heard recreating their screen roles over the radio. John Wayne in his rare radio appearances, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Claire Trevor, Tallulah Bankhead and many others were on the air week after week during these broadcasts. Many of Hollywood’s directors were also heard in the recreation of their movies. The President of the Screen Director’s Guild appeared on 02/13/49, and Violinist Isaac Stern supplied the music for the 04/19/51 broadcast.

THIS EPISODE:

February 27, 1949. NBC network. "Night Has A Thousand Eyes". Sustaining. A good story about a man who can see into the future, and can even see his own death! Bill Cairn (director), Cornell Woolrich (writer), Edward G. Robinson, Frank Barton (announcer), Henry Russell (composer, conductor), Howard Wiley (producer), Milton Geiger (adaptor), Paul Frees, William Demarest. 29:46.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Nick Carter Master Detective "Death In The Pool" (11-05-44)

Death In The Pool (Aired November 5, 1944)


Nick Carter, Master Detective - Nick Carter is the name of a popular fictional detective who first appeared in in a dime novel entitled "The Old Detective's Pupil" on September 18, 1886. In 1915, Nick Carter Weekly became Street & Smith's Detective Story Magazine. Novels featuring Carter continued to appear through the 1950s, by which time there was also a popular radio show, Nick Carter, Master Detective, which aired on Mutual from 1943 to 1955. Nick Carter first came to radio as The Return of Nick Carter. Then Nick Carter, Master Detective, with Lon Clark in the title role, began April 11, 1943, on Mutual, continuing in many different timeslots for well over a decade. Jock MacGregor was the producer-director of scripts by Alfred Bester, Milton J. Kramer, David Kogan and others. Background music was supplied by organists Hank Sylvern, Lew White and George Wright. Patsy Bowen, Nick's assistant, was portrayed by Helen Choate until mid-1946 and then Charlotte Manson stepped into the role. Nick and Patsy's friend was reporter Scubby Wilson (John Kane). Nick's contact at the police department was Sgt. Mathison (Ed Latimer). The supporting cast included Raymond Edward Johnson, Bill Johnstone and Bryna Raeburn. Michael Fitzmaurice was the program's announcer. The series ended on September 25, 1955. Chick Carter, Boy Detective was a serial adventure that aired weekday afternoons on Mutual. Chick Carter, the adopted son of Nick Carter, was played by Bill Lipton (1943-44) and Leon Janney (1944-45). The series aired from July 5, 1943 to July 6, 1945.

THIS EPISODE:

November 5, 1944. Mutual network. "Death In The Pool," or "The Mystery Of The Mink Coat". Sponsored by: Lin-X Home Brighteners. Lon Clark, Helen Choate, John Kane, Humphrey Davis, Jock MacGregor (producer, director, occasional writer), Lew White (musician). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Western - Tom Mix " Vanishing Village" 1945

Boxcars711 Overnight Western - The Tom Mix Ralston Straightshooters "Vanishing Village" (3 Ep. Complete)


In 1933 Ralston-Purina obtained his permission to produce a Tom Mix radio series,Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters, which, except for one year during World War II, was popular throughout most of the 1930s and into the early 1950s. (Mix never appeared on these broadcasts and was instead played by voice actors.) His last screen appearance was a 15 episode serial for Mascot Pictures called The Miracle Rider (1935), for which he was paid $40,000 for four weeks of filming. Also that year, Texas governor James Allred named Mix an honorary Texas Ranger. Mix went back to circus performing, this time with his eldest daughter Ruth who had appeared in some of his films. In 1938 Mix went to Europe on a promotional trip, while his daughter Ruth stayed behind to manage his circus, which soon failed. He later excluded her from his will. He had reportedly made over $6,000,000 (approaching $400 million in early 21st century, inflation adjusted values) during his 26 year career in the movies.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The CBS Radio Workshop "The Ex-Urbanites" (3-30-56)

The Ex-Urbanites (Aired March 30, 1956)


Broadcast from 1936 through to 1947 with just an occasional break. Revived again from January 1956 to September 1957 as CBS Radio Workshop with pretty much the same format. Broadcast from 1936 through to 1947 with just an occasional break. Revived again from January 1956 to September 1957 as CBS Radio Workshop with pretty much the same format. This was drama with a difference. Columbia Workshop was not everybody’s cup of tea and in terms of audience popularity it was always noted that it was never a strong contender for the title “Radios Top Rated Drama Series” and yet it was always considered to be the drama program that led the way in radio standards. Columbia was the first to mexperiment with what radio drama was all about, introducing new techniques never before used in over the airwaves drama and because it received little encouragement from established writers, actors, etc., it was only by breaking new ground with new ideas and new techniques from writers who were not versed in the old ways that it was going to survive.

THIS EPISODE:

March 30, 1956. CBS network. "The Exurbanites". Sustaining. A chilling (but true) horror story about the problems of living in the suburbs. Eric Sevareid (narrator). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - You Are There "The Surrender Of Sitting Bull" (05-02-48)

The Surrender Of Sitting Bull (Aired May 2, 1948)


Imagine if CBS radio news existed when the Bastille was stormed in 1789, or if radio reporters were stationed in Ford Theater as Lincoln was assassinated, or again at the Battle of Gettysburg? Indeed, such was the premise behind the CBS series, You Are There. Audiences witnessed history through the present-tense accounts of newsmen allegedly witnessing historical events transpiring before their eyes. Don Hollenbeck and John Daley (known for his TV game show panelist appearances) played the lead anchors, while real-life newsman provided the remote commentaries as the dramas unfolded. As show opened, an anchor would describe the present situation with "As it stands now…" and segue into commentaries, live remote feeds or analysis as the story unfurled.The show was well received, but perhaps was doomed to eventual failure in part due John Daly's emoting. Bernard DeVoto in Harper Magazine lamented: "We have heard his (Daly) voice vibrate with the real emotion, and our memory of the real simply turns the imagined to ham."

THIS EPISODE:

January 2, 1949. CBS network. "The Surrender Of Sitting Bull". Sustaining. The events of July 21, 1881. The last great chief of the Sioux Nation decides to parlay with the white man. A day for which Americans should be ashamed. Karl Swenson, John Daly, Robert Lewis Shayon (writer, producer, director), Ken Roberts, Don Hollenbeck, Mikedja Wren (writer), Peter Hobbs, Julian Noa, Crazy Bull (billed as "Chief Crazy Bull, grandson of Sitting Bull" did the war chant and was a consultant for the broadcast), Canada Lee, Raymond Edward Johnson. 29:26.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod Overnight Western - Gunsmoke "Arsolom" (03-07-53)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western - Gunsmoke "Arsolom" (Aired March 7, 1953)


Gunsmoke - The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:

March 14, 1953. CBS network. "Cyclone". Sustaining. The program includes a message of praise for the show from the Governor of Kansas. The Cyclone Ranch has been sold under strange circumstances. Marshal Dillon suspects foul play. George Walsh (announcer), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Jerry Hausner, Joe Cranston, Lawrence Dobkin, Les Crutchfield (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Vivi Janis, William Conrad. 30:00.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Falcon "The Case Of The Raw Deal" (12-10-50)

The Case Of The Raw Deal (Aired December 10, 1950)


This hard boiled spy drama began as an RKO Radio Pictures theatrical serial in the 1940s, went on radio in 1945, and then came to TV ten years later in this Syndicated series produced for distribution by NBC Films; Charles McGraw had been in many motion pictures before and after including "The Killers", "Spartacus" and "Cimarron"; in this series he played the title role of a man whose real name was supposedly Mike Waring, an American agent whose code name was "Falcon"; Later Charles McGraw starred in a short lived TV version of "Casablanca" (1955 - 1956) in the character of Rick; He also had a role on the detective drama "Staccato" (1959) Actor McGraw (whose birth name was Charles Butters) met an unfortunate death in real life when he fell through a shower glass door in 1980 at his home in Studio City, CA.

THIS EPISODE:

December 10, 1950. NBC network. "The Case Of The Raw Deal". Sponsored by: Kraft. A gunman robs a hotel room poker game of $65,000. The victims hire "The Falcon" to find the gunman, but Mike Waring suspects that one of the card players was in on the deal. Les Damon, Ed Herlihy (announcer), Drexel Drake (creator). 29:34.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Screen Directors Playhouse "Lets Live A Little" (01-16-49)

Lets Live A Little (01-16-49)


From 01/09/49 to 09/28/51 this series was greatly enjoyed by the radio listening audience. It opened as NBC Theater and was also known as The Screen Director’s Guild and The Screen Director’s Assignment. But most people remember it simply as Screen Director’s Playhouse. Many of the Hollywood elite were heard recreating their screen roles over the radio. John Wayne in his rare radio appearances, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Lucille Ball, Claire Trevor, Tallulah Bankhead and many others were on the air week after week during these broadcasts. Many of Hollywood’s directors were also heard in the recreation of their movies. The President of the Screen Director’s Guild appeared on 02/13/49, and Violinist Isaac Stern supplied the music for the 04/19/51 broadcast.

THIS EPISODE:

January 16, 1949. NBC network. "Let's Live A Little". Sustaining. A light comedy about a harried advertising executive, his love life, his nerves, and his beautiful doctor. The sereis is also refered to as, "Screen Director's Playhouse" and "NBC Theatre." Robert Cummings, Richard Wallace (guest screen director), Betty Lou Gerson, Virginia Gregg, Tom Collins, Constance Crowder, John Dehner, Sarah Selby, Dan Riss, Richard Allen Simmons (writer), Henry Russell (composer, conductor), Howard Wiley (production supervisor), Frank Barton (announcer). 29:25.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Voyage Of The Scarlet Queen "Redbeard And The Bag Of Pearls" (12-17-47)

Redbeard And The Bag Of Pearls (Aired December 17, 1947)

First heard on Mutual featuring Elliott Lewis, who as Leonard Maltin writes in "The Great American Broadcast, "…wore every hat imaginable-actor, producer, and director-also penned a good number of scripts for series he supervised, including Suspense." And Maltin says of this show, "On the terrific late-1940's high-adventure series The Voyage of the Scarlet Queen he held down both jobs simultaneously as director and star." As Maltin continues, “Lewis had the ability to make you believe whatever he said. Cast as the skipper on the high-adventure series The Voyage of the Scarlet Queen, he was completely convincing as seagoing ship's master Philip Carney-never corny or overblown." So let a master captain of drama chart a course to exotic ports of call and thrilling adventures. All you have to do is step aboard The Scarlet Queen.

THIS EPISODE:
December 17, 1947. Mutual network. "Red Beard and The Bag Of Pearls". Sustaining. A gang steals several pearls from a Bay in the Gilbert Islands and causes the natives to become restless. Possibly dated December 10, 1947. Elliott Lewis, Edwin Max, Richard Aurandt (music), Charles Arlington (announcer). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - People Are Funny "Could You Buy A Hamburger" (10-15-54)

Could You Buy A Hamburger (Aired October 15, 1954)


People are Funny was a television game show that premiered and ended on NBC from 1954-1961. It was shot in the outside world and dared people to do stunts for fun for spectators. This was done to "reveal the true nature" of their guests. This show was considered a predecessor to most of the reality game shows we know today, such as "Survivor" and MTV's "Jackass." Art Linkletter was the more well-known host of the show. Viewers grew up with him, but not just on People are Funny. He was also seen on Life With Linkletter (1950-52 & 1969-70), Art Linkletter's House Party (1952-69), and The Art Linkletter Show (1963.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Story Of Dr. Kildare "Glaucoma" (06-15-50)

Glaucoma (Aired June 15, 1950)


Dr. James Kildare was a fictional character, the primary character in a series of American theatrical films in the late 1930s and early 1940s, an early 1950s radio series, a 1960s television series of the same name and a comic book based on the TV show. The character was invented by the author Frederick Schiller Faust (aka Max Brand). The character began in the film series as a medical intern; after becoming a doctor he was mentored by an older physician, Dr. Leonard Gillespie. After the first ten films, the series eliminated the character of Kildare and focused instead on Gillespie.

THIS EPISODE:

June 15, 1950. Program #21. WMGM, New York-Mutual network origination, MGM syndication. Commercials added locally. A newly blinded man loses his will to live. Dr. Kildare tries to help. Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Isabel Jewell, William Johnstone, Peggy Webber, Dick Joy (announcer), Gene Holloway (writer), Walter Schumann (composer, conductor), William P. Rousseau (director). 28:11.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Great Gildersleeve "Leroy Smokes A Cigar" (11-23-41)

Leroy Smokes A Cigar (Aired November 23, 1941)


The Great Gildersleeve (1941-1957) was the arguable founding father of the spin-off program, as well as one of the first true situation comedies (as opposed to sketch programs) in broadcast history. Hooked around a character who had been a staple on the classic radio hit Fibber McGee and Molly, The Great Gildersleeve enjoyed its greatest period in the 1940s, when Harold Peary graduated the character from the earlier show into the sitcom and in a quartet of likeable feature films at the height of the show's popularity.

THIS EPISIODE:

November 23, 1941. NBC network. Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. The day Leroy and his friend sampled Gilderlseeve's cheap cigars. Harold Peary, Walter Tetley, Lurene Tuttle, Lillian Randolph, Leonard L. Levinson (writer), William Randolph (composer, conductor), Jim Bannon (announcer). 29:32.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Witch's Tale "Rockabye Baby" (07-25-32)

Rockabye Baby (Aired July 25, 1932)


A seminal series which established the standard of a host-based anthology series, and the first horror series produced for radio. WOR, New York origination, Air Features Syndicate syndication. Music fill for local commercial insert. 9:30 P. M. lonzo Deen Cole (writer, producer, performer), Marie O'Flynn, Adelaide Fitz-Allen (as "Old Nancy"). John Dunning in his "On the Air, The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio," relates the odd tale of getting the replacement for the original Nancy, Adelaide Fitz-Allen, who died at 79 in 1935. A radio veteran, only a mere 13 years old, Miriam Wolfe by name, was then on the fine children's program, Let's Pretend. Of course, she wasn't considered for the part. She stayed in the studio during a late-night broadcast by Witch's Tale writer/director, Alonzo Deen Cole, and began her "Nancy" without warning. Cole was so chilled by her mimicry of an ancient crone that she got the part on the spot. Later in the show's run, the role was taken by Martha Wentworth.

THIS EPISODE:

July 25, 1932. WOR, New York origination, Air Features Syndicate syndication. "Rockabye Baby". Music fill for local commercial insert. 9:30 P. M. "Spooks in the house"?? A couple accepts the challenge to sleep there. This story program was "produced by "Air Features Syndicate" but was advertised and distributed by "All-Star Broadcasts" (which was owned by Billy Jones and Ernie Hare). Alonzo Deen Cole (writer, producer, performer), Marie O'Flynn, Adelaide Fitz-Allen (as "Old Nancy"). 30:33.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Mysterious Traveler "The Accusing Corpse" (04-16-44)

The Accusing Corpse (Aired April 16, 1944)


Written and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan, the series began on the Mutual Broadcasting System, December 5, 1943, continuing in many different timeslots until September 16, 1952. Unlike many other shows of the era, The Mysterious Traveler was without a sponsor for its entire run. The lonely sound of a distant locomotive heralded the arrival of the malevolent narrator, portrayed by Maurice Tarplin, who introduced himself each week in the following manner. This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable -- if you can!

THIS EPISODE:

April 16, 1944. Mutual network. "The Accusing Corpse". Sustaining. A journey to the grave to learn the secrets of the dead. An old scam leads to an accusation by a dead body. The show will switch to Sunday at 3:30 P. M. (EST) next week. The script was also used on "The Sealed Book" on April 29, 1945. Don Randolph, Phillip Clark, Maurice Tarplin, Doc Whipple (music), Jock MacGregor (director), Robert A. Arthur (writer), David Kogan (writer). 29:45.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Murder By Experts "The Creeper" (07-18-49)

The Creeper (Aired July 18, 1949)


(1949-51, Mutual.130 30-minute episodes.Created by David Kogan.Writers: David Kogan.Directors/Producers: David Kogan And Robert A. Arthur.Hosts: John Dickson Carr (June 13, 1949-March 13, 1950)and Brett Halliday (March 20,1950 December 17, 1951). Sound Effects: Mario Siletti. Guest experts: Alfred Hitchcock, Craig Rice. Guest stars: Ann Shepard, Larry Haines, Carl Eastman, Ann Sheperd, Bill Zuckert, Ralph Camargo, Burt Cullen, Lawson Zerbe, Marilyn Erskin.

THIS EPISODE:

July 23, 1949. Mutual network, WOR, New York aicheck. "The Creeper". Sponsored by: Sustaining, Bulova Watch (local). A suspense story about a mad killer who strangles his red-headed victims. The program moved to Sundays at 10:00 P. M., being replaced in this time slot by, "The Damon Runyon Theatre." John Dickson Carr (host, narrator), Joseph Ruscoll (writer), Marilyn Erskine. 29:17.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Six Shooter "Sheriff Billy" (11-29-53)

Sheriff Billy (Aired November 29, 1953)


The Six Shooter brought James Stewart to the NBC microphone on September 20, 1953, in a fine series of folksy Western adventures. Stewart was never better on the air than in this drama of Britt Ponset, frontier drifter created by Frank Burt. The epigraph set it up nicely: "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged: his skin is sun dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl. People call them both The Six Shooter." Ponset was a wanderer, an easy-going gentleman and -- when he had to be -- a gunfighter. Stewart was right in character as the slow-talking maverick who usually blundered into other people's troubles and sometimes shot his way out. His experiences were broad, but The Six Shooter leaned more to comedy than other shows of its kind. Ponset took time out to play Hamlet with a crude road company. He ran for mayor and sheriff of the same town at the same time. He became involved in a delighful Western version of Cinderella, complete with grouchy stepmother, ugly sisters, and a shoe that didn't fit. And at Christmas he told a young runaway the story of A Christmas Carol, Substituting the original Dickens characters with Western heavies.

THIS EPISODE:

November 29, 1953. NBC network. Sustaining. Sheriff Bill Riddle is the law in Dawson. He faces down an escaped killer without a gunfight...and with good reason. Jimmy Stewart, Alan Reed, Frank Burt (creator, writer), James McCallion, Ken Christy, Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Hal Gibney (announcer), Howard McNear. 29:35.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Arch Oboler's Plays "Another World" (7-29-39)

Another World (Aired July 29, 1939)

Arch Oboler's Plays was a radio drama series written, produced and directed by Arch Oboler. Minus a sponsor, it ran for one year, airing Saturday evenings on NBC from March 25, 1939 to March 23, 1940 and revived five years later on Mutual for a sustaining summer run from April 5, 1945 to October 11, 1945. Leading film actors were heard on this series, including Gloria Blondell, Eddie Cantor, James Cagney, Ronald Colman, Joan Crawford, Greer Garson, Edmund Gwenn, Van Heflin, Katharine Hepburn, Elsa Lanchester, Peter Lorre, Frank Lovejoy, Raymond Massey, Burgess Meredith, Paul Muni, Alla Nazimova, Edmond O'Brien, Geraldine Page, Gale Sondergaard, Franchot Tone and George Zucco.

THIS EPISODE:
July 29, 1939. NBC network. "Another World". Sustaining. An eerie story about a woman's battle with the voice inside her...trying to take over her body! The story is also known as, "The Voice Within Me." Arch Oboler, Arnold Moss, Betty Garde, Frank Lovejoy, Gilbert Mack, Hester Sondergaard, John Brown. 29:28.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Bold Venture "Six Crates Of Apples" (1951)

Six Crates Of Apples (1951)


The Hollywood husband and wife team of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall set sail for adventure in the Bold Venture radio series in early 1951. There were well over 400 stations that aired the program. Since thiswas syndicated * the starting date varied from station to station but Mar 26, 1951 was the official date of the first show. Humphrey Bogart portrayed Slate Shannon, owner of a rundown Havana hotel, Shannon's Place. The action took place on land as well aboard Slate's boat, The Bold Venture, thus the title of the series. Lauren Bacall was his ward Sailor Duval, a stubborn and flirtatious young woman whose late father had willed her to Slate for her protection. Together the duo found adventure, intrigue, mystery and romance in the sultry settings of tropical Havana and the mysterious islands of the Caribbean.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The General Electric Theater "The Enchanted Cottage" (9-24-53)

The Enchanted Cottage (Aired September 24, 1953)


General Electric Theater featured a mix of romance, comedy, adventure, tragedy, fantasy and variety music. Occupying the Sunday evening spot on CBS following the Toast of the Town/Ed Sullivan Show from 1 February 1953 to 27 May 1962, the General Electric Theater presented top Hollywood and Broadway stars in dramatic roles calculated to deliver company voice advertising to the largest possible audience.
Despite a long technical and practical experience with television production, GE's previous attempts to establish a Sunday evening company program had fared poorly. In the fall of 1948 GE entered commercial television for the first time with the Dennis James Carnival, a variety show dropped after one performance.

THIS EPISODE:

September 24, 1953. CBS network. "The Enchanted Cottage". Sponsored by: General Electric. Not auditioned. A plain woman and a criplled man fall in love and see a magic transformation in each other. The story was previously used on, "The Gulf Screen Guild Theater" on November 26, 1939. Joan Fontaine, William Johnstone, Tom Tully, Gloria Gordon, Lurene Tuttle, Dan O'Herlihy, Arthur Wing Pinero (author), Jaime del Valle (director, transcriber), Ken Carpenter (announcer, host), Walter Newman (adaptor), Hett Manheim (editorial supervisor), Wilbur Hatch (music). 29:43.

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