Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe "Life Can Be Murder" (07-21-51)

Life Can Be Murder (Aired July 21, 1951)


The first portrayal of Phillip Marlowe on the radio was by Dick Powell, when he played Raymond Chandler's detective on the Lux Radio Theater on June 11, 1945. This was a radio adaptation of the 1944 movie, from RKO, in which Mr. Powell played the lead. Two years later, Van Heflin starred as Marlowe in a summer replacement series for the Bob Hope Show on NBC. This series ran for 13 shows. On September 26, 1948, Gerald Mohr became the third radio Marlowe, this time on CBS. It remained a CBS show through its last show in 1951.

THIS EPISODE:

July 21, 1951. CBS network. "Life Can Be Murder". Sustaining. Marlowe meets Marney Carr in a bar and becomes involved in a case of murder when she disappears. Gerald Mohr, James Nusser, Joan Banks, June Whitley, Kathleen Hite (writer), Lawrence Dobkin, Marjorie Bennett, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Paul Dubov, Pierre Garriguenc (composer), Raymond Chandler (creator), Roy Rowan (announcer), Shirley Mitchell (?), Virginia Gregg, Wilbur Hatch (music). 29:52.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Abbott & Costello Show "Wild West With Lynn Bari" (12-16-43)

Wild West With Lynn Bari (Aired December 16, 1943)


Abbott and Costello William (Bud) Abbott and Lou Costello (born Louis Francis Cristillo) were an American comedy duo whose work in radio, film and television made them one of the most popular teams in the history of comedy. Thanks to the endurance of their most popular and influential routine, "Who's on First?"---whose rapid-fire word play and comprehension confusion set the preponderant framework for most of their best-known routines---the team are also the only comedians known to have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park, NJ, October 2, 1897 and died April 24, 1974 in Woodland Hills, California. Lou Costello was born in Paterson, NJ, March 6, 1906 and died March 3, 1959 in East Los Angeles, California. After working as Allen's summer replacement, Abbott and Costello joined Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy on The Chase and Sanborn Hour in 1941, while two of their films (Buck Privates and Hold That Ghost) were adapted for Lux Radio Theater. They launched their own weekly show October 8, 1942, sponsored by Camel cigarettes. The Abbott and Costello Show mixed comedy with musical interludes (usually, by singers such as Connie Haines, Marilyn Maxwell, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Skinnay Ennis, and the Les Baxter Singers).

THIS EPISODE:

December 16, 1943. NBC network, KFI, Los Angeles aircheck. Sponsored by: Camels, Prince Albert Pipe Tobacco. The opening routine is about Costello's wardrobe. Abbott and Costello are working in Meyer's Butcher Shop. Guest Lynn Bari joins Abbott and Costello in a western drama about Buffalo Bill. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Freddie Rich and His Orchestra, Connie Haines, Ken Niles (announcer), Elvia Allman, Lynn Bari. 29:31.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Have Gun Will Travel" - In An Evil Time (05-24-59)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Have Gun Will Travel" - In An Evil Time (Aired May 24, 1959)


Have Gun — Will Travel was a popular American Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957 through 1963. It was one of the few television shows to spawn a successful radio version. The radio series debuted on November 23, 1958. The show followed the adventures of Paladin, a gentleman-turned-gunfighter (played by Richard Boone on television, and by John Dehner on radio), who preferred to settle problems without violence, yet, when forced to fight, excelled.

THIS EPISODE:

May 24, 1959. CBS network. "In An Evil Time". Sponsored by: Longines Watches, Mutual Of Omaha, Pepsi-Cola. Paladin is hired to bring in the legendary Pappy French, a bank robber with $50,000 hidden away. The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on June 14, 1958. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Joseph Kearns, Harry Bartell (doubles), Hugh Douglas (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Shimon Wincelberg (writer), Ann Doud (adaptor), Frank Knight (Longines commercial), Sam Rolfe (creator), Herb Meadow (creator), Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects). 25:15.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - CBS Radio Workshop "The Big Event" (12-16-56)

The Big Event (Aired December 16, 1956)


The CBS Radio Workshop aired from January 27, 1956 through September 22, 1957 and was a revival of the prestigious Columbia Workshop from the 1930s and 1940s. Creator William Froug launched the series with this powerhouse two-part adaptation of "Brave New World" and booked author Aldous Huxley to narrate his famous novel. "We’ll never get a sponsor anyway," CBS vice president Howard Barnes explained to Time, "so we might as well try anything." The CBS Workshop regularly featured the works of the world’s greatest writers. including Ray Bradbury, Archibald MacLeish, William Saroyan, Lord Dunsany and Ambrose Bierce.

THIS EPISODE:

December 16, 1956. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "The Big Event". A fantasy about the world crisis created when the "Law of Averages" is repealed for twenty-four hours. William Redfield, Ralph Bell, Roger De Koven, Gloria Dapper (writer), Draper Lewis (writer), Ben Ludlow (composer), Alfredo Antonini (conductor), Paul Roberts (producer, director), Ethel Owen, Elaine Rost, Ivor Francis, Herm Dinken, Ruby Dee, Warren Sweeney (announcer). 25 minutes.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Beulah - 2 Episodes (02-05-45) (02-08-54)

Two Episodes "Writing About The Family" (Aired February 5, 1945) and "Rumpus Room Construction" (Aired February 8, 1945)


The Beulah Show is an American situation-comedy series that ran in radio on CBS from 1945 to 1954, and in television on ABC from 1950 to 1953. It is notable for being the first sitcom to star an African American. Originally portrayed by Caucasian actor Marlin Hurt, Beulah Brown first appeared in 1939 when Hurt introduced and played the character on the Hometown Incorporated radio series and in 1940 on NBC radio's Show Boat series. In 1943, Beulah moved over to That's Life and then became a supporting character on the popular Fibber McGee and Molly radio series in late 1944. In 1945, Beulah was spun off into her own radio show, The Marlin Hurt and Beulah Show, with Hurt still in the role. Beulah was employed as a housekeeper and cook for the Henderson family: father Harry, mother Alice and son Donnie. After Hurt died of a heart attack in 1946, he was replaced by another white actor, Bob Corley, and the series was retitled The Beulah Show. When black actress Hattie McDaniel took over the role on November 24, 1947, she earned $1000 a week for the first season, doubled the ratings of the original series and pleased the NAACP which was elated to see a historic first: a black woman as the star of a network radio program. McDaniel continued in the role until she became ill in 1952 and was replaced by Lillian Randolph, who was in turn replaced for the 1953-54 radio season by her sister, Amanda Randolph.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Vanishing Point "The Blue Devil" (01-04-85)

The Blue Devil (Aired January 4, 1985)

1984-1986 There were 69 episodes in the original series. The series continued after that under various names and formats. "The point between reality and fantasy. Where imagination holds the key to new worlds. That point of no return---The Vanishing Point." Favorably compared to Rod Sterling's classic TV series, The Twilight Zone, these finely tuned radio dramas from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation provide compelling excursions into the realm of mystery and fantasy.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Voyage Of The Scarlet Queen "Rocky III & The Dead Man's Chest" (02-11-48)

Rocky III & The Dead Man's Chest (Aired February 11, 1948)


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:

February 11, 1948. Mutual network. "Rocky III and The Dead Man's Chest". Sustaining. A young stowaway and a treasure map lead the crew of The Scarlet Queen to new adventures. Possibly dated February 14, 1948. Ben Wright(doubles), Robert Tallman (writer), Charles Arlington (announcer), Elliott Lewis, Gil Doud (writer), Roddy McDowall, William Conrad (doubles), Edwin Max, Richard Aurandt (music). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Life With Luigi "The Wedding" (05-29-45)

The Wedding (Aired May 29, 1945)


Life with Luigi was a radio comedy-drama series which began September 21, 1948 on CBS. The story concerned Italian immigrant Luigi Basco, and his experiences as an immigrant in Chicago. Many of the shows take place at the US citizenship classes that Luigi attends with other immigrants from different countries, as well as trying to fend off the repeated advances of the morbidly-obese daughter of his landlord/sponsor. Luigi was played by J. Carrol Naish, an Irish-American. Naish continued in the role on the short-lived television version in 1952, and was later replaced by Vito Scotti. With a working title of The Little Immigrant, Life with Luigi was created by Cy Howard, who earlier had created the hit radio comedy, My Friend Irma. The show was often seen as the Italian counterpart to the radio show The Goldbergs, which chronicled the experience of Jewish immigrants in New York.

THIS EPISODE:

May 29, 1949. CBS network. Sustaining. Not auditioned. Luigi's finally's going to get married...to Rosa! J. Carrol Naish, Alan Reed, Cy Howard (creator, producer), Hans Conried, Bob Stevenson (announcer), Mac Benoff (writer, director), Lou Derman (writer), Mary Shipp, Lyn Murray (music director), Jody Gilbert. 28:57.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - Justice Of The Peace (07-13-58)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - Justice Of The Peace (Aired July 13, 1958)


Frontier Gentleman was a radio Western series heard on CBS from February 2 to November 16, 1958. Written and directed by Antony Ellis, it followed the adventures of J.B. Kendall (John Dehner), a London Times reporter, as he roamed the Western United States, encountering various outlaws and well-known historical figures, such as Jesse James and Calamity Jane. Written and directed by Antony Ellis, it followed the adventures of journalist Kendall as he roamed the Western United States in search of stories for the Times. Along the way, he encountered various fictional drifters and outlaws in addition to well-known historical figures, such as Jesse James, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Music for the series was by Wilbur Hatch and Jerry Goldsmith, who also supplied the opening trumpet theme. The announcers were Dan Cubberly, Johnny Jacobs, Bud Sewell and John Wald. Supporting cast: Harry Bartell, Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Gregg, Stacy Harris, Johnny Jacobs, Joseph Kearns, Jack Kruschen, Jack Moyles, Jeanette Nolan, Vic Perrin and Barney Phillips.

THIS EPISODE:

July 13, 1958. CBS network. "Justice Of The Peace". Sustaining. A woman justice of the peace is unable to prevent the lynching of an Indian accused of murder. John Dehner, Jack Kruschen, Lou Krugman, Paula Winslowe, Jack Moyles, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Bud Sewell (announcer), Tom Holland. 25 minutes.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Dangerous Assignment "Missing Japanese Weapons" (02-06-50)

Missing Japanese Weapons (Aired February 6, 1950)


This thirty-minute international spy adventure featured Steve Mitchell (Brian Donlevy), and investigator of crimes in exotic locations. 60 episodes. Herb Butterfield played the Commissioner and Betty Moran was the Commissioner's secretary. Other cast members were GeGe Pearson, Ken Peters, Betty Lou Gerson, Dan O’Herlihy. The director was Bill Cairn and the writer for the series was Robert Ryf. The opening was the same every week “Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can’t even pronounce. They all spell the same thing though, trouble.” He would be summoned to his boss’s office where he would be given his assignment; he would then fly halfway across the globe to save the day!

THIS EPISODE:

February 6, 1950. NBC network. Sustaining. The first show of the season. Steve Mitchell flies to Panama to recover missing Japanese weapons and solve the murder of his friend, Bill Thorne. Brian Donlevy, Robert Ryf (writer), Bill Cairn (director), Bruce Ashley (music). 29:40.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Superman "Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine" (Ep. 7-8-9-10 of 16) Aug.1941

Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine (Ep.7-8-9-10 of 16) Aug.1941 1-Hour


Superman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective Comics, Inc. in 1938, the character first appeared in Action Comics #1 (June 30, 1938) and subsequently appeared in various radio serials, television programs, films, newspaper strips, and video games. With the success of his adventures, Superman helped to create the superhero genre and establish its primacy within the American comic book. The character's appearance is distinctive and iconic: a blue, red and yellow costume, complete with cape, with a stylized "S" shield on his chest. This shield is now typically used across media to symbolize the character.

TODAY'S SHOW: Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine (Ep.7-8-9-10 of 16) Aug.1941

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - You Can't Do Business With Hitler (Episodes 6 and 7) 1942

Episode6 "Spoils Of Europe" and Episode7 "1000 Year Reich" (1942)


You Can't Do Business with Hitler, based on the experiences of Douglas Miller, who was for 15 years commercial attaché to the American Embassy in Berlin. Douglas Miller reveals the NAZI technique of plundering and looting conquered lands. This transcribed program written by Elwood Hoffman and directed by Frank Telford was brought to you by the Radio Section of the Office for Emergency Management in Washington. The shows were written and produced by the radio section of the Office of War Information (OWI), was transcribed four times a month. This series is one of the many thousands of government plays that were broadcast to help the war effort during World War II.

TODAY'S SHOW:

1942. Program #6. Office For Emergency Management, Division Of Information, syndication. "The Spoils Of Europe". Sustaining. A description of "the looting of France," using freshly printed and totally worthless money. The program describes the other Nazi techniques used to take over the economy of France. Frank Telford (writer, director). 14:57.


1942. Program #7. Office For Emergency Management, Division Of Information, syndication. "The Thousand Year Reich". Sustaining. Hitler's "Education For Slavery" program is put into effect in Belgium. How the Nazis promote some books and suppress others. Elwood Hoffman (writer), Frank Telford (director). 15:22.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Secrets Of Scotland Yard "Fiction Is Stranger Than Truth" (1944)

Fiction Is Stranger Than Truth (1944)- aka: Reginald Sidney Buckfield


The Secrets of Scotland Yardwas a successful crime drama series, initially airing internationally between 1949 and 1951. Selected episodes finally came to a US radio network for a brief run much later in 1957 over the Mutual Broadcasting System. The series boasted well over 100 episodes, one of which, "The Bone From A Voice Box", apparently served as the prototype for another well remembered Towers Of London dramatic series, The Black Museum. In both series, well known actors were employed as host / narrator, Orson Welles in The Black Museum and Clive Brook here. In fact, the shows were so similar that some of the same actual Scotland Yard cases were dramatized for both series (with totally different scripts, and casts). The Secrets of Scotland Yard was an independent production of the Towers of London syndicate in England for world wide distribution. Each week, an audience of anxious radio-listeners tuned in to hear these true crime stories of the London Metropolitan Police unfold, as the detectives at the Yard investigated some of England’s most famous criminals. Their trials have become legendary. Stories presented in the series include the theft of the British crown jewels by Colonel Thomas Blood; the story of a man who finds an armless and legless body wrapped in ribbons and lace; or the strange story of two close brothers who love one another enough to contemplate the murder of a brother’s affluent, yet unsightly and ignorant, wife. Murders, forgery, and robberies all get a through review on the program. Each time, Scotland Yard detectives are afoot to solve the crime mystery! The Secrets of Scotland Yard was initially hosted by Clive Brook, probably for the first year or so. To add to the air of authenticity, Brook sometimes discusses matters with Percy Hoskins, a 1950s crime expert and reporter for the London Daily Express. Hoskins knew every nook and cranny in London’s seedier districts and personally reported on many of the major crimes of the day. A student of crime, Hoskins was also one of the founders of the Saints and Sinners Club of London, an educational organization dedicated to true crime investigation methods and results. Brook had his own Scotland Yard experience previously when he played retired naval commander Stevenson in the 1936 film, "Scotland Yard Commands". American audiences will however probably more familiar with Brooks’ portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes in the 1932 film of the same name. Brook was eventually replaced by an actor portraying the character Superintendent X of Scotland Yard.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Screen Director's Playhouse "The Big Clock" (07-08-49)

The Big Clock (Aired July 8, 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:

July 8, 1949. NBC network. "The Big Clock". Sponsored by: Pabst Beer. A good adaptation of the classic thriller about a crime reporter forced to track down a killer...himself! Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, William Conrad, Lawrence Dobkin, Tony Barrett, John Farlow (screen director). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Crime Does Not Pay "Kangaroo Court" (02-27-50)

Kangaroo Court (Aired February 27, 1950)


Crime Does Not Pay was an anthology radio crime drama series based on MGM's short film series. The films began in 1935 with Crime Does Not Pay: Buried Loot. For the most part, actors who appeared in B-films were featured, but occasionally, one of MGM's major stars would make an appearance. The radio series aired in New York on WMGM (October 10, 1949-October 10, 1951) and then moved to the Mutual network (January 7-December 22, 1952). Actors included Bela Lugosi, Everett Sloane, Ed Begley, John Loder and Lionel Stander.

THIS EPISODE:
February 27, 1950. Program #21. MGM syndication. "Kangaroo Court". Sponsored by: Commercials added loclly. A gangster on vacation refuses to obey a California boss' order and is placed on trial...by a Kangaroo Court of criminals! The date above is the date of the first broadcast of WMGM, Nedw York, from which this syndicated version may have been taken. Marx B. Loeb (director), Richard Derr, Jon Gart (composer, conductor), Ira Marion (writer). 26:59.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Rochester Show "2 Episodes" (02-18-50)

2 Episodes (02-18-50)


Edmund Lincoln Anderson (September 18, 1905 – February 28, 1977), often known as Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, was an American comic actor who became famous playing "Rochester van Jones" (usually known simply as "Rochester"), the valet to Jack Benny's eponymous title character on the long-running radio and television series The Jack Benny Program. Anderson also owned Burnt Cork, a Thoroughbred racehorse that ran in the 1943 Kentucky Derby. He was born in Oakland, California, USA on September 18, 1905, into a family of performers. Anderson began his show business career at age 14 in a song-and-dance act with his brother Cornelius and another performer. They billed themselves as the Three Black Aces. At a young age, Anderson permanently damaged his vocal cords (he had to yell loudly for his job selling newspapers), leading to his trademark "raspy" voice. Benny's ordering of his "valet" and Anderson's responses (sometimes a resigned "Yes, Boss", but just as often a snappy joke at Benny's expense) were among the weekly highlights of the long-running show.

TODAY'S SHOW: 2 Episodes


February 18, 1950. CBS network. Sponsored by: Franco-American. Not auditioned. Rochester is behind in the rent and phones Mr. Benny for help. Anthony Stanford (director), Eddie Anderson, Charlie Isaacs (writer), Hal Goodman (writer), The Andrews Sisters (recorded, singing the Franco-American jingle), Ben Star (writer), Bob Stevenson (announcer).

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Superman "Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine" (Ep.1-2-3-4-5 of 16) Aug.1941

Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine (Ep.1-2-3-4-5 of 16) Aug.1941 1-Hour


This juvenile adventure series was first broadcast on Mutual in 1940 with Clayton (Bud) Collyer starring as Superman/Clark Kent. It first began as a fifteen-minute show but later, in 1949, it moved to ABC as a thirty-minute Saturday show with Michael Fitzmaurice as Superman. At the end of its thirteen-year run it had totalled over 1600 episodes. The opening for the show was one of radio’s best, setting the stage for those flights into fantasy with a cascade of voices, narration and sound effects. “Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!” “Look! Up in the sky!” “It’s a bird!” “It’s a plane!” “It’s Superman!” The scripts by B.P. Freeman and Jack Johnstone were directed by Robert and Jessica Maxwell, George Lowther, Allen Ducovny and Mitchell Grayson.Sound effects were created by Jack Keane, AlBinnie, Keene Crockett and John Glennon. Cast : Superman: Bud Collyer (1940-1950), Michael Fitzmaurice (1950-1951) Lois Lane: Joan Alexander, Rollie Bester, Helen Choate. Perry White: Julian Noa. Jimmy Olsen: Jack Grimes, Jackie Kelk. Jor-L: Ned Wever Lara: Agnes Moorehead. Narrator: George Lowther (1940-1942), Jackson Beck (1943-1951), Ross Martin(1951). Airing in the late afternoon (variously at 5:15pm, 5:30pm and 5:45pm), the radio serial engaged the young after school audiences.

TODAY'S SHOW: Dr. Roebling & Voice Machine (Ep.1-2-3-4-5 of 16) Aug.1941


Program #228. Mutual network. Commercials added locally. Returning from the north woods, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen meet Dr. Roebling on the train back to Metropolis. Dr. Roebling has invented a valuable new device, but he's been threatened and denies his identity! The start of a new adventure. Bud Collyer, Jackie Kelk.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Crime Club "The Self Made Corpse" (07-31-47)

The Self Made Corpse (Aired July 31, 1947)


Crime club was a Mutual Network murder and mystery series, a product of the Doubleday Crime Book Club imprints found weekly in bookstores everywhere. The telephone rings"Hello, I hope I haven't kept you waiting. Yes, this is the Crime Club. I'm the Librarian. Murder Rents A Room? Yes, we have that Crime Club story for you.Come right over. (The organist in the shadowed corner of the Crime Club library shivers the ivories) The doorbell tones sullenly"And you are here. Good. Take the easy chair by the window. Comfortable? The book is on this shelf." (The organist hits the scary chord) "Let's look at it under the reading lamp." The Librarian, played by Raymond E. Johnson, begins reading the tale. Veteran Willis Cooper (Lights Out, Quiet Please) did some of the scripts from the Crime Club books.

THIS EPISODE:

July 31, 1947. Mutual network. "The Self-Made Corpse". Sustaining. A mild little man visits a bunch of gangsters to have them help him with a bank robbery. They agree. Bruce Smith, Arthur Vinton, Irene Hubbard, William Quinn, Barry Thomson, Joan Constance, Stedman Coles (writer), Roger Bower (producer, director). 29:32.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Jeff Regan Investigator "No Sad Clowns For Me" (06-25-50)

No Sad Clowns For Me (Aired June 25, 1950)


Jeff Regan, Investigator was one of the three detective shows Jack Webb did before Dragnet (see also Pat Novak For Hire and Johnny Modero: Pier 23). It debuted on CBS in July 1948. Webb played JEFF REGAN, a tough private eye working in a Los Angeles investigation firm run by Anthony J. Lyon. Regan introduced himself on each show "I get ten a day and expenses...they call me the Lyon's Eye." The show was fairly well-plotted, Webb's voice was great, and the supporting cast were skillful. Regan handled rough assignments from Lion, with whom he was not always on good terms. He was tough, tenacious, and had a dry sense of humor. The voice of his boss, Anthony Lion, was Wilms Herbert. The show ended in December 1948 but was resurrected in October 1949 with a new cast; Frank Graham played Regan (later Paul Dubrov was the lead) and Frank Nelson portrayed Lion. This version ran on CBS, sometimes as a West Coast regional, until August 1950. Both versions were 30 minutes, but the day and time slot changed several times. A total of 29 episodes from this series are in trading currency.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Murder At Midnight "The Thirteenth Floor" (11-02-46)

The Thirteenth Floor (Aired November 2, 1946)


The Murder at Midnight series was a thirty-minute broadcast featuring tales of the supernatural. The actors included Mercedes McCambridge and Lawson Zerbe and the show was narrated using the spooky, creepy voice of Raymond Morgan and always opened using the same gripping signature; “the witching hour, when night is darkest, our fears are the strongest, our strength at its lowest ebb… Midnight! … when graves gape open and death strikes!”

THIS EPISODE:

November 2, 1946. Program #20. Syndicated. "The Thirteenth Floor". Commercials added locally. An escaped convict corners his ex-girlfriend who had turned him in. She's trapped on the thirteenth floor in a building in which it doesn't exist! Ann Shephard, Anton M. Leader (director), Charles Paul (organ), Paul Mann, Winifred Wolfe (writer), Louis G. Cowan (producer). 26:55.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - My Friend Irma "Trip To Coney Island" (06-07-48)

Trip To Coney Island (Aired June 7, 1948)


In 1947 Marie Wilson starred in the radio sitcom "," throughout its radio run, in a 1952-54 television series and in two films that introduced the new comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Her open, grinning face belying her age, Wilson continued doing her dumb-blonde act into the 1960s, starring in summer stock and dinner-theater productions of Born Yesterday and appearing in commercials. Marie Wilson's last TV assignment was a voice-over role in the 1970 animated cartoon series Where's Huddles?; two years later, she died of cancer at the age of 56. Marie Wilson is, of course, Irma Peterson. The "friend" narrator Jane is played by Cathy Lewis (wife of Elliot Lewis, "Remley" on Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show). John Brown is Irma's boyfriend Al. Professor Kropotkin is played by the hilarious Hans Conreid. Irma's boss, Mr. Clyde, is played by Alan Reed.

THIS EPISODE:

June 7, 1948. CBS network. Sponsored by: Swan Soap, Spry. Irma and Jane visit Coney Island during a heat wave. Marie Wilson, Cathy Lewis, Frank Bingman (announcer), Hans Conried, John Brown, Cy Howard (writer, producer, director), Parke Levy (writer), Gloria Gordon. 29:35.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - My Favorite Husband "Learning To Drive" (11-13-48)

Learning To Drive (Aired November 13, 1948)


My Favorite Husband began as a radio sitcom on CBS Radio. The show starred Lucille Ball and Richard Denning as Liz and George Cooper (Liz and George Cugat in early episodes). The couple lived at 321 Bundy Drive in the ficticious city of Sheridan Falls, and were billed as "two people who live together and like it." The main sponsor was Jell-O, and an average of 3 "plugs" for Jell-O were made in each episode. The program ran from 1948 through 1951, throughout which 124 episodes were aired. The program initially portrayed the couple as being a well-to-do banker and his socially prominent wife. Shortly into the show's run, three new writers, Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and Jess Oppenheimer took over the scripting tasks, and the characterization of the couple was altered somewhat. Along with the change of the couple's last name to Cooper, the couple was also portrayed as being more middle-class, and thus more accessible to the average listener. When Lucille Ball was asked to do a television version of the show (with Jell-O remaining as sponsor), CBS insisted on Richard Denning continuing as her co-star. However, she said that she would not do a husband-and-wife sitcom without her real-life husband Desi Arnaz being the husband. The network reluctantly agreed to this (thus reworking the concept into "I Love Lucy"), but Jell-O dropped out. However the three radio writers did agree to do the switch to the "I Love Lucy" show. Many of the "My Favorite Husband" radio episodes were subsequently reworked into I Love Lucy episodes, especially early in the TV show's run. For example, the 1948 radio episode entitled "Quiz Show" inspired the I Love Lucy episode called "Redecorating," with some lines being exactly the same. Many of the actors who had done the "My Favorite Husband" radio show also appeared on "I Love Lucy", sometimes in episodes where they reprised their roles using a reworked "Husband" script.

THIS EPISODE:

November 13, 1948. CBS network origination, AFN rebroadcast. Mrs. Cugat finally gets George to give her driving lessons. The program may be dated November 6, 1948. Lucille Ball, Richard Denning, Dave Scofield (AFN producer), Bea Benaderet, Hans Conried, Brad Scott (AFN announcer), Florence Halop, Herb Vigran, Isabel Scott Rorick (creator). 23:54.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Halls Of Ivy "Congressional Medal Of Honor" (01-23-52)

Congressional Medal Of Honor (Aired January 23, 1952)


The Halls of Ivy was an NBC radio sitcom that ran from 1950-1952. It was created by Fibber McGee & Molly co-creator/writer Don Quinn before being adapted into a CBS television comedy (1954-55) produced by ITC Entertainment and Television Programs of America. Quinn developed the show after he had decided to leave Fibber McGee & Molly. The audition program featured radio veteran Gale Gordon (then co-starring in Our Miss Brooks) and Edna Best in the roles that ultimately went to British husband-and-wife actors Ronald Colman and Benita Hume. The Colmans had shown a flair for radio comedy in recurring roles on The Jack Benny Program in the late 1940s, and they landed the title roles in the new show. The Halls of Ivy featured Colman as William Todhunter Hall, the president of small, Midwestern Ivy College, and his wife, Victoria, a former British musical comedy star who sometimes felt the tug of her former profession, and followed their interactions with students, friends and college trustees. Others in the cast included Herbert Butterfield as testy Clarence Wellman, Willard Waterman (then starring as Harold Peary's successor as The Great Gildersleeve) as John Merriweather, and Elizabeth Patterson and Gloria Gordon as the Halls' maid.

THIS EPISODE:

January 23, 1952. NBC network origination, Voice Of America rebroadcast. The operator of "A La Cart," the Ivy College hot dog stand, is honored for winning the Congressional Medal of Honor thirty years previously. The date is subject to correction. Ronald Colman, Benita Hume, Gale Gordon, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Jess Kirkpatrick, Henry Russell (composer, conductor), Alice Backes, Kurt Martell, Don Quinn (creator, writer), John Di Grazio (writer). 27 minutes.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - The Green Hornet "Charity Takes It On The Chin" (02-21-42)

Charity Takes It On The Chin (Aired February 21, 1942)


On January 31, 1936, the Green Hornet radio program aired on WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan. Al Hodge played the part of the Green Hornet from 1936 through January of 1943. The program was created by George W. Trendle, the same man associated with the creation of the Lone Ranger radio show. The premise of the Green Hornet was that of a modern day Lone Ranger. The main character was Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher of the Daily Sentinel by day and the Green Hornet by night. Britt Reid was the great-nephew of the Lone Ranger. Britt Reid's war against crime was an extension of his family history. The Green Hornet fought crime with his high-powered car, the Black Beauty.

THIS EPISODE:

February 21, 1942. Blue network origination, Michelson syndication, WFAA, Dallas aircheck. "Charity Takes It On The Chin". Commercials deleted. The Hornet breaks up a gang stealing money from the city's charities. The program may be dated June 6, 1938. Al Hodge, Fran Striker (writer), George W. Trendle (creator). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Fibber McGee & Molly "Perilous Horoscope" (04-08-52)

Perilous Horoscope (Aired April 8, 1952)


Fibber McGee and Molly premiered in 1935. The program struggled in the ratings until 1940, when it became a national sensation. Within three years, it was the top-rated program in America. Few radio shows were more beloved than Fibber McGee and Molly. The program’s lovable characters included Mayor LaTrivia, Doc Gamble, Mrs. Uppington, Wallace Wimple, Alice Darling, Gildersleeve, Beulah, Myrt, and the Old Timer. 79 Wistful Vista was one of America’s most famous addresses and Molly’s warning to Fibber not to open the hall closet door (and his subsequent decision to do it) created one of radio’s best remembered running gags that audiences expected each week. Jim Jordan (Fibber) was born on a farm on November 16, 1896, near Peoria, Illinois. Marian Driscoll (Molly), a coal miner’s daughter, was born in Peoria on November 15, 1898. After years of hardship and touring in obscurity on the small-time show biz circuit, they arrived in Chicago in 1924, where they eventually performed on thousands of shows and developed 145 different voices and characters. Broadcast to the nation from WMAQ/Chicago, the show entertained America until March 1956, and continued on NBC’s Monitor until 1959. Jim Jordan died on April 1, 1988. Marian Jordan died on April 7, 1961. Fibber McGee and Molly was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989. First Broadcast date April 16, 1935. Last Broadcast date September 6, 1959.

THIS EPISODE:

April 15, 1952. NBC network. Sponsored by: Pet Milk. "The Perilous Horoscope" .Fibber's horoscope is not good and he refuses to move from his living room chair. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, Bill Thompson, Gale Gordon, Gil Stratton, Gloria McMillan, Cliff Arquette, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, The King's Men, Lou Krugman, Phil Leslie (writer), Keith Fowler (writer), Max Hutto (director). 29:26.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Coke Time "Two Episodes" (07-04-54) (07-05-54)

Two Episodes (July 4, 1954) (July 5, 1954)


Coke Time with Eddie Fisher was a musical variety television series starring singer Eddie Fisher which was broadcast by NBC on Wednesday nights in early prime time from 1953 to 1957. The program was aired from 7:30 to 7:45 P.M. Eastern time on Wednesdays and Fridays, and was not seen during the summer months. The program was initially hosted by Don Ameche and Freddy Robbins was the announcer, but in late October 1953 Ameche left the program and Robbins became its host as well. As could have been surmised from the title, the program was sponsored by Coca-Cola. The house band was Axel Stordahl and His Orchestra, and beginning in 1956 the singing group The Echoes appeared as a permanent backup group for Fisher and his frequent guest stars. The program was generally presented live, but was occasionally filmed in advance or shot on location. Coke Time with Eddie Fisher was last aired on February 22, 1957.


One of the primary purposes served by Coke Time was to round out the balance of the half-hour it shared with the NBC Nightly News, which was then, like all such regularly-scheduled U.S. national newscasts, only 15 minutes in length. After the 1956-57 season, all such brief entertainment programs were discontinued, even though network news broadcasts remained 15 minutes in length until 1963, and afterwards there were no regularly-scheduled prime time entertainment programs of this length remaining on U.S. network television, although there were daytime soap operas of this duration for many more years, and sports programs of roughly this length were often used as fillers to complete the time slots assigned to sports events of uncertain length, particularly boxing matches.

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Boxcars711Old Time Radio Pod - Academy Award Theater "The Front Page" (06-22-46)

The Front Page (Aired June 22, 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:

June 22, 1946. CBS network. "The Front Page". Sponsored by: Squibb. Comedy about the newspaper business and one reporter's efforts to get married and free himself from his editor's clutches. Pat O'Brien, Adolphe Menjou. 1/2 hour.

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