Theater Five - The Contract Maker (11-17-64)

The Contract Maker (Aired November 17, 1964)

The production values, polish, direction, sound engineering, and acting were all top notch. Indeed many of the finest voice talents from The Golden Age of Radio are present throughout its run. The variety of dramatic genre represented with its 260 production broadcasts also run the gamut of the rich variety of drama presented during the height of the Golden Age of Radio. Indeed very little is missing from this remarkable production run. The variety of dramatic presentations was one of Theater Five's most compelling features. With a broad mix of genres and some of Radio, Stage, Television and Film's finest guest stars, ABC's humble 21-minute scripts packed a lot of entertainment into a relatively small format. Timing is everything. ABC Radio missed the sweet spot of Radio Drama History by about 20 years. Nevertheless, this series competes well with the Golden Age Radio revival attempts that post-dated it, and, for a 30-minute drama, it certainly hits its target. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:
 
November 17, 1964. Program #77. ABC network. "The Contract Maker". Commercials deleted. A young hit-man is paid to kill an elderly judge, but the judge has his own ideas about the outcome! Frank Thomas, Fred Foy (announcer), Glenn Osser (conductor), Jack Grimes, June Graham, Martin Ruby (announcer), Martin Wolfson, Ted Bell (producer, director). 20:19. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Tales Of The Texas Rangers" - The Dead Give Away (12-02-51)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Tales Of The Texas Rangers" - The Dead Give Away (Aired December 2, 1951)

 

Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the US NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal (or "Charky," as Jayce would sometimes refer to him), to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases.The series was produced and directed by Stacy Keach, Sr., and was sponsored for part of its run by Wheaties. Captain Manuel T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, a Ranger for 30 years and who was said to have killed 31 men during his career, served as consultant for the series.
 

THIS EPISODE:

December 2, 1951. NBC network. "Dead Giveaway". Sustaining. A boxer named Johnny Buck is poisoned...in the middle of a fight. The date and story title are subject to correction. Joel McCrea, Will Gould (adaptor), Tony Barrett, Herb Ellis, Herb Vigran, Peggy Webber, Nestor Paiva, Parley Baer, Stacy Keach (producer, director), Hal Gibney (announcer). 30:40. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Bold Venture - Sunken Spanish Gold (08-13-51)

 Sunken Spanish Gold (Aired August 13, 1951)

 
Aboard his boat, the Bold Venture, Slate and Sailor experience "adventure, intrigue, mystery and romance in the sultry settings of tropical Havana and the mysterious islands of the Caribbean." Calypso singer King Moses (Jester Hairston) provided musical bridges by threading plot situations into the lyrics of his songs. Music by David Rose. Beginning March 26, 1951, the Frederic W. Ziv Company syndicated 78 episodes. Some sources have claimed that the 78 episodes include reruns, and that there were only around 30 episodes but more than 50 shows have now come to light. Heard on 423 stations, the 30-minute series earned $4000 weekly for Bogart and Bacall.

THIS EPISODE:
 
August 13, 1951. Program #5. ZIV Syndication. "Sunken Spanish Gold". Sponsored by: Pontiac. Sailor and Shannon go on a treasure hunt for Spanish gold with some unsavory companions. The story is also known as, "Treasure On Flamingo Cay." Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Barton Yarborough, Jester Hairston, David Rose (composer, conductor), Henry Hayward (director), Morton Fine (writer), David Friedkin (writer), Tony Barrett, Betty Lou Gerson. 26:35. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Aldrich Family - Legal Trouble (03-11-43)

 Legal Trouble (Aired March 11, 1943)

The Aldrich Family as a separate radio show was born as a summer replacement for Jack Benny in NBC's Sunday night lineup, July 2, 1939, and it stayed there until October 1, 1939, when it moved to Tuesday nights at 8 p.m., sponsored by General Foods's popular gelatin dessert Jell-O---which also sponsored Jack Benny at the time. The Aldriches ran in that slot from October 10, 1939 until May 28, 1940, moving to Thursdays, from July 4, 1940 until July 20, 1944. After a brief hiatus, the show moved to CBS, running on Fridays from September 1, 1944 until August 30, 1946 with sponsors Grape Nuts and Jell-O,.before moving back to NBC from September 05, 1946 to June 28, 1951 on Thursdays and, then, its final run of September 21, 1952 to April 19, 1953 on Sundays.

THIS EPISODE:

March 11, 1943. "Legal Trouble" - NBC network. Sponsored by Postum. Why are Henry and Homer late for school each morning? What have they done that's against the law? It appears as if they've stolen two bicycles. Ezra Stone, Jackie Kelk, Dan Seymour (announcer), Clifford Goldsmith (creator, writer). 28:39. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Let George Do It - Who Is Sylvia? (11-22-48)

 Who Is Sylvia? (Aired November 22, 1948)

Let George Do It was a radio drama series produced by Owen and Pauline Vinson from 1946 to 1954. It starred Bob Bailey as detective-for-hire George Valentine (with Olan Soule stepping into the role in 1954). Clients came to Valentine's office after reading a newspaper carrying his classified ad: "Personal notice: Danger's my stock in trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me. George Valentine." Valentine's secretary was Claire Brooks, aka Brooksie (Frances Robinson, Virginia Gregg, Lillian Buyeff). As Valentine made his rounds in search of the bad guys, he usually encounted Brooksie's kid brother, Sonny (Eddie Firestone), Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher) and elevator man Caleb (Joseph Kearns). Sponsored by Standard Oil, the program was broadcast on the West Coast Mutual Broadcasting System from October 18, 1946 to September 27, 1954, first on Friday evenings and then on Mondays.

THIS EPISODE:

November 22, 1948. Mutual-Don Lee network. "Who Is Sylvia?". Sponsored by: Standard Oil, Chevron. A wealthy man with a very beautiful wife commits suicide. This is very fishy as Sylvia is some lady! The middle commercial has been deleted. Bud Hiestand (announcer), Don Clark (director), Eddie Dunstedter (composer, conductor), David Victor (writer), Herbert Little Jr. (writer), Wally Maher, Frances Chaney, George Neise, Bob Bailey, Frances Robinson, Fred Howard, Luis Van Rooten, Ken Christy. 28:11. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Life Of Riley - Riley Sues The Bus Company (10-19-46)

 Intro: - "Too much Too little" - Johnny Mathis and Denise Williams

 Riley Sues The Bus Company (Aired October 19, 1946) 

The radio program starring William Bendix aired on the ABC Blue Network from January 16, 1944 to June 8, 1945. Then it moved to NBC, where it was broadcast from September 8, 1945 to June 29, 1951. The supporting cast featured John Brown, who portrayed not only undertaker Digger O'Dell but also Riley's co-worker Gillis. Whereas Gillis gave Riley bad information that got him into trouble, Digger gave him good information that "helped him out of a hole," as he might have put it. Brown's lines as the undertaker were often repetitive, including puns based on his profession; but, thanks to Brown's delivery, the audience loved him.

THIS EPISODE:
 
October 19, 1946. "Riley Sues The Bus Company" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Teel, Dreft. It's Riley vs. the bus company. William Bendix, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Paula Winslowe, John Brown, Irving Brecher (producer), Don Bernard (director), Lou Coslowe (music). 23:12. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

 

 

Mr. I.A. Moto - The Crooked Log (10-07-51)

The Crooked Log (Aired September 30, 1951)

Mr. Moto is small in stature but strong and an expert in judo. He was the title character of a series of books, beginning with No Hero (1935; British title: Mr Moto Takes a Hand, reprint title: Your Turn, Mr. Moto), and of eight films between 1937 and 1939, in which he was portrayed by Peter Lorre. With the beginning of World War II, Mr. Moto fell out of favor with Americans, and no new books or movies about him appeared between 1942 and 1957. A dedicated and cold-blooded spy for Imperial Japan, Moto is not a conventional hero. He does not look for opportunities to commit violence but has no problem with killing people who obstruct his plans, and he would not hesitate to take his own life if necessary. But he is a master of concealing his true nature while under cover, and usually appears dull, naive, utterly harmless.

THIS EPISODE:
 
September 30, 1951. NBC network. "The Crooked Log" Sustaining. "A crooked log makes a better fire than a straight one." A strange painting is the clue to a sunken ship. Don't miss the Sydney Greenstreet imitator, determined to have that painting by fair means or foul. While in a waterfront bar in Hoboken, Mr. Moto is referred to as, "Slant-Eyes" (twice!). John P. Marquand (creator), William Conrad, James Monks, Harry W. Junkin (writer, director). 29:21. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

All in the Family S07E19 Stretch Cunningham, Goodbye

 All in the Family S07E19 Stretch Cunningham, Goodbye (Aired January 29, 1977)

 

All in the Family is an American sitcom television series that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network for nine seasons, from 1971 to 1979. Afterwards, it was continued with the spin-off series Archie Bunker's Place, which picked up where All in the Family had ended and ran for four more seasons through 1983.

Archie is shocked when his coworker Stretch Cunningham has died after cavorting with a young woman. Asked to give the eulogy, he enlists Mike's help, requesting Bible references. But the biggest shock comes at the funeral.

Boxcars711 gives this episode 4.5 Stars. "This self proclaimed critic can't begin to hold back his laughter as so many seem successfully capable of doing. Carroll O'Connor is brilliant, as usual, and there's no flaw in the writers talents or director's casting. A true classic episode. "

Writers = Paul Bogart, Norman Lear, Phil Adorn,Douglas Angora.
Stars = Carroll O'Connor Jean Shackleton & Rob Inertial.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke" - Chester's Murder (01-15-55)

 Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke" - Chester's Murder (Aired January 15, 1955)

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.
 

THIS EPISODE:

January 15, 1955. CBS network. "Chester's Murder". Sponsored by: L & M, Chesterfield. Charlie Pickard has been shot and killed while Chester was taking him to jail. All the evidence points to Chester as the murderer! The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on March 30, 1957. William Conrad, Howard McNear, John Meston (writer), Vic Perrin, Lawrence Dobkin, James Nusser, Joyce McCluskey, Parley Baer, Georgia Ellis, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), George Fenneman (commercial spokesman), Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Ray Kemper (sound patterns), George Walsh (announcer). 30:15. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dad's Army - A Man Of Action (02-11-75)

 A Man Of Action (Aired February 11, 1975)

Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The sitcom ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio version based on the television scripts, a feature film and a stage show. The series regularly gained audiences of 18 million viewers and is still repeated worldwide. The Home Guard consisted of local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, either owing to age or by being in professions that were exempt from conscription (Dad's Army deals almost exclusively with the former), and as such the series mainly featured older British actors, including Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Arnold Ridley and John Laurie. 

THIS EPISODE:

February 11, 1975 -  "A Man Of Action" Despite Wilson's and Frazer's warnings, Mainwaring accepts to enlist local newspaper journalist Cheeseman as 'temporary' private. The very next phone call requires literal covering-up too: Pike's head is stuck in a gate. When German bombs knock out railway, water and gas supplies, the captain declares martial law, overruling all civil authorities. His rule under draconian penalties extends even to bath permits. Lifting it may take an act of God - or HQ. 28:34.

The Diary Of Fate - Janice Bennett (06-22-48)

Janice Bennett (Aired June 22, 1948)

 

The series attracted no less talent than Ivan Ditmars provided the music direction and in addition to Herb Lytton as 'Fate', the varying casts included Lurene Tuttle, Larry Dobkin, Hal Sawyer, Gloria Blondell, Frank Albertson, Jerry Hausner, Howard McNear, Peter Leeds, Ken Peters, Daws Butler and William Johnstone. All in all a superb well of talent from which to draw each week. While a bit difficult to document, the production remains quite collectable and the perspective of the presentation is also unique for the era--or since for that matter. Diary of Fate is one of Radio's little, oft-overlooked gems that demand pulling out, polishing up for better enjoyment, then dutifully returning them to their preserve for another airing one day in the future.

THIS EPISODE:

June 22, 1948. Program #28. ABC network, KECA, Los Angeles origination, Finley syndication. "Janice Bennet". Commercials added locally. Book 701, page 327. A woman always takes the easy way out. The date is subject to correction. Herb Lytton (as "Fate" and co-producer), Ginny Johnson, Gloria Gordon, Doug Young, James Murphy, Ray Ehrlenborn (sound effects), Hal Sawyer, Larry Finley (producer). 26:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Abbott & Costello Show - Spanish Acting School (05-03-45)

 Spanish Acting School (Aired May 3, 1945)

 

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.

THIS EPISODE:

May 3, 1945. "Spanish Acting School" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Camels, Prince Albert. Costello wants to become a dramatic actor from Brazil...another Carmen Veranda! Bob Matthews (an ex-aerial gunner) sings for the first time on the show (and sounds like an off-key Mel Torme). Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Will Osborne and His Orchestra, Bob Matthews, Connie Haines, Ken Niles (announcer), Mel Blanc. 29:08. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.