The Clock - "The Jekyll & Hyde Gangster" (10-02-47)

The Jekyll & Hyde Gangster (Aired October 2, 1947)

The Clock might well have found a larger audience had ABC had either the budget or resolve to promote it. Neither, as things turned out, ever materialized. After a concerted effort of a week of research, we were unable to uncover a single newspaper spot advertisment or announcement for The Clock during its entire American run. Neither does The Clock, as either an idea or a production, require any rationalization. It may simply have been an idea ahead of its time. Grace Gibson Productions apparently agreed with our own assessment. When Grace Gibson recycled The Clock almost eight years after it left American airwaves, it apparently met with far more successful acceptance with Australian and South African listeners alike.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

October 2, 1947. Grace Gibson syndication. "The Jekyll & Hyde Gangster". Commercials added locally. Leo Tarn is the big gambler in New York City. When a new joint opens in town, Leo pays a "friendly" visit to Barney...all by himself Lawrence Klee (writer), Harp McGuire (as "The Clock"), John Saul (director), Owen Weingott, Wynne Nelson, Grant Taylor, Rod Jacobs. 25:05 Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of Sam Spade - "The Rushlight Diamond Caper" (07-04-48)

INTRO: Bob Plays Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were" (09-27-73)
The Rushlight Diamond Caper (Aired July 4, 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 4, 1948. CBS network. "The Rushlight Diamond Caper". Sponsored by: Wildroot Cream-Oil. Sam is hired to guard the wedding presents, but not the groom, who is stabbed to death with a pair of garden shears! Sandra Gould replaces Lurene Tuttle as Effie, Sam's secretary. Howard Duff, Dashiell Hammett (creator), William Spier (producer), Sandra Gould, Dick Joy (announcer), Robert Tallman (writer), Gil Doud (writer, director), Lud Gluskin (music director). 28:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke" - "Cain" (10-03-52)

 Gunsmoke - "Cain" (Aired October 03, 1952)

Howard McNear starred as Dr. Charles Adams in the radio series, with Milburn Stone portraying Dr. Galen Adams in the television version. In the radio series, "Doc" Adams was initially a self-interested and somewhat dark character with a predilection for constantly attempting to increase his revenue through the procurement of autopsy fees. However, McNear's performances steadily became more warm-hearted and sympathetic. Most notably, this transformation began during (and progressed steadily following) the July 1952 episode "Never Pester Chester", in which a physician with a more compassionate and devoted temperament is essential to the plotline when Chester is near-fatally injured by two trouble-making Texas drovers. Doc Adams' backstory evokes a varied and experienced life: In some episodes, he had educational ties to Philadelphia; in others, he spent time as ship's doctor aboard the gambling boats that plied the Mississippi River, which provided a background for his knowledge of New Orleans (and acquaintance with Mark Twain).

THIS EPISODE:

 
October 03, 1952. "Cain" (10-03-52) Clancey Cassell (announcer), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, John Meston (writer), Lawrence Dobkin, Parley Baer, William Conrad.  Cat# 39948 Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The FBI In Peace & War - "The Courier" (05-02-52)

The Courier (Aired May 2, 1952)

The FBI in Peace and War was a radio crime drama inspired by Frederick Lewsis Collins' book, The FBI in Peace and War. The idea for the show came from Louis Pelletier who wrote many of the scripts. Among the show's other writers were Jack Finke, Ed Adamson and Collins. Airing on CBS from November 25, 1944 to September 28, 1958, it had a variety of sponsors (including Lava Soap, Wildroot Cream Oil, Lucky Strike, Nescafe and Wrigley's) over the years. Martin Blaine and Donald Briggs headed the cast.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

May 2, 1952. ABC network. "The Courier". Sponsored by: The Equitable Life Assurance Society. "The basic secrets of nuclar fission have been stolen." The show features a rare guest star (George Murphy) in a drama based on the film, "Walk East On Beacon" The story tells how Russia gained knowledge of the making of atomic bomb. After the drama, George Murphy says, "thank God for the FBI" and heaps praise upon the agency. The system cue is added live. Stacy Harris, William Woodson (narrator), Larry Keating (announcer), Jerry D. Lewis (writer), Jerry Devine (producer), Frederick Steiner (composer, conductor), George Murphy, Whitfield Connor, Ted de Corsia, Isabel Jewell, Tom Tully. 28:51. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Mr. & Mrs. North - "Touch Of Death" (1952)

Touch Of Death (1952) *The Exact Date Is Unknown.

Their long-run series continued for over two decades and came to an end in 1963 with the death of Frances Lockridge. Albert Hackett and Peggy Conklin had the title roles in the Broadway production Mr. and Mrs. North, which ran 163 performances at the Belasco Theatre from January 12, 1941, to May 31, 1941. Alfred De Liagre, Jr. produced and directed the play written by Owen Davis. In this version, the North's apartment was located on Greenwich Place, realized in a scenic design by Jo Mielziner. The Owen Davis play became a 1942 MGM movie starring Gracie Allen and William Post, Jr. with Millard Mitchell repeating his role of Detective Mullins from the Broadway production. Others in the cast were Paul Kelly, Rose Hobart and Keye Luke. In 1946, producer-director Fred Coe brought the Owen Davis play to television (on New York City's WNBT) with John McQuade and Maxine Stewart in the leads and Don Haggerty, Joan Marlowe and Millard Mitchell repeating their Broadway roles. Barbara Britton and Richard Denning starred in the TV adaptation seen on CBS from 1952 to 1953 and on NBC in 1954.

Dad's Army - "A Brush With The Law" (03-25-75)

 A Brush With The Law (Aired March 25, 1975)

Dad's Army" was a long running British comedy series created and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. The idea of a series came to Jimmy Perry when he realised that many people had forgotten about the contribution the Home Guard had made to the British Home Front during the years of the Second World War. Commencing in 1968, "Dad's Army" ran on BBC Television for 9 years with over eighty episodes spread within 10 series. The series is set in a small fictional seaside town called Walmington-on-Sea somewhere on the South Coast of England. "Dad's Army" is also remembered for its first class actors which starred amongst its credits, Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson and Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones.  In May 1940, Sir Anthony Eden makes his historic speech calling for men under and over the age of active service in the armed forces to form a local defence corps. In Walmington, the Local Bank manager George Mainwaring set's up the town's Local Defence Volunteers,with the assistance of his Bank Clerk, Arthur Wilson and the Local Butcher, Jack Jones. The LDV later become known as the Home Guard or affectionately (to the TV audience) "Dad's Army" as the platoon mainly consist of Old Soldiers.From week to week they would become entangled in many exploits while defending Walmington from a possible invasion and any interference from the Local Air Raid Warden.

The Whisperer - "Attempted Murder" (07-15-51)

 Attempted Murder (Aired July 15, 1951)

The Whisperer was an American old-time radio show broadcast from July 8 to September 30, 1951 on NBC. It ran for only 13 episodes. The premise of the series was as improbable as its storylines. The protagonist was Philip Gault (Carleton G. Young), a lawyer who, due to some unexplained accident, lost his voice and could only speak in an eerie whisper. Gault infiltrates "the syndicate" in his native Central City to bring down organized crime from within; to the underworld, he becomes known as the Whisperer. Later, his voice is restored through surgery, but he continues to lead a double life as the Whisperer, relaying instructions from the syndicate bosses in New York (who don't know he's a mole) to their lackeys in Central City, whom Gault is actually setting up. By today's standards, the stories are dated and their message-mongering usually criticized as ham-fisted, the product of what might be considered the unenlightened attitudes of the time.
 

THIS EPISODE:

July 15, 1951 -  "Attempted Murder" (07-15-51) Betty Moran, Bill Cairn (director), Carleton Young, Frank Gerstle, Jack Moyles, Jan Arvan, John Duffy (original music), Jonathan Twice (writer), Julius Crowlbein, Paul Frees, Stetson Humphrey (creator) Catalogue Number # 47914.. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index

Stand By For Crime - "The Marijuana Mystery" (1953)

The Marijuana Mystery (1953) *The Exact Date Is Unknown.

This show, from the early 1950s, is a good example of the true story style of delivery made popular in radio's classic crime shows Gangbusters and Mr. District Attorney. Of course, the best and most popular of the true crime shows was Dragnet -- the monotone, "just the facts" style demanded by Jack Webb in the show made two points at once: first, that the show wasn't a typical melodramatic crime show, as had been on radio since "the good old days", and more importantly, that we were along for the ride on another day at the office -- in this case, a policeman's “day at the office". Not a true crime show, as this is drama, but this show features Chuck Morgan, as played by Glen Langen, a very believable news anchor at KOP, a Los Angeles radio station. He is pals with Lieutenant Bill Miggs of the police force, who tips him off to hot crime news. Also in on the capers is Morgan's "Gal Friday", Carol Curtis, played by Adele Jurgens. The three meet all types -- mostly on the shady side of the street. In real life, Glen and Adele were husband and wife, the two marrying in 1949. They had met on the movie set of The Treasure of Monte Cristo. On the show, the repartee between the two is strictly old school and quite enjoyable. The dialogue is solid and makes the most of the plots. Unheralded and left for dead, Stand By for Crime is well worth your time. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

The Adventures Of Ellery Queen - "Nikki Porter Suspect" (03-05-47)

Nikki Porter Suspect (Aired March 5, 1947)

Tuska cited Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940) and Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery (1941) as the best of the Bellamy-Lindsay pairings. "The influence of The Thin Man series was apparent in reverse", Tuska noted about Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery. "Ellery and Nikki are unmarried but obviously in love with each other. Probably the biggest mystery... is how Ellery ever gets a book written. Not only is Nikki attractive and perfectly willing to show off her figure", Tuska wrote, "but she also likes to write her own stories on Queen's time, and gets carried away doing her own investigations." In Ellery Queen, Master Detective, "the amorous relationship between Ellery and Nikki Porter was given a dignity, and therefore integrity", Tuska wrote, "that was lacking in the two previous entries in the series", made at Republic Pictures before Bellamy and Lindsay were signed by Columbia.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
March 5, 1947. Grace Gibson syndication. "Nikki Porter Suspect". Commercials added locally. A bank robber with a broken nose has been shot and murdered on board a train. The evidence points to Nikki as the killer. An Australian production. The script was produced in the United States on March 5, 1947. Gypsy Rose Lee (guest armchair detective, she was on tour in Australia), Ken Crossen (writer), Manfred B. Lee (writer), John Saul (director). 25:40. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Blondie - "Please Not C.O.D." (04-12-43)

Please Not C.O.D. (Aired April 12, 1943)

The success of the comic strip led to the long-running Blondie film series (1938-1950) and the popular Blondie radio program (1939-1950). Chic Young drew Blondie until his death in 1973, when the control of the strip passed to his son Dean Young, who continues to write the strip. Young has collaborated with a number of artists on Blondie, including Jim Raymond, Mike Gersher, Stan Drake, Denis Lebrun and currently, John Marshall. Through these changes, Blondie has remained popular, appearing in more than 2000 newspapers in 47 countries and translated into 35 languages, as of 2010[update].

 

THIS EPISODE:

April 12, 1943. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Please Not C.O.D." AKA "Blondie Demands A Refund". AFRS program name: "Front Line Theatre." A C.O.D. package arrives for someone else. Blondie and Dagwood try to return a bridge table. The date is subject to correction. Chic Young (creator), Arthur Lake, Penny Singleton, Jerry Wald and His Orchestra (AFRS music fill), Hans Conried. 29:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke" - Hinka-Do (10-10-52)

 Gunsmoke - "Hinka-Do" (Aired October 10, 1952)

 

The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. John Dunning wrote that among radio drama enthusiasts, "Gunsmoke is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time." The television series ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, and lasted for 635 episodes. At the end of its run in 1975, Los Angeles Times columnist Cecil Smith wrote: "Gunsmoke was the dramatization of the American epic legend of the west. Our own Iliad and Odyssey, created from standard elements of the dime novel and the pulp Western as romanticized by [Ned] Buntline, [Bret] Harte, and [Mark] Twain. It was ever the stuff of legend." The radio series first aired on CBS on April 26, 1952, with the episode "Billy the Kid", written by Walter Newman, and ended on June 18, 1961. The show stars William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Dillon's assistant, Chester Wesley Proudfoot.

 

THIS EPISODE:

October 10, 1952. "Hinka-Do" Byron Kane, Clancey Cassell (announcer), Howard McNear, Jeanette Nolan, John Dehner, Les Crutchfield (writer), Parley Baer, Ralph Moody, William Conrad. Catalog# 39949. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Damon Runyon Theater - "The Hottest Guy In The World" (05-15-49)

The Hottest Guy In The World (Aired February 13, 1949)

Broadcast from January to December 1949, "The Damon Runyon Theatre" dramatized 52 of Runyon's short stories for radio. Damon Runyon (October 4, 1884 – December 10, 1946) was a newspaperman and writer. He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition era. He spun tales of gamblers, petty thieves, actors and gangsters; few of whom go by "square" names, preferring instead to be known as "Nathan Detroit", "Big Jule", "Harry the Horse", "Good Time Charlie", "Dave the Dude", and so on. These stories were written in a very distinctive vernacular style: a mixture of formal speech and colorful slang, almost always in present tense, and always devoid of contractions.

 

THIS EPISODE:

February 13, 1949. Program #20. Mayfair syndication. "The Hottest Guy In The World". Commercials added locally. An ex-con is packing two guns in a plot right out of "King Kong." Damon Runyon (author), John Brown, Richard Sanville (director), Russell Hughes (adaptor), Vern Carstensen (production supervisor), Frank Gallop (announcer). 28:23. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index

The Fat Man - "Order For Murder" (05-23-51)

 Order For Murder (Aired May 23, 1951)

The veteran character actor Ed Begley was featured as Sgt. O'Hara. Regulars on the program included Petty Garde, Paul Stewart, Linda Watkins, Mary Patton as Lila North, and Vicki Vola, also the female lead in "Mr. District Attorney." Amzie Strickland played the ingenue, Cathy Evans, and Nell Harrison played Runyon's mother during the early episodes. The cast also included Dan Ocko, Roily Bester (wife of Alfred Pester, the science fiction writer), and Robert Dryden. An eleven-piece orchestra was on hand to provide live music, and was directed by Bernard Green, who also wrote that memorably stirring theme. The sound effects were by Ed Blaney, who actually did drop a coin in a change slot each week for the sound of the drug store scale."

 

THIS EPISODE:

May 23, 1951. ABC network. "Order For Murder". Sustaining. An ex-major, hated by everyone, is shot in the woods of suburban Washington D. C. Whodunnit? Everyone has a motive! J. Scott Smart, Vicki Vola, Dashiell Hammett (creator). 23:58. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Alan Young Show - "Alan The Fullback" (11-13-45)

Alan The Fullback (Aired November 13, 1945)

The Alan Young Show was a radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young. It began on NBC radio as a summer replacement situation comedy in 1944, featuring vocalist Bea Wain. It moved to ABC with Jean Gillespie portraying Young's girlfriend Betty. The program was next broadcast by NBC for a 1946-47 run and was off in 1948. When it returned to NBC in 1949, Louise Erickson played Betty and Jim Backus was heard as snobbish playboy Hubert Updike III. In 1950 The Alan Young Show moved to television as a variety, sketch comedy show, taking an 11-month hiatus in 1952.

 

THIS EPISODE:

November 13, 1945. "Alan The Fullback" ABC network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. Alan finds himself playing football against the State Prison team, "The Rock Crushers." Alan Young, Peter Van Steeden and His Orchestra, Jim Backus, Jean Gillespie, Dickie Monahan, Bob Shepherd (announcer), Minerva Pious, Walter Tetley, Four Chicks and Chuck. 29:29. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Adventures By Morse - You'll Be Dead In A Week - PART 3 of 3 (09-16-44)

Adventures By Morse - You'll Be Dead In A Week - PART 3 of 3 (09-16-44)

 Indeed, to this day, all rights to Adventures By Morse are retained by MorseLCo, Incorporated, the Morse Family's California-registered Trust. While they have occasionally issued a license to some of Carlton Morse's holdings, the vast majority of his work remains in the exclusive possession of the Family's trust. Apparently the Morse Family has been counseled that a resurgent market for Carlton E. Morse's adventure serials will yet present itself one day in the future. While we respect the Morse family's aspirations for their progenitor's body of work, we have our doubts that such a situation will present itself after all this time. While we can envision no resurgence of interest in Morse's adventure writing in all but the most distant future, this is by no means a reflection on Carlton Morse's amazing output of serial melodrama over his extraordinary career. But for all intents and purposes, that boat has sailed. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

 
 

The Witch's Tale - "The Troth Of Death" (03-11-37)

The Witch's Tale - The Troth Of Death (Aired March 11, 1937)

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:

March 11, 1937 - MacQuarrie syndication. "The Troth Of Death". Commercials added locally. The script was used on "The Witch's Tale" on May 29, 1933 and March 11, 1937. This recording might be from the 1937 broadcast or from an Australian production. Alonzo Deen Cole (writer). 23:24. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

David Harding Counterspy - "The Case Of The Soaring Saucer" (05-02-50)

The Case Of The Soaring Saucer (Aired May 2, 1950)

The show was at the top of the list among programs that had developed the technique of sound effects to a fine art. Each program was written with the sound in mind, not so much sound for sound's sake, but to advance the plot, add color or create atmosphere. Two sound effects men spent a reported ten hours in rehearsal for each broadcast, in addition to the time spent by the actors. East coast actors House Jameson, Don MacLaughlin, Phil Sterling and Lawson Zerbe [MBS] (Zerbe appeared as both David Harding and Harry Peters) were the only four actors to ever assume the role of David Harding--Jameson for the first two episodes only, replaced by Don MacLaughlin for the remainder of its twelve year run. Both Connecticut residents, House Jameson premiered in the role while Lord was still auditioning talent for the lead. By the third episode, Phillips H. Lord selected Don MacLaughlin for the role. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.
  

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
May 2, 1950. ABC network. "The Case Of The Soaring Saucer". Sponsored by: Pepsi Cola. "Tia Puma" and her friends use genuine flying saucers to smuggle narcotics into the USA. 31:32. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Adventures By Morse - You'll Be Dead In A Week - PART 2 of 3 (09-16-44)

 Adventures By Morse - You'll Be Dead In A Week - PART 2 of 3 (09-16-44) 

 

The 30-minute episodes (and two sales pitches) were produced in the mid-1940s. Dates of production and the earliest broadcasts are uncertain: several Internet sites mention that the entire series was broadcast in 1944, but in the final two chapters of It's Dismal to Die, it is clearly stated that the Second World War has ended. Advertisements have been found for broadcasts in 1946 and 1949. The series was presented in 13-episode blocks (each containing two stories), with each ten-chapter story ending with a teaser for the following three-chapter story. The City of the Dead and A Coffin for the Lady are mentioned in the promotional recordings as the first and second story respectively. The order used below is the one found most often on the Internet.

 

Adventures By Morse - "You'll Be Dead In A Week" - PART 1 of 3 (9-16-44)

Adventures By Morse - You'll Be Dead In A Week - PART 1 of 3 (9-16-44)

Adventures by Morse was a syndicated adventure series produced, written and directed by Carlton E. Morse shortly after NBC canceled his I Love a Mystery series. Captain Bart Friday was a globe-trotting San Francisco-based private investigator, portrayed during the series by Elliott Lewis, David Ellis and Russell Thorson. Friday's sidekick from Texas, Skip Turner, was played mostly by Jack Edwards and occasionally by Barton Yarborough. The tales covered such areas as espionage, kidnapping and murder, along with secret Nazi bases, snake worshipers and voodoo.

Big Town - "Deep Death" (01-02-40)

"Deep Death" (Aired January 2, 1940)

The show was initially created around these two actors, though Trevor was then a young budding actress appearing in movies as well as radio. Producer-Director-Writer Jerry McGill had been a newspaperman and wrote the series about a crusading managing editor of the Illustrated Press. McGill took his show to heart writing stories about juvenile delinquency, drunk driving and racism, though the show was at worst melodramatic at best poignant. Hard-nosed editor, Wilson, as played by Robinson would get the story no matter what it takes. Though sometimes over the top, Robinson was excellent in his role. The stories were well written and directed by William N. Robson as well as McGill. The show was a big promoter of the free press and the first amendment with its opening sequence: "Freedom of the press is a flaming sword! Use it justly...hold it high...guard it well!" The second series began immediately in the 1943 season when the production moved from Hollywood to New York. Robinson left (Trevor left two years earlier as her career starting taking off) and McGill reorganized the series placing Edward Pawley in the role of Wilson opposite Fran Carlon as Lorelei.

X Minus One - "The Iron Chancellor" (01-27-73)

The Iron Chancellor (Aired January 27, 1973)

X Minus One was an NBC science fiction series that was an extension, or revival, of NBC's earlier science fiction series, DIMENSION X. which ran from Apr. 8, 1950 through Sept. 29, 1951. Both are remembered for bringing really first rate science fiction to the air. The first X Minus One shows used scripts from Dimension X, but soon created new shows from storied from the pages of Galaxy Magazine. The series was cancelled after the 126th broadcast on January 9, 1958. However, the early 1970s brought a wave of nostalgia for old-time radio; a new experimental episode, "The Iron Chancellor" by Robert Silverberg, was created in 1973, but it failed to revive the series.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

January 27, 1973. "The Iron Chancellor" - NBC network, Renaissance Radio syndication, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "The Iron Chancellor". A robot runs amok. Sophomoric. Robert Silverberg (author), Leon Janney, Jackson Beck, Roy Fox (commercial spokesman, performer), Evie Juster, Donald Buka, Ira Shprintzen (director), Donna Phonfer (? adaptor), Sal Trepani (producer). 26:05. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Crime Does Not Pay - "Gasoline Cocktail" (12-12-49)

Gasoline Cocktail (Aired December 12, 1949)

With the possible exception of Ed Begley, Everett Sloane, Lionel Stander and Joan Lorring, none of the other featured actors in the series ever played a major role in Radio. We don't mention this to in any way detract from these fine performers' work in this program. We simply point out the novelty of this program in the annals of Golden Age Radio history. "In the Interest of Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement," MGM presented these seventy-eight programs as syndicated transcriptions. There had been a glut of such civic minded programs between the 1940s and 1950s, so it's difficult to imagine how MGM thought they might milk even more public interest out of yet another such program. But it turned out to be a very successful program for both MGM and WMGM. Crime Does Not Pay was well-received during its run.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
December 12, 1949. Program #10. MGM syndication. "Gasoline Cocktail". Commercials added locally. A Transylvanian arsonist is extinguished. The date above is the date of the first broadcast of the program on WMGM, New York from which this syndicated version may have been taken. Marx B. Loeb (director), Jon Gart (composer, conductor), Burton B. Turkas (technical advisor), Bela Lugosi, Ira Marion (writer), Bob Williams (announcer). 28:39. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Bob Hope Pepsodent Show - "Special Guest Is Fred Astaire" (02-17-48)

Special Guest Is Fred Astaire (Aired February 17, 1948)

Special Guest Is Fred Astaire (Aired February 17, 1948)

After five years on the Vaudeville circuit, by his own account Hope was surprised and humbled when he and his partner Grace Louise Troxell failed a 1930 screen test for Pathé at Culver City, California. (Hope had been on the screen in small parts, 1927's The Sidewalks of New York and 1928's Smiles. Hope returned to New York City and subsequently appeared in several Broadway musicals including Roberta, Say When, the 1936 Ziegfeld Follies, and Red, Hot and Blue with Ethel Merman. His performances were generally well-received and critics noted his keen sense of comedic timing. He changed his name from "Leslie" to "Bob", reportedly because people in the US were calling him "Hopelessly", although in the 1920s he sometimes used the name "Lester Hope".

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

February 17, 1948. "Special Guest Is Fred Astaire" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Pepsodent. The program originates from Canoga Park High School, Woodland Hills, California. Fred and Bob do a skit about their start in show business. Barbara Jo Allen, the real mayor of Woodland Hills, makes a fund appeal for the United Nations Crusade For Children. Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Jerry Colonna, Barbara Jo Allen, Trudy Erwin, Les Brown and His Orchestra, Dorothy Lovett, Wendell Niles (announcer), Jack Kirkwood, Norman Sullivan (writer), Fred Williams (writer), Larry Kline (writer), Paul Laven (writer), Ray Allen (writer), Fred Fox (writer), Roger Price (writer), Chet Castellaw (writer), Glenn Wheaton (writer), Harold Goodman (writer), Hendrix Voellaris, Al Capstaff (producer), Bob Stephenson (director). 27:11. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Caltex Theater - "Detectives Are Not Always Right" (12-11-55)

Detectives Are Not Always Right (Aired December 11, 1955)

This is an Australian radio production of the classic MGM science fiction movie, Forbidden Planet. The production uses all the original electronic music and effects from the film. Length: 55 Min. What can I say? Years before Starfleet officers donned uniforms in Star Trek, it was done in Forbidden Planet. Long before Han Solo held a blaster, the guys in Forbidden Planet did it. Long before Star Trek's android Data and shortly before Lost in Space's Robby, a mechanical being played a major role in Forbidden Planet. Long before big special effects films ruled movie theaters, Forbidden Planet was packed with great effects, including astounding matte paintings. Long before electronically-created music became common, Forbidden Planet featured an all-synthesizer soundtrack that gave a futuristic and creepy feeling. Long before Leslie Nielson said, "Don't call me Shirley," he wore a spacesuit and wielded a ray gun.

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes - "The Blood Soaked Wagon" (05-02-49)

The Blood Soaked Wagon (Aired May 2, 1949)

The author, (Sir) Arthur Conan-Doyle wrote his first Holmes story, A Study In Scarlet, in 1886. Sherlock Holmes, a fictitious character was based on a real man, Dr Joseph Bell, a renown forensic scientist at Edinburgh University whom Conan-Doyle studied under. Conan-Doyle wrote 56 self contained short stories & 4 novels (60 adventures in total) The collection is known as The Cannon. The first Sherlock Holmes film was produced in 1900. In 1939 the novels were developed as a series of films staring Basil Rathbone, establishing the trademark deerstalker, pipe & spyglass as a global visual icon. Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories that feature Holmes. The first two stories, short novels appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual for 1887 and Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890, respectively. The character grew tremendously in popularity with the beginning of the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine in 1891; further series of short stories and two serialised novels appeared until 1927.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
May 2, 1949. Mutual network. "The Adventure Of The Blood-Soaked Wagon". Sponsored by: Clipper Craft Clothes. John Stanley, George Spelvin (a name traditionally used by actors who wish to remain anonymous), Arthur Conan Doyle (creator), Cy Harrice (announcer), Albert Buhrman (music), Basil Loughrane (producer, director), Howard Merrill (writer), Ian Martin. 24:24. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

This Is Your FBI - "The Delinquent Parents" (04-05-46)

INTRO: Bob Plays Skeeter Davis "The End of The World"  (1962)
"The Delinquent Parents" (Aired April 5, 1946)

 

 

This Is Your FBI was sponsored during its entire run by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (now AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company). This is Your FBI had counterparts on the other networks. The FBI in Peace and War also told stories of the FBI, although some were not authentic. Earlier on, Gangbusters, and the previously mentioned Mr. District Attorney gave the authentic crime treatment to their stories. And Dragnet, and Tales of the Texas Rangers, took the idea on as well. Crime, especially true crime, was a genre in the magazines early on, with the Police Gazette and its predecessors in England printing lurid true crime stories prior to radio. This is Your FBI took the idea, and made it realistic, exciting and even informational.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

April 5, 1946. ABC network. "The Delinquent Parents". Sponsored by: The Equitable Life Assurance Society. Frederick Steiner (music director), Dean Carlton (narrator), Jerry Devine (producer), Carl Frank (announcer), Frank Faries (writer). 29:19. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
 

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Cisco Kid" - Run On The Bank (01-22-53)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Cisco Kid"
"Run On The Bank" (Aired January 22, 1953)

The Cisco Kid is a fictional character found in numerous film, radio, television and comic book series based on the fictional Western character created by O. Henry in his 1907 short story "The Caballero's Way", published in Everybody's Magazine, v17, July 1907, well as in the collection Heart of the West. Originally a murderous criminal in O. Henry's story, the Kid was depicted as a heroic Mexican caballero later in films, radio and television adaptations.  In O. Henry's original story, the character is a 25-year-old desperado in the Texas–Mexico border country who bears little resemblance to later interpretations of the character. He kills for sport and is responsible for at least eighteen deaths. His real name is possibly Goodall ("This hombre they call the Kid—Goodall is his name, ain't it?"); no first name is given in the story.

 

THIS EPISODE:

January 22, 1953. Program #54. Mutual-Don Lee network, KHJ, Los Angeles origination, Ziv syndication. "Run On The Bank". Commercials added locally. Jack Mather, Harry Lang. 27:22.  Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Barry Craig Confidential Investigator - "The Deadly Fight" (01-23-52)

The Deadly Fight (Aired January 23, 1952)

Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator is one of the few detective radio series that had separate versions of it broadcast from both coasts. Even the spelling changed over the years. It was first "Barry Crane" and then "Barrie Craig". NBC produced it in New York from 1951 to 1954 and then moved it to Hollywood where it aired from 1954 to 1955. It attracted only occasional sponsors so it was usually a sustainer.William Gargan, who also played the better known television (and radio) detective Martin Kane, was the voice of New York eye BARRY CRAIG while Ralph Bell portrayed his associate, Lt. Travis Rogers. Craig's office was on Madison Avenue and his adventures were fairly standard PI fare. He worked alone, solved cases efficiently, and feared no man. As the promos went, he was "your man when you can't go to the cops. Confidentiality a speciality."Like Sam Spade, Craig narrated his stories, in addition to being the leading character in this 30 minute show. Nearly sixty episodes are in trading circulation today.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

January 23, 1952. NBC network. "The Deadly Fight". Sustaining. Not auditioned. "A widow who can't find tears, an obituary notice in search of a cough and a boxing champ whose biggest win is a fight, strictly off the record." Fran Carlon, Himan Brown (director), William Gargan, John Roeburt (writer), Don Pardo (announcer). 22:11 Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of The Abbotts - "The Clue Of The Ivory Thread" (03-27-55)

The Clue Of The Ivory Thread (Aired March 27, 1955)

Abbott Mysteries was a comedy-mystery radio program adapted from the novels of Frances Crane (1896-1981). Julie Stevens and Charles Webster starred as Jean and Pat Abbott, a San Francisco married couple who solved murder mysteries. In the supporting cast were Jean Ellyn, Sydney Slon and Luis Van Rooten. Moving to 5:30pm in 1946, Les Tremayne and Alice Reinheart took over the roles until the end of the series on August 31, 1947. Seven years later, the characters returned October 3, 1954, on NBC in The Adventures of the Abbotts, broadcast on NBC Sunday evenings at 8:30pm. The Abbotts were portrayed by Claudia Morgan and Les Damon. The NBC series ran until June 12, 1955.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

March 27, 1955. Program #8. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Clue Of The Ivory Thread". Les Damon, Claudia Morgan, Frances Crane (creator), Howard Merrill (writer), Bernard L. Schubert (producer), Ted Lloyd (producer), Harry Frazee (director, recordist), Dewey Bergman (composer, conductor), Joe DeSantis, John Ridgely, Wayne Howell (announcer). 30:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dragnet - "The Big Convertible" (06-28-55)

The Big Convertible (Aired June 28, 1955)

Dragnet was a long running radio and television police procedural drama, about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show takes its name from an actual police term, a Dragnet, meaning a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects. Dragnet was perhaps the most famous and influential police procedural drama in American media history. The series gave millions of Americans a feel for the boredom and drudgery, as well as the danger and heroism, of real life police work. Dragnet earned praise for improving the public opinion of police officers. Actor and producer Jack Webb's aims in Dragnet were for realism and unpretentious acting. He achieved both goals and Dragnet remains a key influence on subsequent police dramas in many media.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
June 28, 1955. Program #306. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Big Convertible". A man cashing bad payroll checks all over town has been using a rented car. Jack Webb, Ben Alexander. 25 minutes. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Calling All Cars - "Little Phil Alquin" (05-09-34)

Little Phil Alquin (Aired May 9, 1934)

As shows of this nature do it dealt with tracking killers and robbers with a recap of the justice which was enforced. The writer and director was William N. Robson. Calling All Cars episodes were dramatized true crime stories that were not only introduced by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department but were true life crime stories of the LAPD. If you are thinking early version of Dragnet, yes, but not quite as polished. Dragnet was believed to have been inspired by Calling All Cars. None of the actors on the show ever received on-air credit, but among the talent OTR fans can hear the likes of Elvia Allman, Jackson Beck, Charles Bickford, John Gibson, Richard LeGrand and Hanley Stafford, just to name a few.

 

THIS EPISODE:

May 9, 1934. Program #24. CBS Pacific network (Don Lee network "Little Phil Alquin". Sponsored by: Rio Grande Oil. A police lieutenant has just been murdered by an unknown assailant. Frederick Lindsley is introduced as "Professor Lindsley." The system cue has been deleted. Charles Frederick Lindsley (narrator). 29:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of Maisie - "The Maharani Mix-Up" (06-29-50)

The Maharani Mix-Up (Aired June 29, 1950)

Maisie, the first in 1939, was from the book "Dark Dame" by the writer Wilson Collison,who did decades of scripting for the silver screen along with Broadway plays and magazine fiction. From the first, MGM wanted Ann Sothern to play Maisie. She began in Hollywood as an extra in 1927. "Maisie and I were just together - I just understood her," Sothern, born Harriette Arlene Lake, said after several of the films made her a star. Throughout the 1930s and '40s, Ann Sothern and Lucille Ball, like many performers in Hollywood, had not one but two careers - one in motion pictures and one on radio.  MGM Studios had created the series of ten motion pictures based on a brash blonde with a heart "of spun gold." Sothern, due in great part to the Maisie films type-casting, would ultimately admit she was "a Hollywood princess, not a Hollywood queen." But in its time, the Maisie series in film and on radio made her known and loved the world over.

The Mysterious Traveler - "Death Is My Caller" (10-21-47)

INTRO: Bob plays "When I Fall In Love" by Doris Day (1952)
Death Is My Caller (Aired October 21, 1947)

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! Cast members included Jackson Beck, Lon Clark, Roger DeKoven, Elspeth Eric, Wendell Holmes, Bill Johnstone, Joseph Julian, Jan Miner, Santos Ortega, Bryna Raeburn, Frank Readick, Ann Shepherd, Lawson Zerbe and Bill Zuckert. Sound effects were by Jack Amrhein, Jim Goode, Ron Harper, Walt McDonough and Al Schaffer.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

October 21, 1947. Mutual network. "Death Is My Caller". Sustaining. A wealthy stockbroker named Henry Norton is visited by his old partner, Charles Blair. Blair is just out of jail after seven years...and is seeking revenge. Robert A. Arthur (writer, producer, director), David Kogan (writer, producer, director), Maurice Tarplin (as "The Traveler"), Santos Ortega, Neal O'Malley, Paul Taubman (organist), Carl Caruso (announcer), Agnes Young, Ted Jewett. 29:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Whitehall 1212 - "The Case Of Dr. Duncan Allen" (03-09-52)

The Case Of Dr. Duncan Allen (Aired March 9, 1952)

WHITEHALL 1 2, 1 2 Tweaked Jan. 12, 2006 This series was very similar to the Black Museum that was hosted by Orson Welles. Both the Black Museum and Whitehall 1212 drew their material from the files of Scotland Yard. The stories were true in every respect except that the names were changed to protect the innocent, as they say. The Whitehall 1212 series boasted that for the first time Scotland Yard opened its files and the producers promised to bring to the public authentic true stories of some of the most celebrated cases. Permission for these records came from Sir Harold Scott, Commissioner of the yard at that time. There is actually a Black Museum. This area is located on the lower ground floor of Scotland Yard and it does indeed contain articles that are closely associated with the solving of a crime. And "Whitehall 1212" was the actual emergency phone number for the yard at the time. The research for the shows was done by Percy Hoskins, chief crime reporter for the London Daily Express. For the benefit of American audiences, Wyllis Cooper of Quiet Please fame was hired as script writer. Interestingly enough both the Black Museum and Whitehall 1212 had all-British casts; both ran concurrently. Whereby Mutual Broadcasting System aired the Orson Welles version, NBC offered the Wyllis Cooper one.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

March 9, 1952. "The Case Of Dr. Duncan Allen" - NBC network. Sustaining. A bottle of The Glenlivet in the Black Museum is the exhibit in a case of stolen uranium! Part of the final public service announcement and the system cue has been deleted. Percy Hoskins (researcher), Wyllis Cooper (writer, director). 28:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

MGM Theater Of The Air - "Public Hero Number One" (07-28-50)

Public Hero Number One (Aired July 28, 1950)

During the postwar years, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the Tiffany of movie studios, successfully made the leap into the production and distribution of transcribed syndicated radio series, often capitalizing on their many long-running film series as inspiration for program ideas. "The Story of Dr. Kildare", "The Adventures of Maisie", "The Hardy Family", and "Crime Does Not Pay" were just a few of the offerings syndicated to individual radio stations - after being first run on New York’s WMGM, owned by Loew’s Incorporated and known in the business as "The Call Letters of the Stars."

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

July 28, 1950. Program #40. MGM syndication. "Public Hero Number One" .Commercials added locally. An undercover cop makes friends with a gangster in prison. He wants info about criminals, but falls in love with the gangster's sister. Howard Dietz (host), Marx B. Loeb (director), Raymond Katz (producer), Joel Herron (composer, conductor), Ed Stokes (announcer), Paul Stewart, Welborn Kelly (adaptor), William Eyth, Nina Foch. 56:24. Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet - "The 3rd Degree" (11-21-48)

The 3rd Degree (Aired November 21, 1948)

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched on CBS October 8, 1944, making a mid-season switch to NBC in 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949, to June 18, 1954. In an arrangement that amplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television (as George Burns once phrased it), the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network itself the right to move the show to television whenever it wanted to do it---they wanted, according to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, to have talent in the bullpen and ready to pitch, so to say, on their own network, rather than risk it defecting to CBS (where the Nelsons began) or NBC. Their sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until five years after the radio series began.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 
November 21, 1948. "The 3rd Degree" - NBC network. Sponsored by: International Silver. Who is more curious...Ozzie or Harriet? And who is that beautiful girl that complimented Ozzie? A funny show. Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Hilliard. 29:29. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke" - Hound Dog (12-30-56)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Gunsmoke"
Hound Dog  (Aired Dedcember 30, 1956)

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:

 

December 30, 1956. "Hound Dog". An Old Man's Hound Dog of 11 years is shot. William Conrad, Parley Baer, Les Crutchfield (writer), John Dehner, Vic Perrin, Richard Beals, Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Rex Koury (composer, conductor), John Meston (editorial supervisor), George Walsh (announcer), Tom Hanley (sound patterns), Bill James (sound patterns)  Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

A Life In Your Hands - "Kalare Temple" (08-21-52)

"Kalare Temple" (Aired August 21, 1952)

Here we bring you A Life in Your Hands, a murder and courtroom melodrama which ran on the radio from 1949 - 1952. It portrays a truthful and objective view of various murder stories. The format of the shows is that of interviews - with witnesses on both sides providing their stories. The hero in the story is the fictitious Jonathan Kegg who is seeking the truth behind these mysterious cases. He represents neither the defense nor the prosecution, but rather is a man on a journey for justice. Cast: Ned LeFevre (Jonathan Kegg-1949) Mike Wallace (Narrator (1949)) Lee Bowman (Jonathan Kegg-1951) Carlton Kadell (Jonathan Kegg (1950,52), Narrator) Erle Stanley Gardner ((Creator)) Director: John Cowan, Homer Heck, Patrick Murphy, Jack Simpson
 

 

THIS EPISODE:

August 21, 1952. "Kalare Temple" - NBC network. Sustaining. Dr. Allenby, a distinguished anthropologist, discovers the Kalare tomb in the Yucatan. He's found murdered under mysterious circumstances. Jonathan Kegg solves the case with the help of his tape recorder! Adele Scott (musical effects), Bill Knight (engineer), Carlton KaDell (announcer), Doug Johnson (writer), Erle Stanley Gardner (creator), George Stone (announcer), John Cowan (director), Whitey Birquist (conductor). 29:23. Episode Notes From The Radio Index.

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

"Life Can Be Murder" (Aired July 21, 1951)

This revival of Philip Marlowe was more favorably received, probably because of a combination of writing and acting. No one could duplicate the writing of Raymond Chandler, but this group of writers was very good. While Chandler's distinctive similes were largely lacking, the strong dry, sarcastic narration was there, and the way Gerald Mohr delivered the lines had a way of making you forget that they weren't written by Chandler. Mr. Mohr seemed born for the part of the cynical detective. His voice and timing were perfect for the character. In a letter to Gene Levitt, one of the show's writers, Raymond Chandler commented that a voice like Gerald Mohr's at least packed personality; a decided an improvement over his opinion of the original show. By 1949 the show had the largest audience in radio. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

 

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). 28:43. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

John Steele Adventurer - "Play Ball" (08-30-49)

Play Ball (Aired August 30, 1949)

From 1949-1956 the Mutual Broadcasting System ran a series entitled John Steele, Adventurer. This was an anthology series, introduced by the title character, who has apparently had trouble keeping a job: he served at various times as ship's captain, baseball league president, county sheriff, State Department special agent in Turkey, etc. Each story is told from the point of view of the main character, a friend of Steele's. Steele himself makes cameo appearances in the series. The series featured Ted Mallie as the announcer (Mallie also announced for The Shadow and I Love A Mystery) and Don Douglas as John Steele, and was directed by Elliot Drake. It often promised “suspense and hard, fast action,” and nearly always delivered. It had excellent production values, and its plots that were often complex. The stories are reminiscent of pulp stories from magazines like Argosy or All-Story.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

August 30, 1949. Mutual network. "Play Ball". Sustaining. "One man against an angry crowd, a foul ball and a fog." "The fans in the stands are part of what makes baseball the grerat American pasttime." Don Douglas, Sylvan Levin (conductor), Robert Monroe (producer), Elliott Drake (writer, director), Charles Holmes, Grace Keddy, Ross Martin, Al Patterson, Joe Halgenson, Jimmy Powers, Ted Mallie (announcer). 28:52. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boston Blackie - "Fifty Hunter Street" (06-30-44)

"Fifty Hunter Street" (Aired June 30, 1944)

While investigating mysteries, Blackie invaribly encountered harebrained Police Inspector Farraday (Maurice Tarplin) and always solved the mystery to Farraday's amazement. Initially, friction surfaced in the relationship between Blackie and Farraday, but as the series continued, Farraday recognized Blackie's talents and requested assistance. Blackie dated Mary Wesley (Jan Miner), and for the first half of the series, his best pal Shorty was always on hand. The humorless Farraday was on the receiving end of Blackie's bad puns and word play. Kent Taylor starred in the half-hour TV series, The Adventures of Boston Blackie. Syndicated in 1951, it ran for 58 episodes, continuing in repeats over the following decade.

 

THIS EPISODE:

June 30, 1944. "Fifty Hunter Street" - NBC network, WEAF, New York aircheck. Sponsored by: Rinso, Lifebuoy Soap. 10:00 P. M. Mr. Manleder's business note for $100,000 is due tomorrow. Only Boston Blackie can prevent his business failure. The frame around Blackie is for murder. Who was that masked man? Chester Morris, Harlow Wilcox (announcer), Charles Cornell (organist), Richard Lane, Jan Miner. 29:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Academy Award Theater - Stagecoach" (06-04-46)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Academy Award Theater
Stagecoach" (Aired May 4, 1946)

The list of films and actors on Academy Award Theater is very impressive. Bette Davis begins the series in Jezebel, with Ginger Rogers following in Kitty Foyle, and then Paul Muni in The Life of Louis Pasteur. The Informer had to have Victor Mclaglen, and the Maltese Falcon, Humphrey Bogart, Sidney Greenstreet (this movie was his first major motion picutre role) plus Mary Astor for the hat trick. Suspicion starred Cary Grant with Ann Todd doing the Joan Fontaine role, Ronald Coleman in Lost Horizon, and Joan Fontaine and John Lund were in Portrait of Jenny. How Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio were done is something to hear!

 

THIS EPISODE:

May 4, 1946. CBS network. "Stagecoach". Sponsored by: Squibb. The well-done story of the romance between the captured outlaw and the dance hall girl. Claire Trevor, Randolph Scott. 32:33. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Lux RadioTheater - "Panic In The Streets" (03-05-51)

Panic In The Streets (Aired March 5, 1951)

Broadcasting from New York, the series premiered at 2:30pm, October 14, 1934, on the NBC Blue Network with a production of Seventh Heaven starring Miriam Hopkins and John Boles in a full-hour adaptation of the 1922–24 Broadway production by Austin Strong. The host was the show's fictional producer, Douglass Garrick (portrayed by John Anthony). Doris Dagmar played another fictional character, Peggy Winthrop, who delivered the Lux commercials. Each show featured a scripted session with Garrick talking to the lead actors. Anthony appeared as Garrick from the premiere 1934 episode until June 30, 1935. Garrick was portrayed by Albert Hayes from July 29, 1935 to May 25, 1936, when the show moved to the West Coast.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

March 5, 1951. "Panic In The Streets". After brawling over a card game in the wharf area of New Orleans, a man named Kochak, suffering visibly from a flu-like illness, is killed by gangster Blackie and his two flunkies, Kochak's cousin Poldi and a man named Fitch. They leave the body on the docks, and later when the dead man, who carries no identification, is brought to the morgue, the coroner grows suspicious about the bacteria present in his blood and calls his superior, Dr. Clinton Reed, (played by Richard Widmark) a uniformed doctor working for the U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Reed and a police captain (Paul Douglas) have only a day or two in which to prevent an epidemic. 51:57.

The Adventures Of Archie Andrews - "The Big Dance" (09-04-48)

The Big Dance (Aired September 4, 1948)

Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, a long-run radio series, a syndicated comic strip and animation -- The Archie Show, a Saturday morning cartoon television series by Filmation, plus Archie's Weird Mysteries. Archie Andrews began on the Blue Network on May 31, 1943, switched to Mutual in 1944, and then continued on NBC from 1945 until September 5 1953. Archie was first played by Charles Mullen, Jack Grimes and Burt Boyar, with Bob Hastings as the title character during the NBC years.The sponsor was Swift Products. The Cast: Harlan Stone, Alice Yourman, Arthur Kohl, Gloria Mann, Rosemary Rice.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

September 4, 1948. "The Big Dance" - NBC network. Sustaining. Archie is going to a dance and Dad is trying to take a bath, not at all as easy as it sounds. Bob Hastings, Harlan Stone, Alice Yourman, Ian Martin, Gloria Mann, Rosemary Rice. 29:48. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The First Nighter Program - "Help Wanted Female" (01-08-48)

Help Wanted Female (Aired January 8, 1948)

The First Nighter Program was a long-running radio anthology comedy-drama series broadcast from 1930 to 1953. The host was Mr. First Nighter (Charles P. Hughes, Macdonald Carey, Bret Morrison, Marvin Miller, Don Briggs and Rye Billsbury [later known as Michael Rye). The show's opening recreated the aural atmosphere of a Broadway opening. Before each week's drama began, Mr. First Nighter was first heard walking on Broadway, emerging from the noise of people and street traffic into the crowded lobby of "the Little Theater Off Times Square" and then taking his seat in the third row center, where he gave the whispered introduction: The house lights have dimmed, and the curtain is about to go up on tonight's production. Romantic comedies were the specialty of the series, and the principal roles were played by the teams of Don Ameche and June Meredith. 

THIS EPISODE:

January 08, 1948. CBS network. "Help Wanted, Female". Campana cosmetics. Fraud for the starving children of Europe. Barbara Luddy, Olan Soule, William Conrad, Parley Baer, Floyd Miller (writer) 30:47.  Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The CBS Radio Mystery Theater - "Death Is So Trivial" (02-07-75)

Death Is So Trivial (Aired February 7, 1975)

The show was broadcast nightly and ran for one hour, including commercials. Typically, a week consisted of three to four new episodes, with the remainder of the week filled out with reruns. There were a total of 1399 original episodes broadcast. The total number of broadcasts, including reruns, was 2969. The late E.G. Marshall hosted the program every year but the final one, when actress Tammy Grimes took over. Each episode began with the ominous sound of a creaking door, slowly opening to invite listeners in for the evening's adventure. At the end of each show, the door would swing shut, with Marshall signing off, "Until next time, pleasant...dreams?" Despite the show's title, Brown expanded its scope beyond mysteries to include horror, science fiction, historical drama, and even comedy.

 

THIS EPISODE:

 

February 7, 1975. Program #399. CBS network. "Death Is So Trivial". Sponsored by: Vigne Wine, Buick, Sine-Off. The program was rebroadcast on April 26, 1975. Program #400 was a rebroadcast of the program of December 12, 1974. Program #401 was a rebroadcast of the program of December 16, 1974. E. G. Marshall (host), Elspeth Eric (writer), Tony Roberts, Kristoffer Tabori, Suzanne Grossman, Bryna Raeburn, Dan Ocko, Himan Brown (producer, director). 44:15. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.