Screen Director's Playhouse - "Waterloo Bridge" (02-15-51)

Dark Victory (Aired February 15, 1951)

INTRO: Bob Plays Dionne Warwick "I'll Never Love This Way Again" (1979)

Screen Director's Playhouse is a popular radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, and original directors of the films were sometimes involved in the productions, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations, and a brief "curtain call" with the cast and host at the end of the program. The series later had a brief run on television, focusing on original teleplays and several adaptations of famous short stories (such as Robert Louis Stevenson's "Markheim"). The radio version ran for 122 episodes and aired on NBC from January 9, 1949 to September 28, 1951 under several different titles: NBC Theater, Screen Director's Guild Assignment, Screen Director's Assignment and, as of July 1, 1949, Screen Director's Playhouse. Actors on the radio series included Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert, Ronald Colman, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, James Mason, Ray Milland, Gregory Peck, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, John Wayne, and Loretta Young.

THIS EPISODE:

February 15, 1951. NBC network. "Dark Victory". Sponsored by: Anacin, RCA, Chesterfield. A melodrama of a love in the face of approaching death. Tallulah Bankhead, David Brian, Lynn Allen, Jack Rubin (adaptor), Norma Varden, Stan Waxman, Ralph Moody, Edmund Goulding (guest screen director), Bob Hope (Chesterfield commercial), Bing Crosby (Chesterfield commercial), Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Howard Wiley (producer), Bill Cairn (director). 59:57. Episode Notes Frtom The Radio Gold Index.

Blondie - "Dagwood Forgets Himself" (09-17-44)

Dagwood Forgets Himself (Aired September 17, 1944)

INTRO: Bob Remembers The Intruders "Cowboys To Girls" (1968)

Blondie and Dagwood live next door to Herb and Tootsie Woodley. The Bumstead family has grown, with the addition of a son named Alexander (originally "Baby Dumpling") on April 15, 1934, a daughter named Cookie on April 11,1941, and a dog, Daisy, and her litter of five unnamed pups. In the 1960s, Cookie and Alexander grew into teenagers (who uncannily resemble their parents), but they stopped growing during the 1960s when Young realized that they had to remain teenagers to maintain the family situation structured into the strip for so many decades. Other regular characters include a never-ending parade of door-to-door salesmen, the long-suffering mailman, Mr. Beasley, and Elmo Tuttle, a pesky neighborhood kid who often asks Dagwood to play. Cora Dithers is the domineering wife of Julius Dithers. Lou is the owner of Lou's Diner where Dagwood frequently eats during his lunch break.

THIS EPISODE:

September 17, 1944. Program #22. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Dagwood Forgets Himself". Dagwood has a football accident and loses his memory. Arthur Lake, Don Wilson, Lenny Conn and His Orchestra (music fill), Penny Singleton, Hanley Stafford, Chic Young (creator). 36:45. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Box 13 - "The Dead Man Walks" (06-12-49)

The Dead Man Walks (Aired June 12, 1949)

Dan Holiday was purportedly a successful fiction writer for the Star-Times news magazine who becomes disenchanted with the utter, mind-numbing routine of it. Dan Holiday opts out. He posts an ad reading "Go anywhere, Do anything, Write Box 13". This had become a pretty well-worked theme by 1948. Perhaps a bit too reminiscent of George Valentine's "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," from 1946's Let George Do It. The gimmick certainly made for an open-ended range of potential adventures for Box 13's protagonist. And it resulted in some pretty outrageous assignments in the course of Holiday's fifty-two adventures. But adventures they are, which perhaps sets this erstwhile detective genre program as more of an adventure genre. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

June 12, 1949. Program #43. Mayfair syndication. "The Dead Man Walks". Commercials added locally. A man Dan sees dead at 2:15 is alive at 4:20! Who is S. Thomas? Alan Ladd, Edmond MacDonald, Richard Sanville (director), Rudy Schrager (composer, conductor), Russell Hughes (writer), Sylvia Picker, Vern Carstensen (production supervisor), William Conrad. 26:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Rogue's Gallery - "The Triangle Murder Case" (02-21-46)

Rogue's Gallery - Triangle Murder Case (Aired February 21, 1946)

INTRO: Bob Plays Peabo Bryson "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" (1984)

Rogue's Gallery came to the Mutual network on September 27, 1945 with Dick Powell portraying Richard Rogue, a private detective who invariably ended up getting knocked out each week and spending his dream time in acerbic conversation with his subconscious self, Eugor. Rogue's Gallery was, in a sense, Dick Powell's rehearsal for Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Powell played private detective Richard Rogue, who trailed luscious blondes, protected witness, and did whatever else detectives do to make a living. It was a good series, though not destined to make much of a mark. Under the capable direction of Dee Englebach and accompanied by the music of Leith Stevens, Powell floated through his lines with the help of such competents as Lou Merrill, Gerald Mohr, Gloria Blondell, Tony Barrett, and Lurene Tuttle. Peter Leeds played Rogue's friend Eugor, an obscure play on names with Eugor spelling Rogue backwards. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:

February 21, 1946. Mutual network. "The Triangle Murder Case". Sponsored by: Fitch's Shampoo, Fitch's Shaving Cream. The managing editor of "The Chronicle" has been murdered after tangling with "The Alibi Master," an unethical attorney. Dee Englebach (producer, director), Dick Powell, Gerald Mohr, Jim Doyle (announcer), Leith Stevens (composer, conductor), Peter Leeds. 29:21. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boston Blackie - "The Murdered Truck Driver" (07-16-46)

The Murdered Truck Driver (Aired July 16, 1946)

 

INTRO: Bob Plays Bobby Caldwell "Stay With Me" (1987)

On April 11, 1945, Richard Kollmar took over the title role in a radio series syndicated by Frederic W. Ziv to Mutual and other network outlets. Over 200 episodes of this series were produced between 1944 and October 25, 1950. Other sponsors included Lifebuoy Soap, Champagne Velvet beer, and R&H beer. 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:
 
July 16, 1946. Program #66. "The Murdered Truck Driver" - ABC network origination, Ziv syndication. Sponsored by: Champagne Velvet Beer (of Indiana). A truck carrying no cargo load is mysteriously hijacked. One of the drivers has been killed and the other has vanished! Richard Kollmar, Lesley Woods, Maurice Tarplin. 30:15. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Man From Homicide - "The Ice Pick Murder" (09-16-50)

The Ice Pick Murder (Aired September 16, 1950)

 INTRO: Bob Plays The Jive Five "Never Never" (1961)

A 30-minute crime drama starring Dan Duryea as Lou Dana, a tough police lieutenant with a tendency to beat information out of suspects. Dana's catch phrase was, "I don't like killers." Bill Bouchey was Inspector Sherman and music was by Basic Adams. His sniveling, deliberately taunting demeanor and snarling flat, nasal tones set Dan Duryea apart from other slimeball villains of the 1940s and 1950s. From his very first picture--the highly acclaimed The Little Foxes (1941) in which he played the snotty, avaricious nephew Leo who would easily sell his own mother down the river for spare change--lean and mean Duryea had film audiences admitting his vile characters were guilty pleasures, particularly in film noir, melodramas and westerns.

THIS EPISODE:

September 16, 1950. "The Ice Pick Murder"- ABC network. Sustaining. A dead man has been found in a ditch, killed by an ice pick. Then, Harold Winthrop is killed by a gun. The corpse wore silk socks. Lieutenant Dana is one tough cop! Good radio. The system cue has been deleted. Charles McGraw, Louis Vittes (writer), Robert Armbruster (composer, conductor), Jim Backus, Joan Banks, Lawrence Dobkin, Lamont Johnson, Tom Tully, Helen Mack (producer, director), Arthur Q. Bryan, Maggie Morely. 28:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Blue Beetle - "Crime Incorporated" (07-03-40 and 07-05-40)

Crime Incorporated (07-03-40 and 07-05-40) COMPLETE

After his father was killed by a gangster's bullet, young Dan Garrett joined the New York Police Department, but soon tired of the slow pace and red tape of police work. With the help of his friend and mentor, pharmacist and drug-store proprietor Dr. Franz, Dan acquired a costume of bullet-proof chain-mail-like cellulose material, and began a second life, fighting crime as The Blue Beetle. His calling card was a small beetle-shaped marker that he left in conspicuous places to alert criminals to his presence, using their fear of his crime fighting reputation as a weapon against them. For this purpose he also used a "Beetle Signal" flashlight. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

 
THIS EPISODE:

July 3, 1940. Program #28. Fox Features syndication. "Crime Incorporated" Two Parts Complete". Commercials added locally. The Blue Beetle is unmasked and shot, but it's only a flesh wound. The "Magic Ray" helps the Blue Beetle break up the gang. 12:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Bob & Ray Show - "Saint Patty's Day" (03-13-73)

Saint Patty's Day  (Aired March 13, 1973)

Bob Elliott (born 1923) and Ray Goulding (1922–1990) were an American comedy team whose career spanned five decades. Their format was typically to satirize the medium in which they were performing, such as conducting radio or television interviews, with off-the-wall dialogue presented in a generally deadpan style as though it were a serious interview. Elliott and Goulding began as disc jockeys in Boston with their own separate programmes on station WHDH-AM, and each would visit with the other while on the air. Their informal banter was so appealing that WHDH would call on them, as a team, to fill in when Red Sox baseball broadcasts were rained out. Elliott and Goulding (not yet known as Bob and Ray) would improvise comedy routines all afternoon, and joke around with studio musicians. Some of their radio episodes were released on recordings, and others were adapted into graphic story form for publication in Mad magazine. Their earlier shows were mostly ad-libbed, but later programs relied more heavily on scripts. While Bob and Ray wrote much of their material, their writers included Tom Koch, who scripted many of their best-known routines, and the pioneering radio humorist Raymond Knight.

Dark Fantasy - "A Delicate Case Of Murder" (02-20-42)

A Delicate Case Of Murder (Aired February 20, 1942)

Dark Fantasy was a short series with tales of the weird, adventures of the supernatural, created for you by Scott Bishop. The series aired as a horror drama on NBC between 1941 and 1942. Dark Fantasy was a series dedicated to dealings with the unknown. Originating from radio station WKY, Oklahoma City, it was written by Scott Bishop (of Mysterious Traveler and The Sealed Book fame) and was heard Fridays over stations. Tom Paxton served as announcer. The shows covered horror, science fiction and murder mysteries. Although a short series, the shows are excellent with some stories way ahead of their time. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:

February 20, 1942. Program #14. NBC network, WKY, Oklahoma City origination. "A Delicate Case Of Murder". Sustaining. A medium that can make the dead disappear has a husband who reveals her secrets and who wants a divorce. "Not while I'm alive," says the wife! The program may be dated February 13, 1942. Scott Bishop (writer), Fred Wayne, Tom Paxton (announcer), Georgiana Cook, Ben Morris, Eleanor Naylor Corin, Muir Hite. 27:11. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
 

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - The Rainmaker (10-26-58)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman"
The Rainmaker (Aired October 26, 1958) 

 Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman"
The Rainmaker (Aired October 26, 1958)

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. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:

October 26, 1958. CBS network. "The Rainmaker". Sustaining. The story of a Kansas rainmaker who could do just that...make rain! The public service announcements have been partially deleted. John Dehner, Joseph Kearns, Jack Kruschen, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Jack Moyles, Charles Seel, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Bud Sewell (announcer). 25:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Fred Allen Show - "The Morgan Court Of Human Relations" (05-02-48)

The Morgan Court Of Human Relations (Aired May 2, 1948)

INTRO: Bob Remembers Barbara Lewis "Baby I'm Yours" (1962)

Fred Allen's first taste of radio came while he and Portland Hoffa waited for a promised slot in a new Arthur Hammerstein musical. In the interim, they appeared on a Chicago station's program, WLS Showboat, into which, Allen recalled, "Portland and I were presented... to inject a little class into it." Their success in these appearances helped their theater reception; live audiences in the Midwest liked to see their radio favorites in person, even if Allen and Hoffa would be replaced by Bob Hope when the radio show moved to New York several months afterward. The couple eventually got their Hammerstein show, Polly, which opened in Delaware and made the usual tour before hitting Broadway.

THIS EPISODE:

May 2, 1948. NBC network. Sponsored by: Ford. Fred and guest Henry Morgan do a satire called, "Morgan Court Of Human Relations." Allen's Alley question: "Are you interested in music and does it play a part in your life?" Fred Allen, Kenny Delmar, The De Marco Sisters, Henry Morgan, Minerva Pious, Al Goodman and His Orchestra, Peter Donald, Parker Fennelly. 29:05. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Manhunt - 2 Episodes -" Legal Loophole" (10-03-45) & "Gloomy Room" (10-12-45)

2 Episodes - Legal Loophole (10-03-45) & Gloomy Room (10-12-45)

Having instilled a sense of foreboding in the listener, the script would launch into the dramatic exposition necessary to frame the ensuing plot. Each episode posed a crime puzzle of one kind or another--usually a murder under impossible conditions. Larry Haines portrays Andrew 'Drew' Stevens, a police lab forensic detective and Frances Robinson portrays his secretary--and love interest--Patricia 'Pat' O'Connor. Homicide Detective Sergeant Bill Morton is Stevens' local police contact. The format is tight by mystery standards of the era. The introductory exposition usually provides enough intrigue to involve the listener. Generally twelve minutes in length, the scripts necessarily contained enough exposition to explain or advance the plot. "Manhunt" was probably an unfortunate title for the series' premise. The series of plots didn't involve manhunts as much as crime puzzlers, such as the classic 'sealed room' murders so much the fashion in detective fiction.

The General Electric Theater - "The Old Man's Bride" (10-01-53)

The Old Man's Bride (Aired July 30, 1953)

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

THIS EPISODE:
 
July 30, 1953. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Old Man's Bride". A wealthy Texas Colonel sends his assistant to New Orleans to fetch him a bride. Complications ensue when the messenger falls for the girl himself. AFRTS program name: "Playhouse 25." Van Johnson, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), Hett Manheim (editorial supervisor), Jaime del Valle (transcriber). 29:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Gangbusters - "The Case Of Matthew Cazzara" (11-24-45)

The Case Of Matthew Cazzara (Aired November 24, 1945)

The series dramatized FBI cases, which producer-director Phillips H. Lord arranged in close association with Bureau director J. Edgar Hoover. Hoover insisted that only closed cases would be used. The initial series was on NBC Radio from July 20 - October 12, 1935. It then aired on CBS from January 15, 1936 to June 15, 1940, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive and Cue magazine. From October 11, 1940 to December 25, 1948, it was heard on the Blue Network, with various sponsors that included Sloan's Liniment, Waterman pens and Tide. Returning to CBS on January 8, 1949, it ran until June 25, 1955, sponsored by Grape-Nuts and Wrigley's chewing gum. The final series was on the Mutual Broadcasting System from October 5, 1955 to November 27, 1957. It was once narrated by Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., former head of the New Jersey State Police.

THIS EPISODE:
 
November 24, 1945. Program #409. ABC network. "The Case Of Matthew Kozera". Sponsored by: Waterman Pens and Inks. Matthew Kozera, a meek-looking but very dangerous gunman, is terrorizing Pittsburgh. The program includes "Gangbusters Nationwide Clues," which has resulted in the capture of nearly three hundred criminals. Phillips H. Lord (producer). 29:51 Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Man Called X - "Half Penny Stamp" (02-19-52)

Half Penny Stamp (Aired February 19, 1952)

INTRO: Bob Remembers Jerry Butler "Only The Strong Survive" (1968) Gamble & Hufff

The Man Called X was a old-time radio espionage drama series that aired on and off from 1944 through 1951 and sponsored by Frigidaire and later General Motors. Herbert Marshall stars as Ken Thurston, a globe hopping government agent. The show opens with the familiar line "Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance, in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find The Man Called X". Thurston works diligently every week to make the world a safer place by thwarting Cold War enemies and cooling off hotspots of unrest wherever they may be. The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra supplied the exotic background music.

THIS EPISODE:
 
February 19, 1952. NBC network. Sustaining. Ken Thurston travels to Egypt in search of a rare
"Half Penny Stamp" on the back of which is inscribed valuable information. But first, there's a corpse to be found aboard a train! Beware of, "The Man With The Third Green Eye!" The script was previously used on "I Love Adventure" on June 13, 1948. Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, John Stevenson, Lou Krugman, Ed Begley, John Dehner, J. Richard Kennedy (producer), Sidney Marshall (writer), Jack Johnstone (director), Hal Gibney (announcer), Lucille Meredith, Milton Charles (organist). 24:42. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dangerous Assignment "Operation Hot Foot Microbes" (05-18-51)

Operation Hot Foot Microbes (Aired May 18, 1951)

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.” Music is an almost harsh orchestra. Donlevy carries the plots with a world-weary and wary tone that makes sense, based on his occupation.

THIS EPISODE:
 
May 18, 1951. NBC network. Sustaining. Steve Mitchell is sent to Trinidad for, "Operation Hot Foot Microbes." Brian Donlevy sings! The closing promotional announcement and system cue have been deleted. Robert Ryf (writer), Adrian Gendot (writer), Bob Cairn (producer, director), Don Diamond, Herb Butterfield, Robert Armbruster (music), Brian Donlevy, Jester Hairston (calypso singer, billed as "Lord Byron"). 28:12. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Life Of Riley - "Newspaper Subscription Contest" (06-29-46)

Newspaper Subscription Contest (Aired June 29, 1946)

The first Life of Riley radio show was a summer replacement show heard on CBS from April 12, 1941 to September 6, 1941. The CBS program starred Lionel Stander as J. Riley Farnsworth and had no real connection with the more famous series that followed a few years later. 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:
 
June 29, 1946. "Newspaper Subscription Contest" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Teel, Dreft. Riley "helps" Junior sell newspaper subscriptions, which wins Junior two weeks...at a girl's camp! Alan Lipscott (writer), Dink Trout, Don Bernard (director), George Pirrone, Herb Vigran, Irving Brecher (producer), Jack Brecher (writer), John Brown, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Lou Coslowe (music), Mary Lansing, Paula Winslowe, Reuben Ship (writer), Scotty Beckett, William Bendix. 29:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Mr & Mrs North - "The Premature Corpse" (02-12-52)

The Premature Corpse (Aired February 12, 1952)

INTRO: Bob Plays Eddie Arnold "Make The World Go Away" (1965)

The radio program eventually reached nearly 20 million listeners. The characters originated in 1930s vignettes written by Richard Lockridge for the New York Sun, and he brought them back for short stories in The New Yorker. These stories were collected in Mr. and Mrs. North (1936). Lockridge increased the readership after he teamed with his wife Frances on a novel, The Norths Meet Murder (1940), launching a series of 40 novels, including Death takes a Bow, Death on the Aisle and The Dishonest Murderer. 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.


THIS EPISODE:

February 12, 1952. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "The Premature Corpse". Who inherits the Hathaway money? There's no love lost in this family! Alice Frost, Joseph Curtin, Frances Lockridge (creator), Richard Lockridge (creator). 25:40. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Six Shooter" - Blood Relations (05-27-54)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Six Shooter" - Blood Relations (Aired May 27, 1954)

Though The Six Shooter wasn't the first  popular adult western to air over Radio, a case can be made that it was the first to thoroughly legitimize the genre over the medium. Not only were The Six Shooter scripts--and casts--the equal of any of the first wave of adult westerns to air over Radio, but the series carried the considerable weight of James Stewart in the starring role as Britt Ponset, the reluctant, yet highly efficient, western gunslinger. For the era, James Stewart was a natural choice to popularize the genre over Radio. His ground-breaking--for Stewart--depiction of the angst and inner turmoil of his protagonist, Lin McAdam in Winchester '73 (1950), launched a series of James Stewart appearances in other taut Anthony Mann and Alfred Hitchcock psychological thrillers over the following ten years. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

May 27, 1954. "Blood Relations" - NBC network. Sustaining. The brother of Jud Coffin is courting Viola Wilcox, George's sister. George is violently opposed to the idea of "blood relations," and there's going to be trouble. Jimmy Stewart, Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Frank Burt (creator, writer), Barbara Eiler, Sam Edwards, Herb Ellis, John Wald (announcer). 30:17. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - Belle Siddon's Encore (08-24-58)

 Boxcars711 Overnight Western

"Frontier Gentleman" - Belle Siddon's Encore (Aired August 24, 1958)

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:

August 24, 1958. CBS network. "Belle Siddons' Encore". Sustaining. Mme. Verdi comes to the Dakotas and strikes a deal with the highwayman, Archie McLaughlin. The public service announcements have been partially deleted. John Dehner, Jack Kruschen, Vic Perrin, Harry Bartell, Jack Moyles, Jean Lansworth, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Bud Sewell (announcer). 25:57. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
 

 

Big Town - "Murder In The Snow" (02-01-49)

Murder In The Snow (Aired February 1, 1949)

INTRO: Bob Plays The Velvets "Tonight" (1960)

Big Town is a radio show that aired from 1937 to 1952. Edward G. Robinson had the lead role of Steve Wilson from 1937 to 1942. Claire Trevor was Wilson's society editor sidekick Lorelei Kilbourne, with Ona Munson taking over that role in 1940. Edward J. Pawley portrayed Wilson from 1942 until 1952 when Walter Greaza was heard as Wilson in the final episodes in the radio series. When Big Town moved to television, the program was telecast live, but in 1952 the production switched to film after the move from New York City to Hollywood. The television series ran on CBS from 1950 through 1954, continuing on NBC from 1955 through 1956. Repeat episodes aired on the DuMont Network (under the title City Assignment) while Big Town was still showing first-run episodes on CBS. Reruns were also shown under the titles Heart of the City, Headline and Byline Steve Wilson.

THIS EPISODE:

February 1, 1949. NBC network. "Murder In The Snow". Sponsored by: Lifebuoy Snow, Rinso. Screen star Linda Lane is going to tell the grand jury what she knows about the narcotics business in Big Town. Steve Wilson and his friends battle a snow storm to reach a train...but arrive too late! Edward Pawley, Fran Carlon, Jerry McGill (writer, producer), Dwight Weist (narrator). 28:37. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes - "The Guy Fawkes Society" (10-10-48)

The Guy Fawkes Society (Aired October 10, 1948)

INTRO: Bob Plays  Abbott and Costello WHOS ON FIRST (The Definitive Version)

According to Holmes, it was an encounter with the father of one of his classmates that led him to take up detection as a profession and he spent the six years following university working as a consulting detective, before financial difficulties led him to take Watson as a roommate, at which point the narrative of the stories begins. From 1881, Holmes is described as having lodgings at 221B Baker Street, London, from where he runs his private detective agency. 221B is an apartment up seventeen steps, stated in an early manuscript to be at the "upper end" of the road. Until the arrival of Dr. Watson, Holmes works alone, only occasionally employing agents from the city's underclass, including a host of informants and a group of street children he calls the Baker Street Irregulars. The Irregulars appear in three stories, "The Sign of the Four", "A Study in Scarlet" and "The Adventure of the Crooked Man".

THIS EPISODE:

October 10, 1948. Mutual network. "The Guy Fawkes Society". Sponsored by: Clipper Craft Clothes. 7:00 P. M. John Stanley, George Spelvin (a name traditionally used by actors who wish to remain anonymous), Cy Harrice (announcer), Arthur Conan Doyle (creator), Basil Loughrane (producer, director), Howard Merrill (writer), Albert Buhrman (music), Ian Martin. 29:43. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Lights Out - "Happy Ending" (06-23-37)

Happy Ending (Aired June 23, 1937)

After a successful tryout in New York City, the series was picked up by NBC in April 1935 and broadcast nationally, usually late at night and always on Wednesdays. Cooper stayed on the program until June 1936, when another Chicago writer, Arch Oboler, took over. By the time Cooper left, the series had inspired about 600 fan clubs. Cooper's run was characterized by grisly stories spiked with dark, tongue-in-cheek humor, a sort of radio Grand Guignol. A character might be buried or eaten or skinned alive, vaporized in a ladle of white-hot steel, absorbed by a giant slurping amoeba, have his arm torn off by a robot, tortured or decapitated -- always with the appropriate blood-curdling acting and sound effects. Adhesive tape, stuck together and pulled apart, simulated the sound of a man's skin being ripped off. Pulling the leg off a frozen chicken gave the illusion of an arm being torn out of its socket. A raw egg dropped on a plate stood in for an eye being gouged; poured corn syrup for flowing blood; cleavered cabbages and cantalopes for beheadings; snapped pencils and spareribs for broken fingers and bones. The sound of a hand crushed? A lemon, laid on an anvil, smashed with a hammer.

The Casebook Of Gregory Hood - "The Derringer Society" (07-08-46)

The Derringer Society (Aired July 08, 1946)

In The Casebook of Gregory Hood the spokesperson was initially the legendary and versatile Radio talent, Harry Bartell. The incorporation of a sponsor's spokesperson into the ensemble cast wasn't ground-breaking for the genre. Petri had introduced their flavor of the format with their first sponsorship of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes over MBS in October 1943 and for the three following years immediately preceding their sponsorship of The Casebook of Gregory Hood. But this wasn't the earliest product placement innovation in Radio. Burns and Allen had woven their various sponsors' products into their earliest scripts, as had Bob Hope with his sponsors, Jack Benny with his sponsors, and Fred Allen with his. The format, at least under Harry Bartell's watch, was seamlessly intertwined into each script, as well as even more complementary and entertaining for Bartell's contribution. The introductions completed, Harry Bartell would inquire as to the casebook adventure for the evening. Sandy or Gregory would frame the adventure and launch into the scripted mystery. One out of context sponsor break would occur at the midpoint of the script, with Bartell transitioning into a recap of the continuing adventure. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

The Adventures Of Sam Spade - The Dick Foley Caper (09-26-48)

The Dick Foley Caper (Aired September 26, 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.

THIS EPISODE:

September 26, 1948. CBS network. "The Dick Foley Caper". Sponsored by: Wildroot Cream-Oil. A fellow detective asks Spade to find Claude Spicer, who shortly thereafter is found dead. Sam finds himself floating in San Francisco Bay! The date is subject to correction. Dashiell Hammett (creator), Dick Joy (announcer), Frank Lovejoy, Gil Doud (writer), Howard Duff, Lud Gluskin, Lurene Tuttle, Rene Garriguenc (composer), Robert Tallman (adaptor), William Spier (producer, director, editor). 29:06. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dark Fantasy - "The Cup Of Gold" (05-08-42

The Cup Of Gold (Aired May 8, 1942)

Dark Fantasy was a short series with tales of the weird, adventures of the supernatural, created for you by Scott Bishop. The series aired as a horror drama on NBC between 1941 and 1942. Dark Fantasy was a series dedicated to dealings with the unknown. Originating from radio station WKY, Oklahoma City, it was written by Scott Bishop (of Mysterious Traveler and The Sealed Book fame) and was heard Fridays over stations. Tom Paxton served as announcer. The shows covered horror, science fiction and murder mysteries. Although a short series, the shows are excellent with some stories way ahead of their time. In the late hours of Friday nights these shivery, shocking stories go out over NBC - right straight from Oklahoma City, which you might not have thought of as headquarters for haunts. Station WKY is the home of the Dark Fantasy plays, and the writer is Scott Bishop.

THIS EPISODE:
 
May 8, 1942. Program #25. NBC network, WKY, Oklahoma City origination. "The Cup Of Gold". Sustaining. Scott Bishop (writer), Eleanor Naylor Corin, Ben Morris, Muir Hite, George Anday, Tom Paxton (announcer). 24:29. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Clock - "Only Death Is Timeless aka: Mrs. Crocker" (05-11-47)

Only Death Is Timeless aka: Mrs. Crocker (Aired May 11, 1947)

INTRO: Bob Plays Joe Jones "You Talk Too Much" (1960)

The series was written by Lawrence Klee and narrated by "The Clock." First Broadcast in the United States was in November, 1946. It was syndicated by Grace Gibson syndication. At the time of production, the Australian accent, we now know and love, originating from the Irish and Cockney accents, was rather frowned upon by non other than Australians. The shows tried to sound neutral, then there was hope that the show could be sold to Great Britain and the United States. The show was bought by the ABC network in the States, although the ABC on the CD label (below) stands for the Australian Broadcast Company. The settings were usually generic and the actors tried to speak without a perceptible accent and for that reason the program sounded sort of "American".

THIS EPISODE:
 
May 11, 1947. Grace Gibson syndication. "Only Death Is Timeless". Commercials added locally. An Australian production of a script broadcast in America on May 11, 1947. A couple motors through the mountains with the mysterious Mrs. Crocker. Mrs. Crocker is "death." Grace Gibson (producer), John Saul (director), Harp McGuire (as "The Clock"), Lawrence Klee (writer), John Mullion, Joan Lord, Neva Carr Glyn, Gordon Glenwright. 24:44.Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

David Harding Counterspy - "The Statue Of Death" (08-16-49)

The Statue Of Death (Aired August 16, 1949)

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. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

August 16, 1949. ABC network. "The Case Of The Statue Of Death". Sponsored by: Pepsi Cola. An electric eye is outsmarted. A gift of appreciation causes the death of an innocent woman. Molecules of murder! The system cue has been deleted. Don MacLaughlin, Mandel Kramer, Phillips H. Lord (producer), Jesse Crawford (organ). 29:16. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of The Abbotts - "The Canary Blonde Heiress" (05-15-55)

The Canary Blonde Heiress (Aired May 15, 1955)

Abbott Mysteries was a comedy-mystery radio program adapted from the novels of Frances Crane (1896-1981). Initially a summer replacement for Quick As a Flash, the series was heard on Mutual and NBC between the years 1945 and 1955. The Mutual series, sponsored by Helbros Watches, debuted June 10, 1945, airing Sundays at 6pm. Scripts were by Howard Merrill and Ed Adamson in the lighthearted tradition of Mr. and Mrs. North. 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:

May 15, 1955. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Canary Blonde Heiress". Mandel Kramer, Claudia Morgan, Frances Crane (creator), Howard Merrill (writer), Dewey Bergman (composer, conductor), Ted Lloyd (producer), Bernard L. Schubert (producer), Harry Frazee (director, recordist), Wayne Howell (announcer). 30:11.
Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dimension X - "The Embassy" (06-03-50)

The Embassy (Aired June 3, 1950)

Dimension X was first heard on NBC April 8, 1950, and ran until September 29, 1951. Strange that so little good science fiction came out of radio; they seem ideally compatible, both relying heavily on imagination. Some fine isolated science fiction stories were developed on the great anthology shows, Suspense and Escape. But until the premiere of Dimension X -- a full two decades after network radio was established -- there were no major science fiction series of broad appeal to adults. This show dramatized the work of such young writers as Ray Bradbury, Robert (Psycho) Bloch, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Kurt Vonnegut. In-house script writer was Ernest Kinoy, who adapted the master works and contributed occasional storied of his own. Dimension X was a very effective demonstration of what could be done with science fiction on the air.

THIS EPISODE:
 
June 3, 1950. NBC network. "The Embassy". Sustaining. A strange man hires a private detective to find the Martian Embassy, which is hidden somewhere in New York. Joe DeSantis, Don Abbott (engineer), Albert Buhrman (music), Donald Wollheim (author), George Lefferts (adaptor), Joseph Julian, Berry Kroeger, Van Woodward (producer), Norman Rose (host), Edward King (director), Bob Warren (announcer), Dan Ocko, John McGovern, Elaine Rost, Bryna Raeburn, Joseph Boland. 29:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Family Theater - J. Smith and Wife (02-27-47)

J. Smith and Wife (Aired February 27, 1947)

Each program was preceded by the familiar announcement: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”—a quote from Alfred, Lord Tennyson. And always worked in somewhere before the end of the show was the famous slogan that became Peyton’s signature: “The family that prays together stays together!” Father Peyton’s vision of the family is expressed in his book, The Ear of God: “The family was meant to be the cradle of religion,” he wrote. “Restore to the family its religious soul and you enrich the entire country, you strengthen civilization.” Many people, including Hollywood entertainers, were happy to support this vision. The lineup of stars that Peyton recruited for his radio show included Hollywood’s best: Gary Cooper, Loretta Young, Lucille Ball, Jane Wyatt, Henry Fonda, Jack Benny, Rosalind Russell, Shirley Temple, Margaret O’Brien, Gregory Peck, Jimmy Durante, Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, Vincent Price, Charlton Heston and Raymond Burr, to name a few.

Life With Luigi - "No Electioneering" (11-08-49)

No Electioneering (Aired November 8, 1949)

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:

November 8, 1949. "No Electioneering" - CBS network. Sustaining. Tomorrow is election day and Luigi's store is to be used as a polling place. Luigi and Pasquale are both arrested for electioneering too near to the poll. J. Carrol Naish, Cy Howard (creator, producer), Mac Benoff (writer, director), Lou Derman (writer), Lud Gluskin (music director), Bob Stevenson (announcer), Alan Reed, Mary Shipp, Joe Forte, Ken Peters, Hans Conried, Jody Gilbert. 30:13. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - The Rainmaker (10-26-58)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" - The Rainmaker (Aired October 26, 1958)

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. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:

October 26, 1958. CBS network. "The Rainmaker". Sustaining. The story of a Kansas rainmaker who could do just that...make rain! The public service announcements have been partially deleted. John Dehner, Joseph Kearns, Jack Kruschen, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Jack Moyles, Charles Seel, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), Bud Sewell (announcer). 25:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Family Theater - "J. Smith and Wife" (02-27-47)

Family Theater

Bulldog Drummond - "Help Wanted" (08-13-45)

Help Wanted (Aired August 13, 1945)

The Bulldog Drummond stories followed Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, D.S.O., M.C., a wealthy former WWI officer of the fictional Loamshire Regiment, who, after the war, spends his new-found leisure time as a private detective. Drummond is a proto-James Bond figure and a version of the imperial adventurers depicted by the likes of John Buchan. In terms of the detective genre, the first Bulldog Drummond novel was published after the Sherlock Holmes stories, the Nayland Smith/Fu Manchu novels and Richard Hannay's first three adventures including The Thirty-Nine Steps. The character first appeared in the novel Bulldog Drummond (1920), and this was followed by a lengthy series of books and adaptations for films, radio and television.

THIS EPISODE:

August 13, 1945. Mutual network. "Help Wanted". Music fill for local commercial insert. Captain Drummond is away doing war work, so his valet Denny hires his own valet and solves a murder by himself. 28:49. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Cathy & Elliott Lewis On Stage - "Eddie" (03-19-53)

Eddie (Aired March 19, 1953)

 

INTR0: Bob Plays The Elegants - "Little Star" (1958)

During a period when most other producers and directors were focusing on and expressing their newest innovations over Television, Elliott Lewis and his wife, Cathy, joined forces to demonstrate--perhaps one last time--the extraordinary versatility and appeal of well mounted, well produced, well written and well performed Radio Drama. Throughout the period during which Cathy & Elliott Lewis On Stage aired, both performers were actively involved in either co-starring roles or key production roles in separate productions of their own. Elliott Lewis was directing many episodes of Suspense and other dramatic productions of the era, as well as producing, directing, writing and performing in his own production, Crime Classics. Cathy Lewis, for her part, was not only appearing in a customarily wide variety of independent dramatic Radio productions, but was also co-starring in the Television version of the popular situation comedy, My Friend Irma, a role she'd starred in for six years over Radio. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

March 19, 1953. CBS network. "Eddie". Sustaining. An insane young man makes a "date" with a girl, despite a definite lack of interest on the part of the girl. Good radio! Cathy Lewis, Clayton Post, E. Jack Neuman (writer), Elliott Lewis, Frederick Steiner (composer, conductor), George Walsh (announcer), Jerry Hausner, Lud Gluskin, Peggy Webber, Ray Noble (theme composer). 29:08. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Dad's Army - "Room At The Bottom" (06-29-69)

Room At The Bottom (Aired June 29, 1969)

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. Although a comedy series, "Dad's Army" probably depicted more of an accurate version of the Home Guard than anyone could actually realise. Initially it was felt the series was maybe mocking England's finest hour and its first episodes were reviewed with great criticism. However, Jimmy Perry , David Croft and the cast felt that the show had many strengths and so did the steady flow of the British public which began following the Walmington-On-Sea platoon's exploits on Television each week. In 1969, "Dad's Army" embarked on its first Colour TV series, and with that success followed. A feature length film based on the series was made by Columbia Pictures in 1971, and a stage show based on the series toured the UK between 1975 - 76.

THIS EPISODE:

June 29, 1969. S01 - E17 "Room At The Bottom". It's determined by GHQ that Captain Mainwaring has never held a commission, and he is demoted to Private. Sergeant Wilson takes temporary charge as Mainwaring attempts to regain his command. (Although made in colour, this episode survived only as a 16mm black & white film recording. A new technology, developed by the BBC, allowed the hidden colour signal which had accidentally been preserved in the monochrome film print to be used to restore the episode to colour. The restored version was broadcast on BBC 2 on 13th December 2008. 27:38.

Fibber McGee & Molly - "Selling Umbrellas" (04-01-52)

Selling Umbrellas (Aired April 1, 1952)

INTRO: Bob Plays Casinos "The You Can Tell Me Goodbye" (1967)

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.

THIS EPISODE:

April 1, 1952. "Selling Umbrellas" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Pet Milk. Fibber's latest get-rich-quick scheme: selling umbrellas during a heat wave. His inside information comes from the corns of the Old Timer. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, Gale Gordon, Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Richard LeGrand, Cliff Arquette, Joe Forte, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, Jean Vander Pyl, Jeffrey Silver, Phil Leslie (writer), Keith Fowler (writer), Max Hutto (director), The King's Men. 33:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Black Museum - "The Car Tire" (09-25-52)

The Car Tire (Aired September 25, 1952)

Opening in 1875, the Crime Museum at Scotland Yard is the oldest museum in the world purely for recording crime. The name Black Museum was coined in 1877 by a reporter from The Observer, a London newspaper, although the museum is still referred to as the Crime Museum. The idea of a crime museum was conceived by Inspector Neame who had already collected together a number of items, with the intention of giving police officers practical instruction on how to detect and prevent burglary. It is this museum that inspired the Black Musuem radio series. The museum is not open to members of the public but is now used as a lecture theatre for the curator to lecture police and like bodies in subjects such as Forensic Science, Pathology, Law and Investigative Techniques. A number of famous people have visited the musuem including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Houdini, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Orsen Welles hosted and narrated the shows.

THIS EPISODE:
 
September 25, 1952. Syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "The Car Tire" Sponsored by: Hemlock Farms. A policeman is murdered when he stops a stolen car. The date is approximate. Syndicated rebroadcast date: September 25, 1974. Harry Alan Towers (producer), Orson Welles (narrator), Ira Marion (writer), Sidney Torch (composer, conductor). 24:45. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Alan Young Show - "Typical American Mother" (05-09-47)

Typical American Mother (Aired May 9, 1947)

INTRO: Bob Plays Connie Frances "Love Is A Many Splendid Thing" (1061)

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:

May 9, 1947. NBC network "Typical American Mother" - Sponsored by: Ingram Shaving Cream, Vitalis. Who will be the typical Van Nuys mother on Mother's Day? Alan will be, of course! Al Schwartz (writer), Alan Young, Charlie Cantor, Dick Lane, Elvia Allman, Hans Conried, Jim Backus, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Sherwood Schwartz (writer). 32:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Casey Crime Photographer - "Great Grandfathers Rent Receipt" (10-30-47)

Great Grandfather's Rent Receipt (Aired October 30, 1947)

 

 

INTRO: Bob Plays Little Anthony

 

 "Two Kinds of People in the World" (1959)

Casey, Crime Photographer, known by a variety of titles on radio (aka Crime Photographer, Flashgun Casey, Casey, Press Photographer) was a media franchise from the 1930s to the 1960s. The character was the creation of novelist George Harmon Coxe. Casey was featured in the pulp magazine, Black Mask, novels, comic books, radio, film, television and legitimate theatre. Jack "Flashgun" Casey, was a crime photographer for the newspaper The Morning Express. With the help of reporter Ann Williams (best remembered portrayed by Jan Miner, Palmolive's "Madge"), he solved crimes and recounted his stories to friends at the Blue Note, their favorite tavern and jazz club where the Archie Bleyer Orchestra and the Teddy Wilson Trio were featured. Begun as over 20 popular short stories in Black Mask, there were films and novels before the stories were brought to radio under various names. The series aired on CBS. The radio show was sustained by the network when a sponsor could not be found. Sponsors of the show include Anchor Hocking, Toni home permanents, Toni Shampoo and Philip Morris.

THIS EPISODE:

October 30, 1947. CBS network. "Great Grandfather's Rent Receipt". Sponsored by: Anchor Hocking Glass. The story of Casey's great grandfather Patrick, back in the old country of one hundred years ago, is told in flashback. A devil of a good story! Alonzo Deen Cole (writer), Archie Bleyer (music), Herman Chittison (piano), Jan Miner, John Dietz (director), John Gibson, Karl Swenson, Kathy MacGregor, Staats Cotsworth, Tony Marvin (announcer), George Harmon Coxe (creator). 29:57. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Tales Of The Texas Rangers" - Helping Hand (11-04-51)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Tales Of The Texas Rangers" - Helping Hand (Aired November 4, 1951)

Tales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the 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, 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. The series was adapted for television from 1955 to 1957. During the opening and closing credits of the TV show, the actors would march toward the camera and sing the theme song, "We are the Texas Rangers", to the tune of "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You", which is also the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad".

THIS EPISODE:

November 4, 1951. NBC network. "Helping Hand". Sustaining. In November, 1950, a stranded motorist gets "help" from two tow-truck drivers who try to extort $15 from him. Extortion soons turns to murder. Joel McCrea, Stacy Keach (producer, director), Hal Gibney (announcer), Lillian Buyeff, Tony Barrett, Herb Vigran, Lou Krugman, William Conrad, Ken Christy, M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzaullas (technical advisor), Joel Murcott (adaptor), Monty Fraser (sound effects). 30:27.  Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.