Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Shadow "Murder On Approval" (8-21-38)

Murder On Approval (Aired August 21, 1938)


On July 31, 1930 a sinister voice came over the radio into American Homes. The voice of the Shadow appeared for the first time. In the beginning the Shadow was not a crime fighter. He was a mysterious narrator of mystery tales taken from the pages of Street & Smith's Detective Story Magazine. The publisher Street & Smith began to use radio as an advertising medium to promote their fiction publications. The Shadow was a perfectly creepy teller of tales promoting Street & Smith. This format continued until 1935 when creative differences between Street & Smith and NBC called a halt to the Shadow on the air. On September 26, 1937, the Shadow reappeared on radio with the voice of Orson Welles playing the part. The Shadow was now a full-fledged character on radio, not just narrating and introducing stories. The Shadow had an identity as Lamont Cranston, a wealthy man about town. He was accompanied by Margo Lane, originally played by Agnes Moorehead. Margo Lane was the only person who knew that Lamont Cranston and the Shadow were one and the same. No other agents assisted the Shadow, as did in the Walter Gibson fictional accounts. This radio Shadow had hypnotic power to make himself invisible to those around him and he possessed mental telepathy to read minds. Orson Welles played the Shadow from 1937 through March 1938. The Shadow became the highest rated radio show on the air at that time.

THIS EPISODE:

1938. Syndicated. "Murder On Approval". Sponsored by: B. F. Goodrich Tires. A foreign agent tries to conquer America by infecting the U. S. Army with a secret disease. Orson Welles, Margot Stevenson, Ken Roberts (announcer). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Lux Radio Theater "The Man Who Came To Dinner" (03-27-50)

The Man Who Came To Dinner (Aired March 27, 1950)


Lux Radio Theater strove to feature as many of the original stars of the original stage and film productions as possible, usually paying them $5,000 an appearance to do the show. It was when sponsor Lever Brothers (who made Lux soap and detergent) moved the show from New York to Hollywood in 1936 that it eased back from adapting stage shows and toward adaptations of films. The first Lux film adaptation was The Legionnaire and the Lady, with Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable, based on the film Morocco. That was followed by a Lux adaptation of The Thin Man, featuring the movie's stars, Myrna Loy and William Powell.

THIS EPISODE:

March 27, 1950. CBS network. "The Man Who Came To Dinner". Sponsored by: Lux. Not auditioned. Clifton Webb, Lucille Ball, Betty Lou Gerson, Steve Dunne, William Johnstone, Nelson Welch, Jay Novello, Eleanor Audley, Arthur Q. Bryan, Margaret Brayton, Lois Corbett, Ruth Perrott, Walter Craig, Rhoda Williams, George Neise, Herb Butterfield, Edward Marr, Julius Epstein (screenwriter), Philip Epstein (screenwriter), George Kaufman (playwright), Moss Hart (playwright), William Keighley (host), John Milton Kennedy (announcer), Dorothy Lovett (commercial spokesman, as "Libby"), Earl Ebi (director), Charlie Forsyth (sound effects), Rudy Schrager (music director), Sanford Barnett (adaptor), Joan Miller (intermission guest). 59:51.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Western - Frontier Town "Opening Of The Tiogo Reserve" (11-21-52)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western - Frontier Town "Opening Of The Tiogo Reserve" (11-21-52)


Chad Remington, played by Jeff Chandler for the first 23 shows, was a two fisted lawyer in the town of Dos Rios. Chad's sidekick, Cherokee O'Bannon, played by Wade Crosby, who performed his role in a WC Fields dialect. Mr. Chandler remained in the lead role for the first 23 shows and was replaced by Reed Hadley who played Remington until the end of the series. FRONTIER TOWN was a syndicated Western that ran through the 1952-1953 season.

THIS EPISODE:

Opening Of Tioga Reserve - November 21, 1952. Program #9. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "Badman Laredo and The Land Rush". Music fill for local commercial insert. Chad Remington tackles "Laredo" during the Tioga Land Rush, and is ambushed and shot! Jeff Chandler is billed as "Tex" Chandler. The date is approximate. Jeff Chandler, Wade Crosby, Bob Mitchell (organist), Ivan Ditmars (possible organist), Bill Forman (announcer). 28 minutes.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Whisperer "Into Each Life" (08-19-51)

Into Each Life (Aired August 19, 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. The first episode ("Tea Time for Teenagers") is typical, an overwrought "it can happen here" melodrama about a syndicate plot to create "200 regular marijuana addicts" among high school students. The episode makes a blatant appeal to the moral indignation of its audience, ending with Gault advising PTA's to "show some of the fine educational films available on marijuana and how it leads to a worse addiction." Carleton G. Young, who played Gault, is sometimes confused with the actor Carleton Young. Betty Moran portrayed his girlfriend Ellen, the only other person who knew Gault's double identity. Moran had to deliver lines like, "But marijuana means broken lives, heartbreak for parents!" To collectors today, the series is considered an amusing time capsule of a long gone period of America's past. All 13 episodes are extant and in common MP3 circulation.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Agatha Presents Hercule Poirot "Death On The Nile" (Part 2 of 4) 1968

Death On The Nile (Part 2 of 4) 1968


Like Arthur Conan Doyle with Sherlock Holmes, Christie was to become increasingly tired of her detective, Poirot. In fact, by the end of the 1930s, Christie confided to her diary that she was finding Poirot “insufferable”, and by the 1960s she felt that he was an "an ego-centric creep". However, unlike Conan Doyle, Christie resisted the temptation to kill her detective off while he was still popular. She saw herself as an entertainer whose job was to produce what the public liked, and what the public liked was Poirot. In contrast, Christie was fond of Miss Marple. However it is interesting to note that the Belgian detective’s titles outnumber the Marple titles by more than two to one. This is largely because Christie wrote numerous Poirot novels early in her career, while The Murder at the Vicarage remained the sole Marple novel until the 1940s. Christie never wrote a novel or short story featuring both Poirot and Miss Marple.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Jeff Regan Private Investigator "The Prodigal Daughter" (7-17-48)

The Prodigal Daughter (Aired July 17, 1948)


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

THIS EPISODE:

July 17, 1948. CBS network. "The Prodigal Daughter". Sustaining. Regan travels to New Orleans to find a wealthy man's daughter. He succeeds, but finds her laid out for burial...or does he? Betty Lou Gerson, Del Castillo (organ), E. Jack Neuman (writer), Eve McVeagh, Gordon T. Hughes (producer, director), Harry Lang, Jack Webb, Laurette Fillbrandt, Lou Krugman, Theodore Von Eltz, Wilms Herbert, Bob Stevenson (announcer). 29:43.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Ellery Queen "Number Thirty-One" (09-07-47)

Number Thirty-One (Aired September 7, 1947)


On radio, The Adventures of Ellery Queen was heard on all three networks from 1939 to 1948. During the 1970s, syndicated radio fillers, Ellery Queen's Minute Mysteries, began with an announcer saying, "This is Ellery Queen..." and contained a short one-minute case. The radio station encouraged callers to solve the mystery and win a sponsor's prize. Once a winner was found, the solution was broadcast as confirmation. A complete episode guide and history of this radio program can be found in the book "The Sound of Detection: Ellery Queen's Adventures in Radio" from OTR Publishing, 2002.

THIS EPISODE:

September 7, 1947. NBC net origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Number Thirty-One". A murdered butler provides the clue Ellery needs to convict Mr. Arkaris of diamond smuggling. AFRS program name: "Mystery Theatre." Don Hancock (announcer), Lawrence Dobkin, Chet Kingsbury (organist), Charlotte Keane, Bill Smith, Ed Latimer, Tom Everitt (writer), Manfred B. Lee (writer), Tom Victor (producer, director). 24:36.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Diary Of Fate "Trina Crowley" (3-09-48)

Trina Crowley (Aired March 9, 1948)


Diary of Fate is a mystery and horror program where “Fate” narrates and always wins by the end of the story. These are great suspense filled stories about average people who are subject to the mysteries of their ‘Fate’.

THIS EPISODE:

March 9, 1948. Program #13. Finley syndication. "The Entry Of Trina Crowley". Commercials added locally. Book 74, page 309. A mysterious and wealthy man checks into a rundown motel in the Mojave desert. Could he be the murderer with $20,000 in the trunk of his car? The date is subject to correction. No cast credits given. Larry Finley (producer). 26:46.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Agatha Presents Hercule Poirot "Death On The Nile" (Part 1 of 4) 1968

Death On The Nile (Part 1 of 4) 1968


Agatha Christie (Agatha Mary Clarissa), was an English crime fiction writer. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but is chiefly remembered for her 66 detective novels. Her work with these novels, particularly featuring detectives Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, have given her the title the 'Queen of Crime' and made her one of the most important and innovative writers in the development of the genre. Agatha Christie's first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles was published in 1920 and introduced the long-running character detective Hercule Poirot, who appeared in 30 of Christie's novels and 50 short stories. Her other well known character, Miss Marple, was introduced in The Murder at the Vicarage in 1930, and was based on Christie's grandmother. During World War II, Christie wrote two novels intended as the last cases of these two great detectives, Hercule Poirot and Jane Marple, respectively. They were Curtain and Sleeping Murder. Both books were sealed in a bank vault for over thirty years, and were released for publication by Christie only at the end of her life, when she realised that she could not write any more novels. These publications came on the heels of the success of the film version of Murder on the Orient Express in 1974. Like Arthur Conan Doyle with Sherlock Holmes, Christie was to become increasingly tired of her detective, Poirot. In fact, by the end of the 1930s, Christie confided to her diary that she was finding Poirot “insufferable”, and by the 1960s she felt that he was an "an ego-centric creep". However, unlike Conan Doyle, Christie resisted the temptation to kill her detective off while he was still popular. She saw herself as an entertainer whose job was to produce what the public liked, and what the public liked was Poirot. In contrast, Christie was fond of Miss Marple. However it is interesting to note that the Belgian detective’s titles outnumber the Marple titles by more than two to one. This is largely because Christie wrote numerous Poirot novels early in her career, while The Murder at the Vicarage remained the sole Marple novel until the 1940s. Christie never wrote a novel or short story featuring both Poirot and Miss Marple.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Tales Of The Texas Rangers "Wild Crop" (11-18-51)

Wild Crop (Aired November 18, 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 18, 1951. NBC network. "Wild Crop". Sustaining. After a cowboy is found beaten to death, the smell of marijuana gives Jace Pearson the clue needed to track down the killer. Joel McCrea, M. T. Lone Wolf Gonzaullas (technical advisor), Stacy Keach (producer, director), Tony Barrett, Michael Ann Barrett, Hal Gibney (announcer), Sam Edwards, Barney Phillips, Parley Baer, Joel Murcott (writer). 29:27.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Adventures Of Nero Wolfe "The Case Of The Final Page" (03-23-53)

The Case Of The Final Page (Aired March 23, 1953)


In 1946 and 1950-1951 Nero Wolfe was aired on radio. Sidney Greenstreet played Nero Wolfe in the later series. The two earlier series have only one episode each available. A variety of actors played Archie Goodwin. NETWORK: NBC, SPONSOR: SUSTAINED, TIME: Fridays: 8:00 - 8:30 pm STARS: Sidney Greenstreet as Nero Wolfe. Archie played by various actors WRITER: Louis Vittes based on the stories by Rex Stout; ANNOUNCER: Don Stanley; PRODUCER: Edwin Fadiman; DIRECTOR: J. Donald Wilson.

THIS EPISODE:

March 23, 1951. NBC network. "The Case Of The Final Page". Sustaining. Nero Wolfe and Archie attend a dinner at the home of Arthur Merle, only to find him knifed in the back. Sydney Greenstreet, Don Arthur (writer), Rex Stout (creator), William Johnstone, Don Stanley (announcer), Edwin Fadiman (producer), J. Donald Wilson (director), Harry Bartell, Evelyn Eaton, Lucille Alex, Peter Leeds, Monica Nealy, Herb Butterfield. 29:27.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The CBS Radio Mystery Theater - "The Flowers Of Death" (1-24-75)

The Flowers Of Death (Aired January 24,1975)


The CBS Radio Mystery Theater (or CBSRMT) was an ambitious and sustained attempt to revive the great drama of old-time radio in the 1970s. Created by Himan Brown (who had by then become a radio legend due to his work on Inner Sanctum Mysteries and other shows dating back to the 1930s), and aired on affiliate stations across the CBS Radio network, the series began its long run on January 6, 1974. The final episode ran on December 31, 1982.
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?"

THIS EPISODE:
January 24, 1975. Program #211. CBS network. "Flowers Of Death". Sponsored by: Vigne Wine, Buick, Sine-Off. E. G. Marshall (host), Sam Dann (writer), Mercedes McCambridge, Larry Haines, Roberta Maxwell, Gilbert Mack. 52 minutes.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Fat Man "Murder Makes A Ham" (04-01-49)

Murder Makes A Ham (04-01-49)


"There he goes across the street into the drugstore, steps on the scale, height: 6 feet, weight: 290 pounds, fortune: Danger. Who isit? THE FAT MAN." Brad Runyon was the Fat Man, played by Jack Scott Smart. The series was created by Dashall Hammott and was first heard on the ABC network Jan. 21, 1946. J. Scott Smart fit the part of the Fat Man perfectly, weighing in at 270 pounds himself. When he spoke, there was no doubt that this was the voice of a big guy. Smart gave a witty, tongue-in-cheek performance and helped make THE FAT MAN one of the most popular detective programs on the air. Smart also appeared in The March Of Time (early 1930s), the Theater Guild On The Air, Blondie, The Fred Allen Show, and The Jack Benny Program. There was also an version made in Australia, syndicated on the Artansa lable, about 1954. There are at least 36 shows available from vendors. The Australian Fat Man was played possibly by Lloyd Berrell. Although not featuring J. Scott Smart, who really fit the part, the series is quite good.

THIS EPISODE:

April 1, 1949. ABC network. "Murder Makes A Ham". Sponsored by: Pepto Bismol, Unguentine. An actress hires Runyon to find a photograph. J. Scott Smart, Dick Beals (commercial spokesman), Clark Andrews (director), Bernard Green (conductor), Bryna Raeburn, Charles Irving (announcer), Lawrence Klee (writer), Jean Ellen. 29:30.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod "Lights Out - It Happened" (05-11-38)

It Happened (Aired May 11, 1938)


Lights Out was an American old-time radio program featuring "tales of the supernatural and the supernormal." It was immensely popular, and was one of the first horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum. In its heydey, Lights Out rivalled the popularity of those shows. Lights Out ran through several series and networks, from January 1, 1934 to August 6, 1947. The principal sponsor was Ironized Yeast. Most episodes were broadcast at midnight. Lights Out then made the transition to television in 1949, where it was broadcast until 1952. Created in Chicago by writer Wyllis Cooper in 1934.

THIS EPISODE:

May 11, 1938. NBC network, Chicago origination. "It Happened". Sustaining. A young woman visiting Paris is kidnapped by a man claiming that her father owes him $150,000. Her adventures in the sewers of Paris include a madman who makes jewelry from the bones of the dead bodies floating past. Arch Oboler (writer), Mercedes McCambridge. 29:29.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Dark Fantasy "The Man Who Came Back" (11-14-41)

The Man Who Came Back (11-14-41)

Dark Fantasy was an 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. Keith Paynton 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.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Crime Classics "Madeline Smith Maid Or Murderess" (01-20-54)

Madeline Smith Maid Or Murderess (Aired January 20, 1954)


Crime Classics was a U. S. radio docudrama which aired over CBS from June 15, 1953 to June 30, 1954. Created, produced, and directed by radio actor/director Elliott Lewis, the program was basically a historical true crime series, examining crimes, and especially murders, from the past. It grew out of Lewis's personal interest in famous murder cases, and took a documentary-like approach to the subject, carefully recreating the facts, personages, and feel of the time period. Comparatively little dramatic license was taken with the facts and events, but the tragedy was leavened with humor, expressed largely through the narration.

THIS EPISODE:

January 20, 1954. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Madeline Smith, Maid Or Murderess...Which?". A lovely lady is also a liberal user of arsenic. Lou Merrill (host), Betty Harford, William Johnstone, John Dehner, Bernard Herrmann (composer), Wilbur Hatch (conductor), Florence Wolcott, Morton Fine (writer), David Friedkin (writer), Elliott Lewis (producer, director), Gil Warren (announcer). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - ABC Mystery Time "Picture Of Dorian Gray" (1957)

Picture Of Dorian Gray (1957)


ABC Mystery Time was hosted by Don Dowd and starred Sir Laurence Olivier. Great special effects will grab your attention, accented by creepy organ rips. Stories are offered such as death gathered round a card table at a local chapter of The Suicide Club, or a man who desperately tries to hire a 24 hour bodyguard all the while trying to make himself the victim of a murder, and other baffling peculiar tales of yore. Also known as Mystery Time and Mystery Time Classics, this one is sure to excite and mystify.

THIS EPISODE:

ABC network. "The Picture Of Dorian Gray". The classic story of the portrait that grows old in place of its owner. The program is also referred to as, "Mystery Time Classics." Laurence Olivier, Oscar Wilde (author). 25:06.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Dimension X "Vital Factor" (08-16-51)

Vital Factor (Aired August 16, 1951)


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. It came so late that nobody cared, but some of the stories stand as classics of the medium. Bradbury's "Mars Is Heaven" is as gripping today as when first heard. His "Martian Chronicles" was one of the series' most impressive offerings. Dimension X played heavily on an "adventures in time and space, told in future tense" theme. Actors who worked regularly on the show included Joe Di Santis, Wendell Holmes, Santos Ortega, Joseph Julian, Jan Miner, Roger De Koven, John Gibson, Ralph Bell, John Larkin, Les Damon, and Mason Adams. It was directed by Fred Weihe and Edward King. The deep-voiced narrator was Norman Rose. The series played heavily on the "X" factor in the title, as did X-Minus One a few years later. The signature was boomed out of and echo chamber as "DIMENSION X X X X X x x x x x . . . "

THIS EPISODE:

August 16, 1951. NBC network. "The Vital Factor". Sustaining. A ruthless millionaire is determined to be the first man to conquer space...no matter what the cost. The script was used subsequently on "X Minus One" on November 30, 1955. Albert Buhrman (music), Fred Weihe (director, transcriber), Howard Rodman (adaptor), John McGovern, Luis Van Rooten, Nelson Bond (author), Norman Rose (host), Raymond Edward Johnson, William Welch (producer), Fred Collins (announcer), Guy Repp, Dan Ocko, Martin Wolfson, Arthur Gary (announcer). 29:30.

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Boxcars711 Overnight Western - The Lone Ranger "Remember The Alamo" (12-22-41)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western - The Lone Ranger "Remember The Alamo" (Aired December 22, 1941)


The first of 2,956 episodes of The Lone Ranger "premiered" on radio on January 30, 1933 on WXYZ radio in Detroit, Michigan and later on the Mutual Broadcasting System radio network and then on NBC's Blue Network (which became ABC). Elements of the Lone Ranger story were first used in an earlier series Fran Striker wrote for a station in Buffalo, New York. The hero is a Texas Ranger named Reid, who, as the series begins, was pursuing the criminal Butch Cavendish and his gang with a group of other rangers. The leader of the group of rangers was stated to be Captain Reid, his brother. (Some later radio reference books, beginning with The Big Broadcast in the 1970s, erroneously claimed that the two brothers' first names were John and Dan, respectively.

THIS EPISODE:

December 22, 1941. Program #1391/607. Syndicated. "Tom Conlon"/"Remember The Alamo". Music fill for local commercial insert. Episode #31 of "The Legion Of The Black Arrow" series. Mary Ann Conlon's father owns the Rainbow Mine. He's trusting a mining enginer named Rance Crawford against some very good advice. Defending the mine from The Black Arrow Gang, The Ranger urges his men to "Remember The Alamo." The program was pre-empted December 24, 1941. Brace Beemer, John Todd, Frank Russell, Rube Weiss. 28:18.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Ports Of Call "The United States" (1935)

The United States (1935)


Port Of Call - An obscure series from 1935 or 1936 in which each episode deals with a voyage to a different country where events of that country's history are dramatized. They each begin with the low moan of a tramp steamer's whistle and the announcement of the series title, followed by a musical interlude.

THIS EPISODE:

1935. Transco syndication. "The United States Of America". Music fill for local commercial insert. Paul Revere warns of the coming British in old Boston and the revolution begins. In 1848, gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill, California. In 1861, the Civil War begins. Lincoln delivers the Gettysburgh address, Samuel Clemens becomes a Mississippi steamboat pilot. Henry Ford mass produces automobiles, the Wright brothers get off the ground. The identity of the syndicator is subject to correction 30:00.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Box 13 "A Book Of Poems" (10-17-48)

A Book Of Poems (Aired October 17, 1948)


The premise of the program was that Dan Holiday was an author who wrote mystery novels. To get ideas for his novels he placed an advertisement in a newspaper saying "Adventure wanted, will go anywhere, do anything, Box 13." The ads always brought fun adventures of all kinds: from racketeer's victim to psychotic killer looking for fun. Most of the episodes were based on Dan Holiday replying to a letter he received at Box 13. He would generally solve a mystery in the process, and return to his office in time to enjoy a hearty laugh at the expense of Suzy, his amusingly stupid secretary. He would certainly not meet the strictest requirements for private eyes (not licensed, collected no fees from clients), but the definition should stretch to sneak him in under the rope. It was heard over the Mutual Broadcasting System as well as being syndicated. The series was produced by Mayfair Productions. Box 13, starring Alan Ladd as Dan Holiday. Sylvia Picker played Suzy, Dan Holiday's secretary and Edmond MacDonald as Lt. Kling. Other stars in the series were Betty Lou Gerson, Lurene Tuttle, Alan Reed, Luis Van Rooten, John Beal and Frank Lovejoy. Music was by Rudy Schrager and the writer was Russell Hughes. Announcer/Director was Vern Carstensen. The series was produced by Richard Sanville with Alan Ladd as co-producer.

THIS EPISODE:

October 17, 1948. Program #9. Mayfair syndication. "Book Of Poems". Commercials added locally. Robert N. Chase sends Dan Holiday a book of poetry by Sir Walter Scott, but Chase has been dead for ten years. Or has he? Alan Ladd, Sylvia Picker, Russell Hughes (director), Rudy Schrager (composer, conductor), Frank Hertosig (writer). 27:39.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Clock "Gus Fowler" (07-21-47)

Gus Fowler (Aired July 21, 1947)

The Clock, Imported from Austrailia, was a dramatic thirty-minute suspense and mystery series. It was written by Lawrence Klee and was first broadcast in November 1946. The story always began the same; “Sunrise and sunset, promise and fulfilment, birth and death … the whole drama of life is written in the sands of time”. This is a great series where the main theme seems to be Retribution. Stories as told by Father Time.

THIS EPISODE:

July 21, 1947. Syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "Gus Fowler". Participating sponsors. A man with a month to live and a strange bargain. WRVR rebroadcast date: August 31, 1973. The date above is the date of the first broadcast on ABC. . 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Frank Race "Seventeen Black" (5-22-49)

Seventeen Black (Aired May 22, 1949)

The Adventures of Frank Race was a 1949-50 radio adventure serial syndicated by Bruce Ellis Productions. The 30-minute program was first broadcast in some markets beginning May 1, 1949. An attorney who turned international adventurer after WWII, Frank Race (Tom Collins, Paul Dubov) mainly investigated insurance scams. After the first 22 shows, Dubov took over the title role. Tony Barnett portrayed Mark Donovan. The series was written and directed by Joel Murcott and Buckley Angel. The announcer was Art Gilmore, and Ivan Ditmars provided the background organ music.

THIS EPISODE:

May 22, 1949. Program #4. Broadcasters Program Syndicate syndication. "Seventeen, Black". Commercials added locally. An embezzler from Yonkers has committed suicide after taking $70,000. Tom Collins, Tony Barrett, Buckley Angel (writer, director), Joel Murcott (writer, director), Bruce Eells (producer), Art Gilmore (announcer), Ivan Ditmars (organist), Paul Dubov. 26:31.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Screen Guild Theater "Command Decision" (3-03-49)

Command Decision (Aired March 3, 1949)


The Screen Guild Theater was a popular radio anthology series during the Golden Age of Radio that was heard from 1939 until 1952 with adaptations from films in programs starring top Hollywood actors of the time. The show had a long run, lasting for 14 seasons and 527 episodes. It ran on CBS from January 8, 1939 until June 28, 1948, continuing on NBC from October 7, 1948 until June 29, 1950. It was broadcast on ABC from September 7, 1950 to May 31, 1951 and returned to CBS on March 13, 1952. It aired under several different titles: The Gulf Screen Guild Show, The Screen Guild Players, The Gulf Screen Guild Theater, The Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater and The Camel Screen Guild Theater.

THIS EPISODE:

Command Decision - General Dennis of the US Force in England in World War II finds that he must order his planes deeper and deeper into Germany to prevent the production of military jet planes that will turn the tide of battle to the Germans. He must fight congressmen, and his own chain of command to win the political battle before he can send his planes out. His problem is complicated by a very narrow window of good weather necessary to allow his effort to be successful. Adapted from a stage play, it attempts to look at the challenges of command in the political arena.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The NBC University Theater "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court" (08-06-50)

A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court (Aired August 6, 1950)


The “Worlds Great Novels” came to radio in 1944 as NBC began offering adaptations of some of the great works of literature. NBC moved the show to Hollywood in 1948 and renamed the show to NBC University Theater on the Air. Actual college credits could be earned in combination with the Broadcasts. If you don’t have the time to read some of the classics here is your Chance to listen to them.

THIS EPISODE

August 6, 1950. NBC network. "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court". Sustaining. The classic story about a 19th century American back in the days of chivalry. Alec Harford, Andrew C. Love (director), Charles Davis, Don Stanley (announcer), Herbert Rawlinson, Hugh Thomas, Jack C. Wilson (preparer), John Dodsworth, Marion Richman, Mark Twain (author), Naomi Stevens, Ramsay Hill, Wade Arnold (producer), Wally Maher. 59:43.

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