Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Suspense "The Bride Vanishes" (12-01-42)

The Bride Vanishes (Aired December 1, 1942)


Suspense was one of the premier programs of the Golden Age of Radio (aka old-time radio), and advertised itself as "radio's outstanding theater of thrills." It was heard in one form or another from 1942 through 1962. There were approximately 945 episodes broadcast during its long run, over 900 of which are extant in mostly high-quality recordings. Suspense went through several major phases, characterized by different hosts, sponsors and director/producers. There were a few rules which were followed for all but a handful of episodes: Protagonists were usually a normal person suddenly dropped into a threatening or bizarre situation. Evildoers must be punished in the end.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Jack Benny Show "Buck Benny" (11-15-36)

Buck Benny (Aired November 15, 1936)



Benny was remarkable in many ways, but in none more than this: he built a character of every sour ingredient in life, but somehow his real personality trickled through and made it wonderful. Would a real miser act that way before 30 million people each week? The Benny of the air was a fraud, a myth, a creation. It should have surprised no one to learn — after years of toupee jokes that played so well into the vanity theme — that Benny never wore one. He overtipped in restaurants, gave away his time in countless benefit performances, and was lavish in his praise of almost everyone else.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Diary Of Fate "Phillip Vale" (6-01-48)

Phillip Vale (Aired June 1, 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’. In This episode, March 16, 1948. Program #14. Finley syndication. "Joe Mattock". Commercials added locally. Book 63, page 397. A truck driver and his beautiful hitch-hiker commit murder to get their hands on $100,000, kept in a little black bag. The date is subject to correction. Ivan Ditmars (music), Larry Finley (producer), Hal Sawyer, Frank Albertson, Gloria Blondell, Herb Lytton, Jerry Hausner, Ray Ehrlenborn (probable sound effects). 26:47

THIS EPISODE:
The Diary Of Fate. June 1, 1948. Program #25. Finley syndication. "Phillip Vale". Commercials added locally. Book 63, page 209. Phillip Vale decides to kill his wealthy Aunt Ruth when he loses $20,000 of her money on a bad stock market investment. The date is subject to correction. Larry Finley (producer). 27:27.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - David Harding Counter Spy "Magic Murder" (4-04-50)

Magic Murder (Aired April 4, 1950)


Counterspy was an espionage drama radio series that aired on ABC and Mutual from May 18, 1942 to November 29, 1957. David Harding (Don MacLaughlin) was the chief of the United States Counterspies, a unit engaged during World War II in counterespionage against Japan's Black Dragon and Germany's Gestapo. With spies still lurking in the post-war years, the adventures continued apace well after World War II ended.

THIS EPISODE:
ABC netwoerk. "The Case Of The Magic Murder". Sponsored by: Pepsi Cola. Counterspy operative Peters is shot in the head while filling out a security questionnaire with a famous European jet engine scientist. Only a famous brain surgeon, who happens to be in Venezuela, can possibly save the agent's life! The system cue has been deleted. Leonard L. Bass (director), Paul Milton (writer), Don MacLaughlin, Mandel Kramer, Jesse Crawford (music), Jay Jackson (announcer), Phillips H. Lord (producer). 29:27.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Pat Novak For Hire "Father Lahey & Joe Feldman" (4-02-49)

Father Lahey - Joe Feldman (Aired April 2, 1949)


Pat Novak, played by Jack Webb, was a private detective working out of Pier 19, a waterfront office in San Francisco. The stories were always very similar: Someone would hire him, (if not a beautiful woman, the job would lead to a beautiful woman) someone would get murdered, he would investigate the case, get beaten up by the thugs, and then the case would be solved and end with glorious violence. The closing was always the same; the listener would be told who had done what, to whom and why they had done it.

THIS EPISODE:
Pat Novak For Hire. April 2, 1949. Program #3. ABC net origination, AFRS rebroadcast. A priest puts Pat on the trail of an escaped convict named Joe Feldman. This leads to a slit throat, a dead cop, and the standard frame. Jack Webb, Raymond Burr, Richard Breen (writer), Basil Adlam (music), George Fenneman (announcer), Tudor Owen, Paul Frees (doubles), Parley Baer, Lurene Tuttle, William P. Rousseau (producer, director). 30:10.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Your's Truly Johnny Dollar "Yankee Pride Matter" (10-14-50)

Yankee Pride Matter (Aired October 14, 1950)



Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama about a freelance insurance investigator that aired from February 11, 1949 to September 30, 1962 on CBS. There were 811 episodes in the 12-year run, and over 720 still exist today. Charles Russell was the first to star as Johnny Dollar, the smart and tough detective who tossed silver dollar tips to bellhops. With the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar there was little to distinguish it from other detective series at the time (Richard Diamond, Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade).
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Molle Mystery Theater "Angel Face" (10-05-45)

Angel Face (Aired October 5, 1945)


Although Molle Mystery Theatre was initially sponsored by Molle Shaving Cream, other sponsors (such as Bayer Aspirin, Ironized Yeast, Phillips Milk of Magnesia) also sponsored the program. Sometimes, when it was not sponsored by Molle, the program was called "Mystery Theater". The show was first heard on NBC, on 9/7/43. Time slot was originally Sunday nights at 9:00 PM, but was later moved to Tuesday at 9:00 PM, and Friday at 10:00 PM. In 1948, the show moved to CBS (Tues, 8:00 PM), and in 1951, it moved to ABC, where it was called "Mark Sabre", and heard on Wednesdays at either 8:00 PM or 9:30 PM.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Theater Five "A House Of Cards" (8-04-64)

A House Of Cards2 (Aired August 4, 1964)






This was ABC's attempt to recapture some of what radio was. The effort was not the best, but at least an effort was made. The stories ranged from science fiction, comedy, social drama and human interest drama, to detective mystery, psychological drama, melodrama and suspense drama. News programs help fill out the remaining time left in the 30 minute time spot from 5 - 5:30 p.m.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Martin & Lewis Show "Guest Henry Fonda" (5-29-49)

Henry Fonda (Aired May 29, 1949)


Martin and Lewis were an American comedy duo, comprising singer Dean Martin (as the "straight man") and comedian Jerry Lewis (as his stooge). The pair first met in 1944; their debut as a duo occurred at Atlantic City's 500 Club on July 24, 1946. They worked together in nightclubs, on radio (starting in 1949) and in television and film. The team was always billed as "Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis," which helped them launch their successful solo careers after breaking up ten years to the day from their initial pairing. A radio series commenced in 1949, the same year that Martin and Lewis were signed by Paramount producer Hal Wallis as comedy relief for the film My Friend Irma.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Jack Parr Show "Parody Of BBC Radio Shows" (8-31-47)

Parody Of BBC Radio Shows (8-31-47)


"THE JACK PAAR SHOW" NBC – Sponsored by Lucky Strike Cigarettes. Sundays 7:00 - 7:30 pm Summer Replacement for the Jack Benny Show STARS: Jack Paar (The Tonight Show) ANNOUNCER: Hy Averback - MUSIC: Jerry Fielding's Orchestra - VOCALS: The Page Cavanaugh Trio, Trudy Erwin

THIS EPISODE:
Television and radio pioneer Jack Par has been called the most imitated personality in broadcasting. He virtually created the late-night talk show format as the host of The Tonight Show , one of television's longest continuously running programs. The Washington Post said, "Jack Paar was genuine, and the footprints he left on the loony moonscape of television are enormous; they will be there forever." As the stars of stage and screen were rising around him, Paar was becoming an icon himself, on television sets in the homes of millions of Americans across the country. During the Golden Age of television, Paar was its golden boy, charming guests and viewers alike. From 1957 to 1962, Paar was the king of late-night television as host of The Tonight Show, which NBC eventually renamed The Jack Paar Show.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Clock "Spangler's Attic" (1-26-47)

Spangler's Attic (Aired January 26, 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.

First Broadcast November 3rd 1946 Last Broadcast May 23rd 1948

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Ford Theater "Counselor-at-Law" (5-16-48) Ep33

Counselor-at-Law (Aired May 16, 1948)


The FORD THEATER, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, presented hour long dramas first on NBC for one only season. The series moved to CBS for its second and last season. There were 39 NBC and 39 CBS hour- long shows (not verified). The show initially received an unfavorable review from the New York Times for poor script adaptation but was still highly rated for the actors' performance and overall production. The show was supposed to feature only original scripts but had to forgo that plan due to lack of quality material. The first season on NBC used radio actors under the direction of George Zachary. Martin Gabel announced the first show but was soon replaced by Kenneth Banghart. The second season, on CBS, used Hollywood screen actors in the lead roles, supported by radio actors. Fletcher Markle, who previously produced CBS's STUDIO ONE series, was the producer for the second season. Although a short series, it still has some of radio's best dramas.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Crime Classics "Billy Bonny Bloodletter" (10-21-53)

Billy Bonny Bloodletter (Aired October 21, 1953)


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.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Vanishing Point "The Testing Of Stanley Teagarden" (10-05-84)

The Testing Of Stanley Teagarden (Aired October 5, 1984)




1984-1986 There were 69 episodes in the original series. The series continued after that under various names and formats. "The point between reality and fantasy. Where imagination holds the key to new worlds. That point of no return---The Vanishing Point." Favorably compared to Rod Sterling's classic TV series, The Twilight Zone, these finely tuned radio dramas from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation provide compelling excursions into the realm of mystery and fantasy.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Green Hornet "Figure In The Photograph" (4-16-46)

Figure In The Photograph (Aired April 16, 1946)


On January 31, 1936, the Green Hornet radio program aired on WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan. Al Hodge played the part of the Green Hornet from 1936 through January of 1943. The program was created by George W. Trendle, the same man associated with the creation of the Lone Ranger radio show. The premise of the Green Hornet was that of a modern day Lone Ranger. The main character was Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher of the Daily Sentinel by day and the Green Hornet by night. Britt Reid was the great-nephew of the Lone Ranger. Britt Reid's war against crime was an extension of his family history. The Green Hornet fought crime with his high-powered car, the Black Beauty. He also utilized a gun that fired knockout gas instead of bullets. His fists also came in handy on a regular basis. He was assisted by his Filipino valet, Kato. Kato would drive the Black Beauty, keep watch out for the police or the bad guys and sometimes lend a helping fist to the fighting.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Man From Homicide "Old Man Kelso" (7-16-51)

Old Man Kelso (Aired July 16, 1951)


Lieutenant Lou Dana, the man from homicide. Dan Duryea stars in this action packed series heard on ABC.

This Episode:
July 16, 1951. ABC network. Sustaining. An excellent action-packed whodunit. "Old Man" Kelso, a man with $9 million is found dead with a spear through his body. Lieutenant Lou Dana investigates. Barney Phillips, Basil Adlam (composer, conductor), Bill Bouchey, Dan Duryea, Dick Powell, Dwight Hauser (director), Herb Butterfield, Joe Gilbert (writer), Orval Anderson (announcer), Tony Barrett. 29:30.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Mercury Theater "The Hitchhiker" (6-21-46)

The Hitchhiker (Aired June 21, 1946)


The Mercury Theatre was a theatre company founded in New York City by Orson Welles and John Houseman. They had initial success in the theatre, then went to radio, and one of the most notable radio broadcasts of all time, The War of the Worlds. Welles had already worked extensively in radio drama, playing the Shadow for a year, and directing a seven-part adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. In 1938, he was offered a chance to direct his own weekly, hour-long radio series, initially called First Person Singular, then The Mercury Theatre on the Air. Welles insisted his Mercury company--actors and crew--be involved in the radio series. This was an unprecedented and expensive request, especially for one so young as Welles. He won out, however, and went on to produce some of the finest radio drama of any era.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Frank Race "The Garrulous Bartender" (7-24-49)

The Garrulous Bartender (Aired July 24, 1949)


The Adventures of Frank Race was a syndicated show, out of Bruce Ells Productions in Hollywood, and began airing on radio in the spring of 1949. A total of 43 episodes were produced, broadcast first on the East coast 1949-50, and then on the West coast 1951-52. The title hero was described in the introduction by announcer Art Gilmore with these words: "Before the war, FRANK RACE worked as an attorney, but he traded his law books for the cloak-and-dagger of the OSS. When the war was over, his former life was over too....adventure became his business!" Starring "Chandu The Magician" Star Tom Collins.

THIS EPISODE:
The Adventures Of Frank Race. July 24, 1949. Program #13. Broadcasters Program Syndicate syndication. "The Adventure Of The Garrulous Bartender". Commercials added locally. From $100,000 embezzlement, the trail leads to Juarez, Mexico, and murder. Tom Collins, Tony Barrett, Buckley Angel (writer, director), Joel Murcott (writer, director), Bruce Eells (producer), Ivan Ditmars (organist), Art Gilmore (announcer). 1/2 hour.

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Top Secret "Midnight For Danger" (7-23-50)

Midnight For Danger (Aired July 23, 1950)






6-12-50 to 10-26-50 NBC, various 30 minute timeslots. STAR: Ilona Massey as a Mata Hari-style operative in World War II. ORCHESTRAL: Roy Shield. WRITER-DIRECTOR: Harry W. Junkin. Top secret was highly effective, said Radio Life: the role played by the Hungarian actress was “tailor-made for her sultry voice and heavy accent”.
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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - This Is Your FBI "Unwelcome Guest" (1946)

Unwelcome Guest (1946) *Exact Date Is Unknown



This Is Your FBI was a radio crime drama which aired in the United States on ABC from April 6, 1945 to January 30, 1953. FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover gave it his endorsement, calling it "the finest dramatic program on the air." Producer-director Jerry Devine was given access to FBI files by Hoover, and the resulting dramatizations of FBI cases were narrated by Frank Lovejoy (1945), Dean Carleton (1946-47) and William Woodson (1948-53). Stacy Harris had the lead role of Special Agent Jim Taylor. Others in the cast were William Conrad, Bea Benaderet and Jay C. Flippen.
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