Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Ford Theater "Human Bondage" (10-29-48)

Human Bondage (Aired October 29, 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.

THIS EPISODE:

October 29, 1948. CBS network, KNX, Los Angeles aircheck. "Of Human Bondage". Sponsored by: Ford, Bulova Watch (local). Not auditioned. Ray Milland, Joan Lorring, Somerset Maugham (author), Fletcher Markle (host, director), Hedley Rennie, Susan Douglas, Jack Manning, Elwood Hoffman (adaptor), Cy Feuer (conductor), Rita Vale, Robert Dryden, Miriam Wolfe, Neal Fitzgerald, Gregory Morton. 57:19.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - This Is Your FBI "The Tin Can Killing" (03-02-51)

The Tin Can Killing (Aired March 3, 1952)


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.

THIS EPISODE:

This Is Your FBI. March 2, 1951. ABC net. "The Tin Can Killing". Sponsored by: The Equitable Life Assurance Society. A plane crash on an indian reservation leads to murder. A bullet and a tin can provide the FBI with the needed clues. The system cue is added live. Stacy Harris, William Woodson (narrator), Larry Keating (announcer), Parley Baer, Peggy Webber, Carleton Young, James Dobson, Harry Carey, Frederick Steiner (composer, conductor), Jerry Devine (producer), Jerry D. Lewis (writer), Ben Welden. 29:34.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Mysterious Traveler "Strange New World" (02-21-53)

Strange New World (Aired February 21,1953 )


Written and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan, the series began on the Mutual Broadcasting System, December 5, 1943, continuing in many different timeslots until September 16, 1952. Unlike many other shows of the era, The Mysterious Traveler was without a sponsor for its entire run. The lonely sound of a distant locomotive heralded the arrival of the malevolent narrator, portrayed by Maurice Tarplin, who introduced himself each week in the following manner. This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable -- if you can!
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Confession "George S Decker" (8-16-53)

George S Decker (Aired August 16, 1953)


Had a texture and sound not unlike Dragnet, indeed the influence was realized throughout the show. These were true stories of Crime and Punishment, the obvious difference that Dragnet began with the crime while Confession unfolded in reverse order, from the end. Confession was less noisy, it's theme was played on a single piano, but there was still the deadpan dialogue, the thief or killer giving his confession with an air of resignation and defeat. The criminal thus became a stream-of-consciousness narrator, with the action frequently cutting away into drama. "Names were changed to protect the legal rights of the subject"

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Let George Do It "Once A Crook" (09-22-52)

Once A Crook (Aired September 22, 1952)


Let George Do It was a radio drama series produced by Owen and Pauline Vinson from 1946 to 1954. It starred Bob Bailey as detective-for-hire George Valentine (with Olan Soule stepping into the role in 1954). Clients came to Valentine's office after reading a newspaper carrying his classified ad: "Personal notice: Danger's my stock in trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me. George Valentine." Valentine's secretary was Claire Brooks, aka Brooksie (Frances Robinson, Virginia Gregg, Lillian Buyeff). As Valentine made his rounds in search of the bad guys, he usually encounted Brooksie's kid brother, Sonny (Eddie Firestone), Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher) and elevator man Caleb (Joseph Kearns). Sponsored by Standard Oil, the program was broadcast on the West Coast Mutual Broadcasting System from October 18, 1946 to September 27, 1954, first on Friday evenings and then on Mondays. In its last season, transcriptions were aired in New York, Wednesdays at 9:30pm, from January 20, 1954 to January 12, 1955. John Hiestand was the program's announcer. Don Clark directed the scripts by David Victor and Jackson Gillis. The background music was supplied by Eddie Dunstedter on the organ.
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Gunsmoke "Incident At Indian Ford" (3-15-59)

Incident At Indian Ford (Aired March 15, 1959)


The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program.
Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as one of the finest old time radio shows. Some listeners (such as old time radio expert John Dunning) have argued that the radio version of Gunsmoke was far more realistic than the television program. Episodes were aimed at adults, and featured some of the most explicit content of the day: there were violent crimes and scalpings, massacres and opium addicts. Miss Kitty's occupation as a prostitute was made far more obvious on the radio version than on television. Many episodes ended on a down-note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

THIS EPISODE:
March 15, 1959. CBS network. "Incident At Indian Ford". Commercials deleted. Marshal Dillon and Chester meet up with eight cavalry soldiers traveling with Mary Taber, who has just been ransomed back from the Arapahos. The script was used on the Gunsmoke television series on December 2, 1961. William Conrad, John Dunkel (writer), Howard McNear, Georgia Ellis, Jeanne Bates, Jack Moyles, Vic Perrin, Parley Baer, John Meston (editorial supervisor), George Walsh (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director). 25:09.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Murder By Experts "Dig Your Own Grave" (8-15-49)

Dig Your Own Grave (Aired August 15, 1949)




August 15, 1949. Mutual network. "Dig Your Own Grave". Sustaining. A woman becomes "the seed" to promote her husband's romance with another woman. Then, she gives him the idea to commit murder. John Dickson Carr (host), Joseph Ruscoll (writer), Ken Lynch, Richard Dupage (composer), Emerson Buckley (conductor), Ann Shephard, Ron Rawson, James Stevens, Robert A. Arthur (producer, director), David Kogan (producer, director), Hester Sondergaard. 29:49.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The CBS Radio Mystery Theater "Nobody Dies" (12-09-76)

Nobody Dies (12-09-76)


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.

This Episode

The CBS Radio Mystery Theater. December 9, 1976. Program #562. CBS network. "Nobody Dies". Sponsored by: True Value Hardware, Arrow Shirts, Buick, Contac. E. G. Marshall (host), Elspeth Eric (writer), Teri Keane, Ann Shephard, Jack Grimes, Morgan Fairchild. 52 minutes.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe "The Dark Tunnel" (8-18-50)

The Dark Tunnel (Aired August 18, 1950)


The first portrayal of Phillip Marlowe on the radio was by Dick Powell, when he played Raymond Chandler's detective on the Lux Radio Theater on June 11, 1945. This was a radio adaptation of the 1944 movie, from RKO, in which Mr. Powell played the lead. Two years later, Van Heflin starred as Marlowe in a summer replacement series for the Bob Hope Show on NBC. This series ran for 13 shows. On September 26, 1948, Gerald Mohr became the third radio Marlowe, this time on CBS. It remained a CBS show through its last show in 1951.


THIS EPISODE:

August 18, 1950. CBS network. "The Dark Tunnel". Sustaining. A beautiful girl and a disfiguring fire...and it only starts with a guy getting beat up in an alley. Gerald Mohr, Roy Rowan (announcer), Lurene Tuttle, Bob Sweeney, Paul Dubov, Barney Phillips, Lawrence Dobkin, David Ellis, Raymond Chandler (creator). 30:04.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - First Nighter Program "Chinese Gong" (3-29-44)

Chinese Gong (Aired March 29, 1944)


The First Nighter Program. January 29, 1948. CBS net. "A Writer In The Family". Sponsored by: Campana cosmetics, DDD Prescription. Highway Eighty Seven is coming right through the living room in a romantic/comedy of mistaken identity and "Shorty West," a writer of western adventures. James Arthur Rotie (writer), Frank Worth and His Orchestra, Olan Soule, Barbara Luddy, Paul Frees, Hugh Studebaker, Arthur Q. Bryan, Mary Lansing, Larry Keating (announcer). 29:39

THIS EPISODE:

March 29, 1944. Mutual network. "The Chinese Gong". Sponsored by: Campana's cosmetics. Barbara Luddy, Olan Soule, Arch Oboler (author). 1/2 hour.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Academy Award Theater "Night Train" (11-13-46)

Night Train (Aired November 13, 1946)


Stars and movies with Oscars were the idea - in most cases, the movie stars recreated their academy award roles for the show, or in other cases, fine actors played the parts and gave it a different character. Both ways make for great radio drama and first class Hollywood motion picture star entertainment. The Lux Radio Theater had been doing this kind of radio show in the grandest manner for many years, but sponsor Squibb had the hubris and deep pockets to take on the competition by doing Academy Award Theater right after the Second World War. The year 1946 was pre-television, and so movies were still the major American visual art form, with radio the other popular network entertainment. In this final pre-TV time, Academy Award Theater was thought of as a premier radio production, a wow show, much like CinemaScope was to be in the 1950's when Hollywood felt the box office blow of early TV.

THIS EPISODE:

Academy Award Theater. November 13, 1946. CBS network. "Night Train". Sponsored by: Squibb Drugs. An exciting spy story about a British agent who recaptures a kidnapped scientist from the Gestapo, just before WWII. Rex Harrison. 1/2 hour.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - 21st Precinct "The Shooting Gallery" (9-29-53)

The Shooting Gallery (Aired September 29, 1953)


21ST PRECINCT was one of the realistic police drama series of the early- to mid-1950's that were aired in the wake of DRAGNET. In 1953 CBS decided to use New York City as the backdrop for their own half-hour police series and focus on the day-to-day operation of a single police precinct. Actual cases were used as the basis for stories. The Precinct Captain acted as the narrator for the series.

THIS EPISODE:

21st Precinct. September 29, 1953. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. A young drug user tries to kick the habit by making a false alarm so he can go "cold turkey" in jail. Everett Sloane, Lawson Zerbe, Raymond Edward Johnson, Ken Lynch, Robert Readick, Gaylord Avery
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Crime Club "A Deed Indeed" (8-21-47)

A Deed Indeed (Aired August 21, 1947)


Crime club was a Mutual Network murder and mystery series, a product of the Doubleday Crime Book Club imprints found weekly in bookstores everywhere. The telephone rings"Hello, I hope I haven't kept you waiting. Yes, this is the Crime Club. I'm the Librarian. Murder Rents A Room? Yes, we have that Crime Club story for you.Come right over. (The organist in the shadowed corner of the Crime Club library shivers the ivories) The doorbell tones sullenly"And you are here. Good. Take the easy chair by the window. Comfortable? The book is on this shelf." (The organist hits the scary chord) "Let's look at it under the reading lamp." The Librarian, played by Raymond E. Johnson, begins reading the tale. Veteran Willis Cooper (Lights Out, Quiet Please) did some of the scripts from the Crime Club books.
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Lux Radio Theater "Sunset Boulevard" (9-17-51)

Sunset Boulevard (Aired September 17, 1951)


The Lux Radio Theater, one of the genuine classic radio anthology series (NBC Blue Network (1934-1935); CBS (1935-1954); NBC (1954-1955)) adapted first Broadway stage works, and then (especially) films to hour-long live radio presentations. It quickly became the most popular dramatic anthology series on radio, running more than twenty years. The program always began with an announcer proclaiming, "Ladies and gentlemen, Lux presents Hollywood!" Cecil B. DeMille was the host of the series each Monday evening from June 1, 1936, until January 22, 1945. On one occasion, however, he was replaced by Leslie Howard.

THIS EPISODE:

The Lux Radio Theatre. September 17, 1951. CBS net. "Sunset Boulevard". Sponsored by: Lux. The famous story about the faded Hollywood star and the young screen writer. Nancy Gates, John Wengraf, Gloria Swanson, William Holden, William Conrad, William Keighley (host), John Milton Kennedy (announcer), Rudy Schrager (music director), William Johnstone, George Neise, Herb Butterfield, Dan Riss, Irene Martin (intermission guest), Charles Brackett (author, screenwriter), Billy Wilder (author, screenwriter), D. M. Marshman Jr. (screenwriter), Earl Ebi (director), Sanford Barnett (adaptor), Charlie Forsyth (sound effects). 59:29.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Clitheroe Kid "A Load Of Chinese Junk" (12-29-63)

A Load Of Chinese Junk (Aired December 29, 1963)


The Clitheroe Kid was James Robertson Clitheroe, Jimmy Clitheroe to most, who by some strange coincidence did come from the town of that name without having to change his family name! At his full height he was 4ft 3in, and played the naughty schoolboy from 1958 to 1972. Although plausable from a distance, he was not really able to pass himself off as a youngster close up, so a TV career did not really take off too well, but at the peak of his fame the radio show was raking in about 10 million listeners, although by the end this had dropped to a tenth of that figure. Clitheroe was a very private person, and the shows became a sort of escape for him, as well as the release from the worries of his diminutive size, but despite this, his popularity increased and increased, making this series one of the longer running on the radio - a total of 17 series. It is surprising then that with such a success, and with such a long run that the shows are rarely broadcast.
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Bold Venture "Slates Stolen Identity" (1951)

Slates Stolen Identity (1951)


The Hollywood husband and wife team of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall set sail for adventure in the Bold Venture radio series in early 1951. There were well over 400 stations that aired the program. Since thiswas syndicated * the starting date varied from station to station but Mar 26, 1951 was the official date of the first show. Humphrey Bogart portrayed Slate Shannon, owner of a rundown Havana hotel, Shannon's Place. The action took place on land as well aboard Slate's boat, The Bold Venture, thus the title of the series. Lauren Bacall was his ward Sailor Duval, a stubborn and flirtatious young woman whose late father had willed her to Slate for her protection. Together the duo found adventure, intrigue, mystery and romance in the sultry settings of tropical Havana and the mysterious islands of the Caribbean.

THIS EPISODE:

Bold Venture. ZIV Syndication. "Slate's Stolen Identity". Commercials added locally. A southerner hires Slate and Sailor to take his client off a freighter (the "S. S. Paloma," Didn't that ship burn in "The Maltese Falcon?"). Slate is shanghaied, his identification papers are taken and is almost arrested as being Louis Gaspar. Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Barton Yarborough, Jester Hairston (singing transitions), David Rose (composer, conductor). 26:39.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Fred Allen Show "Guest Peter Lorre" (1-03-43)

Peter Lorre (Aired January 3, 1943)


Born John Florence Sullivan on May 31, 1894, Fred Allen began his career in vaudeville before becoming one of radio’s most acerbic and admired wits. Allen and his wife, former chorus girl Portland Hoffa, began their radio career on October 23, 1932, starring on The Linit Bath Club Revue. By 1934, Allen was starring on Town Hall Tonight, a one-hour show which featured Allen examining current events and interviewing unusual guests. It was here that Allen began radio’s longest-running “feud” in 1937, when he made a series of jokes about fellow comedian Jack Benny. Allen's best-remembered feature was “Allen's Alley,” a weekly segment in which he would discuss issues of the day with eccentric creations like the blustery Senator Claghorn, Brooklyn housewife Pansy Nussbaum and stoic New Englander Titus Moody. Allen was known to read up to nine newspapers a day and often spent 12 to 14 hours a day writing and re-writing his scripts. Poor health forced Allen off the air in 1944, but he returned in the fall of 1945 with The Fred Allen Show, which lasted until June 26, 1949. Fred Allen died on March 17, 1956. Fred Allen was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988.

THIS EPISODE:

The Texaco Star Theatre. January 3, 1943. CBS net. Sponsored by: Texaco. Allen's Alley question: "How will the rationing of canned goods affect you?" Residents heard are :John Doe (John Brown), Mrs. Nussbaum, Falstaff Openshaw, Socrates Mulligan (Charlie Cantor). Lois January ("The Reveille Sweetheart") sings "Dearly Beloved." Guest Peter Lorre tells his life story to Fred. Who is the greatest oriental detective; Mr. Moto or One Long Pan? Both detectives work on a case called "The Missing Shot," or "Who Killed Balsam Beamish?" Fred Allen, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Al Goodman and His Orchestra, Portland Hoffa, John Brown, Minerva Pious, Alan Reed, Lois January, Peter Lorre, Charlie Cantor. 29:33.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Richard Diamond "Bill Kirby Murder Case" (10-29-49)

Bill Kirby Murder Case (Aired October 29, 1949)


Richard Diamond, Private Detective was a radio show starring Dick Powell which aired from 1949 to 1953, first on NBC, then ABC and finally on CBS. The title character was a rather light-hearted detective who often ended the episodes singing to his girlfriend, Helen. The television series was produced by Powell's company, Four Star Television, and that series ran for 3 years from 1957 to 1960. On TV, David Janssen played the hard boiled private eye and his secretary renamed “Sam”, was only ever shown on camera from the waist down, most assurardidly to display her beautiful legs. It was later leared that the legs belonged to Mary Tyler Moore. Original music by Frank DeVol and pete rugolo and later by richard shores. Good scripts, a solid cast and Powell’s exceptional talent made a good time 30 minute program that was quite popular during that Golden Age of Radio. So Let’s sit back now, relax and enjoy this truly otr radio classic.,…, Dick powell as Richard Diamond.., Private Detective.

THIS EPISODE:

Richard Diamond, Private Detective. October 29, 1949. NBC net. Sustaining. Mrs. Lenore Kirby asks Diamond to help find her ex-private eye son named Bill Kirby. Bill soon turns up dead, with two very tough hombres out to get Kirby's shoe! Dick Powell doesn't sing on this show! Part of the last promotional announcement and the system cue have been deleted. Blake Edwards (writer), Dick Powell, Ed Begley, Edward King (announcer), Frank Worth (composer, conductor), Peggy Webber, Richard Sanville (director), Steve Dunne, Virginia Gregg, William Johnstone, Wilms Herbert. 29:28.

FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Hollywood Star Playhouse "Night and The River" (1956)

Night and The River (1956)


This 30 minute anthology program was heard over three different networks during its three seasons. Many leading Hollywood stars appeared before the microphones for this programs original scripts. Marilyn Monroe made her radio debut on the 08/31/52 broadcast. Several programs were intended to become new series. On 04/13/52, the broadcast # 99 of The Six Shooter w/James Stewart did indeed become a new NBC series The Six Shooter in 1953, while the broadcast of 05/18/52 #104 Safari w/Ray Milland failed to make it. There was a title change to this series. During the third network change to NBC the series picked up the sponsorship of the American Bakers and the series was called Baker’s Theater Of Stars.
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Adventures Of Horatio Hornblower "Disguised As A French Ship" (9-08-52)

Disguised As A French Ship (Aired September 8, 1952)


Broadcast 1952; Transcribed in England for the BBC; aired in U.S. on CBS, then again on ABC in 1954 and Mutual in 1957. Starring Michael Redgrave as Horatio Hornblower. a captain in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic era. The radio series was based on twelve Horatio Hornblower novels written by C.S. Forester. These novels were, and still are, well liked due to their realistic tone and historical accuracy in telling the tales of Naval life in the late 1700s through the mid 1800s. C.S. Forester was well known for his novels about military and naval life, including such fine titles as The African Queen, The Gun, The Barbary Pirates, and The General.
FOR THIS EPISODE AND HUNDREDS MORE, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOXCARS711