Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Have Gun Will Travel" - Way For The Delta Queen (07-24-60)

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Have Gun Will Travel"
Way For The Delta Queen (Aired July 24, 1960)

The show followed the adventures of Paladin, a gentleman-turned-gunfighter (played by Richard Boone on television, and by John Dehner on radio), who preferred to settle problems without violence, yet, when forced to fight, excelled. Paladin lived in the Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, where he dressed in semi-formal wear, ate gourmet food, and attended opera. In fact, many who initially met him mistook him for a dandy from the East. When working, he dressed in black, used calling cards and wore a holster which carried characteristic chess knight emblems, and carried a derringer under his belt.

THIS EPISODE:

July 24, 1960. CBS network. "Way For The Delta Queen". Sponsored by: Doan's Pills, Guardian Maintenance Service, Pepsi-Cola. Paladin is protecting one of the steamboats in a great sternwheeler race from sabotage. The system cue is added live. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Frank Paris (producer, director), Hugh Douglas (announcer), William N. Robson (writer), Edgar Bergen (Guardian Maintenance commercial), Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell, Barney Phillips, Rhoda Williams, Jack Edwards (doubles), James Nusser (doubles), Vic Perrin, Paul Dubov, John James, Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator). 25:10.
Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Murder At Midnight - "The Dead Hand" (04-19-46)

The Dead Hand (Aired April 19, 1946)

The talent included well known names such as Lawson Zerbe, Karl Swenson, Berry Kroeger, Lon Clark, Frank Readick, Elspeth Eric, Mandel Kramer, Michael Fitzmaurice, Alfred Shirley, and Raymond Edward Johnson--and his wife, among many other well-respected east coast actors of the era. Anton Leader, later famous for his Television work, directed the series. The writing staff was also top-notch, with names such as Max Erlich, Joe Ruscoll and Robert Newman, among others. The thriller formula of the era called for equally thrilling organ music underscoring, capably handled by Charles Paul and Bert Buhrman on the organ. The sound engineering also greatly contributed to the supernatural thriller 'feel' of the series.

THIS EPISODE:
 
April 19, 1946. Program #1. KFI, Los Angeles origination, Cowan syndication, World transcription. "The Dead Hand". Commercials added locally. These programs are known to have been syndicated on World transcriptions and on transcriptions marked, "Louis G. Cowan Productions." Charles Paul (organist), Anton M. Leader (director), Robert Newman (writer), Betty Caine, Carl Frank, Barry Hopkins, Lawson Zerbe, Raymond Morgan (host), Joseph Ruscoll (writer), Louis G. Cowan (producer). 25:58. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Mr. & Mrs. North - "Who Killed Mr. Stefano ?" (12-10-50)

"Who Killed Mr. Stefano ?" (Aired December 10, 1950)

INTRO: Bob Introduces Donna Summer & Last Dance (1978)

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

THIS EPISODE:

December 10, 1950. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Who killed Mr. Stefano? " Everybody did it, it seems, except the obvious person, who protests that she's being framed! The date is approximate. Joseph Curtin, Alice Frost, Frances Lockridge (creator), Richard Lockridge (creator). 24:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

 

The Mysterious Traveler - "If You Believe" (12-29-46)

BOB: Plays Frank Sinatra "Summer Wind" (1966)

If You Believe (Aired December 29, 1946)

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!

THIS EPISODE:
 
December 29, 1946. Mutual network. "If You Believe". Sustaining. A horrifying story about a man-made blob of protoplasm that turns into a monster. David Kogan (writer, producer, director), Maurice Tarplin, Robert A. Arthur (writer). 29:03. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Burns & Allen Show - "George Is Kidnapped" (09-30-40)

George Is Kidnapped (Aired September 30, 1940)

During a typical 23-minute episode of the Burns and Allen show, the vast majority of the dialogue and speaking parts were written for Allen, who was credited with having the genius to deliver her lengthy diatribes in a fashion that made it look as though she was making her arguments up on the spot. (One running gag on the TV show was the existence of a closet full of hats belonging to various visitors to the Burns household, where the guests would slip out the door unnoticed, leaving their hats behind, rather than face another round with Gracie.) A continuing joke on the show was that George would say, "Say good night, Gracie," and Gracie would say, "Good night Gracie!"

THIS EPISODE:

September 30, 1940. "George Is Kidnapped" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Spam. George is still on the lam from gangster Huey Sallas. He disguises himself as "Aunt Clara," which seems like a good idea until gangster Huey proposes to him! George Burns, Gracie Allen, Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, The Smoothies, Bud Hiestand (announcer). 28:28. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Nick Carter Master Detective - "Murder In A Decanter" (12-31-44)

"Murder In A Decanter" (Aired December 31, 1944)

Nick Carter first made an appearance in a pulp novel in 1886. His popularity lasted over 100 years until the last Nick Carter-Killmaster book was published in 1990. The master detective first ventured into radio on April 11, 1943 on the Mutual Broadcasting System as The Return of Nick Carter, a nod to his pulp fiction history. The title was changed to Nick Carter, Master Detective shortly thereafter. Lon Clark starred as Mr. Carter throughout the run, with his assistant Patsy Bowen first voiced by Helen Choate for three years, then by Charlotte Manson for the rest of the series. The cast also included John Kane as reporter and friend, Scubby Wilson, Ed Latimer as Sgt. Mathison, Nick’s inside man at the police department, and Michael Fitzmaurice served as the announcer. Show Notes From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. 

THIS EPISODE:

December 31, 1944. Mutual network. "Murder In A Decanter, (12-31-44)" or "The Mystery Of The Missing Body". Lin-X Home Brighteners. Lon Clark, Helen Choate, John Kane, Humphrey Davis, Jock MacGregor (producer, director, occasional writer), Lew White (musician). 1/2 hour. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
 

Life With Luigi - "Luigi The Square Dance Caller" (10-23-51)

Luigi The Square Dance Caller (Aired October 23, 1951)

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:

October 23, 1951. "Luigi The Square Dance Caller" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. Luigi becomes a square-dance caller. J. Carrol Naish, Alan Reed, Cy Howard (creator, producer), Mac Benoff (writer, director), Lou Derman (writer), Mary Shipp, Hans Conried, Joe Forte, Ken Peters, Pat Burton (associate producer), Jody Gilbert, Lud Gluskin (music director), Spade Cooley (guest), Charles Lyon (announcer). 29:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Lux Radio Theater - "Unfinished Business" (10-06-41)

Unfinished Business (Aired October 6, 1941)

In October of 1934, "Lux Radio Theater" debuted in New York on NBC's Blue radio network. Presenting audio versions of popular Broadway plays, the show failed to garner an audience and soon ran out of material. After switching networks to CBS and moving to Hollywood, Lux found its true market. The show began featuring adaptations of popular films, performed by as many of the original stars as possible. With an endless supply of hit films scripts and an audience of more than 40 million, Lux enjoyed a prosperous run until the curtain fell in 1956

THIS EPISODE:

October 6, 1941. CBS network. "Unfinished Business". Sponsored by: Lux (singing commercial). A bittersweet romance about a loveless marriage. Irene Dunne, Don Ameche, Cecil B. DeMille, Arthur Q. Bryan, Bea Benaderet (doubles), Betty Ventura, Dick Elliott, Fred MacKaye, Jean Rhea, Jack George (doubles), Leone LeDoux, Louis Silvers (music director), Melville Ruick (announcer), Monro Brown, Verna Felton, Virginia Gordon, Gale Gordon, Julie Bannon (commercial spokesman), Nancy Bickell (commercial spokesman), James Eagles (commercial spokesman), Jo Campbell (commercial spokesman, singer), Sally Mueller (commercial spokesman, singer), Eugene Thackeray (screenwriter), Sanford Barnett (director), George Wells (adaptor), Charlie Forsyth (sound effects). 58:43. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

I Was A Communist For FBI - "Tight Wire" (05-25-52)

Tight Wire  (Aired May 25, 1952)

I Was a Communist for the FBI was an American espionage thriller radio series with 78 episodes syndicated by Ziv to more than 600 stations in 1952-54. Made without FBI cooperation, the series was adapted from the book by undercover agent Matt Cvetic, who was portrayed by Dana Andrews.The series was crafted to warn people about the threat of Communist subversion of American society. The tone of the show is very jingoistic and ultra-patriotic. Communists are evil incarnate and the FBI can do no wrong. As a relic of the Joe McCarthy era, this show is a time capsule of American society during the Second Red Scare.

THIS EPISODE:

May 25, 1952. Program #9. ZIV Syndication. "Tight Wire". Commercials added locally. The FBI assigns Cvetic the job of bugging a Communist Party meeting hall. Dana Andrews, Truman Bradley (announcer), Henry Hayward (director), David Rose (music). 25:49. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Life Of Riley - "Riley The Milkman" (03-22-47)

Riley The Milkman (Aired March 22, 1947)

 

Beginning October 4, 1949, the show was adapted for television for the DuMont Television Network, but Bendix's film contracts prevented him from appearing in the role. Instead, Jackie Gleason starred along with Rosemary DeCamp as wife Peg, Gloria Winters as daughter Barbara (Babs), Lanny Rees as son Chester Jr. (Junior), and Sid Tomack as Gillis, Riley's manipulative best buddy and next-door neighbor. John Brown returned as the morbid counseling undertaker Digby (Digger) O'Dell ("Well, I guess I'll be... shoveling off"; "Business is a little dead tonight").

THIS EPISODE:

March 22, 1947. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. Flashback story: how Riley handled his in-laws when he and Peg were first married. "Riley The Milkman" Alan Lipscott (writer), Don Bernard (director), Gil Stratton, Irving Brecher (producer), Jack Brecher (writer), John Brown, Ken Carpenter (announcer), Lou Coslowe (music), Lou Merrill, Paula Winslowe, Reuben Ship (writer), William Bendix. 34:37. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
 

 

Pat Novak For Hire - "Rubin Callaway's Pictures" (03-13-49x

Rubin Callaway's Pictures (Aired March 13, 1949)

The rapid, staccato dialogue between Webb & Raymond Burr is typical of harboiled fiction and is often humorous. Pat uses the time to try to solve the case. He usually employs the help of his friend Jocko Madigan (played by Tudor Owen) - a drunken ex-doctor typically found at some disreputable tavern or bar - to help him solve the case. As Pat asks for his help, Jocko launches a long-winded philosophical diatribe, full of witty and funny remarks, until Novak cuts him off. Jocko and Pat unravel the case and Hellman makes the arrest. Finally, we hear the foghorn and Novak's footsteps on the pier again before Novak spells out the details of the case for us. At the end, Novak informs us that "Hellman asked only one question", which Pat answers with a clever retort. The dialogue is rife with similes found in pulp fiction. Example: 'The neighborhood was run down - the kind of place where the For Rent signs look like ransom notes. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

THIS EPISODE:
 
March 13, 1949. Program #5. "Rubin Callaway's Pictures" - ABC network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. A dying man in the harbor, a bunch of photos in a locker, and lots of trouble for Novak in the form of Alma Biggs. Jack Webb, William P. Rousseau (producer), Tudor Owen, Raymond Burr, Basil Adlam (composer, conductor). 29:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Our Miss Brooks - "The Wishing Well Dance" (06-12-49)

The Wishing Well Dance  (Aired June 12, 1949)

Produced by Larry Berns and written by director Al Lewis, Our Miss Brooks premiered on CBS July 19, 1948. According to radio critic John Crosby, her lines were very "feline" in dialogue scenes with principal Conklin and would-be boyfriend Boynton, with sharp, witty comebacks. The interplay between the cast---blustery Conklin, nebbishy Denton, accommodating Harriet, absentminded Mrs. Davis, clueless Boynton, scheming Miss Enright---also received positive reviews. Arden won a radio listeners' poll by Radio Mirror magazine as the top ranking comedienne of 1948-1949, receiving her award at the end of an Our Miss Brooks broadcast that March. "I'm certainly going to try in the coming months to merit the honor you've bestowed upon me, because I understand that if I win this (award) two years in a row, I get to keep Mr. Boynton," she joked. But she was also a hit with the critics; a winter 1949 poll of newspaper and magazine radio editors taken by Motion Picture Daily named her the year's best radio comedienne.

THIS EPISODE:
 
June 12, 1949. CBS network. "Madison's Miss Wishing Well Dance Of 1949". Sponsored by: Palmolive Soap, Lustre-Creme Shampoo, Palmolive Shave Cream. There's going to be a "Wishing Well Dance" at Madison High, and everyone wants a lock of Miss Brooks' hair. Eve Arden, Jane Morgan, Richard Crenna, Gloria McMillan, Gale Gordon, Jeff Chandler, Verne Smith (announcer), Bob Lemond (announcer), Leonard Smith, Al Lewis (writer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music). 29:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Whistler - "Treasure Hunt" (01-21-46)

Treasure Hunt (Aired January 21, 1946)

The Whistler was one of radio's most popular mystery dramas, with a 13-year run from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. If it now seems to have been influenced explicitly by The Shadow, The Whistler was no less popular or credible with its listeners, the writing was first class for its genre, and it added a slightly macabre element of humor that sometimes went missing in The Shadow's longer-lived crime stories. Writer-producer J. Donald Wilson established the tone of the show during its first two years, and he was followed in 1944 by producer-director George Allen. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. A total of 692 episodes were produced, yet despite the series' fame, over 200 episodes are lost today. In 1946, a local Chicago version of The Whistler with local actors aired Sundays on WBBM, sponsored by Meister Brau beer.

THIS EPISODE:

January 21, 1946. CBS Pacific network. "Treasure Hunt". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. Grandpa Randolph hid $200,000 before he died, leaving behind a clue as to its location. Announcer Marvin Miller assures listeners that Signal Oil "re-arranges atoms" to make better gasoline. Signal does not split them for atomic bombs! Russell Hughes (writer), Mandel Kramer, Marvin Miller (announcer), Gerald Mohr, George W. Allen (director). 28:59. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Story Of Dr Kildare - "Appendicitis Operation At Sea" (08-17-50)

Appendicitis Operation At Sea (Aired August 17, 1950)

The character was invented by the author Frederick Schiller Faust (aka Max Brand). The character began in the film series as a medical intern; after becoming a doctor he was mentored by an older physician, Dr. Leonard Gillespie. After the first ten films, the series eliminated the character of Kildare and focused instead on Gillespie. In the summer of 1949, MGM reunited Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore to record the radio series, The Story of Dr. Kildare, scripted by Les Crutchfield, Jean Holloway and others. After broadcasts on WMGM New York from February 1, 1950 to August 3, 1951, the series was syndicated to other stations during the 1950s. The supporting cast included Ted Osborne as hospital administrator Dr. Carough, Jane Webb as nurse Mary Lamont and Virginia Gregg as Nurse Parker, labeled "Nosy Parker" by Gillespie, with appearances by William Conrad, Stacy Harris, Jay Novello, Isabel Jewell and Jack Webb.

THIS EPISODE:

August 17, 1950. Program #44. "Appendicitis Operation At Sea" -MGM syndication. Commercials added locally. A young navy seaman is in need of an operation. The ship is in a high storm and the patient may die. Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Les Crutchfield (writer), William P. Rousseau (director), Walter Schumann (composer, conductor), Dick Joy (announcer), Max Brand (creator), Raymond Katz (producer). 1/2 hour. 26:21. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Sears Radio Theater - "The Voyage Of No Return" (04-16-80)

The Voyage Of No Return (Aired April 16, 1980)

In December 1979 the Mutual Broadcasting System acquired the Sears Radio Theater renaming it, the MUTUAL Radio Theater. It retained the same format as before with the same theme for different nights of the week. Lorne Greene remained host for Monday's Western night, Andy Griffith handled Tuesday's Comedy, Vincent Price still was host for Mystery on Wednesdays, Cicely Tyson did Love on Thursday, while Leonard Nimoy was now the Friday night Adventure host. As before the series aired week nights, Monday through Friday. The Mutual Radio Theater debuted Mar 3, 1980 and was to run for 13 weeks on almost 300 stations. The shows were then to be repeated over the summer and fall. It proved to be fairly successful and another 8 weeks of original programs were added; this was followed by another 8 weeks of repeats. The series was broadcast in stereo, making it the only commercial radio network drama program in the nation to use this technology at the time. Great writers were employed for this series including Arch Oboler and Norman Corwin. Good choices were made when it came to cast members. Old familiar voices and names included Janet Waldo, John Dehner, Vic Perrin, Mary Jane Croft, Hans Conried, Marvin Miller, Parley Baer, Elliot Lewis, Jeff Corey, Virginia Gregg, Lesley Woods, Robert Rockwell and Lurene Tuttle. Then from movies and TV - Eve Arden, Keith Andes, Harriet Nelson, Aan Young, Tom Bosley and Marian Ross, Lloyd Bochner, Rick Jason, Frank Campanella, Toni Tennille, Arthur Hill, Dan O'Herlihy, Jesse White and Frank Nelson. how Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researchers Group

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes - "The Case Of The Curious Crypt" (02-15-48)

The Case Of The Curious Crypt (Aired February 15, 1948)

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.

THIS EPISODE:
 
February 15, 1948. Mutual network, WOR, New York aircheck "The Case Of Th. e Curious Crypt". Sponsored by: Clipper Craft Clothes. A silver dollar provides Holmes with the clue needed to solve a puzzle involving a crypt filled with the unexpected. The script was previously used on "Sherlock Holmes" on March 30, 1931 and March 9, 1941 (The Case Of The Shoscombe Old Place). John Stanley, Alfred Shirley, Barry Thompson, Arthur Conan Doyle (creator, author), Edith Meiser (adaptor), Basil Loughrane (producer, director), Hal Reid (sound effects), Don Williamson (engineer), Charles Stark (announcer), Michael Fitzmaurice (New York commercial spokesman), Albert Buhrman (music). 29:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Rocky Fortune (Starring Frank Sinatra) - "Prize Fight Setup" (12-29-53)

Prize Fight Setup (Aired December 29, 1953)

Frank Sinatra seemed very comfortable in the role of Rocco Fortunato--'Rocky Fortune'--and the scripts that George Lefferts and Ernest Kinoy wrote for Sinatra made for some fascinating adventures. The role was clearly written specifically for him, and more importantly for the more 'adult' persona his agents and publicity reps were trying to portray of him at this point in his career. He'd already done the teen and 20-something idol gig, and he had been expressing more of an interest in dramatic work. Perhaps Sinatra's managers were simply hedging their bets. Sinatra's greatest initial dramatic role in From Here To Eternity was released October 19, 1953, just weeks after Rocky Fortune began its 26-week run on NBC. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

THIS EPISODE:

December 29, 1953. NBC network. "The Prize Fight Fix". Sustaining. Rocky is mistaken for "The Great Gondolfo," a prize fighter. Finding himself in the ring, Rocky's surprised to find that he's the winner! There's a good reason...and it's filled with poison! Gambler's want him to take the long count..."from here to eternity!" This is a network version of cat. #61853. Frank Sinatra, Jack Mather, Barney Phillips, George Lefferts (writer), Maurice Hart, Joe Forte, Jack Carroll, Maya Gregory, Andrew C. Love (director). 23:28. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Adventures Of The Saint - "The Horrible Hamburger" (09-10-50)

The Horrible Hamburger (Aired September 10, 1950)

After a year's hiatus, The Saint returned to radio July 10, 1949—this time on Mutual. An announcement in Billboard noted that the program would be sustaining (without a sponsor), but that Mutual "will use trial summer run to showcase show for fall bankrolling." The bankrolling eventually came from Ford Motor Company, and the show lasted through May 28, 1950. The program's final run began June 11, 1950, as a summer replacement for The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. The Saint was back on its original network, NBC, for this version, which ended October 14, 1951.  The show lasted longer in this version than in any other, despite a negative review of the first episode in Billboard which said much of the script was "confusing and slow-paced" and called star Vincent Price "frightfully dull."

THIS EPISODE:

September 10, 1950. NBC network. "The Horrible Hamburger". Sustaining. After a lousy dinner, a flat tire is followed by a dead body in the trunk. The Saint is asked, "Mr. Templar, what do you think about television?" He replies, "I think about it as little as possible." Leslie Charteris (creator), Vincent Price, Louise Erickson, Noreen Gammill, Arthur Q. Bryan, David Light, Lawrence Dobkin, Louis Vittes (writer), Vaughn Dexter (composer, conductor), Helen Mack (director), Don Stanley (announcer), James L. Saphier (producer). 29:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

You Bet Your Life - The Secret Word Is "Clock" (10-27-60)

The Secret Word Is "Clock" (Aired October 27, 1960)

Groucho Marx matches wits with the American public in four episodes of this classic game show. Starting on the radio in 1947, You Bet Your Life made its television debut in 1950 and aired for 11 years with Groucho as host and emcee. Sponsored rather conspicuously by the Dodge DeSoto car manufacturers, the show featured two contestants working as a team to answer questions for cash prizes. Another mainstay of these question and answer segments was the paper mache duck that would descend from the ceiling with one hundred dollars in tow whenever a player uttered the "secret word." The quiz show aspect of "You Bet Your Life" was always secondary, to the clever back-and-forth between host and contestant, which found Groucho at his funniest. It's in these interview segments that "You Bet Your Life" truly makes its mark as one of early television's greatest programs. Directed by: Robert Dwan.

THIS EPISODE:

October 27, 1960. Syndicated, WNEW-TV, New York audio aircheck. The Secret Word Is "Clock". Participating sponsors. The first contestant is Sheila Flynn. The thirteenth anniversary broadcast of the program. Syndicated rebroadcast date: June 4, 1975. Shelia Flynn, Groucho Marx, George Fenneman (announcer), Jack Meakin (music). 29:29. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Inner Sanctum Mysteries - "The Meek Die Slowly" (04-03-45)

The Meek Die Slowly (Aired April 3, 1945)

Inner Sanctum Mysteries featured one of the most memorable and atmospheric openings in radio history: an organist hit a dissonant chord, a doorknob turned and the famous “creaking door” slowly began to open. Every week, Inner Sanctum Mysteries told stories of ghosts, murderers and lunatics. Produced in New York, the cast usually consisted of veteran radio actors, with occasional guest appearances by such Hollywood stars Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Claude Rains. What made Inner Sanctum Mysteries unique among radio horror shows was its host, a slightly-sinister sounding man originally known as “Raymond.” The host had a droll sense of humor and an appetite for ghoulish puns.

THIS EPISODE:

April 3, 1945. CBS net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Meek Die Slowly". A ghastly story that starts with "Mr. Narco" stabbing Jane Carter to death with a pair of garden shears. Arnold Moss sports a delightful German-Transylvanian accent. The music fill after the system cue has been deleted. The script was used on "Inner Sanctum" on September 7, 1952. Arnold Moss, Paul McGrath (host). 23:00. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.