Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

Boy Go Home (Aired July 31, 1954) Before the "Reality TV", there was "Reality Radio" and Night Watch was there. This show is a straight crime documentary with no music, sound effects, or actors. Police reporter Don Reid rode in a prowl car on the night shift with officers from the Culver City, California police department. While wearing a hidden microphone, he captures the sounds and voices of real life drama. From the worried child to the hardened criminal, their stories come through loud and clear. The names were changed to protect identities, but everything else in this gripping series is real. THIS EPISODE: July 31, 1954. "Boy Go Home" - CBS network. Sustaining. The first case is about a little lost boy. When the cops return the boy to his house, his parents aren't home. A house burns down (it's arson), a domestic violence case. Sterling Tracy (producer), Jim Headlock (producer), Donn Reed (police recorder), W. N. Hildebrand (Chief Of Police). 27:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Murder & The Missing Car (Aired May 11, 1950) When Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons first debuted over the Blue Network on October 12, 1937, the show’s title accurately described Keen’s stock-in-trade; the “kindly old investigator” tracked down individuals who had mysteriously vanished, leaving behind their families, homes, jobs and other day-to-day activities. Keen (he never had a first name, unless it was “Peachy”) was assisted in these duties by an Irishman named Mike Clancy. Mike wasn’t much of a brainiac (the quote that comprises the title of this post was a semi-catchphrase that he seemed to use on the show every week) but he could use the necessary brawn when the situation called for it. Bennett Kilpack played kindly ol' Keen throughout most of the program’s run, as well as Philip Clarke and Arthur Hughes, while Jim Kelly took the role of Clancy. The series originally aired as a thrice-weekly fifteen-minute serial from 1937-43 (the show moved to CBS in 1942), providing more than ample time for Keen to solve even the most baffling of disappearances. THIS EPISODE: May 11, 1950. CBS network. "The Case Of Murder and The Missing Car". Sponsored by: Anacin, Kolynos, Heet, Kriptin, Bisodol, Hills Cold Tabs. A body is found in a car trunk...and a false clue is found in the glove compartment. Frank Hummert (originator, producer), Anne Hummert (originator, producer), Bennett Kilpack, Richard Leonard (director), Lawrence Klee (dialogue), Larry Elliott (announcer). 33:58. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Archie Hires Madam Zooma (Aired November 16, 1945) Early in the show's life, however, its name was changed — first to Duffy's and, for four episodes, Duffy's Variety. A staffer for Bristol-Myers -- whose Ipana toothpaste was the show's early sponsor—persuaded the company's publicity director to demand the name change because the original title promoted "the hobby of drinking" too much for certain sensibilities. Bristol-Myers eventually admitted the staffer had little to go on other than a handful of protesting letters, and to the delight of fans who never stopped using the original name, anyway — the original title was restored permanently. The name change was often subverted by the Armed Forces Radio Network. When the AFRN rebroadcast those episodes for U.S. servicemen during World War II, the announcer referred to Duffy's Tavern. Radio's Duffy's Tavern didn't translate well to film or television. THIS EPISODE: November 16, 1945. "Archie Hires Madam Zooma" - Program #106. NBC network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. Archie hires Madame Zooma the fortune teller to help him find a fortune. Ed Gardner, Eddie Green, Sandra Gould (as "Miss Duffy"), Charlie Cantor, Matty Malneck and His Orchestra, Marvin Miller (announcer), David Titus (producer, director). 30:19. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

I Dreampt I Died (Aired September 12, 1949) Murder By Experts was a radio drama anthology series that ran on American radio from 1949-1951, and was hosted first by John Dickson Carr, and later by Brett Halliday. Evidently, a mystery, authored by a leading crime fiction writer, was presented, and "guest experts," such as Alfred Hitchcock or Craig Rice, were invited to solve it. Or maybe not -- nobody seems to know much about this one. David Kogan, the writer/creator of Murder by Experts, also created and wrote The Mysterious Traveler. THIS EPISODE: September 12, 1949. Mutual network. "I Dreamt I Died". Sustaining. Mrs. Kraft dreams that her husband is killing her with a pillow. This turns out to be a vivid and prophetic dream. Ann Shephard, Grace Coffin, James Stevens, Robert A. Arthur (producer, director), David Kogan (director), Phil Tonken (announcer), Emerson Buckley (conductor), Richard Dupage (composer), John Dickson Carr (host, narrator), Joseph Ruscoll (writer). 29:25. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Case Of The Desert Explosion (Aired August 18, 1949) Two sound effects men spent a reported ten hours in rehearsal for each broadcast, in addition to the time spent by the actors. East coast actors House Jameson, Don MacLaughlin, Phil Sterling and Lawson Zerbe [MBS] (Zerbe appeared as both David Harding and Harry Peters) were the only four actors to ever assume the role of David Harding--Jameson for the first two episodes only, replaced by Don MacLaughlin for the remainder of its twelve year run. Both Connecticut residents, House Jameson premiered in the role while Lord was still auditioning talent for the lead. By the third episode, Phillips H. Lord selected Don MacLaughlin for the role. MacLaughlin was by no means new to Radio, having already appeared in some 300 Radio productions since his debut over Radio in 1935. MacLaughlin's versatility, predominantly in action and straight dramatic roles, made him an ideal candidate among the twenty or so actors who auditioned for the part. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: August 18, 1949. ABC network. "The Case Of The Desert Explosion". Sponsored by: Pepsi Cola. Man-eating birds of prey are used to execute a betrayer. A smuggler uses "geometry in action." The system cue has been deleted. Don MacLaughlin, Mandel Kramer, Phillips H. Lord (producer), William Sweets (director), Jesse Crawford (organ). 30:05. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Plant (Aired December 25, 1953) The Precinct Captain acted as the narrator for the series.The official title of the series according to the series scripts and the CBS series promotional materials was 21st Precinct and not Twenty-First Precinct or Twenty-First Precinct which appears in many Old-Time Radio books. 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 operations of a single police precinct. Actual cases would be used as the basis for stories. It was mentioned in each episode's closing by the announcer that, "Twenty-firstPrecinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York." THIS EPISODE: December 25, 1953. "The Plant" - CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. The music fill has been deleted. Everett Sloane, John Ives (producer), Stanley Niss (writer, director), Elaine Rost, Ken Lynch, George Petrie, Jack Orrison, Santos Ortega, Mandel Kramer, Michael Dreyfus, Art Hannes (announcer). 30:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Robert Perry Case (Aired January 14, 1949) There were some unusual devices used in the show that help set it apart from other shows. There was no partner, assistant, or secretary for Johnny. The character closest to a continuing role was that of Pat McCracken of the Universal Adjustment Bureau, who assigned Johnny many of his cases. Another atypical aspect gave the show additional credibility – frequently, characters on the show would mention that they had heard about Johnny’s cases on the radio. Johnny often used his time when filling out his expense accounts to give the audience background information or to express his thoughts about the current case.No fewer than eight actors played Johnny Dollar. Dick Powell, of Rogue’s Gallery fame, cut the original audition tape, but chose to do Richard Diamond, Private Detective instead. Gerald Mohr, of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe fame, auditioned in 1955, prior to Bob Bailey getting the title role. Through the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar (Charles Russell, Edmond O'Brien, and John Lund), there was little to distinguish the series from many other radio detective series. Dollar was just another hard-boiled detective in a medium that was overloaded with the stereotype. THIS EPISODE: January 14, 1949. "The Robert W. Perry Case". An audition recording. Johnny is hired as a bodyguard for Mr. Perry, but a bomb goes off in his office when Johnny reports for duty. The script was subsequently used on the program on March 4, 1949 and March 3, 1950. Charles Russell, Paul Dudley (writer), Gil Doud (writer), Mark Warnow (music), Richard Sanville (producer, director). 29:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Rummage Sale (Aired January 15, 1952) Jim Jordan (Fibber) was born on a farm on November 16, 1896, near Peoria, Illinois. Marian Driscoll (Molly), a coal miner’s daughter, was born in Peoria on November 15, 1898. After years of hardship and touring in obscurity on the small-time show biz circuit, they arrived in Chicago in 1924, where they eventually performed on thousands of shows and developed 145 different voices and characters. Broadcast to the nation from WMAQ/Chicago, the show entertained America until March 1956, and continued on NBC’s Monitor until 1959. Jim Jordan died on April 1, 1988. Marian Jordan died on April 7, 1961. Fibber McGee and Molly was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989. First Broadcast date April 16, 1935. Last Broadcast date September 6, 1959. THIS EPISODE: January 15, 1952. NBC network. Sponsored by: Pet Milk. The McGees are holding a "Rummage Sale" and Fibber comes up with some good merchandise to sell. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Harlow Wilcox, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, The King's Men, Keith Fowler (writer), Phil Leslie (writer), Max Hutto (director), Bill Thompson, Richard LeGrand, Myra Marsh, Bea Benaderet, Coline Collins. 34:52. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Reflected Image (Aired November 17, 1940) The cackling character of the Hermit was played by John Kent, Charles Penman, Toby Grimmer, and Klock Ryder. William Conrad produced when the show moved to KMPC Los Angeles with Mel Johnson as the Hermit (1940-42), followed by John Dehner (1942-44). Detroit's--then--CBS Basic Network affiliate, WJR, was one of Detroit's two powerhouse, clear channel stations to originate quality programming throughout Michigan and the midwest heartland. WXYZ, a Detroit NBC-Blue, Mutual, and ABC affiliate over the years also orginated a great deal of local and regional programming throughout the area, much of which went national. Some of WJR's most popular studio-originated features from the 1930s to the early 1940s were the various The Mummers programs: THIS EPISODE: November 17, 1940. World syndication. "Reflected Image". Sponsored by: Commercials deleted or added locally. Two men, who are dying of thirst in the desert, are led to a cabin and water by a beautiful woman. The man in the cabin tells the story of a triangle and a murder in that cabin. A good story! . 25:16. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Church Murder Case (Aired March 7, 1950) S.S. Van Dine's Philo Vance remains arguably the most aristocratic of the popular Gentleman Detectives of the modern era of Detective Fiction. He clearly possessed every bit of the arrogance of Sherlock Holmes, Gregory Hood, and even Ellery Queen. But one counter that, as an aristocrat with no lack of self-confidence, at the very least he wasn't hobbled by either cocaine addiction or an overbearing father. Indeed he's arguably most like Gregory Hood in many aspects of his basic personality. His other possible rival, Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, clearly possessed every bit of the requisite arrogance of this class of private--or Gentleman--detective, but Nero Wolfe was also hobbled by his inherent agorophobia, proclivity for habitual excess, and murky background. Philo Vance, by contrast, possessed no apparent excessive proclivities, other than his continually overbearing self-confidence, arrogance, and smugness. But let's be honest here. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: March 7, 1950. Program #87. ZIV Syndication. "The Church Murder Case". Commercials added locally. A practical joker who loves exploding cigars and whoopee cushions is murdered, and the suspect is obviously the killer. Jackson Beck, George Petrie. 26:34. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Duplicate Dean (Aired December 4, 1948) Adventures of Frank Merriwell first ran on NBC radio from March 26 to June 22, 1934 as a 15-minute serial airing three times a week at 5:30pm. Sponsored by Dr. West's Toothpaste, this program starred Donald Briggs in the title role. Harlow Wilcox was the announcer. After a 12-year gap, the series returned October 5, 1946 as a 30-minute NBC Saturday morning show, continuing until June 4, 1949. Lawson Zerbe starred as Merriwell, Jean Gillespie and Elaine Rostas as Inza Burrage, Harold Studer as Bart Hodge and Patricia Hosley as Elsie Belwood. The announcer was Harlow Wilcox, and the Paul Taubman Orchestra supplied the background music. There are at least three generations of Merriwells: Frank, his half-brother Dick, and Frank's son, Frank Jr. There is a marked difference between Frank and Dick. Frank usually handled challenges on his own. Dick has mysterious friends and skills that help him, especially an old Indian friend without whom the stories would not have been quite as interesting. THIS EPISODE: December 4, 1948. NBC network. "The Duplicate Dean". Sustaining. Frank and his friends get into trouble when they impersonate the dean while practicing for a dramatic skit. Lawson Zerbe, Hal Studer, Elaine Rost, Harlow Wilcox (announcer), Art Carney, Burt L. Standish (creator). 28:09. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Movie Magazine Interview (Aired January 8, 1947) Jack Carson, because of his size — 6 ft 2 in (1.9 m) and 220 lb (100 kg), had his first stage appearance as Hercules in a college production. During a performance, he tripped and took half the set with him. A college friend, Dave Willock, thought it was so funny he persuaded Carson to team with him in a vaudeville act—Willock and Carson—and a new career began. This piece of unplanned business would be typical of the sorts of things that tended to happen to Carson during some of his film roles. During the 1930s, as vaudeville went into decline owing to increased competition from radio and the movies, Willock and Carson sought work in Hollywood, initially landing bit roles at RKO. THIS EPISODE: January 8, 1947. " Movie Magazine Interview" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup, Franco-American Spaghetti. Jack is expecting a reporter from "Movie Screen" magazine to interview him. Jack and Del sing the middle commercial as a square dance. Jack Carson, Arthur Treacher, Freddy Martin and His Orchestra, Dave Willock, Del Sharbutt (announcer), Norma Jean Nilsson, Irene Ryan. 29:48. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Never Bet The Devil Your Head (Aired July 28, 1957) The CBS Radio Workshop aired from January 27, 1956 through September 22, 1957 and was a revival of the prestigious Columbia Workshop from the 1930s and 1940s. Creator William Froug launched the series with this powerhouse two-part adaptation of "Brave New World" and booked author Aldous Huxley to narrate his famous novel. "We’ll never get a sponsor anyway," CBS vice president Howard Barnes explained to Time, "so we might as well try anything." The CBS Workshop regularly featured the works of the world’s greatest writers. including Ray Bradbury, Archibald MacLeish, William Saroyan, Lord Dunsany and Ambrose Bierce. THIS EPISODE: July 28, 1957. CBS network. "Never Bet The Devil Your Head". Sustaining. An amusing "Twain-esque" tale about Toby Dammit, who took a certain gentleman's name in vain once too often. Quality upgrade, network, sustaining version. Alan Botzer (adaptor), Amerigo Moreno (music supervisor), Daws Butler, Dick Beals, Edgar Allan Poe (author), Eleanor Audley, Howard McNear, Hugh Douglas (announcer), Jack Johnstone (director), John Dehner, Leone LeDoux. 24:49. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The High Wall (Starring Robert Young) Aired June 6, 1946 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. THIS EPISODE: June 6, 1946. CBS network. "The High Wall". Sponsored by: Roma Wines. A man wakes up in a hospital for the criminally insane. How did he get there? Robert Young, Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher, George Zucco, Truman Bradley (commercial spokesman), Bradbury Foote (writer), William Spier (producer, director, editor), Joseph Kearns (announcer), Lucien Moraweck (composer), Lud Gluskin (conductor). 36:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

King Danno (Aired April 19, 1953) NBC first envisioned The Chase as a new Television feature. This was not uncommon during the later 1940s and early 1950s. Several Radio features straddled both media, with varying success. Developed as a psychological drama, the premise was that many life situations place their subjects in a 'chase' of one type or another. A chase for fame. A chase from peril. A chase to beat the clock. A chase to escape death. The added twist was the question of who is the hunter or the hunted in these situations. The scripts were faced paced, starred quality east coast talent and were well written. The series' plots and themes focused primarily on predominantly fear inducing pursuits of one form or another. Thus most of the scripts were fraught with tension of one type or another. Whether mental tension, physical peril or a mix of both, the abiding theme throughout the series was the the contrasts between the 'hunter' and the 'hunted' in such Life situations. NBC's Television version of The Chase was in production during May 1953. It was to star Doug Fowley as both narrator and performer. THIS EPISODE: April 19, 1953. "King Danno" - NBC network. Sustaining. The king of a small country finds himself fleeing for his life during a revolution. Anne Sargent, Dan Ocko, Fred Collins (announcer), Fred Weihe (director, transcriber), Lawrence Klee (creator, writer), Lloyd Bochner, Peter Capell, William Podmore. 29:18. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.