Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Case Of The Deadly Train (Aired March 13, 1946) Mr. District Attorney is a popular radio crime drama which aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952 (and in transcribed syndication through 1953). The series focused on a crusading D.A., initially known only as "Mister District Attorney," or "Chief", and was later translated to television. On television the D.A. had a name, Paul Garrett, and the radio version picked up this name in the final years when David Brian played the role. A key figure in the dramas was the D.A.'s secretary, Edith Miller (Vicki Vola). Created, written, and directed by former law student Ed Byron, the series was inspired by the early years of New York governor Thomas E. Dewey. THIS EPISODE: March 13, 1946. NBC network. "The Case Of The Deadly Train". Sponsored by: Ipana, Sal Hepatica, Ingram Shaving Cream. A good story about Mr. D.A., Harrington and Miss Miller bringing a prisoner back East to testify against a gangster. A hired gunman and his moll plan the murder of the D.A. despite a train wreck! Jay Jostyn, Vicki Vola, Len Doyle, Phillips H. Lord (creator),Peter Van Steeden (music), Edward Byron (writer), Robert Shaw (writer). 29:39. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Overdue Rent (Aired March 28, 1947) Young was featured in the film Chicken Every Sunday in 1949, and the television version of The Alan Young Show began the following year. After its cancellation, Young appeared in films, including Androcles and the Lion (1952) and The Time Machine (1960). He appeared in the episode "Thin Ice" of the NBC espionage drama Five Fingers, starring David Hedison. He is best known, however, for Mister Ed, a CBS television show which ran from 1961 to 1966. He played the owner of a talking horse that would talk to no one but him. Young's television guest appearances include The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, St. Elsewhere, Coach, Party of Five, The Wayans Bros., Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (Episode: "Sweet Charity", playing Zelda's older love interest), USA High, Hang Time, ER and Maybe It's Me. In 1993, Young recreated his role as Filby for the mini-sequel to George Pal's The Time Machine, reuniting him with Rod Taylor, who played George, the Time Traveller. It was called Time Machine: THIS EPISODE: March 28, 1947. "Overdue Rent" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Ipana Toothpaste, Minit-Rub, Vitalis. Alan enters a radio contest to win $75. He has to come up with a formula for a happily married life. Alan Young, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Hans Conried, Charlie Cantor, Jim Backus, Jerry Mann, Veola Vonn, Ruth Perrott, Dick Lane, Al Schwartz (writer), Sherwood Schwartz (writer). 29:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Murder In Jazz Time (Aired April 20, 1948) The Mysterious Traveler eventually became one of the sixteen highest rated Radio programs of their era. WOR and MBS took great pride in putting together a program that could rival Radio giants CBS, ABC, and NBC throughout the era. During its heyday The Mysterious Traveler spawned several similar thriller genre programs such as The Strange Dr. Wierd (1945), The Sealed Book (1945), Dark Venture (1946), Murder By Experts (1949), and The Teller of Tales (1950). The thriller genre was not new to Radio in the 1940s. The Witch's Tale had aired from 1931 to 1938 over The Mutual Broadcasting System and WOR. CBS had tried--and failed at--their own The Witching Hour for three months in 1932. THIS EPISODE: April 20, 1948. Mutual network. "Murder In Jazz Time". Sustaining. A man murders a jazz musician in New Orleans. T, the musician's music comes back to haunt the killer. David Kogan (writer, producer, director), Maurice Tarplin (as "The Traveler"), Robert A. Arthur (writer). 25:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

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.

The Innocent Thief (Aired February 28, 1947) 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 Is Your FBI was sponsored during its entire run by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (now AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company). This is Your FBI had counterparts on the other networks. The FBI in Peace and War also told stories of the FBI, although some were not authentic. Earlier on, Gangbusters, and the previously mentioned Mr. District Attorney gave the authentic crime treatment to their stories. And Dragnet, and Tales of the Texas Rangers, took the idea on as well. Crime, especially true crime, was a genre in the magazines early on, with the Police Gazette and its predecessors in England printing lurid true crime stories prior to radio. This is Your FBI took the idea, and made it realistic, exciting and even informational.

Blind Justice (Aired September 14, 1948) Big Town is a radio show that aired from 1937 to 1952. Edward G. Robinson had the lead role of Steve Wilson from 1937 to 1942. Claire Trevor was Wilson's society editor sidekick Lorelei Kilbourne, with Ona Munson taking over that role in 1940. Edward J. Pawley portrayed Wilson from 1942 until 1952 when Walter Greaza was heard as Wilson in the final episodes in the radio series. When Big Town moved to television, the program was telecast live, but in 1952 the production switched to film after the move from New York City to Hollywood. The television series ran on CBS from 1950 through 1954, continuing on NBC from 1955 through 1956. THIS EPISODE: September 14, 1948. NBC network. "Blind Justice". Sponsored by: Lifebuoy, Rinso. The first show of the third series. A construction foreman named Mike Barton has been shot. Was the killer Knuckles Malone. The only "witness" to the crime is blind. Edward Pawley, Fran Carlon, Robert Dryden, Jerry McGill (writer, director), Bernard Dudley (commercial spokesman). 29:43. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Stolen Car (Aired December 10, 1946) Amos 'n' Andy began as one of the first radio comedy series, written and voiced by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll and originating from station WMAQ in Chicago. After the program was first broadcast in 1928, it grew and became a hugely popular radio series. Early episodes were broadcast from the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs, California. The show ran as a nightly radio serial from 1928 until 1943, as a weekly situation comedy from 1943 until 1955, and as a nightly disc-jockey program from 1954 until 1960. A television adaptation ran on CBS-TV from 1951 until 1953, and continued in syndicated reruns from 1954 until 1966. It would not be seen to a nationwide audience again until 2012. THIS EPISODE: December 10, 1946. NBC network. "The Stolen Car". Commercials deleted. The Kingfish's 1928 car has been stolen, will his insurance cover it? The program closing has been deleted. Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Carlton KaDell (anouncer). 27:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Excursions In Fear (1990) *The Exact Date Is Unknown. This series was created and produced by M&J Audio Theater. The M stands for Mark Sawyer and the J is for Jay Reel. Two childhood friends who met in the 6th grade in 1977 with a tape recorder that had a mutual interest in radio drama as influenced by old time radio shows such as X Minus One, Lum and Abner, and Gunsmoke. One can hear these influences in every story from the subject matter and the character voices, to the plots. The creaking door opening, the host’s oddly humorous manner and the “pleasant dreams” ending are an undeniable salute to The Inner Sanctum and Himan Brown. Between the two of them, Mark and Jay collaborate to do over 20 characters in these stories. Jay is the voice of Chet Chetter, Elmer Corn, the Sherrif, Roland, and Gale Headrush Taylor. Mark only admits to being the voice of Cecil Farris and incidental characters. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

Death Laughs Last (Aired September 2, 1945) With The Sealed Book, each epsisode opened with the sound of the great gong, followed by Philip Clarke's observation that the Keeper of The Book had once again opened the door to the secret vault, within which was contained the 'great sealed book' recording 'all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages.' At the end of all but the last episode, Clarke would tell listeners to tune in the following week when "the sound of the great gong heralds another strange and exciting tale from... the sealed book." Keep in mind that even though the 26 scripts of The Sealed Book were derived from The Mysterious Traveler, it's instructive to note that each production used a different cast than that of it's associated production from The Mysterious Traveler. And indeed, some of the production values were a cut above in The Sealed Book, as contrasted with their similar productions from The Mysterious Traveler. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: September 2, 1945. Program #25. Mutual network origination, Michelson syndication. "Death Laughs Last". Commercials added locally. A locksmith needs money desperately for his wife's operation. He decides to use his profession for crime. The script was also used on "The Mysterious Traveler" on September 24, 1944 and April 13, 1947. The program has also been dated November 11, 1945 on WGN, Chicago. Robert A. Arthur (writer), David Kogan (writer), Phillip Clarke (host), Jock MacGregor (producer, director). 29:55. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Case Of Al Simeone (Aired December 22, 1945) Gang Busters was an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered as G-Men, sponsored by Chevrolet, on July 20, 1935. After the title was changed to Gang Busters January 15, 1936, the show had a 21-year run through November 20, 1957. Beginning with a barrage of loud sound effects — guns firing and tires squealing — this intrusive introduction led to the popular catch phrase "came on like Gang Busters."The series dramatized FBI cases, which producer-director Phillips H. Lord arranged in close association with Bureau director J. Edgar Hoover. THIS EPISODE: December 22, 1945. Program #413. ABC network. "The Case Of Al Simeone". Sponsored by: Waterman. Al Simeone shoots two people during two different robberies, but each time the gunshot sound effect isn't audible! Introducing the second act, Lewis Valentine is unable to pronounce, "Simeone." Gangbusters Nationwide Clues: Michael James Quinn (murderer). He has tattoos of Cupid on his elbow, other tattoos on his forearms. Joan Deutch (bank robber) has a tattoo on his arm, speaks German and English with an accent. Carlo Petzopanni (bank robber) speaks Italian, is an aviation enthusiast and student pilot. Don Gardiner (announcer), Phillips H. Lord (producer), Lewis J. Valentine ("Commissioner of the largest police force in the world"), Larry Haines. 28:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Councilman Colby (Aired March 4, 1947) In 1936, Mel Blanc joined Leon Schlesinger Productions, which made animated cartoons distributed by Warner Bros. Blanc liked to tell the story about how he got turned down at the Schlesinger studio by music director Norman Spencer, who was in charge of cartoon voices, saying that they had all the voices they needed. Then Spencer died, and sound man Treg Brown took charge of cartoon voices, while Carl Stalling took over as music director. Brown introduced Blanc to animation directors Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, and Frank Tashlin, who loved his voices. The first cartoon Blanc worked on was Picador Porky as the voice of a drunken bull. He took over as Porky Pig's voice in Porky's Duck Hunt, which marked the debut of Daffy Duck, also voiced by Blanc. Blanc soon became noted for voicing a wide variety of cartoon characters from Looney Tunes, adding Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Pepé Le Pew and many others. THIS EPISODE: March 4, 1947. "Councilman Colby" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Colgate Toothpowder, Halo Shampoo. Mr. Colby has hopes of being named to the City Council. A stuffed pheasant complicates things for Colby's chances with the mayor. Mel Blanc, Mary Jane Croft, Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, The Sportsmen, Victor Miller and His Orchestra, Bud Hiestand (announcer), Mac Benoff (writer), Alan Reed, Jill Walker. 24:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Night The Fog Came In (Aired March 23, 1953) Originally a local series out of Utah that found its way on to the airwaves sporadically from 1947 to 1952, this anthology was picked up for national syndication by the Mutual network and broadcast from mid-52 through mid-53. Written and directed by Richard Thorne, a prolific and talented writer and producer, this series is often overlooked, even by fans of OTR. It is unfortunate, since it provides some very unique and dramatic material; the acting in particular was superb. Early on, the series concentrated on murder mysteries, but later shows were devoted to horror and some sci-fi. Sadly, not all episodes have survived - only about 40 of perhaps over a hundred shows still exist. All episodes were standard half-hour format. THIS EPISODE: March 23, 1953. Mutual network, WGN, Chicago origination. "The Night The Fog Came". Sustaining. A story about a living fog that kills all on contact...by making men drown on dry land. A good story. Richard Thorne (writer, producer, performer), Sam Siegel, Harry Elders, Leroy Olliger (director), Harold Turner (music), Jim Andolin, Lloyd Knight (sound effects), Wayne Dickenson (sound effects), George Bower (announcer). 23:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Card Game In The Clouds (Aired May 11, 1952) Throughout most of the 1940's, Matt Cvetic worked as a volunteer undercover agent for the FBI, infiltrating the Communist Party in Pittsburgh. In 1949, his testimony helped to convict several top Party members of conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. Cvetic sold his account to "The Saturday Evening Post" and it was serialized under the title "I Posed as a Communist for the FBI". It later became a best-selling book. In 1951, Warner Brothers released a film based on these accounts entitled "I Was A Communist For The FBI", starring with Frank Lovejoy as Cvetic. In 1952, in the midst of the Red scare of the 1950's, the Frederick W. Ziv Company produced the syndicated radio series with the same title as the movie. THIS EPISODE: May 11, 1952. Program #7. ZIV Syndication. "Card Game In The Clouds". Commercials added locally. A game of gin rummy en route to Buffalo leads to a microfilm scheme to get secret documents to the Communists. Dana Andrews, Truman Bradley (announcer), William Conrad, Henry Hayward (director), David Rose (music). 27:52. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Terrible Tintype (Aired November 26, 1950) The format of the Vincent Price run of The Saint bears a bit of exposition. The signature theme of The Saint over Radio opened all of the Vincent Price canon and beyond. Any sponsor messages usually prefaced the signature whistle and opening theme. The Trim Hair Tonic-sponsored regional run of The Saint from CBS' KNX studios provided three sponsor messages: one at the open, one in the middle and one near the close. From that run forward, Vincent Price would customarily close the program with a personal message directed at one of several pet causes. Though it's not currently known if this was at Price's request or the producers', one can well imagine Vincent Price requesting the closing appeal. The formula continued through the Mutual rebroadcasts and the move to NBC in June of 1950. THIS EPISODE: November 26, 1950. NBC network. "The Terrible Tintype". Sustaining. Does "The Saint" have a photo that is being used for blackmail? Simon Templar hasn't got a clue, but gets several of them after a murder or two! The butler did it! James L. Saphier (producer), Helen Mack (director), Louis Vittes (writer), Lamont Johnson, Dan O'Herlihy, Lawrence Dobkin, Don Stanley (announcer), Joan Banks, Vincent Price, Helen Parrish, Ken Christy, Leslie Charteris (creator). 28:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Favor For A Condemned Man (Aired April 11, 1946) This series preceded Richard Powell's most famous series, Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Rogue trailed lovely blondes and protected witnesses in the new tough guy persona of Dick Powell. This was the transition series for Powell in his quest to be recognized as an actor rather than a singer. It had some of the same cute elements that would make Richard Diamond a high spot four years later. During the summer of 1946, the show was billed as Bandwagon Mysteries, with a tip of the hat to the sponsor. In the summer of 1947, it was again revived on NBC Sundays for Fitch, with Barry Sullivan in the title role. In 1950 the character again turned up in a two-year sustainer on the ABC Wednesday-night schedule. Chester Morris played the lead. Chester Morris was the original Boston Blackie. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: April 11, 1946. Mutual network. " Favor For A Condemned Man" - Sponsored by: Fitch's Shampoo, Fitch's Shaving Cream. Mike Royal is about to die in the electric chair. He asks Richard Rogue to return gems he had stolen for the reward. An interesting story. Dee Englebach (producer, director), Dick Powell, Gerald Mohr, Jim Doyle (announcer), Leith Stevens (composer, conductor), Ray Buffum (writer), Peter Leeds, Ken Christy. 28:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.