Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Blue Legend (Aired March 3, 1947) 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: March 3, 1947. CBS Pacific network. "The Blue Legend". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A schemer talks his way into a half interest in an valuable Alaskan gold mine, and then gets the nugget of an idea for murder. Alan Reed, Virginia Gregg, E. Jack Neuman (writer), George W. Allen (producer), Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer). 29:16. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Lost Race (Aired May 20, 1950) Dimension X was an NBC radio program broadcast on an unsponsored, sustaining basis from April 8, 1950 to September 29, 1951. The first 13 episodes were broadcast live, and the remainder were pre-recorded. Fred Wiehe and Edward King were the directors, and Norman Rose was heard as both announcer and narrator (his famous opening: "Adventures in time and space... told in future tense..."). Preceded by Mutual's 2000 Plus (1950–52), Dimension X was not the first adult science fiction series on radio, but the acquisition of previously published stories immediately gave it a strong standing with the science fiction community, as did the choice of well established, respected writers in the field: Isaac Asimov, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, Fredric Brown, Robert A. Heinlein, Murray Leinster, H. Beam Piper, Frank M. Robinson, Clifford D. Simak, William Tenn, Jack Vance, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Williamson and Donald A. Wollheim. Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts adapted most of the stories and also provided original scripts. THIS EPISODE: May 20, 1950. NBC network. "The Lost Race". Sustaining. A space ship, marooned on an alien planet, is menaced by a psychotic rocket mechanic. He leads them to discover the terrible secret of the "lost race." Joseph Julian, Matt Crowley, Murray Leinster (author), Roger De Koven, Ernest Kinoy (adaptor), Norman Rose (host), Van Woodward (producer), Edward King (director), Bob Warren (announcer), Harold Huber, Kermit Murdock, Wendell Holmes, Albert Buhrman (music), Bill Chambers (sound engineer). 29:10. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Message In Red (Aired November 7, 1945) Tuska cited Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940) and Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery (1941) as the best of the Bellamy-Lindsay pairings. "The influence of The Thin Man series was apparent in reverse", Tuska noted about Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery. "Ellery and Nikki are unmarried but obviously in love with each other. Probably the biggest mystery... is how Ellery ever gets a book written. Not only is Nikki attractive and perfectly willing to show off her figure", Tuska wrote, "but she also likes to write her own stories on Queen's time, and gets carried away doing her own investigations." THIS EPISODE: November 7, 1945. CBS network. "The Adventure Of The Message In Red". Sponsored by: Anacin, Hill Cold Tablets. Three women have been shot to death in one night...by the same gun. What did the three women have in common...and who killed them? Don Hancock (anouncer), Victor Jory ("Guest Armchair Detective"), Sydney Smith, Santos Ortega, Ted de Corsia, Gertrude Warner, Raymond Edward Johnson, Anthony Boucher (writer), Manfred B. Lee (creator, writer), Frederic Dannay (creator), Bob Steel (producer, director), Chet Kinsbury (music), Frank Mellow (sound effects), James Rinaldi (sound engineer), Virginia Dwyer (commercial spokeswoman). 29:55. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Leroy Sells Seeds (Aired April 19, 1942) The Great Gildersleeve (1941-1957), initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. Built around a character who had been a staple on the classic radio situation comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, The Great Gildersleeve enjoyed its greatest success in the 1940s. Actor Harold Peary played the character during its transition from the parent show into the spin-off and later in a quartet of feature films released at the height of the show's popularity. On Fibber McGee and Molly, Peary's Gildersleeve was a pompous windbag who became a consistent McGee nemesis. "You're a haa-aa-aa-aard man, McGee!" became a Gildersleeve catch phrase. THIS EPISIODE: April 19, 1942. "Leroy Sells Seeds" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Leroy tries to sell seeds door-to-door, but winds up planting a Victory Garden. Harold Peary, Leonard L. Levinson (writer), Lillian Randolph, Lurene Tuttle, Walter Tetley, Earle Ross, Jim Bannon (announcer), William Randolph (composer, conductor). 29:47. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Death Has A Thirst (Aired May 8, 1943) 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. May 8, 1943. CBS network. "Death Has A Thirst". Sustaining. A triangle affair trapped on a desert island. Madness and alcoholism rampant. See cat. #45141 for a different production of the same script, produced a year earlier. About two minutes are missing from the middle of the recording. J. Donald Wilson (writer), Wilbur Hatch (composer, conductor). 29:20. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Rope Of Sand (Starring Burt Lancaster) Aired April 28, 1950 Screen Director's Playhouse is NBC's answer to Lux Theater and Screen Guild Players, both prosperous ventures on CBS. The rehash of old movies doesn't necessarily make the most vivid of radio plays but there seems to be no doubt that it attracts listeners by the hundredweight. And association with America's citadel of glamor lures the unsuspecting by the sheer weight of publicity. In this case, the association with Hollywood is even more tenuous than usual. The screen director, who figures so prominently in the title, has very little to do with the program beyond appearing briefly at the beginning to explain why he thought, say, "Jezebel" was a marvelous picture--a rather difficult thing to explain--and later he bobs up again at the end to exchange banter with the star, an exchange that generally takes the form of a barrage of mutual compliments. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: April 28, 1950. NBC network. "Rope Of Sand". Sponsored by: RCA. A story of diamond hunting in the "forbidden area" of South Africa, complicated by love and revenge. Bill Cairn (director), Burt Lancaster, Corinne Calvet, Donald Morrison, Frank Barton (announcer), Howard Wiley (producer), Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Milton Geiger (adaptor), Norman Field, Robert Armbruster (conductor), Stan Waxman, William Dieterle, William Johnstone. 30:26. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Clothes Make Thre Woman (Aired January 2, 1950) Crime Does Not Pay was an anthology radio crime drama series based on MGM's short film series which began in 1935 with Crime Does Not Pay: Buried Loot. The shows were transcribed at MGM's New York station, WMGM. Written by Ira Marion and directed by Marx B. Loeb, the radio program aired in New York on WMGM for two years (October 10, 1949-October 10, 1951), including repeats. It moved to the Mutual Broadcasting System for its final run (January 7-December 22, 1952). For the most part, actors who appeared in B-films were featured, but occasionally one of MGM's major stars would make an appearance. Actors in the series included Bela Lugosi, Everett Sloane, Ed Begley, John Loder and Lionel Stander. After the play, the actors usually returned to speak with the audience. Composer-conductor John Gart furnished the music. THIS EPISODE: January 2, 1950. Program #13. MGM syndication. "Clothes Make The Woman". Commercials added locally. A gang of shoplifters goes big time when Betty Page gets a better idea. The date above is the date of the first broadcast of this program on WMGM, New York, from which this syndicated version may have been taken. Marx B. Loeb (director), Jean Muir, Ira Marion (writer), Jon Gart (composer, conductor), Burton B. Turkas (technical advisor), Bob Williams (announcer). 25:14.

The Clicking Silver Pen (Aired May 22, 1955) Abbott Mysteries was a comedy-mystery radio program adapted from the novels of Frances Crane (1896-1981). Initially a summer replacement for Quick As a Flash, the series was heard on Mutual and NBC between the years 1945 and 1955. The Mutual series, sponsored by Helbros Watches, debuted June 10, 1945, airing Sundays at 6pm. Scripts were by Howard Merrill and Ed Adamson in the lighthearted tradition of Mr. and Mrs. North. Julie Stevens and Charles Webster starred as Jean and Pat Abbott, a San Francisco married couple who solved murder mysteries. In the supporting cast were Jean Ellyn, Sydney Slon and Luis Van Rooten. Moving to 5:30pm in 1946, Les Tremayne and Alice Reinheart took over the roles until the end of the series on August 31, 1947. Seven years later, the characters returned October 3, 1954, on NBC in The Adventures of the Abbotts, broadcast on NBC Sunday evenings at 8:30pm. The Abbotts were portrayed by Claudia Morgan and Les Damon. The NBC series ran until June 12, 1955. THIS EPISODE: May 22, 1955. NBC network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Clicking Silver Pen". Mandel Kramer, Claudia Morgan, Frances Crane (creator), Howard Merrill (writer), Dewey Bergman (composer, conductor), Ted Lloyd (producer), Bernard L. Schubert (producer), Harry Frazee (director, recordist), Wayne Howell (announcer). 30:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

You Can't Cheat An Honest Man (Aired November 7, 1957) Amos was an incorrigible codger who was against anything anyone else was for. He had the regulation Heart of Gold stuck away somewhere, but he was cantankerous as all get out. With his shoulders and arms jumping, Amos walked like a chicken with a limp. He bullied, he blustered, he cajoled, he did everything he could to get his own way. His not being able to read or write got him into many predicaments, for he would never admit to being illiterate to anyone outside the family. In 1962 the series moved to CBS. Luke became a widower and many of the plots began to revolve around Grandpa's attempts to match him up with a new wife. THIS EPISODE: November 7, 1957. "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man" A Desilu Studios presentation - The rest of the family thinks Grampa is taking advantage of a city fellow by selling him five acres of worthless land..Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, Kathleen Nolan, Lydia Reed, Michael Winkelman. Director: Hy Averback. Writers: Jack Elinson, Irving Pincus. 21:59. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Space Shark (Aired December 6, 1952) The success of the TV show spawned a radio version, which ran for 129 episodes from October 1952 to March 1955. The same cast of actors performed on both shows. The writers, scripts, adventures and director were quite different in radio versus TV incarnations. Naturally, the series lacked the adult sophistication of such shows as X Minus One, which focused on adapting short fiction by notable genre names as Robert A. Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. But as a throwback to the sort of Golden Age space opera popularized in the 1930s, the days of science fiction's infancy, by pioneering magazine editor Hugo Gernsback, Space Patrol is prized by OTR collectors today as one of radio's most enjoyable adventures. THIS EPISODE: December 6, 1952. ABC network. "The Space Shark". Sponsored by: Ralston cereals. While attempting to rescue Tonga from food poisoners, Commander Corry and Cadet Happy are nearly fried by heat mirrors on Venus. Later, Commander Corry dodges a guided missile through the rings of Saturn! Bela Kovacs, Dick Tufeld (announcer), Ed Kemmer, Ken Mayer, Larry Robertson (producer, director), Lou Huston (writer), Lyn Osborn, Mike Moser (creator), Nina Bara. 28:41. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Nightmare (Aired October 29, 1964) The production values, polish, direction, sound engineering, and acting were all top notch. Indeed many of the finest voice talents from The Golden Age of Radio are present throughout its run. The variety of dramatic genre represented with its 260 production broadcasts also run the gamut of the rich variety of drama presented during the height of the Golden Age of Radio. Indeed very little is missing from this remarkable production run. The variety of dramatic presentations was one of Theater Five's most compelling features. With a broad mix of genres and some of Radio, Stage, Television and Film's finest guest stars, ABC's humble 21-minute scripts packed a lot of entertainment into a relatively small format. Timing is everything. ABC Radio missed the sweet spot of Radio Drama History by about 20 years. THIS EPISODE: October 29, 1964. ABC network. "Nightmare". Commercials deleted. A teen-ager accuses her history teacher of assaulting her. Why not? Francis Rickett (writer), Ted Bell (director), Rosemary Rice, Stan Watts, George Baxter, Lorraine McMartin, Peter Fernandez, George Petrie, Bill Sanreuter (audio engineer), Ed Blainey (sound technician), Jack C. Wilson (script editor), Fred Foy (announcer), Alexander Vlas-Daczenco (composer), Glenn Osser (conductor), Edward A. Byron (executive producer). 21:51. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Sins Of Prince Saradin (Aired February 14, 1986) Father Brown is a short, stumpy Catholic priest, "formerly of Cobhole in Essex, and now working in London," with shapeless clothes and a large umbrella, and uncanny insight into human evil. He makes his first appearance in the famous story "The Blue Cross" and continues through the five volumes of short stories, often assisted by the reformed criminal Flambeau. Father Brown also appears in a story "The Donnington Affair" that has a rather curious history. In the October 1914 issue of the obscure magazine The Premier, Sir Max Pemberton published the first part of the story, inviting a number of detective story writers, including Chesterton, to use their talents to solve the mystery of the murder described. Chesterton and Father Brown's solution followed in the November issue. The story was first reprinted in the Chesterton Review (Winter 1981, pp. 1-35) and in the book Thirteen Detectives.

A Wellington Boot (Aired August 3, 1952) There is actually a Black Museum. This area is located on the lower ground floor of Scotland Yard and it does indeed contain articles that are closely associated with the solving of a crime. And "Whitehall 1212" was the actual emergency phone number for the yard at the time. The research for the shows was done by Percy Hoskins, chief crime reporter for the London Daily Express. For the benefit of American audiences, Wyllis Cooper of Quiet Please fame was hired as script writer. Interestingly enough both the Black Museum and Whitehall 1212 had all-British casts; both ran concurrently. THIS EPISODE: August 3, 1952. NBC network. Sustaining. "A Wellington Boot" in the "Black Museum" is the key to the murder of Nora Brady. This was the only time a person in Britain was tried twice for the same murder. Percy Hoskins (researcher), Wyllis Cooper (writer, director), Horace Braham, Lester Fletcher, Lionel Ricou (announcer), Beulah Garrick, Harvey Hayes, Winston Ross, Jared Burke, Carl Harburg. 29:45. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Marijuana Mystery (1953) *The Exact Date Is Unknown. This show, from the early 1950s, is a good example of the true story style of delivery made popular in radio's classic crime shows Gangbusters and Mr. District Attorney. Of course, the best and most popular of the true crime shows was Dragnet -- the monotone, "just the facts" style demanded by Jack Webb in the show made two points at once: first, that the show wasn't a typical melodramatic crime show, as had been on radio since "the good old days", and more importantly, that we were along for the ride on another day at the office -- in this case, a policeman's “day at the office". Not a true crime show, as this is drama, but this show features Chuck Morgan, as played by Glen Langen, a very believable news anchor at KOP, a Los Angeles radio station. He is pals with Lieutenant Bill Miggs of the police force, who tips him off to hot crime news. Also in on the capers is Morgan's "Gal Friday", Carol Curtis, played by Adele Jurgens. The three meet all types -- mostly on the shady side of the street. In real life, Glen and Adele were husband and wife, the two marrying in 1949. They had met on the movie set of The Treasure of Monte Cristo. On the show, the repartee between the two is strictly old school and quite enjoyable. The dialogue is solid and makes the most of the plots. Unheralded and left for dead, Stand By for Crime is well worth your time. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

Battle School (Aired April 1, 1974) "Dad's Army" was a long running British comedy series created and written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. The idea of a series came to Jimmy Perry when he realised that many people had forgotten about the contribution the Home Guard had made to the British Home Front during the years of the Second World War. Commencing in 1968, "Dad's Army" ran on BBC Television for 9 years with over eighty episodes spread within 10 series. The series is set in a small fictional seaside town called Walmington-on-Sea somewhere on the South Coast of England. "Dad's Army" is also remembered for its first class actors which starred amongst its credits, Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson and Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones. In May 1940, Sir Anthony Eden makes his historic speech calling for men under and over the age of active service in the armed forces to form a local defence corps. In Walmington, the Local Bank manager George Mainwaring set's up the town's Local Defence Volunteers,with the assistance of his Bank Clerk, Arthur Wilson and the Local Butcher, Jack Jones. The LDV later become known as the Home Guard or affectionately (to the TV audience) "Dad's Army" as the platoon mainly consist of Old Soldiers.From week to week they would become entangled in many exploits while defending Walmington from a possible invasion and any interference from the Local Air Raid Warden.