Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Betrayer (Aired April 2, 1948) The program appears to have aired sustained for its first three months, with three to five sponsors beginning to make an appearance with Program #17, "The Mystery of The Seven Keys" of December 28, 1943. There is a circulating program titled "Homicide for Hannah", that should have been the first Molle Mystery Theater, but there is no provenance anywhere that the initial program ever actually aired. This is the first circulating program in which we hear the program refer to itself as Molle Mystery Theater. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: April 2, 1948. NBC network. "The Betrayer". Sponsored by: Molle shaving cream, Double Dandereen, Ironized Yeast. Albert Winston is being betrayed by a set of dictaphone records. It seems he has a secret regarding Mrs. Winston and the truth is about to come out. Julie Haydon plays one role, but in two voices. It's amazing how she changes from one voice to the other in the middle of a sentence. Dan Seymour (announcer), Bernard Lenrow (host, as "Geoffrey Barnes"), Julie Haydon, Everett Sloane, Robert Mitchell (writer), Gene Levitt (writer), George Putnam (commercial spokesman). 28:22. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Acquaintance (Aired December 26, 1948) After a three episode trial run on The Pepsodent Program in September of 1947 with Van Hefflin in the title role, The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe premiered as a weekly series on September 26, 1948. It was well-produced, less introspective than the books or the previous series on NBC, but it had a secret weapon. Gerald Mohr excelled as Marlowe, and his snappy delivery, coupled with well-written stories and intriguing characters makes for entertaining listening. By 1949 the show was pulling the biggest audience on American radio, with a rating of 10.3 million listeners.In 1950, Radio and Television Life Magazine named Gerald Mohr as the Best Male Actor on radio. "And it had the best hard-boiled opening lines of any radio detectives series," according to faithful contributor and OTR fan Stewart Wright. "It has to be heard to be fully appreciated. THIS EPISODE: December 26, 1948. CBS network. "The Old Acquaintance". Sustaining. A good action story about an escaped convict and the two women in his life. Gerald Mohr, Gloria Blondell, Raymond Chandler (creator), Roy Rowan (announcer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Mel Dinelli (writer), Robert Mitchell (writer), Gene Levitt (writer), Edgar Barrier, David Ellis, Lou Krugman, Stan Waxman, Jeff Corey, Richard Aurandt (special music). 29:25. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Cheesecake Caper (Aired November 6, 1949) Spade was a San Francisco detective, one of the most distinctive of the hardboiled school. His jump to radio was wrought by William Spier, who had already carved out a reputation as a master of mystery in his direction of another highly rated CBS thriller, Suspense. Spier was editor, producer, director. A lifelong radio man, he had broken in during the primitive days of 1929 and earned his stripes serving on such pioneering shows as The March of Time. Spier assembled the writing team of Bob Tallman and Ann Lorraine and began putting Spade together. He was impressed by the deep, cynical, tough qualities in Howard Duff's voice. Duff had long experience as an actor, a career that traced back to his high school days in Seattle. THIS EPISODE: November 6, 1949. CBS network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "The Cheesecake Caper". Sam finds $50 and a photo of a blonde in his sandwich. The three words on the photo say, "Find the girl!" Howard Duff, Lurene Tuttle, Dashiell Hammett (creator). 24:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Peter & The Landlord (Aired March 26, 1947) Morgan had to read an Adler commercial heralding the new fall line of colors; Morgan thought the colors were dreadful, and said he wouldn't wear them to a dogfight, but perhaps the listeners would like them. Old Man Adler demanded a retraction on the air. Morgan obliged: "I would wear them to a dogfight." Morgan later recalled with bemusement, "It made him happy." Later, he moved to ABC (formerly the NBC Blue Network) in a half-hour weekly format that allowed Morgan more room to develop and expand his topical, often ad-libbed satires, hitting popular magazines, soap operas, schools, the BBC, baseball, summer resorts, government snooping, and landlords. His usual signoff was, "Morgan'll be here on the same corner in front of the cigar store next week." But he continued to target sponsors whose advertising copy rankled him, and those barbs didn't always sit well with his new sponsors, either. When Eversharp sponsored his show to promote both Eversharp pens and Schick shaving razors and blades, Morgan threw this in during a show satirizing American schools: "They're educational. Try one. That'll teach you." THIS EPISODE: March 26, 1947. ABC network, WENR, Chicago aircheck. Sponsored by: Eversharp-chick. A look at the housing shortage, "The Question Man," "Peter and The Landlord." The system cue has been deleted. Arnold Stang, Bernard Green and His Orchestra, Charles Irving (announcer), Henry Morgan, The Golden Gate Quartet, Florence Halop, Madeline Lee. 28:11. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Count Of Monte Cristo (Aired October 1, 1939) The Campbell Playhouse was a sponsored continuation of the Mercury Theater on the Air, a direct result of the instant publicity from the War of the Worlds panic. The switch occurred on December 9, 1938. In spite of using the same creative staff, the show had a different flavor under sponsorship, partially attributed to a guest star policy in place, which relegated the rest of the Mercury Players to supporting cast for Orson Welles and the Hollywood guest of the week. There was a growing schism between Welles, still reaping the rewards of his Halloween night notoriety, and his collaborator John Houseman, still in the producer's chair but feeling more like an employee than a partner. The writer, as during the unsponsored run, was Howard Koch. THIS EPISODE: October 1, 1939. CBS network. "The Count Of Monte Cristo". Sponsored by: Campbell's Soup. The classic of unjust accusation and satisfying revenge. Agnes Moorehead, Alexandre Dumas (author), Bernard Herrmann (composer, conductor), Edgar Barrier, Everett Sloane, Frank Readick, George Coulouris, Orson Welles (host), Ray Collins (narrator), Richard Wilson. 58:07. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Sub-Basement (Aired August 24, 1943) Lights Out was an American old-time radio program featuring "tales of the supernatural and the supernormal." It was immensely popular, and was one of the first horror programs, predating Suspense and Inner Sanctum. In its heydey, Lights Out rivalled the popularity of those shows. Lights Out ran through several series and networks, from January 1, 1934 to August 6, 1947. The principal sponsor was Ironized Yeast. Most episodes were broadcast at midnight. Lights Out then made the transition to television in 1949, where it was broadcast until 1952. Created in Chicago by writer Wyllis Cooper in 1934. THIS EPISODE: August 24, 1943. CBS network. "Sub-Basement". Sponsored by: Ironized Yeast, Energene. A good story about the basement of a department store infested with dinosaurs. The story is also known as, "Going Down." This is a network, sponsored version. Arch Oboler (writer, producer, director, host), Frank Martin (announcer), Joseph Kearns, Bea Benaderet, Lou Merrill (doubles). 21:29. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

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 Case Of The Hasty Will (Aired March 2, 1951) The Adventures of Nero Wolf were first heard over the New England Network of Westinghouse Radio stations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island Nero Wolfe languished in popular media for another seven years, until he was reprised over Radio by the old New England Network as The Adventures of Nero Wolfe. Sadly, precious little is known about this first series, other than the dates of its run and its principal actor, J.B. Williams in the role of Nero Wolf. It was with the series' transition to its first national network that The Adventures of Nero Wolf was first heard by a national audience. But again, many of the details of this second, Summer 1943 run of 13 episodes--other than its episode titles and its star, famous character actor Santos Ortega in the role of Nero Wolfe--remain a mystery to this day. THIS EPISODE: March 2, 1951. NBC network. "The Case Of The Hasty Will". Sustaining. Nero Wolf and Archie are paid $1000 to witness the execution of a will. A simple case soon involves a corpse and twin brothers. The story title is tentative. The final promotional announcement and system cue have been deleted. Sydney Greenstreet, John Edison (writer), J. Donald Wilson (producer, director), Harry Bartell, William Johnstone, Don Stanley (announcer), Victor Rodman, Louise Arthur, Hal Gerard, Rex Stout (creator). 29:15. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Missing Salesman (Aired May 3, 1951) Father Knows Best, a family comedy of the 1950s, is perhaps more important for what it has come to represent than for what it actually was. In essence, the series was one of a slew of middle-class family sitcoms in which moms were moms, kids were kids, and fathers knew best. Today, many critics view it, at best, as high camp fun, and, at worst, as part of what critic David Marc once labeled the "Aryan melodramas" of the 1950s and 1960s. The brainchild of series star Robert Young, who played insurance salesman Jim Anderson, and producer Eugene B. Rodney, Father Knows Best first debuted as a radio sitcom in 1949.The series began August 25, 1949, on NBC Radio. Set in the Midwest, it starred Robert Young as General Insurance agent Jim Anderson. His wife Margaret was first portrayed by June Whitley and later by Jean Vander Pyl. The Anderson children were Betty (Rhoda Williams), Bud (Ted Donaldson) and Kathy (Norma Jean Nillson). Others in the cast were Eleanor Audley, Herb Vigran and Sam Edwards. Sponsored through most of its run by General Foods, the series was heard Thursday evenings on NBC until March 25, 1954.

Joe Mattock (Aired March 16, 1948) The production didn't stint on talent, as hinted above. No less than Ivan Ditmars provided the music direction and in addition to Herb Lytton as 'Fate', the varying casts included Lurene Tuttle, Larry Dobkin, Hal Sawyer, Gloria Blondell, Frank Albertson, Jerry Hausner, Howard McNear, Peter Leeds, Ken Peters, Daws Butler and William Johnstone. All in all a superb well of talent from which to draw each week. While a bit difficult to document, the production remains quite collectable and the perspective of the presentation is also unique for the era--or since for that matter. Diary of Fate is one of Radio's little, oft-overlooked gems that demand pulling out, polishing up for better enjoyment, then dutifully returning them to their preserve for another airing one day in the future. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: March 16, 1948. Program #14. Finley syndication. "Joe Mattock". Commercials added locally. Book 63, page 397. A truck driver and his beautiful hitch-hiker commit murder to get their hands on $100,000, kept in a little black bag. The date is subject to correction. Ivan Ditmars (music), Larry Finley (producer), Hal Sawyer, Frank Albertson, Gloria Blondell, Herb Lytton, Jerry Hausner, Ray Ehrlenborn (probable sound effects). 28:53. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Criminal Code (Aired January 18, 1937) 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: January 18, 1937. CBS network. "Criminal Code". Sponsored by: Lux. A nice kid with all the breaks going against him gets ten years in the Big House, and finds love! Edward G. Robinson, Beverly Roberts, Cecil B. DeMille, Frank Nelson (performer, program opening announcer), Lou Merrill (doubles), Earle Ross, Louis Silvers (music director), Melville Ruick (announcer), Noel Madison, Paul Guilfoyle, Martin Flavin (author), Gladys Lloyd (intermission guest: wife of Edward G. Robinson), James B. Holohan (intermission quest: former warden of San Quentin), Walter Kingsford, William Williams (triples), Richard Abbott (triples), Ernie Adams (doubles), Justina Wayne (doubles), Joe Franz (doubles), Hilda Haywood (doubles), Margaret Brayton (doubles, commercial spokesman), Ross Forrester (triples), David Kerman (triples), Charles Emerson (commercial spokesman), Frank Woodruff (director), George Wells (adaptor), Charlie Forsyth (sound effects). 59:59. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Missing Patient (Aired February 14, 1952) This hard boiled spy drama began as an RKO Radio Pictures theatrical serial in the 1940s, went on radio in 1945, and then came to TV ten years later in this Syndicated series produced for distribution by NBC Films; Charles McGraw had been in many motion pictures before and after including "The Killers", "Spartacus" and "Cimarron"; in this series he played the title role of a man whose real name was supposedly Mike Waring, an American agent whose code name was "Falcon"; Later Charles McGraw starred in a short lived TV version of "Casablanca" (1955 - 1956) in the character of Rick; He also had a role on the detective drama "Staccato" (1959) Actor McGraw (whose birth name was Charles Butters) met an unfortunate death in real life when he fell through a shower glass door in 1980 at his home in Studio City, CA. THIS EPISODE: February 14, 1952. NBC network. "The Case Of The Missing Patient". Sustaining. After helping a wounded criminal, a kindly doctor is found murdered. The trail to the killer leads to a shootout in the subway. The system cue and possibly part of the program closing have been deleted. The recording sounds like unedited tape or a rehearsal. Les Damon, Drexel Drake (creator), Bernard L. Schubert (producer), Richard Lewis (director), Fred Collins (announcer). 26:32. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Psychology (Aired January 27, 1952) The show was sponsored by Swan Soap, and Irma would usually make a silly remark about it so the name could be advertised. Frank Bingman was the announcer for Swan Soap. The program was also sponsored by EMMD's which got rid of breath and body odors and each tiny capsule was said to contain 100g (nearly four ounces) of chlorophyll, which is a miracle in itself. Pepsodent was also a sponsor. Because of the popularity of the show, early in the series (shows 41-43), a contest was run for the services of Irma/Marie Wilson to act as a secretary for the highest bidder for one day, with her willing to travel anywhere in America. The money was to go to the March of Dimes charity to fight polio. Three business men bid $1,000, but the winner was the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Fort Worth, Texas which bid $5,000 to have Irma as their secretary for a day. THIS EPISODE: January 27, 1952. "Psychology" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Ennds, Eye-Gene. Irma and Al break up, then each join a Lonely Hearts Club! The script was used previously on "My Friend Irma" on January 26, 1948. Alan Reed, Carl Caruso (announcer), Cathy Lewis, Cy Howard (writer, producer, director), Edwin Max, Gloria Gordon, Hans Conried, John Brown, Leif Erickson, Lud Gluskin, Marie Wilson, Parke Levy (writer), Pat Burton (associate producer), Sandra Gould, Stanley Adams (writer). 25:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Cargo Unknown (Aired July 12, 1949) First broadcast in 1949, John Steele, Adventurer was a thriller/drama that wasn't considered a major force in the world of radio although it is considered to have offered great entertainment. Jungles and deserts made up the eerie background sounds of the series that featured Don Douglas as John Steele. John Steele was the type of roving adventurer and thrill seeker who held various jobs in exotic locations. Among his career paths were country sheriff, special agent in Turkey and a ship's captain. The stories were narrated by a friend of Steele's, with Steele making cameo appearances throughout. Ted Mallie, of The Shadow and I Love a Mystery announcing fame also landed the job of the announcer for John Steele, Adventurer, which featured Elliot Drake as the director. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: July 12, 1949. Mutual network. "Cargo Unknown". Sustaining. Two men are in an open boat, with a beautiful woman. Elliott Drake (writer, director), Ross Martin, Connie Lembcke, Earl George, Sylvan Levin (conductor), Walt Shaver (sound effects), Ted Mallie (announcer), Don Douglas, Robert Monroe (producer). 29:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Bubbles Club (Aired April 20, 1954) This program was born from a detective book series and inspired by author Henry Kane who became the director and producer for the radio show. The series only ran five months, 30 minutes each episode, from April 6, 1954 to September 7, 1954. Peter Chambers was played by Dane Clark who also appeared on the Suspense radio shows. Chambers acted the role of a playboy detective with an eye for solving crime and a taste for the women. Bill Zuckert, who went on to guest star in many 1970s shows including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the Partridge Family, plays Lt. Parker. THIS EPISODE: April 20, 1954. "The Bubbles Club"NBC network. Sustaining. Peter Chambers tracks down a valuble tiara worth millions and for which he will receive 10 percent. In the end, he receives nothing and barely escapes with his life. Dane Clark, Henry Kane (creator, producer, writer), Fred Collins (announcer), Fred Weihe (director), William Zuckert, Evelyn Varden, Roger De Koven, Patricia Weil. 25:16.