Retro Radio Podcast

Fibber gets dressed up in his old tuxedo, and is teased about how old it is. Where is he planning to take Molly tonight? As they talk about dancing, their new door bell chimes to find Wallace Wimple. Will he be going out tonight with his big old wife, Sweetie Face? He shares his poem about resolutions for 1942. Billy Mills plays some swinging traveling music. The final touches are put on to their attire, and the door bell rings again. Abigail Uppington comments on Fibbers behavior at her recent party. Will she agree to join the McGees if Fibber dances with her? Mayor Latrivia enters with a gift of defense stamps. What was Fibbers winning slogan? Harlowe Wilcox pops in to use the phone, but gets an operator named Clara to joke about the sponsor. Teeny arrives to hear about the night of dancing in store for the McGees. Slew Foot McGee brags on his dance floor prowess. The Kingsmen sing, Clara Ziranda. In the night club the McGees have a bite to eat, and get a word from the Old Timer. He tells about an old date and a plate of spaghetti. Now that the band is tuning up Fibber suddenly doesn’t want to dance. Let’s just say he has a sudden wardrobe malfunction with his old tuxedo.

Red jokes about his smart dog, and a burglar. Phil Davis plays Jeepers Creepers. Red Foley sings, In the Saddle. Janette sings, Honeysuckle Rose. Red talks about his hotel, and creepy people who live near him. A professor walks into quiz Red, then a woman who is looking for a secretary job hires Red. She then takes a letter to Reds brother. Will his jokes offend her, and others in the cast? I Ain’t Gonna Study War No More. (The Neighbor Boys) Phil Davis plays, Beal Street Blues.

Upon Lum’s return, he revealed in detail what really happened with Ira’s prize bull, and is now applying his detective expertise to find Cedric’s lost wallet. Abner insists on making Lum tell him more about how he got his money back from the Ira Hodgskin case. He claims it’s a long story, but he answers all of Abner’s questions at once about the prize bull and his latest detective work. Abner gets confused at Lum’s figure of speech in adding 2 and 2 to get his $150 back. The answer involves a deliveryman and an insurance agency, but he still needs to solve the case of the missing wallet. As Lum tries to protect how unprepared he is, Cedric has already found the wallet. Not paying him any attention, Lum continues to gather information on the wallet’s description. The need for a deceptive turns into a baffling case, more for Lum than anyone else.

Featuring Edmund O’Brian. Based on the account in a German prisoner of war camp, a Sergeant recounts a most memorable Christmas. In the bleak circumstances the American soldiers faced, plans were begun to put on a talent show, and have a Christmas midnight mass. morale was lifted, and plans for a fun night distracted prisoners from not knowing how long their lives would Continue in their current substandard conditions. Some were not willing to contribute their skills, but without much urging, organizers went into action to get comedy routines, singers, and more. Others got busy with cooking a feast, with any ingredient they had on hand. Still others griped at the idea of having to attend a mass. Then word from the Commandant came down. No Christmas mass, on punishment of being shot. Why the change of mind? The blow to the troops was enough to make the griping men complain about not having the mass that they didn’t want to go to in the first place. The denial is the sort of thing that might cause the prisoners to rebel in masses, but the result could be dangerous to the prisoners, more than their captors. Tension hangs in the air. Though the talent entertainment went well, and was well received, what would happen if the soldiers held their mass anyway? Slowly the men gather, until there’s no more room, and troops mill around outside the small chapel. Then the guards show up, and a Christmas miracle takes place.

As Don begins to announce Jack Benny, Phil Harris and Dennis Day explain he won’t be here. In flashback we find Mary trying to comfort Jack and prepare him for his appearance with the Quiz Kids. He can’t seem to get any of the answers right. Rochester even gets in on the trivia. Jack heads to the library for more studying. Jokes about Carmichael return, but what ever happened to the gas man? On the way Jack encounters Claude from the Quiz Kids. Will the kids miss a question or two on purpose for him? Is there any areas of knowledge where Jack is sure to beat the Quiz Kids? Jack continues his quizzing with Mary, then go outside to talk with Gerard and Richard. Has Rochester taken them to see Carmicchael the polar bear yet? The kids like Jack, and look forward to having him on their show. Can Jack stump them on a question? Mr Billingsley arrives to say how he tells time with a watch with no hands. The kids enjoy dinner with Jack spend the night. Has all the occupants meant that Jack’s house has been mistaken for a hotel? Jack goes to be turned in for the night by Rochester, and dreams. Jack faces off with William Shakespeare, as well as the Quiz Kids. The questions are tough, and the answers muddled from Jacks studies and worries of the day.

Phil is thrilled to have his band hired to play the local high school dance. As Alice and Willie tease him about why he was chosen, Phil figures its because of his youth and appeal to the younger set. Julius arrrives to give his perspective, as a high school student, and to hit on the love of his life, Alice. She is also invited to act as chaperone. Phil sings, Give Me that Old Time Religion. Julius picks Alice up in a tuxedo, and meets a nervous friend named Jimmy. What kind of hot rod will she be riding in? frankie picks up Phil, who is beginning to worry if sending his lovely bride out with two teenage boys was a wise thing to do. They meet the band for a quick rehearsal at the school. Elsewhere, Julius reveals his intention was to have Alice be his date, the chaperone request was only a guise. as the dance begins, Alice sings, Dance With Me. Alice is the hit of the dance, with all the boys wanting to dance with her. Won’t she ever have time to squeeze in a dance with her own husband? She even leaves with her date Julius, and not Phil. At home Phil is upset, and Alice may have some explaining to do about that smudge of chocolate soda on her lip.

The day Jack Benny died was a blow to the world, not just the world of comedy. In this AFRS production, memories of his life are shared through the commentary of the DJ, show clips, and interviews with Jack himself. Beginning with the birth of Benny Kubelsky, to the early days in vaudeville, Jack’s milestones in life are remembered. His radio career, running gags, on air personality, and more are reviewed. Clips share favorite moments with Rochester, Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Dennis Day, and Don Wilson. Moments made famous by Mel Blanc, and visits to Jack’s vault are included. In interview, Jack tells about his feud with Fred Allen, how he got his theme song. Just what does Love in Bloom have to do with a comedian, or with Jack personally? Does he really play the violin as poorly as his jokes imply? If he had it all to do over again, would he choose music over comedy?

Squire Skimp has suddenly left town, right at the pinnacle of winning his case. Today, Abner tells Cedric about the disappearance, but the lad is more concerned over his missing wallet. Even Lum is missing, and Abner frets it’s all his fault because of the way he teased him for mishandling the court case. Grandpap enters and thinks a search party is called for. Abner feels the missing Squire and Lum have long departed the local area. Should they write up an ad for the classified section in the newspaper? With a need to get a secondhand flat iron for aunt Charity, and Cedric needing help with his lost wallet, Abner fills up the allowed space in his ad to include their needs as well. Before Abner even has the ad wrote down, Lum returns. Now that was the fastest ad he ever gave to the paper! Lum tells Cedric what he really needs isn’t an ad in the paper, but a top-notch detective service, like the one Lum, is starting up right now.

Pam and Jerry North are sure their friend couldn’t have committed murder, but all the evidence stacks up against him. In flashback to the court room, Mr Baker tells his side of the story. A letter could make all the difference in exonerating him, but it’s lost. None of the other witnesses testify to the existence of the mysterious letter, and Baker’s fate is sealed. What can the North’s do to help? A man crosses their path who claims to know something about the letter, and will let them have it… for a price. Instructions involve gangsters, a clandestine meeting, and warnings to not bring the cops in on it. Will the North’s be wise, and keep their mouths shut, or will they end up in the morgue? The bidding war on the letter reaches $50k, and now Jerry has until noon tomorrow to raise it, if he can. . Death threats come his way in the form of a drive by shooting and car chases, forcing the North’s to go into hiding. A Sherlock Holmes story inspires an answer for Pam. Will it work to buy time? Will the letter remain out of reach, and in the hands of thugs? Can the North’s swing a better deal with the blackmailer? Their friend’s life hangs in the balance. Twists, dangers, and pay back for a black mailer is in store as poetic justice is done.

Starring George Morgan. Playlist: * Santa Claus is Coming to Town. (George Morgan) * Archie Campbell has Christmas shopping trouble that he shares with George and Grandpa Jones. What did they guys get for each other for Christmas this year? * The Jordanaires sing, Go Tell It On The Mountain. * The Tennessee Travelers perform a square dance call. * I’ll Be Home for Christmas. (George Morgan) * Christmas Medley (Instrumental, Chet Atkins( * Minnie Pearl brings her own mistletoe to share her Christmas spirit. Archie Campbell helps her shop for her boyfriend Hezzie. Not to mention, other Christmas surprises. * Silver Bells. (The Jordanaires) * Jingle Bells. (Grandpa Jones and his cow bells) * Silent Night. (George Morgan) Learn a little about Christmas customs in other lands. Thanks to AFRS.

Vice Detail. A professional gambling ring is on the move, and Joe Friday is out to put a stop to it. Bill Lockwood returns as Joe’s partner and the cops interview an informant over a cup of coffee. Dave makes a living as a pinsetter, a job being quickly made obsolete by those new automatic machines. A couple of new faces in the bowling alley let on about the new big game in town. The cops make it worth the information with a ten spot. In voiceover, Joe tells about the dangers of illegal gambling. Even if somebody wins, he could find himself beaten and robbed. Following leads, Joe and Bill stakeout locations, and a raid goes down. Gunshots. Gamblers bail out the windows. “What’s the beef! All these guys want is to play a little cards. Nobody ever got hurt!” Mike seems to be the ringleader, but will he come clean downtown? The cops try to play one partner against the other. The stakes in the gambling biz just got raised when the report comes in that the cop who was shot in the raid just died. The tough act drops, and Mike tells all about his contact. the man who is really behind the moving card games. Delano freely admits his racket as a gambler, And he owns the murder weapon. Will the cops buy his story? Does his choice of employees absolve him from guilt? What will the rest of the thugs have to say once they’re picked up?

Preparing to wind up Abner’s disastrous trial, Lum offers hiss final suggestions. He was sure he could get Abner out of all his charges. Lum didn’t exactly look bright when it was Abner who was supposed to plead insanity. The whole fiasco could have been avoided if Lum would have let his pal settle out of court in the first place. Feeling bad over the mishandling of the case, Lum offers to let Abner kick him. He just didn’t expect to be taken up on it, or to be kicked so hard. Will Abner be facing time in the penitentiary? His daughter, Little Pearl might be a grown-up woman by the time he’s set free. Facing the crowd in the courtroom, the gents expect the worst. Grandpap gets the session called to order. As Lum still plays his double role as lawyer, and justice of the peace, Ira Hodgskin has a note that sets the decision on its ear.

Enter into a happy scene at a carnival, and its colorful attractions. In the tunnel of love, a nervous man crosses paths with a woman who rides the ride alone, In the dark, he reveals his story, one that was supposed to remain a secret if he hopes to live. He tells how his embittered uncle, a wealthy man, has made a bet with him, but the old guy is out to kill his nephew, and see that his money goes to no one. As long as Robert can stay alive for a few more hours, the fortune is his. Conditions of the bet are that he can tell nobody, he has to stay in public, go home for at least an hour per day, meet with his uncle, and sign a confession that if dear uncle should die, it was Robert who killed him. For the next 6 months, his uncle promises to be out to kill Robert, but if he can survive, the fortune is his. Robert hides in the tunnel of love and continues to tell his new companion his nerve-racking ordeal, and pranks his uncle has sent his way. Right up until the previous evening, and the way uncle gloated while sitting behind his big mahogany desk. What’s the tried and true method that uncle plans to kill Robert with, in the next 24 hours? Wouldn’t you like to know! His companion has her own secret to tell. She’s his uncle’s secretary. Has she been sent to spy on him? When cops arrive, Robert is accused of killing his uncle. How was he supposed to have poisoned his uncle? The facts are stacked against Robert, but will the cops listen to the secretary for some key evidence that can clear Robert?

At the end of the year, emotions run into being apathetic. Little agreement is reached among the peacemakers, with bloody warnings of a third world war. While world leaders battle it out for their version of peace, memories of the fallen soldiers and sailors from one year ago are called on. Has the price they paid been so soon forgotten? The UN calls for tight controls on the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, on American streets, labor strikes are the norm. Fuel shortages force the board of health in New York shut down places of amusement, libraries, public schools, and gathering places. For those with jobs, wages are low, and benefits slim. Union leaders speak up to improve conditions on transportation workers. When the arena of industry can see eye to eye, Gunshots mark the low point. The post war year in the land of opportunity proves to be less than desirable for struggling, returning veterans. Housing conditions are far from ideal, or adequate. With funds earmarked for the atomic bomb, and for German reconstruction, there isn’t enough left for the housing shortage. World politics paint a bleak picture. The crime rate is up, teachers are in high demand, family conditions are waning, and the divorce rate is up. The atomic bomb remains at the forefront through most news stories, and its uncertainty is to blame for many troubles. By the end of the year, there are still no signed agreements on regulating the atomic bomb, and more are being produced with ever more destructive power. Is there any peacemaker at all who is determined to prevent future wars? How well did demilitarization work after World War 1? Why would anyone think it would work to prevent another war? What about the punishment of Nazi war criminals? Only the historians of tomorrow can tell how well the thoughts of violence, have been purged from the minds of men. A follow up to the Nuremberg War Crime trials is reported on, and how many had fallen through the cracks. Accounts of final moments of convicted war criminals are described in morbid detail. American fascist groups are reported as springing up, threatening to march on the capitol. The American housewife had a good year, but inflation is on the rise. Price controls need to stay in place, which makes for fodder for comedians along with the election and meat shortages. Republicans were easily returned to office, promising a more progressive government. Coal miners strike, demanding a 40 hour work week, and causing outages for factories and the transportation industry.

There’s a glint in Fibber’s eye, as he wears his old clothes, and Molly spots his need to fix something. He has taken over the kitchen table, but won’t tell her what his project is. The doorbell finds Abigail Uppington on hand for a round of insults from Fibber. If he can’t tell Molly what he’s working on, will he tell Abigail? Will the McGee’s go to her formal ball to welcome the new year? Fibber pauses his tinkering to answer the door. Mayor Latrivia enters to tell his plan for selling defense bonds. Will Fibber take part in giving speeches? Harlowe Wilcox enters to tell Molly’s fortune, and pitch the sponsor product. In search of a screwdriver, Fibber is interrupted by a visit by Mrs Wearybottom. The laconic lady tells about her dance encounter. The Kingsmen sing, Old Dan Tucker. As Fibber labors on, he gets increasingly grubby. Billy Mills enters to comment on a new arrival, and tell how long he has been a musician. The doorbell keeps ringing, and though he doesn’t say anything, uncle Dennis staggers in. After his long ordeal, Fibber finally reveals his project. Changing a typewriter ribbon. \