Radio Retropolis

A man who has the power to kill simply by touch seeks revenge on the Shadow for his brother’s execution and will begin killing random victims until Lamont can produce the Shadow. Commentary on this being the very last episode available with Bill Johnstone as The Shadow as we discuss his life and career.

Brilliant performances and a lush soundtrack set this version of Dracula above the rest. Agnes Moorehead plays Mina and Orson Welles plays the dual role of Dr. Seward and Dracula. Commentary includes background on the Stoker novel, plus the many different adaptations of Dracula, Orson Welles' red hot star status, and why this version still holds up as one of the best!

Orson Welles put on a dramatic, very well acted radio play that put the nation into a perilous frenzy which began the biggest controversy of the decade! Millions of Americans shrieked in terror as to what they thought was the world coming to an end! It changed how we approached radio and television forever. This is the original unedited broadcast WITH commentary!

This program examines the fallout of Welles popularity in which he never recovered. The world was about to enter into a new phase of terror in which the The War of the Worlds Mercury Theatre broadcast was simply the metaphor of what was to come-World War II and the Rise of the Third Reich! This program explains much of the hysteria caused by this broadcast, the scandal that followed, and the question of whether it could ever happen again.

Stolen blank business checks are being passed in supermarkets around the city by a man who died six months ago.  Commentary on real check cashing schemes of the early 50s.  Plus, a look at the colorful career of tonight's guest star Cliff Arquette who would become a fixture in our pop culture heritage.

In our last episode’s showdown with Superman the Laugher announced that he was going to kill Perry White, Lois Lane and Clark Kent and there was nothing Superman could do about it.  Commentary on the great scene between Perry and Jimmy.

A man who was presumed drowned three years ago returns to everyone’s delight-except for the one man who was accused of being responsible for his death.  Commentary on tonight's star Eddie Bracken.

An old college friend calls Lamont in a panic pleading for help.  Once there, Lamont and Margot find a peculiar doctor who seems to be in control of the estate and everyone in it.  Commentary on the difference between The Shadow in this episode now in post war times compared to The Shadow of the late 30's with Orson Welles including a special audio clip!

Two newlyweds are on the run after they witness one gruesome murder and another they may have inadvertently caused.  Commentary on what would have made this story better.  Plus, actor Larry Haines.

While out in the forest looking for clues to this mysterious Headless Indian, Perry White is critically wounded by a bullet shot in the dark, unbeknownst to both Perry and Clark, by Graham, aka The Laugher.  Commentary on Clark making stupid slip ups with reference to his being Superman with others now calling him out on that.  Plus a discussion  on the classic Hope/Crosby film Road to Morocco and recent assumption by some collegiate authorities that the film makes fun of the Moroccan culture.

The body of a dead man had been beaten to death with a concrete block in a vacant lot. Commentary on the humor written between Friday and Smith.  Plus a look at guest star Gwen Delano and today's Frank Smith, Ken Patterson.

The lodge owner Sebastian Bolvet in our last episode tells of the deadly legend of the Headless Indian riding by in which witnesses die after the third time they see him.  He has seen him twice just as we hear the Indian rider passing by a third time.  Will he survive or is the legend true?  Commentary continuing the points on Superman's identity with too many easy clues overlooked.  Plus, great character dialogue between White and Kent.

Orson Welles is cast as Damon Wellington-a hammy actor who is romantically interested in an actress named Jessica. After a year in the mental hospital grieving over the loss of her husband, Jessica is trying to get back on stage with Damon in a play entitled "The Dark Tower". All is going well until Stanley returns, seemingly from beyond the grave.  Commentary on Welles performance.  Plus, author George S. Kaufman.

An island death cult worships a supernatural foreigner who is really a criminal charlatan holding power over the island people.  Commentary on the "flashback" style of this episode-the good and the bad.

The chilling story of a US army major comes across an escaped refugee from a Chinese detention camp who refuses to go back as it will mean death for him and many others.  Commentary on how the Scripture fits into this story.  Plus, our star Stefan Schnabel.