Radio Retropolis

Orson Welles stars as a magician, who decides to kill his rival who is determined to take over his identity and seduce his wife.  Commentary on Welles' misjudgement in performance as well as a comment on his ego due to his immense popularity and fame.  Plus, we discuss Welles' movie he was promoting Follow The Boys.

Lamont and Margo are embroiled in a mystery that involves a morgue, an underworld racket, and several dead bodies.  Commentary on the brilliant script and background on one of The Shadow's greatest writers, Frank Kane.

A red-haired woman driving alone at night is terrorized as witnesses believe she helped a killer escape from prison since his accomplice was a red-haired woman.  Commentary on the unusual star of tonight's episode-Ann Shepherd.

Superman tracked Kilraine, the man who shot at Perry White, back to a deluxe high rent apartment and threatened to do him serious harm unless he talked.  Superman’s interrogation awakened the man who clearly is the man in charge.  A man known as The Laugher.  Commentary on the face-off between Superman and The Laugher as this being the first time Superman has been front and center in the series.

This special episode tells three tales of life and death in the city of Los Angeles one Fourth of July weekend.  Commentary on Webb pal Harry Bartell and an examination of why one crucial scene, in which Friday did not deliver, but Bartell's character did.  Also, why Stacy Harris, known for his aggressive roles, excels here as the father of the boy who was at the center of one story's tragedy.

As Perry, Lois and Jimmy get their gear at the outdoor store for their trip north, an unknown customer inspecting a rifle seemingly by accident pulls the trigger which fires a live bullet right at Perry’s heart.  Will Kent notice this in time to stop the bullet and keep his secret identity safe?  Commentary on the evolution of Superman no longer being a fantasy figure and one who is no nonsense in extracting information.  Plus, enlisting kids to buy savings stamps for the war.

A young woman with absolutely no qualifications is hired as a secretary by a strange employer who has a sordid reason for choosing her.  Commentary on star Katina Paxinou who accomplished an Oscar first! Plus, author of tonight's story Anthony Gilbert.

Driving by a cemetery, Lamont and Margo pick up a disoriented hitchhiker who asks to be taken to her father's shop. Once arriving, they not only find their passenger has disappeared from the back seat, but that she died the night before.  Commentary on the "noir" turn in The Shadow episodes.  Plus, the 1946 Golf Masters Tournament.

A reporter descends into madness and murder after he falls in love with a girl with the most beautiful yellow eyes…a girl who was born to kill. Commentary on tonight's star Richard Widmark.

Perry gets an urgent message that a friend of his is deep in trouble and must leave for the Hudson Bay right away.  Clark and Lois vow to accompany Perry much against the editor’s wishes.  This episode is Part 2 of the serial since Part 1 is not at the present available. Commentary on the fresh, exciting changes for the better in this serial.

An unidentified man is abducted from a downtown street where blood stains are found on the sidewalk. The abductors escaped in a gray sedan which turns up later also containing matching blood stains.  Commentary on Jack Webb's working style and the sci-fi icon who launched his career adapting real police stories into Dragnet scripts.

Jim panics when Bud sends in his tax return to the Director of Internal Revenue with plenty of ill-advised deductions using his real name-Jim Anderson. Commentary on the 1954 Academy Awards, On The Waterfront and the good and bad of Marlon Brando.

The last episode of the series and our FINAL PODCAST! During a rainy day when all the Andersons are cooped up in the house, Jim reflects on his impatience with his kids and decides to become a better father-even if it kills him.  Commentary on the Father Knows Best legacy, the tragic life of Robert Young and how this show's message is still relevant today.

Jim and Margaret recollect the time they almost eloped and when Betty starts exhibiting the same patterns, Jim fears the worst.  Commentary on the sentimentality between Jim and Margaret plus director Arthur Jacobson.

It’s a beautiful sunny spring day and Jim decides today’s the day to clean the house inside and out-that is until he realizes how much work is involved.  Commentary on why 1954 was the year of the big cultural shift of pop culture with the birth of rock and roll.  Plus guest star Earl Ross.