Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Life Of Riley - Monohan Spends A Week (5-22-48)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:56:47 GMT

Monohan Spends A Week (Aired May 22, 1948)
The Life of Riley, with William Bendix in the title role, was a popular radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film and continued as a long-running television series during the 1950s.The show began as a proposed Groucho Marx radio series, The Flotsam Family, but the sponsor balked at what would have been essentially a straight head-of-household role for the comedian. Then producer Irving Brecher saw Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in the movie The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). The Flotsam Family was reworked with Bendix cast as blundering Chester A. Riley, riveter at a California aircraft plant, and his frequent exclamation of indignation---"What a revoltin' development this is!"---became one of the most famous catch phrases of the 1940s. The radio series also benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker." "Living the life of Riley" suggests an ideal life of prosperity and contentment, possibly living on someone else's money, time or work. Rather than a negative freeloading or golddigging aspect, it instead implies that someone is kept or advantaged.

The Chase - Amusement Park (8-14-52)

Bob Camardella — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:19:06 GMT

Amusement Park (Aired August 14, 1952)
Dramatic Adventure Anthology Broadcast 4/27/1952-6/28/1953 30 min.

Tales, highly melodramatic and often improbable, of people on the run. The concept of "hunter and hunted" was built into the signatures. with the lone bugle of a fox hunt, the braying of dogs, the sounds of a man running, a gunshot, and the slowing footsteps and eventual fall of the victim. But in this episode, who IS the hunter. A small town "greese monkey" is targeted for elimination. Sounds simple enough for a cold blooded professional hit man. An episode filled with exciting twists and turns worthly of this fine series.

The Great Gildersleeve - Eves Mother Arrives (6-04-44)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:24:37 GMT

Eves Mother Arrives (Aired June 4, 1944)
The Great Gildersleeve (1941-1957), initially written by Leonard L. Levinson, was arguably the first spin-off program in broadcast history. 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). But he also became a popular enough windbag that Kraft Foods — looking primarily to promote its Parkay margarine spread — sponsored a new series with Peary's Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (the character was given several conflicting first names on Fibber McGee and Molly, and on one episode of that show revealed his middle name as Philharmonic) as the central, slightly softened, and slightly befuddled focus of a lively new family.

Your's Truly Johnny Dollar - The Virginia Beach Matter (8-31-50)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:06:17 GMT

The Virginia Beach Matter (Aired August 31, 1950)
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama about a freelance insurance investigator that aired from February 11, 1949 to September 30, 1962 on CBS. There were 811 episodes in the 12-year run, and over 720 still exist today. Charles Russell was the first to star as Johnny Dollar, the smart and tough detective who tossed silver dollar tips to bellhops. With the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar there was little to distinguish it from other detective series at the time (Richard Diamond, Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade).While always a friend of the police,Johnny wasn't necessarily a stickler for the strictest interpretation of the law. He was willing to let some things slide to satisfy his own sense of justice, as long as the interests of his employer were protected.

Mr. Keen Tracer Of Lost Persons - Murder & The Bloodstained Necklace (9-15-49)

Bob Camardella — Sat, 10 May 2008 19:45:09 GMT

Murder & The Bloodstained Necklace (Aired September 15, 1949)
Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons was one of network radio's longest running detectives, although listening to it now would hardly explain why. This kind, elderly, boring sleuth, in company with his bumbling assistant, Mike Clancy, was on the airwaves from 1937 to 1955, logging nearly 20 years of fighting crime. The series came out of the soap opera fiction factory of Frank and Anne Hummert and encompassed most of the trite dialogue and snail plotting of daytime serials.

THIS EPISODE: September 15, 1949. CBS net. "The Case Of Murder and The Bloodstained Necklace". Sponsored by: Anacin, Kolynos, Heet, Kriptin, Bisodol, Hills Cold Tabs. A widow for one week is found dead in a hotel room with a string of worthless pearls clutched in her hand. Frank Hummert, Anne Hummert (author), Bennett Kilpack. 1/2 hour.

NBC University Theater - The Pickwick Papers (3-13-49)

Bob Camardella — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:48:01 GMT

The Pickwick Papers (Aired March 13, 1949)
NBC University Theater is an unusual series that focused on reenacting novels by great authors for college classes. Many accredited American universities such as Washington State College, University of Louisville, and University of Tulsa, used this dramatic series as a supplement to correspondent college courses. The series' creators made study guides to accompany the courses. Students studying great literature by Steinbeck, Faulkner, Hemingway, Huxley, and many others listened to these shows every week. It was an ambitious series that remained popular despite its academic and non-commercial appeal. The shows are high quality and will please many fans of great literature.

Michael Shayne - Pursuit Of Death (9-18-48)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:50:06 GMT

Pursuit Of Death (Aired September 18, 1948)
Michael Shayne was a fictional sleuth created by Brett Halliday (a pen name for author Davis Dresser) who was first initiated into the fraternity for detectives in the 1939 novel "Dividend of Death". Dresser based the character on a “tall and rangy” brawler who once saved his life during a braw in a Mexican cantina. The Shayne character would go on to appear in 69 novels, plus a long-running mystery magazine—and in 1941, was brought to the silver screen in Paramount’s Michael Shayne, Private Detective, an adaptation of Dividend of Death that starred Lloyd Nolan, and paved the way for six additional B-mysteries to follow. The New Adventures of Michael Shayne—premiered on July 15, 1948 starring Jeff Chandler.

Leonidas Witherall - Murder On TheTrain (10-08-44)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:21:42 GMT

Murder On TheTrain (Aired October 8, 1944)
Based on the character created by Phoebe Atwood Taylor (under the pseudonym Alice Tilton) and starring Walter Hampden in the title role, The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall is an old time radio detective series with an unusual protagonist. He is the head of a distinguished New England boy's school and is best known for his remarkable resemblance to William Shakespeare! If that isn't enough, Witherall is also an accomplished author, penning the "popular Lieutenant Hazeltine stories". He always gets mixed up in murder, solving crimes with his good friend Mrs. Mullet, the neighborhood housekeeper, played by Ethel Remey.

The Jack Benny Program - Back From New York (4-04-37)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:38:48 GMT

Back From New York (Aired April 4, 1937)
The Jack Benny Program is a classic comedy that is truly one of the best-loved programs from the Golden Age of Radio. It started life as The Canada Dry Program in 1932 on the Blue Network and finished off as The Lucky Strike Program on CBS in 1955. In between, it kept the audience in stitches and established Benny as one of America's all-time great comedians.

Matinee Theater - Random Harvest (1-07-45)

Bob Camardella — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:03:37 GMT

Random Harvest (Aired January 7, 1945)
Matinee Theater represented a serious attempt by CBS to provide quality dramatic programming for its Sunday afternoon listeners. A continuation of the series Dangerously Yours, it was renamed Matinee Theater with a view towards presenting "a greater range of stories". That broader scope was able to accommodate such episodes as "Beautiful Dreamer" (the Stephen Foster story) and "The Love Story of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning". Victor Jory and several different female stars paired to bring classics like "Wuthering Heights", "Jane Eyre", and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" to the audience.

THIS EPISODE January 7, 1945. CBS net. "Random Harvest". Sponsored by: Vicks. A British veteran with amnesia finds romance and a new life as a writer. Victor Jory has trouble reading his lines twenty minutes into the program. Victor Jory, Gertrude Warner, James Hilton (author), Martin Gabel, Jean Holloway (adaptor), Mark Warnow (music director), Richard Sanville (director). 29:45.

Big Town - The Fatal Chain (11-09-48)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:25:51 GMT

The Fatal Chain (Aired November 9, 1948)
Big Town is a radio show that aired from 1937 to 1952. Edward G. Robinson had the lead role of Steve Wilson from 1937 to 1942. Claire Trevor was Wilson's society editor sidekick Lorelei Kilbourne, with Ona Munson taking over that role in 1940. Edward J. Pawley portrayed Wilson from 1942 until 1952 when Walter Greaza was heard as Wilson in the final episodes in the radio series. When Big Town moved to television, the program was telecast live, but in 1952 the production switched to film after the move from New York City to Hollywood. The television series ran on CBS from 1950 through 1954, continuing on NBC from 1955 through 1956. Repeat episodes aired on the DuMont Network (under the title City Assignment) while Big Town was still showing first-run episodes on CBS. Reruns were also shown under the titles Heart of the City, Headline and Byline Steve Wilson.

Box 13 - The Sad Night (12-19-48)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:29:06 GMT

The Sad Night (Aired December 19, 1948)
Box 13 was a syndicated radio series about the escapades of mystery novelist Dan Holiday (Alan Ladd), a former newsman. Created by Mayfair Productions, the series premiered August 22, 1948, on New York's WOR and aired in syndication on the East Coast from August 22, 1948, to August 14. 1949. On the West Coast, Box 13 was heard from March 15, 1948 to March 7, 1949. To seek out new ideas for his fiction, Holiday ran a classified ad in the Star-Times newspaper. "Adventure wanted, will go anywhere, do anything -- Box 13." The stories followed Holiday's adventures when he responded to the letters sent to him by such people as a psycho killer and various victims.

Inspector Thorne - Vacant Lot Murder Case (7-27-51)

Bob Camardella — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:30:30 GMT

Vacant Lot Murder Case (Aired July 27, 1951)
By the 1940's, Frank and Ann Hummert controlled four and a half hours of national weekday broadcast schedules. Their features reportedly spawned more that 5 million pieces of correspondence annually from steadfast fans. Simultaneously they brought in more than half of the national radio chain's advertising revenues generated during the daylight hours. The couple broadcast 18 quarter-hour serials five times weekly, a total of 90 original episodes for 52 weeks per year, with none of those ever repeated. Some shows were "Amanda of Honeymoon Hill", "Backstage Wife","Chaplin Jim USA", "David Harum", "Easy Aces", "Front Page Farrell", "John's Other Wife", "Just Plain Bill", "The Life of Mary Sothern","Lora Lawton", "Lorenzo Jones", "Ma Perkins", "Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch", "Our Gal Sunday", "The Romance of Helen Trent" and "Young Widder Brown".

Pat Novak For Hire - Dixie Gilian (11-24-46)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:59:59 GMT

Dixie Gilian (Aired November 24, 1946)
Pat Novak, For Hire – 1949-1950 Pat Novak, played by Jack Webb, was a private detective working out of Pier 19, a waterfront office in San Francisco. The stories were always very similar: Someone would hire him, (if not a beautiful woman, the job would lead to a beautiful woman) someone would get murdered, he would investigate the case, get beaten up by the thugs, and then the case would be solved and end with glorious violence. The closing was always the same; the listener would be told who had done what, to whom and why they had done it.

The Weird Circle - Mad Monkton (11-05-44)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 04 May 2008 05:49:15 GMT

Mad Monkton (Aired November 5, 1944)
THE WEIRD CIRCLE was a syndicated series that was heard on Mutual stations November, 1943 through October, 1947 and very briefly in September/October of 1947 on ABC. The show presented 30 minute tales of horror, frequently inspired by classic horror or ghost stories, frequently done by French authors. It opened with the sound of the surf and the chant-like opening, "In this cave by the restless sea, we are met to call from out of past, stories strange and weird. Bell keeper, toll the bell, so that all may know that we are gathered again in the Weird Circle".

THIS EPISODE: The Weird Circle. April 13, 1945. Program #49. NBC syndication. "Mad Monkton". Commercials added locally. An excellent ghost story. Ancient prophesy and the unburied dead. Wilkie Collins (author). 26:00.

The Philip Morris Playhouse - The Iron Man (7-29-49)

Bob Camardella — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:52:12 GMT

The Iron Man (Aired July 29, 1949)
Philip Morris invested heavily in radio advertising throughout the 1930s and ‘40s, often having two weekly programs on competing networks. The first, a variety show that ran for twelve seasons (1934-47) and combined musical and dramatic elements, was called Johnny Presents, essentially giving Roventini "top billing" above all the big name guests that appeared on the broadcasts. The cigarette company also sponsored Philip Morris Playhouse, a dramatic anthology series that lasted 14 seasons (1939-53), finally switching to television.

THIS EPISODE: July 29, 1949. CBS net. "The Ironman". Sponsored by: Philip Morris, Revelation Pipe tobacco. The three owners of a failing New York bar decide to do in a barfly after taking out an insurance policy on his life. This is not as easy as it sounds. A well done production of a classic story. William Spier (director, producer, editor), Sidney Miller, Jerry Hausner, Joseph Kearns, John Holbrook (announcer), Harold Swanton (writer), Lud Gluskin (music director), Art Ballinger (announcer), James Matthews. 29:35

Hancock's Half Hour - The Insurance Policy (2-11-58)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:33:07 GMT

The Insurance Policy (Aired February 11, 1958)
Hancock's Half-Hour is the yardstick against which all subsequent British sitcoms have been measured, the vast majority failing to size up to its extremely high standards. Based on his famous radio show of the same name, the TV run consolidated Tony Hancock's standing as Britain's leading comic of the day, the entertainer providing ample proof that his wonderfully flexible face could be as expressive as his dextrous radio voice. Tony Hancock was at the height of his powers during the late 1950s, squeezing every comic ounce out of his lines, pulling off perfectly judged pauses and demonstrating a sense of timing to match the great Jack Benny's. His character - Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock - was invariably a loser, whose aspirations and plans were dashed by fate, circumstance, Sid James or, more often than not, his own pomposity or unfettered ambition.

Mr & Mrs North - Pam Goes It Alone (8-02-44)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:01:46 GMT

Pam Goes It Alone (Aired August 2, 1944)
Mr. and Mrs. North are fictional American amateur detectives. Created by Frances and Richard Lockridge, the couple were featured in a series of twenty-six Mr. and Mrs. North novels, a Broadway play, a motion picture, and several different radio and television series. Mr. and Mrs. North was a radio mystery series that aired on CBS from 1942 to 1954. Alice Frost and Joseph Curtin had the title roles when the series began in 1942. Publisher Jerry North and his wife Pam lived in Greenwich Village at 24 St. Anne's Flat. They were not professional detectives but simply an ordinary couple who stumbled across a murder or two every week for 12 years. The radio program eventually reached nearly 20 million listeners. The characters originated in 1930s vignettes written by Richard Lockridge for the New York Sun, and he brought them back for short stories in The New Yorker. These stories were collected in Mr. and Mrs. North (1936). Lockridge increased the readership after he teamed with his wife Frances on a novel, The Norths Meet Murder (1940), launching a series of 26 novels, including Death takes a Bow, Death on the Aisle and The Dishonest Murderer. Their long-run series continued for over two decades and came to an end in 1963 with the death of Frances Lockridge.

Let George Do It - The Prairie Dog (3-12-51)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:17:20 GMT

The Prairie Dog (Aired March 12, 1951)
Let George Do It was a radio drama series produced by Owen and Pauline Vinson from 1946 to 1954. It starred Bob Bailey as detective-for-hire George Valentine (with Olan Soule stepping into the role in 1954). Clients came to Valentine's office after reading a newspaper carrying his classified ad: "Personal notice: Danger's my stock in trade. If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me. George Valentine." Valentine's secretary was Claire Brooks, aka Brooksie (Frances Robinson, Virginia Gregg, Lillian Buyeff). As Valentine made his rounds in search of the bad guys, he usually encounted Brooksie's kid brother, Sonny (Eddie Firestone), Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher) and elevator man Caleb (Joseph Kearns). Sponsored by Standard Oil, the program was broadcast on the West Coast Mutual Broadcasting System from October 18, 1946 to September 27, 1954, first on Friday evenings and then on Mondays. In its last season, transcriptions were aired in New York, Wednesdays at 9:30pm, from January 20, 1954 to January 12, 1955. John Hiestand was the program's announcer. Don Clark directed the scripts by David Victor and Jackson Gillis. The background music was supplied by Eddie Dunstedter on the organ.

The Mysterious Traveler - Fire In The Sky (8-28-51)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:37:51 GMT

Fire In The Sky (Aired August 28, 1951)
Written and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan, the series began on the Mutual Broadcasting System, December 5, 1943, continuing in many different timeslots until September 16, 1952. Unlike many other shows of the era, The Mysterious Traveler was without a sponsor for its entire run. The lonely sound of a distant locomotive heralded the arrival of the malevolent narrator, portrayed by Maurice Tarplin, who introduced himself each week in the following manner: “This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable -- if you can”!

The Clock - The Criminal Mind (4-27-47)

Bob Camardella — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:28:57 GMT

The Criminal Mind (Aired April 27, 1947)
The Clock was a dramatic thirty-minute suspense and mystery series. It was written by Lawrence Klee and was first broadcast in November 1946. The story always began the same; “Sunrise and sunset, promise and fulfilment, birth and death … the whole drama of life is written in the sands of time”. First Broadcast November 3rd 1946 Last Broadcast May 23rd 1948

Rogue's Gallery - Blood On The Sand (12-13-45)

Bob Camardella — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:36:51 GMT

Blood On The Sand (Aired December 13, 1945)
Rogue's Gallery came to the Mutual network on September 27, 1945 with Dick Powell portraying Richard Rogue, a private detective who invariably ended up getting knocked out each week and spending his dream time in acerbic conversation with his subconscious self, Eugor. Rogue's Gallery was, in a sense, Dick Powell's rehearsal for Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Powell played private detective Richard Rogue, who trailed luscious blondes, protected witness, and did whatever else detectives do to make a living. It was a good series, though not destined to make much of a mark. Under the capable direction of Dee Englebach and accompanied by the music of Leith Stevens, Powell floated through his lines with the help of such competents as Lou Merrill, Gerald Mohr, Gloria Blondell, Tony Barrett, and Lurene Tuttle. Peter Leeds played Rogue's friend Eugor, an obscure play on names with Eugor spelling Rogue backwards.

You Bet Your Life - Secret Word Is SKY (1-25-50)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:35:31 GMT

Secret Word Is SKY (Aired January 25, 1950)
Groucho Marx matches wits with the American public in four episodes of this classic game show. Starting on the radio in 1947, You Bet Your Life made its television debut in 1950 and aired for 11 years with Groucho as host and emcee. Sponsored rather conspicuously by the Dodge DeSoto car manufacturers, the show featured two contestants working as a team to answer questions for cash prizes. Another mainstay of these question and answer segments was the paper mache duck that would descend from the ceiling with one hundred dollars in tow whenever a player uttered the "secret word." The quiz show aspect of "You Bet Your Life" was always secondary, to the clever back-and-forth between host and contestant, which found Groucho at his funniest. It's in these interview segments that "You Bet Your Life" truly makes its mark as one of early television's greatest programs. Directed by: Robert Dwan.

Nightfall - The Monkey's Paw (7-11-80)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:58:59 GMT

Nightfall is the title of a radio drama series produced and aired by CBC Radio ( Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ) from July 1980 to June 1983. While primarily a supernatural/horror series, Nightfall featured some episodes in other genres, such as science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and human drama. One episode was even adapted from a folk song by Stan Rogers. Some of Nightfall's episodes were so terrifying that the CBC registered numerous complaints and some affiliate stations dropped it. Despite this, the series went on to become one of the most popular shows in CBC Radio history, running 100 episodes that featured a mix of original tales and adaptations of both classic and obscure short stories.

THIS EPISODE: Nightfall. July 11, 1980. Program #2. CBC origination, NPR net, WPBH-FM, Middlefield, Conn. aircheck. "The Monkey's Paw". Sustaining. A horror tale about three wishes. The WPBH-FM rebroadcast date is January 31, 1982. W. W. Jacobs (author), Henry Ramer (host), Ruth Springford, Eric House, Chris Wiggins, Michael Wincott, Graham Haley, John Jessop (recording engineer), Bill Robinson (sound effects), Doris Buchanan, Bill Howell (producer, director), John Douglas (story editor). 29:09.

Broadway Is My Beat - Sophie Britton Murder (6-27-53)

Bob Camardella — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:29:55 GMT

Sophie Britton Murder (Aired June 27, 1953)
Broadway Is My Beat, a radio crime drama, ran on CBS from February 27, 1949 to August 1, 1954. With music by Robert Stringer, the show originated from New York during its first three months on the air, with Anthony Ross portraying Times Square Detective Danny Clover. John Dietz directed for producer Lester Gottlieb. Beginning with the July 7, 1949 episode, the series was broadcast from Hollywood with producer Elliott Lewis directing a new cast in scripts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The opening theme of "I'll Take Manhattan" introduced Detective Danny Clover (now played by Larry Thor), a hardened New York City cop who worked homicide "from Times Square to Columbus Circle -- the gaudiest, the most violent, the lonesomest mile in the world."

The Amos & Andy Show - Mans Best Friend (11-26-43)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:34:51 GMT

Mans Best Friend (Aired November 26, 1943)
Amos 'n' Andy creators Gosden and Correll were white actors familiar with minstrel traditions. They met in Durham, North Carolina in 1920, and by the fall of 1925, they were performing nightly song-and-patter routines on the Chicago Tribune's station WGN. Since the Tribune syndicated Sidney Smith's popular comic strip The Gumps, which had successfully introduced the concept of daily continuity, WGN executive Ben McCanna thought the notion of a serialized drama could also work on radio. He suggested to Gosden and Correll that they adapt The Gumps to radio. They instead proposed a series about "a couple of colored characters" and borrowed certain elements of The Gumps. Their new series, Sam 'n' Henry, began January 12, 1926, fascinating radio listeners throughout the Midwest. That series became popular enough that in late 1927 Gosden and Correll requested that it be distributed to other stations on phonograph records in a "chainless chain" concept that would have been the first use of radio syndication as we know it today. When WGN rejected the idea, Gosden and Correll quit the show and the station that December. Contractually, their characters belonged to WGN, so when Gosden and Correll left WGN, they performed in personal appearances but could not use the character names from the radio show.

The Man Called X - 2 Episodes On A Wayback Moment In Time

Bob Camardella — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:30:03 GMT

2 Episodes On A Wayback Moment In Time
The Man Called X was an espionage radio drama which aired on CBS and NBC from July 10, 1944 to May 20, 1952. Herbert Marshall had the lead role of Intelligence Agent Ken Thurston who took on dangerous cases in a variety of exotic locations. Gordon Jenkins Orchestra supplied the background music. Cast: Leon Belasco as Pagan Seldchmidt ANNOUNCER: Wendell Niles DIRECTOR: Jack Johnstone. Sponsors were Frigidaire and General Morors. Time slot was Thursdays 10:30 - 11:00 pm.

The Lives Of Harry Lime - Operation Music Box (10-5-51)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:05:25 GMT

Operation Music Box (Aired October 5, 1951)
The Third Man (The Lives of Harry Lime) was a old-time radio adventure series that ran in 1951 and 1952. It was based on the 1949 film of the same name. Orson Welles stars as Harry Lime, a perpetually broke confidence man, smuggler, and general scoundrel. He will participate in virtually any criminal activity to make a fast buck, but uses his wits rather than a gun. He draws the line short of murder, blackmail, or drugs. Even so, Harry is an endearing character and listeners love to hear of his one-step-ahead-of-the-law misadventures as he hops around the globe looking for his next pigeon. The zither music of Anton Karas adds a wonderful Viennese ambience to each episode and really makes this show special.

The Price Of Fear - Not Wanted On This Voyage (1973)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:50:52 GMT

Not Wanted On This Voyage (1973) *Exact Date Is Unknown
For the 1970’s late-night horror show, The Price of Fear, the BBC dramatized the most chilling stories they could find, drawing on talented new writers as well as the established master of terror who narrated tale, re-written as though Price actually experienced each chilling adventure himself. The show was enormously successful in the UK and abroad, and a number of series were made during 1973, 1975 and 1982.

People Are Funny - Dancing With Three Men (1955)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:28:11 GMT

Dancing With Three Men (1955) *Exact Date Is Unknown
People are Funny was a television game show that premiered and ended on NBC from 1954-1961. It was shot in the outside world and dared people to do stunts for fun for spectators. This was done to "reveal the true nature" of their guests. This show was considered a predecessor to most of the reality game shows we know today, such as "Survivor" and MTV's "Jackass." Art Linkletter was the more well-known host of the show. Viewers grew up with him, but not just on People are Funny. He was also seen on Life With Linkletter (1950-52 & 1969-70), Art Linkletter's House Party (1952-69), and The Art Linkletter Show (1963).

The Lux Radio Theater - Spellbound (3-08-48)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:31:35 GMT

Spellbound (Aired March 8, 1948)
Radio’s biggest and most important dramatic program. For two decades, The Lux Radio Theater presented radio versions of movie attractions, current or coming, while the biggest names in cinema played the leading roles. The Lux Radio Theater debuted in 1934, dramatizing Broadway plays from New York. In an effort to improve ratings, the show moved West in June 1936 to capitalize on Hollywood talent and popular movie fare. Lux’s extravagant productions were a huge success. Renowned director Cecil B. DeMille—whose films were synonymous with spectacle—was brought in to host the show. Stars were routinely paid up to $5,000 to appear and over 50 actors, musicians and technicians were on hand every week for productions which ranged from "The Thin Man" to "The Jazz Singer" to "The African Queen."

The Martin & Lewis Show - Guest Danny Thomas (11-09-51)

Bob Camardella — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:59:30 GMT

Guest Danny Thomas (Aired November 9. 1951
On July 25, 1946, Jerry began a show business partnership with Dean Martin, an association that would soon skyrocket both to fame. It started when Jerry was performing at the 500 Club in Atlantic City and one of the other entertainers quit suddenly. Lewis, who had worked with Martin at the Glass Hat in New York City, suggested Dean as a replacement. At first they worked separately, but then ad-libbed together, improvising insults and jokes, squirting seltzer water, hurling bunches of celery and exuding general zaniness. In less than eighteen weeks their salaries soared from $250.00 a week to $5,000.00. For ten years Martin and Lewis sandwiched sixteen money making films between nightclub engagements, personal appearances, recording sessions, radio shows, and television bookings. Their last film together was "Hollywood or Bust" (1956). On July 25th of that year the two made their last nightclub appearance together at the Copacabana, exactly ten years to the day since they became a team.

Our Miss Brooks - The Stock Room (2-06-49)

Bob Camardella — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:03:34 GMT

The Stock Room (Aired February 6, 1949)
Our Miss Brooks, an American situation comedy, began as a radio hit in 1948 and migrated to television in 1952, becoming one of the earlier hits of the so-called Golden Age of Television, and making a star out of Eve Arden (1908-1990) as comely, wisecracking, but humane high school English teacher Connie Brooks. The show hooked around Connie's daily relationships with Madison High School students, colleagues, and pompous principal Osgood Conklin (Gale Gordon), not to mention favourite student Walter Denton (future television and Rambo co-star Richard Crenna, who fashioned a higher-pitched voice to play the role) and biology teacher Philip Boynton ( Jeff Chandler), the latter Connie's all-but-unrequited love interest, who saw science everywhere and little else anywhere.

Dark Shadows - The House Of Despair (Part 3 of 3) 1966

Bob Camardella — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:27:38 GMT

The House Of Despair (Part 3 of 3) 1966
Dark Shadows is a Gothic television soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis, who tells of a dream he had in which a girl takes a long train ride to visit a large mansion. The story "bible", which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements. It was considered daring (and unprecedented in daytime television) when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when, a year into its run, vampire Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, appeared. In addition to vampires, Dark Shadows featured werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, both into the past and into the future, and a parallel universe.

Screen Guild Theater - Across The Pacific (1-25-43)

Bob Camardella — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:35:09 GMT

Across The Pacific (Aired January 25, 1943)
The Screen Guild Theater boasted some of the greatest all-star casts ever assembled for radio. Nearly every major film star lined up to perform in Screen Guild's half-hour movie adaptations because they knew it was for a good cause: All talent fees went to the Motion Picture Country House for aging and indigent film actors.

Dark Shadows - The House Of Despair (Part 2 of 3) 1966

Bob Camardella — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:51:13 GMT

The House Of Despair (Part 2 of 3) 1966
A small company of actors each played many roles and, as actors came and went, some characters were played by several actors. Major writers in addition to Art Wallace included Sam Hall, Gordon Russell, and Violet Welles. Dark Shadows has the distinction of being the only long-running soap to have every episode released for home video (including a reconstruction episode #1219, the videotape for which is lost), first on VHS and currently in progress on DVD.

The Damon Runyon Theater - The Big Umbrella (7-03-49)

Bob Camardella — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:16:12 GMT

The Big Umbrella (Aired July 3, 1949)
The Damon Runyon Theater - Broadcast from January to December 1949, "The Damon Runyon Theatre" dramatized 52 of Runyon's short stories for radio. Damon Runyon (October 4, 1884 – December 10, 1946) was a newspaperman and writer. He was best known for his short stories celebrating the world of Broadway in New York City that grew out of the Prohibition era. He spun tales of gamblers, petty thieves, actors and gangsters; few of whom go by "square" names, preferring instead to be known as "Nathan Detroit", "Big Jule", "Harry the Horse", "Good Time Charlie", "Dave the Dude", and so on. These stories were written in a very distinctive vernacular style: a mixture of formal speech and colorful slang, almost always in present tense, and always devoid of contractions.

Dark Shadows - The House Of Despair (Part 1 of 3) 1966

Bob Camardella — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:35:29 GMT

The House Of Despair (Part 1 of 3) 1966
Dark Shadows is a Gothic television soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis, who tells of a dream he had in which a girl takes a long train ride to visit a large mansion. The story "bible", which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements. It was considered daring (and unprecedented in daytime television) when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when, a year into its run, vampire Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, appeared. In addition to vampires, Dark Shadows featured werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, both into the past and into the future, and a parallel universe.

That Hammer Guy - Mike Hammer - The Saddle Shoes (4-07-53)

Bob Camardella — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:39:04 GMT

The Saddle Shoes (Aired April 7, 1953)
Based of the Mickey Spillane series, Larry Haines stars as Mike Hammer-the ever entertaining handsome, violent, hard-boiled private eye. Tune in to any exciting episode which would not be complete without the ever beautiful Velda accompanything Mike while he insults some beautiful dame, takes a mysterious phone call, goes wild with reckless driving, and shoots some his gun off to solve the murder case.

Radio City Playhouse - Dark Hour (9-25-48)

Bob Camardella — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:39:03 GMT

Dark Hour (Aired September 25, 1948)
RADIO CITY PLAYHOUSE premiered over NBC on July 3rd, 1949 as a half-hour dramatic program representing a different drama on each broadcast. The dramas chosen, according to NBC, were because they were considered “good drama” regardless of the name of the author, the fame of the play, etc. In many instances, original radio plays were used on the series. Director of production and author of some of the original radio plays was Harry W. Junkin. The cast varied according to the script needs but New York radio actors and actresses were used, some of them experienced and others chosen from the best in radio acting newcomers. The overall production for the series was under the supervision of Richard McDonagh, NBC Script Manager. Musical bridges were by Roy Shields and his Orchestra. The announcer was Robert Warren.

The Saint - The Color Blind Killer (9-18-49)

Bob Camardella — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:53:24 GMT

The Color Blind Killer (Aired September 18, 1949)
There were at least 24 episodes broadcast of this series. It was a fascinating detective adventure series based on the books by Leslie Charteris. Edgar Barrier first played Simon Templar, aka The Saint, a debonair private detective in January 1945. He was then played by Brian Aherne in June 1945 and later Vincent Price from July 1947 up until May 1951. The Saint was said to have been like a modern day Robin Hood. He didn’t care for justice and always helped victims hindered by the law’s restrictions.

The Milton Berle Show - Salute To The American Farmer (9-09-47)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:16:48 GMT

Salute To The American Farmer (Aired September 9, 1947)
In 1934-36, Berle was heard regularly on The Rudy Vallee Hour, and he got much publicity as a regular on The Gillette Original Community Sing, a Sunday night comedy-variety program broadcast on CBS from September 6, 1936 to August 29, 1937. In 1939, he was the host of Stop Me If You've Heard This One with panelists spontaneously finishing jokes sent in by listeners. Three Ring Time, a comedy-variety show sponsored by Ballantine Ale was followed by a 1943 program sponsored by Campbell's Soups. The audience participation show Let Yourself Go (1944-45) could best be described as slapstick radio with studio audience members acting out long suppressed urges (often directed at host Berle). Kiss and Make Up, on CBS in 1946, featured the problems of contestants decided by a jury from the studio audience with Berle as the Judge. He also made guest appearances on many comedy-variety radio programs during the 1930s and 1940s.

Molle Mystery Theater - Fifty Candles (7-25-44)

Bob Camardella — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:13:01 GMT

Fifty Candles (Aired July 25, 1944)
Although Molle Mystery Theatre was initially sponsored by Molle Shaving Cream, other sponsors (such as Bayer Aspirin, Ironized Yeast, Phillips Milk of Magnesia) also sponsored the program. Sometimes, when it was not sponsored by Molle, the program was called "Mystery Theater". The show was first heard on NBC, on 9/7/43. Time slot was originally Sunday nights at 9:00 PM, but was later moved to Tuesday at 9:00 PM, and Friday at 10:00 PM. In 1948, the show moved to CBS (Tues, 8:00 PM), and in 1951, it moved to ABC, where it was called "Mark Sabre", and heard on Wednesdays at either 8:00 PM or 9:30 PM. The shows were tight and tension filled, with a fine orchestra score and solid production values. Classic tales from well-known authors, as well as modern unknowns were presented, and the endings were often twists or shockers.

My Friend Irma - First Show Irma Meets Jane (11-19-46)

Bob Camardella — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:10:24 GMT

First Show Irma Meets Jane (Aired November 19, 1946)
Some might remember My Friend Irma as the movie that served as the launching pad for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Others recall a television show of the same name. They, actually, originated from a radio show that ran before, and concurrently, to the television show. My Friend Irma tells the story of a extremely dim-witted blonde stenographer named Irma Peterson, played by Marie Wilson, and the daily high-jinx that she gets into with her screwy friends.