Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Search For Asteroid X (Aired December 13, 1952) The success of the TV show spawned a radio version, which ran for 129 episodes from October 1952 to March 1955. The same cast of actors performed on both shows. The writers, scripts, adventures and director were quite different in radio versus TV incarnations. Naturally, the series lacked the adult sophistication of such shows as X Minus One, which focused on adapting short fiction by notable genre names as Robert A. Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. But as a throwback to the sort of Golden Age space opera popularized in the 1930s, the days of science fiction's infancy, by pioneering magazine editor Hugo Gernsback, Space Patrol is prized by OTR collectors today as one of radio's most enjoyable adventures. THIS EPISODE: December 13, 1952. ABC network. "The Search For Asteroid X". Sponsored by: Ralston cereals. Commander Corry and Cadet Happy are on the trail of the Saturn Syndicate with the help of a human computer. Bela Kovacs, Dick Tufeld (announcer), Ed Kemmer, Ken Mayer, Larry Robertson (producer, director), Lyn Osborn, Mike Moser (creator), Norman Jolley, Lou Huston (writer). 29:41. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Wax Work" and "Man & The Snake" (Aired January 9, 1957) Nelson Olmsted was a national treasure. Over a broadcasting career of thirty-five years, Olmsted's soothing, reassuring, and highly versatile narrations graced thousands of broadcast recordings. While also a prolific and highly successful actor in both Radio and Television, it's Olmsted's literature readings and narrations that are the focus of this series and this article. Sleep No More was Nelson's Olmsted's contribution to The Golden Age of Radio's rich tradition of broadcasting compelling and stirring supernatural and suspense dramas, predominantly from the finest supernatural literature throughout modern history. Sleep No More arrived during the waning years of the Golden Age of Radio--understandably risky Radio programming for the mid-1950s. On the plus side of the equation were Nelson Olmsted's extremely loyal following throughout the U.S. combined with the classic nature of the stories which comprised the series. These stories were many of the most popular and compelling supernatural stories and adventures in literary history. THIS EPISODE: January 9, 1957. NBC network. "The Waxwork" And "The Man & The Snake". Sustaining. An impoverished journalist accepts the assignment of spending a night in a wax museum. Also, a man is hypnotized by a deadly snake in his apartment. Nelson Olmsted, Ben Grauer (announcer), Ambrose Bierce (author of the second story), Al Kelly (promotional announcement), Kenneth MacGregor (director), A. M. Burrage (author). 28:48. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Six Shooter" - General Guilford's Widow (Aired April 8, 1954) Though The Six Shooter wasn't the first popular adult western to air over Radio, a case can be made that it was the first to thoroughly legitimize the genre over the medium. Not only were The Six Shooter scripts--and casts--the equal of any of the first wave of adult westerns to air over Radio, but the series carried the considerable weight of James Stewart in the starring role as Britt Ponset, the reluctant, yet highly efficient, western gunslinger. For the era, James Stewart was a natural choice to popularize the genre over Radio. His ground-breaking--for Stewart--depiction of the angst and inner turmoil of his protagonist, Lin McAdam in Winchester '73 (1950), launched a series of James Stewart appearances in other taut Anthony Mann and Alfred Hitchcock psychological thrillers over the following ten years. THIS EPISODE: April 8, 1954. "General Guilford's Widow" - NBC network. Sustaining. The widow of General Guilford insists her husband is still alive, but no one believes her. They should! Jimmy Stewart, Frank Burt (creator), Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Virginia Gregg, Parley Baer, Robert Griffin, John Wald (announcer). 29:38. Episode Notes From Boxcars711 OTR Pod.

Murder Unlimited (Aired March 9, 1941) The Silver Theater was by far International Silver's most ambitious undertaking, but this must be tempered by the fact that International Silver was a $20,000,000 company in 1937 with subsidiaries throughout the entire civilized world. One glance at the spot ads from the era (left) gives some indication of what it must have cost to mount each of The Silver Theater's nine seasons comprising 232 dramatic programs between 1937 and 1947. This, in addition to another 23 contemporary variety programs under it's 1941 Silver Theater Summer Show, hosted by no less than journalist Ed Sullivan of American Television fame. International Silver of Canada, Ltd., also mounted a summer programme of their own in 1941, titled The Silver Theatre Summer Show, over the , although the Canadian production bore little resemblance to its American counterpart during the same summer season. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: March 9, 1941. CBS network. "Murder Unlimited". Sponsored by: International Silver. The program opening and middle commercial have been deleted. Carole Lombard, Conrad Nagel (host, director), Edwin Max, Felix Mills (composer), Henry Charles (announcer), Jerry Hausner, Joseph Kearns, Reed Hadley. 25:47. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Silent Men - Little White Lies (01-13-52) FIRST BROADCAST: October 14, 1951 -- LAST BROADCAST: May 28, 1952 NBC, 30 min. "This is Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.... In a moment, it will be my pleasure to introduce to you stories of the Silent Men, the special agents of federal law-enforcement who silently, and for little material reward, daily risk their lives to protect the lives of all of us. Their tradition is long and proud, yet to guard our welfare and our liberties, they must remain nameless..." Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. played the parts of "special agents. At each episode, Fairbanks checked in with his chief, played by either William Conrad or Herb Butterfield. THIS EPISODE: The Silent Men. January 13, 1952. NBC net.work "Little White Lies". Sustaining. A counter-intelligence agent fights a gang of diamond smugglers. The system cue has been deleted. Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Don Stanley (announcer), Joel Murcott (writer), Warren Lewis (producer, director), William Conrad, Bertram Tanzewell, Frank Gerstle, Jeff Corey, Vivi Janis. 30:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Network.

The Harley Street Murders (Aired March 3, 1947) According to Holmes, it was an encounter with the father of one of his classmates that led him to take up detection as a profession and he spent the six years following university working as a consulting detective, before financial difficulties led him to take Watson as a roommate, at which point the narrative of the stories begins. From 1881, Holmes is described as having lodgings at 221B Baker Street, London, from where he runs his private detective agency. 221B is an apartment up seventeen steps, stated in an early manuscript to be at the "upper end" of the road. Until the arrival of Dr. Watson, Holmes works alone, only occasionally employing agents from the city's underclass, including a host of informants and a group of street children he calls the Baker Street Irregulars. THIS EPISODE: March 3, 1947. ABC network. "The Harley Street Murders" aka: "Queue For Murder". Sponsored by: Kreml Hair Tonic, Kreml Shampoo. A man dies in an opium den, a doctor dies in his office on Harley Street. Holmes works on the case, which involves decapitation and a strangulation with a Chinaman's queue. The story is based on, "The Man With The Twisted Lip" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Tom Conway, Nigel Bruce, Joseph Bell (announcer), Arthur Conan Doyle (author), Anthony Boucher (writer), Denis Green (writer), Tom McKnight (producer), Alex Steinert (composer, conductor). 29:25. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Blind Beggar Dies (Aired March 9, 1941) The Shadow featured radio's foremost crimefighter and was the highest-rated daytime series for many years. A man of mystery who was "never seen, only heard," The Shadow was also the first multimedia sensation and helped propel the young Orson Welles into the national spotlight. The famous character was also portrayed on radio by James LaCurto, Frank Readick, Carl Kroenke, Bill Johnstone, John Archer, Steve Courtleigh and Bret Morrison. The readers of Walter Gibson's pulp novels knew The Shadow as a master investigator who operated under the cover of darkness as he commanded a small army of agents in his war against the underworld and white-collar criminals. THIS EPISODE: March 9, 1941. Mutual network origination, syndicated. "The Blind Beggar Dies". Sponsored by: B.F. Goodrich Tires. A pair of small-time racketeers work the protection racket on beggars. Contains only one commercial. Orson Welles, Margot Stevenson, Ken Roberts (announcer). 23:02. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Murder without Motive (Aired October 19, 1953) The Secrets of Scotland Yard was an independent production of the Towers of London syndicate in England for world wide distribution. Each week, an audience of anxious radio-listeners tuned in to hear these true crime stories of the London Metropolitan Police unfold, as the detectives at the Yard investigated some of England’s most famous criminals. Their trials have become legendary. Stories presented in the series include the theft of the British crown jewels by Colonel Thomas Blood; the story of a man who finds an armless and legless body wrapped in ribbons and lace; or the strange story of two close brothers who love one another enough to contemplate the murder of a brother’s affluent, yet unsightly and ignorant, wife. Murders, forgery, and robberies all get a through review on the program. Each time, Scotland Yard detectives are afoot to solve the crime mystery! The Secrets of Scotland Yard was initially hosted by Clive Brook, probably for the first year or so. To add to the air of authenticity, Brook sometimes discusses matters with Percy Hoskins, a 1950s crime expert and reporter for the London Daily Express. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

Munsey's Mob (Aired May 24, 1979) The Sears Radio Theater Series premiered on Monday 02/05/79 and offered a different genre each weekday night. Each genre was hosted by a different celebrity. The program was produced on Paramount's Stage F in Hollywood. These first 130 programs were broadcast over a six month period and then rebroadcast over the following six months. From 02/14/80 to 12/19/81 this series was heard again, this time over Mutual, as The Mutual Radio Theater. This was clearly one of the last big attempts to produce radio programming, with many of radio’s best talents, the way radio was heard in its “golden days.” Despite budget and talent, it just wasn’t to be. THIS EPISODE: May 24, 1979. Program #79. CBS network. "Munsey's Mob". Sponsored by: Sears Roebuck and Company. Barney Phillips, Byron Kane, Cecily Tyson (hostess), Daws Butler, Don Blakely, Fletcher Markle (producer, director, performer), Howard Culver, Jack Carroll, Joan McCall, Norman Alden, Ted Sherdeman (writer), Vic Perrin. 49:13. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Accusing Corpse (Aired April 29, 1945) With The Sealed Book, each epsisode opened with the sound of the great gong, followed by Philip Clarke's observation that the Keeper of The Book had once again opened the door to the secret vault, within which was contained the 'great sealed book' recording 'all the secrets and mysteries of mankind through the ages.' At the end of all but the last episode, Clarke would tell listeners to tune in the following week when "the sound of the great gong heralds another strange and exciting tale from... the sealed book." Keep in mind that even though the 26 scripts of The Sealed Book were derived from The Mysterious Traveler, it's instructive to note that each production used a different cast than that of it's associated production from The Mysterious Traveler. And indeed, some of the production values were a cut above in The Sealed Book, as contrasted with their similar productions from The Mysterious Traveler. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: April 29, 1945. Program #7. Mutual network. "The Accusing Corpse". Sustaining. A plot to a commit double murder is executed in a very strange way with very strange results. The script was also used on "The Mysterious Traveler" on April 16, 1944. The system cue has been deleted. This program has also been dated July 1, 1945 on WGN, Chicago. Robert A. Arthur (writer), David Kogan (writer), Phillip Clarke (host), Jock MacGregor (producer, director). 29:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Uninvited (Aired November 18, 1949) Screen Director's Playhouse is a popular radio anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, and original directors of the films were sometimes involved in the productions, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations, and a brief "curtain call" with the cast and host at the end of the program. Actors on the radio series included Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert, Ronald Colman, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, James Mason, Gregory Peck, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, John Wayne, and Loretta Young. THIS EPISODE: November 18, 1949. NBC network. "The Uninvited". Sustaining. A weepy ghost story set in England. Ray Milland, June Foray, John Dehner, Lewis Allen. 29:49. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Screen Guild Players" - The Ox-Bow Incident (Aired September 18, 1944) The theatrical society in U.S.A. is termed as Theatre Guild. Founded in New York City in 1918 by Lawrence Langner (1890-1962) and others, the group proposed to produce high-quality, noncommercial plays. Its board of directors shared responsibility for choice of plays, management, and production. After the premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House in 1920, the Guild became his U.S. agent and staged 15 of his plays. It also produced successful plays by Eugene O’Neill, Maxwell Anderson, and Robert Sherwood and featured actors such as the Lunts and Helen Hayes. It helped develop the American musical by staging Porgy and Bess (1935), Oklahoma! (1943), and Carousel (1945); later also producing the radio series Theatre Guild on the Air (1945-53) and even presented plays on television. THIS EPISODE: September 18, 1944. "The Ox-Bow Incident" - Two drifters are passing through a Western town, when news comes in that a local farmer has been murdered and his cattle stolen. The townspeople, joined by the drifters, form a posse to catch the perpetrators. They find three men in possession of the cattle, and are determined to see justice done on the spot. 29:54. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Search For A Killer (Aired July 2, 1950) The Saint first appeared in Radio in 1940 over Radio Athlone in Ireland. Radio Athlone's powerful transmitters broadcast The Saint throught the United Kingdom, often being picked up in The Netherlands and France. British Stage actor Terence De Marney was Radio's first Simon Templar. It wasn't until 1945 that The Saint aired over American Radio. Two of the scripts from the Radio Athlone run were adapted for the Leslie Charteris-penned Brian Aherne run over CBS in the Summer of 1945. THIS EPISODE: July 2, 1950. NBC network. "Search For A Killer" aka: "A Real Gone Guy". Sustaining. The program is preceded by a Korean War news bulletin. Who killed a band leader in a small town? Vivi Janis, William Johnstone, Lawrence Dobkin, Charles Glenn, Vaughn Dexter (composer, conductor), James L. Saphier (producer), Vincent Price, Leslie Charteris (creator), Helen Mack (director), Lou Merrill, Jack Edwards, Don Stanley (anouncer). 28:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Roy Rogers Show" - The Lee Burlough Gang (Aired March 14, 1952) Roy Rogers was born to Andrew ("Andy") and Mattie (Womack) Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his family lived in a tenement building on 2nd Street. (Riverfront Stadium was constructed at this location in 1970 and Rogers would later joke that he had been born at second base.) Dissatisfied with his job and city life, Andy Slye and his brother Will built a 12-by-50-foot houseboat from salvage lumber, and, in July 1912, the Slye family floated on the Ohio River towards Portsmouth, Ohio. Desiring a more stable existence in Portsmouth, the Slyes purchased land on which to build a home, but the flood of 1913 allowed them to move the houseboat to their property and continue living in it on dry land. THIS EPISODE: March 14, 1952. "The Lee Burlough Gang" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Post Cereals. The Lee Burlough gang has stolen the life savings of Peter Nicholas. Roy and Dale try to find the gang's secret hideout. Art Ballinger (announcer), Art Rush (producer), Dale Evans, Earl Lee, Forrest Lewis, Frank Hemingway, Herb Butterfield, Leo Curley, Milton Charles, Ray Wilson (writer), Roy Rogers, The Whippoorwills, Tim Graham, Tom Hargis (director). 28:34. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Star Of Savoy (Aired June 23, 1946) The gimmick in Rogue's Gallery was the presence of an alter ego, "Eugor," who arrived in the middle of the show to give Rogue enough information for his final deduction. Eugor was a state of mind, achieved when Rogue was knocked unconcious. Eugor would appear cackling like the host of Hermit's Cave and imparted some vital information the hero had overlooked. Rogue would then awaken with a vague idea of what to do next. Rogue's Gallery also starred different actors as Rogue, in later incarnations of the series, but Richard Powell was the most popular. This series preceded Richard Powell's most famous series, Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Rogue trailed lovely blondes and protected witnesses in the new tough guy persona of Dick Powell. This was the transition series for Powell in his quest to be recognized as an actor rather than a singer. THIS EPISODE: June 23, 1946. NBC network. "The Star Of Savoy". Sponsored by: Fitch's Shampoo, Fitch's Hair Tonic. The first show of the series on NBC. This might be a rehearsal recording or unedited tape. A man with a bullet in him comes to Rogue's office to die. Who shot Charles McDonald...and why? The reason is a very, very valuable diamond! The system cue is not heard. The script was previously used on "Rogue's Gallery" on June 24, 1945. Dick Powell, Jim Doyle (announcer), Ray Buffum (writer), Dee Englebach (producer, director), Leith Stevens (composer, conductor), Peter Leeds. 29:46. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Varlachi (Aired July 31, 1949) Rocky Jordan, was a weekly 30 minute series took place in Cairo - "the gateway to the ancient East where adventure and intrigue unfold against the backdrop of antiquity." Jordan was a hard-boiled owner of the Cafe Tambourine who spent most of his time solving mysteries that he usually became involved in by accident. During the Cairo-based run, he often encountered Captain Sam Sabaaya of the Cairo police. John Dunning in his "On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio" describes Jordan as "a rugged hero who each week was confronted by a crime, a mystery, a beautiful woman or a combination of the three. It was a detective show with a difference: the Oriental background was played to the hilt, giving it a sound like no other." The writers worked hard to give it authenticity - actual places and streets in Cairo were often and accurately mentioned. THIS EPISODE: July 31, 1949. CBS Pacific network. "Varlachi". Sustaining. Rocky befriends a Spanish speaking gypsy (in Cairo). Jack Moyles makes an announcement that next week, the show will be sponsored by Del Monte. Jack Moyles, Larry Thor (announcer), Cliff Howell (producer, director), Larry Roman (story editor), Gomer Cool (story editor), Richard Aurandt (composer, conductor), Margaret Barnum (writer). 29:43. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Catskills Cover-Up (Aired February 9, 1954) There is frequently a beautiful woman involved, some good girls, some bad. Rocky's a tough guy who stays just inside of the law but we get an occasional glimpse of a soft heart beneath the hard exterior. It's a character that Mr. Sinatra plays nicely. Employed or not, Rocky possesed a variety of skills. During the course of the series, he worked as a process server, museum tour guide, cabbie, bodyguard, chauffeur, truck driver, social director for a Catskills resort and a carny. He could also fake enough bass to play at weddings and bar-mitzvahs. For most of the series, Rocky received his job assignments from the Gridley Employment Agency, usually referred to as just "the agency". THIS EPISODE: February 9, 1954. NBC network. "Catskills Cover-Up". Sustaining. Not auditioned. Rocky becomes a Borscht Belt social director to help a man involved in a post office robbery. Don't miss the straight-faced line, "Okay Louie, drop the blintz!". Frank Sinatra, Barney Phillips. 23:45. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Pete Rocco Case (Aired October 4, 1950) Richard Diamond, Private Detective came to NBC in 1949. Diamond was a slick, sophisticated detective, with a sharp tongue for folks who needed it. Diamond enjoyed the detective life, but not as much as entertaining his girl, Helen Asher. After each show, he would croon a number to his Park Avenue sweetheart. Mr. Powell, a former song and dance man, was perfect for the role. He added an extra dimension to the 40's hokey private eye drama. Diamond was a rough gumshoe that would often get knocked on the head with a revolver butt or other items. His counterpart on the police force was Lt. Levinson who often accepted Diamond's help reluctantly. Levinson would claim to get stomach trouble whenever Diamond would call him and would take bicarbonate to settle his aching stomach. Although they always seem at odds with each other, Diamond and Levinson were best friends. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: October 4, 1950. NBC network. "The Pete Rocco Case". Sponsored by: Rexall. When Peter Rocco escapes from jail to kill Diamond, Rocco's mother hires Diamond to return her son to prison! Dick sings, "A Little Bit Independent" after the story. Dick Powell, Frank Worth (music director), Jaime del Valle (transcriber), Bill Forman (announcer), June Allyson. 28:19. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Deadeye Trades In His Horse (Aired September 17, 1948) Skelton married Edna Marie Stillwell (b.1906 - d.1982), a joke writer, business manager, and former usher at Kansas City's old Pantage Theater, on June 1, 1931. Skelton was one month away from his 18th birthday, and Edna was 16 (or as old as 25 if the birth date given above is correct.). They divorced in 1943. Stillwell remained an advisor on his career after their marriage ended. It was his ex-wife/manager Edna who negotiated a seven-year Hollywood contract for him in 1951, the same year "The Red Skelton Show" (1951) premiered on NBC. On March 9, 1945 he married Georgia Maurine Davis in Beverly Hills, California. They had two children, Richard Jr., and Valentina Marie Skelton (b.1947). Richard Skelton Jr.'s death on May 10, 1958 from leukemia, just 10 days before his 10th birthday, devastated the Skelton household. Family friend Arthur Marx, Groucho's son, whose unauthorized biography of Skelton came out in 1979, wrote "Red treated his son's room in their Palm Springs house like a little museum. ...He had it cordoned off with a velvet rope so nobody could go in there." THIS EPISODE: 110198. The Red Skelton Show. September 17, 1948. NBC network. The Four Knights sing, "Brother Bill.". Red Skelton, The Four Knights. Deadeye Trades In His Horse (09-17-48) Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The New Doctor (Aired March 27, 1958) A happy-go-lucking West Virginia mountain family picks up stakes and moves to a ranch in California's San Fernando Valley. Center of the action, and undisputed star of the show, was Grandpa, a porch-rockin', gol- darnin', consarnin' old geezer with a wheezy voice who liked to meddle in practically everybody's affairs, neighbors and kin alike. His kin were grandson Luke and his new bride, Kate; Luke's teenage sister, Hassie; and Luke's 11-year-old brother, Little Luke (their parents were deceased). Completing the regular cast were Pepino, their loyal farm hand; George MacMichael, their crusty neighbor and Amos' best friend; and Flora, George's spinster sister who had eyes for Amos. Grandpappy Amos was an incorrigible codger who was against anything anyone else was for. He had the regulation Heart of Gold stuck away somewhere, but he was cantankerous as all get out. With his shoulders and arms jumping, Amos walked like a chicken with a limp. He bullied, he blustered, he cajoled, he did everything he could to get his own way. His not being able to read or write got him into many predicaments, for he would never admit to being illiterate to anyone outside the family. In 1962 the series moved to CBS. Luke became a widower and many of the plots began to revolve around Grandpa's attempts to match him up with a new wife. The family consisted of Grandpa Amos McCoy, the head of the family played by Walter Brennan, his grandson Luke played by Richard Crenna, Luke's new bride Kate played by Kathleen Nolan, teenage sister Hassie played be Lydia Reed, and 11-year-old brother Little Luke played by Michael Winkelman. The Real McCoys paved the way for such rural hits as The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show. A happy-go-lucking West Virginia mountain family picks up stakes and moves to a ranch in California's San Fernando Valley. Center of the action, and undisputed star of the show, was Grandpa, a porch-rockin', gol- darnin', consarnin' old geezer with a wheezy voice who liked to meddle in practically everybody's affairs, neighbors and kin alike. His kin were grandson Luke and his new bride, Kate; Luke's teenage sister, Hassie; and Luke's 11-year-old brother, Little Luke (their parents were deceased). Completing the regular cast were Pepino, their loyal farm hand; George MacMichael, their crusty neighbor and Amos' best friend; and Flora, George's spinster sister who had eyes for Amos. Grandpappy Amos was an incorrigible codger who was against anything anyone else was for. He had the regulation Heart of Gold stuck away somewhere, but he was cantankerous as all get out. With his shoulders and arms jumping, Amos walked like a chicken with a limp. He bullied, he blustered, he cajoled, he did everything he could to get his own way. His not being able to read or write got him into many predicaments, for he would never admit to being illiterate to anyone outside the family. In 1962 the series moved to CBS. Luke became a widower and many of the plots began to revolve around Grandpa's attempts to match him up with a new wife. The family consisted of Grandpa Amos McCoy, the head of the family played by Walter Brennan, his grandson Luke played by Richard Crenna, Luke's new bride Kate played by Kathleen Nolan, teenage sister Hassie played be Lydia Reed, and 11-year-old brother Little Luke played by Michael Winkelman. The Real McCoys paved the way for such rural hits as The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show. Episode Notes From Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod.