Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

Keeping A Promise (Aired September 13, 1961) Spy Catcher was based on the memoirs of Lt. Col. Oreste Pinto, a Dutch intelligence agent who worked for the Allied Counterintelligence Services in England during WWII - described by Eisenhower as "the greatest living expert in security". It charted the exploits of Pinto and his team of investigators as they relentlessly tried to root out potential spies entering Britain. Spy Catcher began its life in 1959 as a 19 part TV series and made a star of Bernard Archard who played Pinto. Masterminded by writer Robert Barr, Spy Catcher was produced in an almost the documentary manner and Pinto's half-hour cases were based on true stories. Each episode found Pinto interrogating a self-proclaimed Allied serviceman or political refugee. Using all the verbal and psychological tricks at his command, Pinto endeavored to find out if the interviewee was actually a Nazi spy - which often as not proved to be the case. In 1960 Robert Barr penned 26 Spy Catcher stories for BBC Radio - and these were broadcast in two seasons across the next two years again with Bernard Archard in the role of Pinto. Show Notes From Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Red Demon Of Venus (Aired May 29, 1954) 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: ABC network. "The Red Demon Of Venus". Sponsored by: Nestle's chocolate. The Red Demon is a spider with a nasty and fatal bite! This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #17574. Bela Kovacs, Dick Tufeld (announcer), Ed Kemmer, Ken Mayer, Larry Robertson (producer, director), Lou Huston (writer), Lyn Osborn, Mike Devery (executive producer), Mike Moser (creator), Norman Jolley. 29:23. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Three O'Clock (Aired December 12, 1956) 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: December 12, 1956. NBC network. "Three O'Clock". Sustaining. A man plans murder of his wife but out smarts himself. Nelson Olmsted, Ben Grauer (announcer), Kenneth MacGregor (director), Cornell Woolrich (author, using the name William Irish). 29:13. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Six Shooter" - Myra Barker (Aired June 24, 1954) The Six Shooter brought James Stewart to the NBC microphone on September 20, 1953, in a fine series of folksy Western adventures. Stewart was never better on the air than in this drama of Britt Ponset, frontier drifter created by Frank Burt. The epigraph set it up nicely: "The man in the saddle is angular and long-legged: his skin is sun dyed brown. The gun in his holster is gray steel and rainbow mother-of-pearl. People call them both The Six Shooter." Ponset was a wanderer, an easy-going gentleman and -- when he had to be -- a gunfighter. Stewart was right in character as the slow-talking maverick who usually blundered into other people's troubles and sometimes shot his way out. His experiences were broad, but The Six Shooter leaned more to comedy than other shows of its kind. THIS EPISODE: June 24, 1954. "Myra Barker" - NBC network. Sustaining. The Six-Shooter proposes marriage. A well written show, the last of the series. The program may be dated September 27 or October 11, 1954. This is a network version. Jimmy Stewart, Jack Johnstone (director), Basil Adlam (music), Virginia Gregg, Howard McNear, Parley Baer, Frank Burt (creator, writer), D. J. Thompson, John Wald (announcer). 29:55. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Mayor Of The Town - Bob Hope Visits (03-21-43) Bob Hope Visits (Aired March 21. 1943) An NBC offering. Aired on Sundays from 7:00PM to 7:30PM, starring Lional Barrymore and Agnes Moorehead. The creator and writer was Jean Holloway, the announcer Harlow Wilcox, music by Gordon Jenkins and sponsored by Rinso detergent. The show was a perfect vehicle for Lionel Barrymore: rich with warmhearted humor, and good-natured grumbling, its "mayor" had a fierce bark but a mushy heart when confronted with the plight of an orphan or a stray dog. The mayor cared little about political advantage: he even found time, once a year, to turn the town of Springdale into a special theater, to give his traditional performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. THE CAST: Lionel Barrymore as the mayor of the town of Springdale. Agnes Moorehead as Marilly, his housekeeper. Conrad Binyon as the mayor's ward, Butch. Gloria McMillan as Sharlee Bronson, Butch's best girl. Priscilla Lyon as Holly-Ann, the mayor's granddaughter. Also: Will Wright, Sharon Douglas, Irvin Lee, Marjorie Davies. THIS EPISODE: March 21. 1943. "Bob Hope Visits" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Rinso. The first show of the series on CBS. The mayor is asked to take care of an eleven-year-old war orphan. A heartwarming, tearful script. The system cue has been deleted. Lionel Barrymore, Harlow Wilcox (announcer), Bob Bailey, Jerry Hausner, Billy Roy, Agnes Moorehead, Jean Holloway (writer). 28:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Bob Hope Visits (Aired March 21. 1943) An NBC offering. Aired on Sundays from 7:00PM to 7:30PM, starring Lional Barrymore and Agnes Moorehead. The creator and writer was Jean Holloway, the announcer Harlow Wilcox, music by Gordon Jenkins and sponsored by Rinso detergent. The show was a perfect vehicle for Lionel Barrymore: rich with warmhearted humor, and good-natured grumbling, its "mayor" had a fierce bark but a mushy heart when confronted with the plight of an orphan or a stray dog. The mayor cared little about political advantage: he even found time, once a year, to turn the town of Springdale into a special theater, to give his traditional performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. THE CAST: Lionel Barrymore as the mayor of the town of Springdale. Agnes Moorehead as Marilly, his housekeeper. Conrad Binyon as the mayor's ward, Butch. Gloria McMillan as Sharlee Bronson, Butch's best girl. Priscilla Lyon as Holly-Ann, the mayor's granddaughter. Also: Will Wright, Sharon Douglas, Irvin Lee, Marjorie Davies. THIS EPISODE: March 21. 1943. " Bob Hope Visits" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Rinso. The first show of the series on CBS. The mayor is asked to take care of an eleven-year-old war orphan. A heartwarming, tearful script. The system cue has been deleted. Lionel Barrymore, Harlow Wilcox (announcer), Bob Bailey, Jerry Hausner, Billy Roy, Agnes Moorehead, Jean Holloway (writer). 28:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Seventh Victim (Aired May 20, 1974) Future Tense was the title given to two short series of shows that aired at various times in 1974 through 1976 on WMUK, college radio station of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The shows were announced as being produced by WMUK Special Projects and used local actors. Professor Eli Segal updated some X Minus One and Dimension X scripts, changing place and time to local area and time, as required. The series used original X Minus One music opening, closing and scene bridges although it didn't use the X Minus One "blast off" sequence. (It did use it at least once as a sound effect). In the first series aired in May of 1974, with the shows broadcast Monday through Thursday (from a comment at the end of one show). From information found, the first series appears to have been repeated in June of 1974 and again in August of of 1976 (from corrections to "Science Fiction on Radio: A Revised Look At 1950-1975", see Log Comments). The second series is believed to have aired in July of 1976 (from the Gold Index, see Log Comments). In 1975, "Pail of Air" was awarded the Ohio State Award for "network quality radio drama". "Cold Equation" won a Peabody Award in 1978 "for championing radio drama". THIS EPISODE: May 20, 1974. WMUK-FM, Kalamazoo, Michigan. "The Seventh Victim". Sustaining. It's not easy to join the "Tens Club." After six kills, a hunter finds an unusual "victim" who presents an unsual defense. The script was used previously on "X Minus One" on March 6, 1957 . Eli Segal (producer, director), Robert Sheckley (author), Tom Small, Eric Grandstaff, Peg Small, Mark Spink, Richard Atwell. 26:19. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Frontier Gentleman" A Horse For Kendall (Aired September 14, 1958) 1958's Frontier Gentleman wasn't a ground-breaking adult western. That ground had been pulverized both in Radio and Television six years earlier. But Frontier Gentleman's perspective on the rough and tumble Montana and Wyoming Territories of the 1870s was a fascinating twist on the--by then--formulaic adult western. The premise has who spent most of his military career in the Punjab area of India. He takes a position with the London Times, on assignment to cover the developing frontier of the Montana and Wyoming Territories of America during the 1870s. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: September 14, 1958. CBS network. "A Horse For Kendall". Sustaining. A race from Deadwood to Cheyenne...the hard way! The public service announcements have been partially deleted. John Dehner, Will Wright, Vic Perrin, Ralph Moody, Jack Moyles, Antony Ellis (writer, producer, director), William Alland, Bud Sewell (announcer). 25:42. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Till We Meet Again (Aired March 25, 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, as well as a number of more contemporary works. The first of these thirty-minute broadcasts aired October 22, 1944 and the final one on April 8, 1945. The Vick Chemical Company sponsored throughout. THIS EPISODE: March 25, 1945. CBS network. "Till We Meet Again". Sponsored by: Vicks Vatronol. A French Sister finds herself drawn into the battle against the occupying Nazis. Victor Jory, Gertrude Warner, Martin Gabel, Kermit Murdock, Mark Warnow (music director), Jean Holloway (adaptor), Richard Sanville (director). 29:56. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Special Guest Is 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. THIS EPISODE: November 9, 1951. NBC network. Sponsored by: Dentyne, Chesterfield, Anacin. "Special Guest Is Danny Thomas" and the boys do their version of, "It's The Toast Of The Town." The first tune is, "Whispering." Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Dick Stabile and His Orchestra, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Danny Thomas, Bonnie Bishop (vocal), Ed Simmons (writer), Norman Lear (writer), Dick Mack (producer, director). 29:41. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Murdered Maestro and Stairway Stairway Slaying (1946) Having instilled a sense of foreboding in the listener, the script would launch into the dramatic exposition necessary to frame the ensuing plot. Each episode posed a crime puzzle of one kind or another--usually a murder under impossible conditions. Larry Haines portrays Andrew 'Drew' Stevens, a police lab forensic detective and Frances Robinson portrays his secretary--and love interest--Patricia 'Pat' O'Connor. Homicide Detective Sergeant Bill Morton is Stevens' local police contact. The format is tight by mystery standards of the era. The introductory exposition usually provides enough intrigue to involve the listener. Generally twelve minutes in length, the scripts necessarily contained enough exposition to explain or advance the plot. "Manhunt" was probably an unfortunate title for the series' premise. The series of plots didn't involve manhunts as much as crime puzzlers, such as the classic 'sealed room' murders so much the fashion in detective fiction. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

Show & Episode Notes From OTRCAT.com Ride along on the case with the Man from Homicide. Lieutenant Lou Dana is that man, and he's got "a dirty dangerous job that doesn't end until the killer is found. I don't like killers." Dan Duryea Man from Homicide, airing in the early 1950s, was a classic in the genre of crime drama. Though not as well remembered as similar shows such as Dragnet or Broadway is my Beat, Man from Homicide brought audiences gritty stories, seedy criminals, sordid crimes and an outline of police procedure infused with drama. Lt. Dana is a cynical yet determined detective who has seen it all, and uses that experience to outwit less seasoned criminals and bring them to justice. Dana was played by two accomplished film noir actors, Dan Duryea and Charles McGraw. McGraw often played a leading man in 1940s and '50s film noir, and his gravelly voice and "rocks in a wheelbarrow" style of delivery is especially enjoyable in a radio format. Dan Duryea was famous for a wide variety of roles and genres in Hollywood, and his radio work as Lt. Dana beautifully complemented his "bad boy" film noir persona. This collection of the three existing episodes is a must have in any classic radio or crime drama collection. Show & Episode Notes From OTRCAT.com

Rhythm Of Death (Aired December 30, 1950) Starring Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston, a private operative, with Han Conried as Egon Zellschmidt in this first incarnation of Ken Thurston's nemesis, and Mary Jane Croft appearing in the role of Ken's love interest, Nancy Bessington, a reporter and Thurston's erstwhile fiance. We can only interpolate from what we've already turned up for this shortest run of The Man Called X, but it would appear that Hans Conried and Mary Jane Croft may have been regulars co-stars throughout that first season. One of Radio's most successful directors, William N. Robson, directed the first season of The Man Called X and though Gordon Jenkins appears to be credited with the music for the first season, Felix Mills is also personally cited by Herbert Marshall with at least one Music Direction credit--the season finale. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: December 30, 1950. NBC network - "Rhythm Of Death". Sponsored by: Anacin, RCA Victor. Ken Thurston investigates witchcraft and death at a uranium mine in the Belgian Congo. J. Richard Kennedy (producer), Felix Mills (composer, conductor), Robert Libbott (writer), Frank Burt (writer), Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, Jack Latham (announcer). 21:53. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Lady From Brazil (Aired October 19, 1949) After Jack Webb's departure from Jeff Regan, Investigator the demand for the series remained high, but it wasn't until October 1949 that CBS regrouped for another season of Jeff Regan, Investigator, with a new cast and lead--talented young actor and voice talent, Frank Graham. Frank Graham was only a few years older than Jack Webb at the time, had tremendous range and versatility, and had been making an increasing name for himself as a CBS announcer and actor and with increasing voice work in Animation features of the era. He was also one of the handful of voice talents of the era referred to as a 'Man of a Thousand Voices.' Supporting Frank Graham in the revival of Jeff Regan, Investigator were Radio legend, Frank Nelson in the role of Anthony J. Lyon, and Jim Backus in various roles. On the production side, the revival was produced by Sterling Tracy, with writing support from E. Jack Neuman and Adrian Gendot, initially. Dick Aurandt continued with his original music, and Bob Stevenson continued as announcer. Writing chores were later turned over to William Fifield, William Froug and Gilbert Thomas. The scripts for the revival series were as entertaining and compelling as in the original run, but Frank Graham, though certainly talented enough in the role of Jeff Regan, wasn't Jack Webb. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

The Shadow People (Aired September 21, 1953) There were four series under the Hall Of Fantasy banner, all produced by Richard Thorne. The first Hall Of Fantasy originated from radio station KALL in Salt Lake City, Utah. Richard Thorne and Carl Greyson were announcers for the station and produced the rather barebones shows, possibly late in 1946 and into 1947. The series consisted of 26 shows. Broadcast dates for the shows are not known. The shows were written or adapted by Robert Olson and directed by Mr. Thorne. Most were classic murder mysteries with traditional endings; the evil-doer got his just rewards. The series was sponsored by the Granite Furniture Company, although existing shows are missing the commercials, apparently because they were inserted live. THIS EPISODE: September 21, 1953. Mutual network, WGN, Chicago origination. "Sustaining. "The Shadow People". A well-done story of those who are never seen but are always there. The announcements have possibly been deleted. This program has also been dated September 5, 1952. J. Sheridan LeFanu (author). 24:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

53157. Gunsmoke. March 13, 1954. CBS network. "Confederate Money". Sponsored by: Sustaining. Neil Butler is fired by his boss Fate Ender when Lee Shin comes to town. Fate is bushwacked and wounded. He swears to get Neil for the crime. Barney Phillips, George Walsh (announcer), Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Jimmy Ogg, John Meston (writer), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Parley Baer, Rex Koury (composer, performer), Vic Perrin, William Conrad. 24:42. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

This original series was created by FEN's assistant director for production, William Verdier. Parts are filled locally, mainly by FEN staff members supplemented by local talent from various organizations in the Kanto area. The "Macabre" series is being distributed by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in Los Angeles for worldwide use by AFRTS outlets. The first program, titled "Final Resting Place," is the strange tale of what happens to a honeymooning couple when they stop in a small town for the night and visit a carnival. Macabre was produced in-house by the Tokyo studios of the Far East Network of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Two Air Force personnel were most responsible for creating the series: William Verdier as writer, performer, and director; and Program Director and performer, John F. Buey, Jr.. Mr. Buey entered the Civilian Service from the old Yankee Radio Network, serving as Program Director of FEN Tokyo from its inception in 1946. THIS EPISODE: January 1, 1962. Program #7. AFRTS-FEN origination. "The Crystalline Man". The discovery of a quartz sarcophagus and a crystal man asleep inside of it. Walt Sheldon, Alan Frank, William Virdier (performer, writer, director), Mitzi Hennessey, Christine Virdier, John Buey, Milton Radmilovich, James Sheldon, Al Lepage (announcer), Carolyn Johnston (associate director), Hiroshi Ono (technical supervisor), James Connolly (sound patterns), Bob Eddy (sound patterns). 26:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Double Indemnity (Aired October 30, 1950) In October of 1934, "Lux Radio Theater" debuted in New York on NBC's Blue radio network. Presenting audio versions of popular Broadway plays, the show failed to garner an audience and soon ran out of material. After switching networks to CBS and moving to Hollywood, Lux found its true market. The show began featuring adaptations of popular films, performed by as many of the original stars as possible. With an endless supply of hit films scripts and an audience of more than 40 million, Lux enjoyed a prosperous run until the curtain fell in 1956 THIS EPISODE: October 30, 1950. CBS network. "Double Indemnity". Sponsored by: Lux. William Keighley (host, producer), James M. Cain (author), Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, William Conrad, Rhoda Williams, William Johnstone, Robert Griffin, Howard McNear, Norman Field (doubles), Edward Marr, Virginia Agnello, Billy Wilder (screenwriter), Raymond Chandler (screenwriter), Rudy Schrager (music director), John Milton Kennedy (announcer), Sanford Barnett (adaptor). 56:22. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Lone Ranger" - Tunnel To Trouble (Aired March 22, 1954) Tonto was played throughout the run by actor John Todd (although there were a few isolated occasions when he was replaced by Roland Parker, better known as Kato for much of the run of sister series The Green Hornet), and other supporting players were selected from Detroit area actors and studio staff. These included Jay Michael (who also played the lead on Challenge of the Yukon aka Sgt. Preston of the Yukon), Bill Saunders (as various villains, including Butch Cavendish), Paul Hughes (as the Ranger's friend Thunder Martin and as various army colonels and badmen). THIS EPISODE: March 22, 1954. Program #3306/2526. Syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "Dirk Durango"/"Tunnel To Trouble" Sponsored by: Silvercup Bread. The Lone Ranger poses as a murdered mining engineer to help a bunch of crooks dig their way into jail. Syndicated rebroadcast date: October 9, 1973. Brace Beemer, Fred Foy (announcer), John Todd, Paul Hughes, Harry Goldstein, Bill Saunders, Paul Sutton, Jay Michael. 21:32. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Hard Way (Aired June 27, 1952) 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. THIS EPISODE: June 27, 1952. Program #48. Syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "The Hard Way". Participating sponsors. Harry finds himself in the charter airline business, where he meets the strange Mr. Butterboy, wanting to fly to Zurich. WRVR air date: August 12, 1975. Orson Welles, Anton Karas (zither), Harry Alan Towers (producer), Tig Roe (director). 28:21. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.