Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

The Impolite Corpse (Aired December 8, 1950) Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective created by American author Rex Stout in the 1930s and featured in dozens of novels and novellas.In the stories, Wolfe is one of the most famous private detectives in the United States. He weighs about 285 pounds and is 5'11" tall. He raises orchids in a rooftop greenhouse in his New York City brownstone on West 35th Street, helped by his live-in gardener Theodore Horstmann. Wolfe drinks beer throughout the day and is a gourmand. He employs a live-in chef, Fritz Brenner. He is multilingual and brilliant, though apparently self-educated, and reading is his third passion after food and orchids. He works in an office in his house and almost never leaves home, even to pursue the detective work that finances his expensive lifestyle. Instead, his leg work is done by another live-in employee, Archie Goodwin. While both Wolfe and Goodwin are licensed detectives, Goodwin is more of the classic fictional gumshoe, tough, wise-cracking, and skirt-chasing. He tells the stories in a breezy first-person narrative that is semi-hard-boiled in style. THIS EPISODE: December 8, 1950. NBC network. "The Case Of The Impolite Corpse". Sustaining. An advertising executive, hated by everyone, is found shot, from a strange position. It's all a matter of perspective. The program closing has been deleted, the story is unaffected. Barney Phillips, Betty Lou Gerson, Donald Morrison, Edwin Fadiman (executive producer?), Howard McNear, J. Donald Wilson (producer, director), John Storm (announcer), Lawrence Dobkin, Mary Lansing, Rex Stout (author, Chairman Of The Writer's War Board), Sydney Greenstreet, William Johnstone, William Kendall Clarke (writer). 29:00.

Death Has A Cold Breath (Aired March 29, 1949) The team of Robert Arthur, Jr., David Kogan, producer/director Sherman 'Jock' MacGregor, and actor Maurice Tarplin was a very successful one for both The Mutual Broadcasting System and Radio station WOR. Between 1944 and 1952, The Mysterious Traveler eventually became one of the sixteen highest rated Radio programs of their era. WOR and MBS took great pride in putting together a program that could rival Radio giants CBS, ABC, and NBC throughout the era. During its heyday The Mysterious Traveler spawned several similar thriller genre programs such as The Strange Dr. Wierd (1945), The Sealed Book (1945), Dark Venture (1946), Murder By Experts (1949), and The Teller of Tales (1950). Oklahoma Radio station WKY had successfully aired their own Dark Fantasy (1941) anthology of thrillers, which was immediately picked up by NBC for a national run. But clearly, The Mutual system and WOR appear to have acquired the inside track for the thriller genre for almost two decades during The Golden Age of Radio. THIS EPISODE: March 29, 1949. Mutual network. "Death Has A Cold Breath". Sustaining. A broken-down actor inherits a fortune; a tempting scenario for his agent in need of some cold cash. A cold corpse proves to be too cold. David Kogan (writer, producer, director), Frank Readick, Jack Faron (announcer), Jan Miner, Maurice Tarplin (as "The Traveler"), Robert A. Arthur (writer). 24:16.Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Nightfall - The Debt (Aired April 2, 1982) Nightfall is a radio drama series produced and aired by CBC Radio 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. Nightfall was the brainchild of producer Bill Howell, who was best known at the time for his work on CBC Playhouse and the cult favorite adventure series, Johnny Chase: Secret Agent of Space. (Howell later went on to be executive producer of CBC Radio's highly-popular series, The Mystery Project, which ran from 1992 to 2004.) When CBC Radio was revamped and given an expanded budget in 1980, Howell approached the newly-appointed Head of Radio Drama, Susan Rubes, about his idea for a supernatural/horror anthology series that would push the envelope. THIS EPISODE: April 2, 1982. Program #57. CBC origination, NPR network, WPBH-FM, Middlefield, Connecticut aircheck. "The Debt". Sustaining. A superb shocker of the grisly-gory genre. A fraternity initiation turns into a life-long shriek. Very well-done! The WPBH-FM rebroadcast date is June 6, 1982. John Richard Wright (writer), Henry Ramer (host). 1/2 hour.

Apology (Aired April 1, 1949) The first CBS season of Philip Morris Playhouse On Broadway showcased some of the more popular Broadway plays of the era, as well as the talents of some of the finer east coast Film and Stage luminaries of the era. Great Stage and Film character actors such as Joseph Schildkraut, Walter Abel, Louis Calhern, Dane Clark, Marsha Hunt, Edmond O'Brien, Olga San Juan, Martha Scott, Chester Morris, Lucille Watson, Edward Everett Horton, Jessica Tandy, and Hume Cronyn added their solid performances to the half-hour format. That first season also showcased Film and Stage superstars of the era, such as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Veronica Lake, Margaret Sullavan, Eva LeGallienne, Joan Bennett, Rosalind Russell, Lillian Gish, and Gloria Swanson. THIS EPISODE: April 1, 1949. CBS network, KNX, Los Angeles aircheck. "Apology". Sponsored by: Philip Morris, Revelation Pipe Tobacco, Tide (local). An ordinary guy poisons his wife, but then has to deal with her very tough father. An unusual drama in that all characters have New York Jewish dialects. Elliott Lewis, Alan Reed, Sidney Miller, Cathy Lewis, Ken Christy, William Spier (producer, director, editor), David Ellis (writer), Lud Gluskin (music director), Art Ballinger (announcer). 30:33. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Interval (Aired November 27, 1949) The Radio City Playhouse was a half-hour of drama, sometimes comedy, often very exciting and suspenseful. The cast were made up of New York veterans of radio and stage, including Jan Minor and John Larkin as featured performers. The director, Harry W. Junkin, also served as the show's host and narrator. Each week the show introduced a new story, often written by well-known writers of fantasy and suspense such as Ray Bradbury, Cornell Woolrich, Agatha Christie and Paul Gallico. They were dramatized with a full orchestral soundtrack and excellent sound effects. THIS EPISODE: November 27, 1949. Program #63. NBC network. "Interval". Sustaining. The program is announced as, "Attraction #62." Harry W. Junkin (producer, director, host), Robert Essen (writer), Fred Collins (announcer), Steven Gethers, Tom Collins, Marilyn Erskine, Bill Lipton, Roy Shield (composer, conductor), Barry Thompson. 28:30. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Specialty Of The House (Aired April 13, 1974) Recorded in every corner of the world when first broadcast over the BBC's World Service, The Price of Fear soon became one of the most widely recorded offerings of its era. As with most BBC productions, the acting talent and production values were excellent throughout. The stories dramatized in the series are from some of the supernatural fiction world's finest authors. William Ingram was responsible for almost half of the stories and scripts, backed up the works of Bram Stoker, Roald Dahl, Robert Arthur, Rene Basilico, Stanley Ellin, and R. Chetwynd-Hayes. John Dyas produced and directed all three series over the ten year period. Host Vincent Price, already long since recognized throughout the world as the reigning Master of The Macabre, virtually ensured that the series would be heard. True to his legend, Price's imprimatur on the series provided a voice as chilling and familiar to World Service listeners as that of their own Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. The Price of Fear has been an international favorite ever since it's first airing. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.

The Windfall (Aired September 22, 1954) The FBI in Peace and War was a radio crime drama inspired by Frederick Lewsis Collins' book, The FBI in Peace and War. The idea for the show came from Louis Pelletier who wrote many of the scripts. Among the show's other writers were Jack Finke, Ed Adamson and Collins. Airing on CBS from November 25, 1944 to September 28, 1958, it had a variety of sponsors (including Lava Soap, Wildroot Cream Oil, Lucky Strike, Nescafe and Wrigley's) over the years. Martin Blaine and Donald Briggs headed the cast. THIS EPISODE: September 22, 1954. CBS network origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Windfall". A woman picks the wrong bunch of bad guys to blackmail. Martin Blaine, Don Briggs, Frederick L. Collins (creator), Betty Mandeville (producer, director). 23:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "Tales Of The Texas Rangers" - Joy Ride (05-27-51) ales of the Texas Rangers, a western adventure old-time radio drama, premiered on July 8, 1950, on the US NBC radio network and remained on the air through September 14, 1952. Movie star Joel McCrea starred as Texas Ranger Jayce Pearson, who used the latest scientific techniques to identify the criminals and his faithful horse, Charcoal (or "Charky," as Jayce would sometimes refer to him), to track them down. The shows were reenactments of actual Texas Ranger cases. The series was produced and directed by Stacy Keach, Sr., and was sponsored for part of its run by Wheaties. Captain Manuel T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, a Ranger for 30 years and who was said to have killed 31 men during his career, served as consultant for the series. THIS EPISODE: May 27, 1951. NBC network. "Joy Ride". Sustaining. The last show of the season. A "pimply faced youth" and his trigger-happy girlfriend hold up a liquor store and kill the owner. Tony Barrett, Sam Edwards, William Johnstone, Peggy Webber, Barney Phillips, John Frank, Hal Gibney (announcer), Joel McCrea. 29:35. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Act Of Violence (Aired June 11, 1957) This is a vintage radio drama series about a criminal psychologist, Dr Morelle, who solves murder cases which are too complex for the police. Morelle is played by English film actor Cecil Parker, and is alternately helped and hindered in his investigations by his secretary Miss Frayle, played by film actress Sheila Sim. The series was created by writer Ernest Dudley, who conceived the character during an air raid in 1942. The curmudgeonly and sarcastic psychologist is thought to be based on Hollywood actor and producer Erich von Stroheim; and as played by Cecil Parker the character certainly has a touch of the aristocrat about him. In a nod to the Baker Street residence of Sherlock Holmes, Morelle's London office is situated at 221b Harley Street. Most of the stories begin there, with his long-suffering secretary patiently enduring her employer's endless sarcasm. Each of the stories is self-contained, with Morelle solving the mystery in the final scene. Show Notes From Old Timer Radio.

The Journey Home (Aired February 23, 1988) FEAR ON 4 is the British Broadcasting Corporation's continuation of a tradition of horror shows dating back to 1943. Back then, the BBC offered APPOINTMENT WITH FEAR, the title given to ten series of programs running from 1943 to 1955. These are the most famous BBC horror series in it's history. The stories were introduced by The Man in Black, played by Valentine Dyall. In 1949, The Man In Black was given his own series, called THE MAN IN BLACK, again featuring Valentine Dyall. Unfortunately, only four shows from APPOINTMENT WITH FEAR are known to have survived. None of THE MAN IN BLACK shows are known to exist.

The Wistful Witch (Aired January 14, 1964) This series was produced in the Durban Studios of Herrick Merril Productions. It starred Tom Meehan, John Simpson, and Merle Wayne. It was sponsored by Irving & Johnson, who also sponsored the "Gunsmoke" series which "Walk Softly, Peter Troy" replaced. A sequel to this series was heard on the English Radio Service from 19 May 1964 to 28 November 1964. The sponsors, Irving & Johnson, reportedly disliked the series, which is why it was discontinued on Springbok Radio and moved to the English Service. This was the first series on the English Service that came from an independent production house, not produced by the SABC. There was an Australian version of this radio series produced prior to the South African productions. THIS EPISODE: January 14, 1964. Program #6. Springbok Radio (South Africa) origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Wistful Witch". A famous showgirl vanishes from her backstage dressing room...and then another girl disappears from the same room. Tom Meehan, Herrick Merril (producer), John Simpson, Merle Wayne. 24:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Miss. Jupiter (Aired July 28, 1957) The Stan Freberg Show was a weekly radio comedy show that ran on the CBS Radio Network for only fifteen episodes in 1957–58. The show, starring comedian Stan Freberg and featuring the vocal talents of Daws Butler, June Foray, and Peter Leeds and the musical direction of Billy May, ran in the 7 p.m. timeslot previously occupied by The Jack Benny Program. The show was produced by Pete Barnum with sound effects by Bill James and Gene Twombly. Despite its short run, the show managed to develop some running gags and stock jokes, from Freberg's ambivalence toward Madison Avenue (faux advertisements for "Puffed Grass" and "Food", as well as the classic sketch "Gray Flannel Hatful of Teenage Werewolves") to the overwhelmingly popular interviews with a sneaker-wearing Abominable Snowman. By the thirteenth episode, it was clear that The Stan Freberg Show was suffering from a lack of advertiser interest (perhaps helped by Freberg's werewolf comparisons). CBS canceled the series after fifteen episodes; according to Joe Bevilacqua, it was the last American network radio show to devote itself purely to comedy.

The Big Small (Aired January 11, 1953) The first several months were bumpy, as Webb and company worked out the program’s format and eventually became comfortable with their characters (Friday was originally portrayed as more brash and forceful than his later usually relaxed demeanor). Gradually, Friday’s deadpan, fast-talking persona emerged, described by John Dunning as "a cop's cop, tough but not hard, conservative but caring." (Dunning, 210) Friday’s first partner was Sgt. Ben Romero, portrayed by Barton Yarborough, a longtime radio actor. When Dragnet hit its stride, it became one of radio’s top-rated shows. While most radio shows used one or two sound effects experts, Dragnet needed five; a script clocking in at just under 30 minutes could require up to 300 separate effects. Accuracy was underlined: The exact number of footsteps from one room to another at Los Angeles police headquarters were imitated, and when a telephone rang at Friday’s desk, the listener heard the same ring as the telephones in Los Angeles police headquarters. THIS EPISODE: January 11, 1953. Program #186. NBC network. "The Big Small". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. A little old lady check forger is plaguing the city, but there's more to the old lady than meets the eye. This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #16303. The closing credits and system cue have been deleted, the story is unaffected. Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, George Fenneman (announcer), Hal Gibney (announcer), June Whitley, Jack Kruschen, John Robinson (writer), Walter Schumann (music), Jean Tatum. 29:26. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Actor's Alibi (Aired September 12, 1948) Box 13 is highly expositional, as are most programs of the genre, and Ladd's grovelly, gritty voice lends itself well to the production. But by Episode #6 it seems apparent that Alan Ladd was beginning to hit his stride in the role. What seems to get in the way for many reviewers of this program is its somewhat implausible premise. Dan Holiday was purportedly a successful fiction writer for the Star-Times news magazine who becomes disenchanted with the utter, mind-numbing routine of it. Dan Holiday opts out. He posts an ad reading "Go anywhere, Do anything, Write Box 13". This had become a pretty well-worked theme by 1948. Perhaps a bit too reminiscent of George Valentine's "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," from 1946's Let George Do It. The gimmick certainly made for an open-ended range of potential adventures for Box 13's protagonist. And it resulted in some pretty outrageous assignments in the course of Holiday's fifty-two adventures. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: September 12, 1948. Program #4. Mutual network origination, Mayfair syndication. "Actor's Alibi". Commercials added locally. The first episode in which "Suzy" works for Dan Holiday and not for the Star-Times. Murder in a radio studio, death by electrical transcription? Alan Ladd, Frank Hertosig (writer), Rudy Schrager (composer, conductor), Sylvia Picker, Ted Hediger (director), Vern Carstensen (production supervisor). 26:16. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Amazing Death Of Mrs. Putnam (Aired January 7, 1941) A spooky melodramatic organ score punctuated Raymond's many morbid jokes and playful puns. Raymond's closing was an elongated "Pleasant dreaaaaammmmssss!" His tongue-in-cheek style and ghoulish relish of his own tales became the standard for many such horror narrators to follow, from fellow radio hosts like Ernest Chappell (on Cooper's later series, Quiet, Please) and Maurice Tarplin (on The Mysterious Traveler) to EC Comics' Crypt-Keeper in various incarnations of Tales from the Crypt. In interviews, EC publisher Bill Gaines stated that he based EC's three horror hosts not on Raymond but on Old Nancy, host of radio's earlier The Witch's Tale (1931-38). When Johnson left the series in 1945, he was replaced by Paul McGrath, who did not keep the "Raymond" name and was known only as "your host" or "Mr. Host." Beginning in 1945, Lipton Tea sponsored the series, pairing first Raymond and then McGrath with its cheery commercial spokeswoman, Mary Bennett. THIS EPISODE: January 7, 1941. Blue Network. "The Amazing Death Of Mrs. Putnam". Sponsored by: Carter's Little Liver Pill's. The first show of the series. A woman calling the police is shot while she's on the phone. But she was really killed two hours earlier! Raymond Edward Johnson (host), Alan Devitt, House Jameson, Everett Sloane. 25:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.