Retro Radio Podcast

Climbing into the mammoth cockpit of the airplane, Jimmy gets ready for a test flight. All the levers, knobs and gyros seem daunting, but Jimmy is a fast learner, and picks up on things. In no time, he's taking the plane out for a ride. Join in and hear what all the controls do. Back on the ground, we meet some of the pilots that Jimmy will be up against in the big race.

The theme of the story today is about trust. A widow has her life savings to invest, so she goes to the imposing banker with the name to match. Is he as trustworthy as his name, and physical appearance imply? Though she thinks her savings might be beneath the amount the important banker will take to invest for her, he does, and seems to go the extra mile to handle her account with utmost confidence. The business lunch takes a personal note when the two share secrets, and even intimate nick names, Willy and Dilly. There's just one big secret, there's a con game going on here. The widow isn't what she appears. The old, stodgy banker feels as though he's 25 again, as he has fallen in love with his phoney widow. Her accomplice is out to prove old Dilly is a crook, and shares a little of his plan to expose the old banker in a set up designed to catch him with his hand in the cookie jar. Will he fall for the proposition that will urge him to steal from his own firm? Is the banker as good of a judge of character as he thinks? The accomplice makes his move. Though Dilly has tossed the con man out, will it be a matter of time before he melts and falls for the trap? Get ready for a good twist to the end, as one con deserves another.

As the hour grows late in the apartment building, a married couple complains about their neighbor who likes to play the radio music a little loud. Other neighbors have a gripe about it too, but nobody wants to rock the boat and approach Mrs Walsch about turning it down. It takes the supervisor doing something about it, and to everybody's surprise and horror, a body is discovered. Who shot Betty Walsch? Casey joins the cops to describe the details at the crime scene, and give account of the other residents. What clues are found? Casey then goes to the Blue Note to relax, and with Ann, he shares the points of the case with Ethylbert. Putting their heads together to analyze human nature, who will they figure is the prime suspect? It's back to the apartment building for more gathering of clues. With Ann, Casey develops a trap to lure a killer into complacency, and into showing their hand. Join the crowd in the Blue Note, and Casey will fill us in on the curious things that made him figure out the case and catch his killer.

A man is set up for a murder that he hasn't committed. Word of the case reaches Doc Danfield, and after he goes to hear the details from the accused man in his prison cell, Dan believes the story, and the man's innocence. It takes more than believing a story though, and Dan sets out to gather more hard evidence. He has to race the clock before the time of the execution rolls around, and as he does, gangsters who would prefer to keep their sucker in the hot seat are ready to do anything it takes to keep him there. The danger grows as Dan gets closer to the truth, but has he made any progress? Is his man still going to take the heat for the killing? Dan knows what to do, and puts his powers of being a high class crime psychologist to work. He lays out his own trap for the bad guys. In the end he spills the beans and shares the clues that tipped him off in proving his case.

Get ready for some hot jazz, played by cool cats, and that jive talking super sized Ernie Whitman is just the host to keep things moving. Playlist: Andy Kirk plays, 920 Special. Eddie Hayward plays his piano and his band join in to the tune of, Don't Talk About Me When I'm gone. Gwen Time is on hand to sing, Don't Take Your Love From Me. Andy Kirk plays, 711. Gwen Time sings, St Louis Blues. Andy Kirk plays, Together.

After a few disappointments over opening the bakery, we find Lum talking to Abner about how to get the deliveries out. Lum has found an ideal delivery truck, but Abner brings up complaints over Lum's early attempt at baking. If they don't find a better recipe, or a better baker, the truck won't help. Lum is offended and leaves. Abner complains to grandpap over the situation, and more details emerge about the new business. Grandpap tries a piece of the cake, but claims it's actually good. Can it be? Has Lum perfected his craft? Abner signs the check for the truck, but there's a secret yet to be learned.

The story of fire, and the men who fought it through the ages. Early indian tribes just packed up their homes and moved to avoid fire. Early white men had bucket brigades. With homes built with wooden chimneies, it didn't help the matter much. The citezens of New Amsterdam taxed the population to purchase hooks, ladders, and leather buckets to fight fires. Night patrols armed with rattles kept watch, and everybody sprang into action when the alarm was sounded. Buckets were changed to water pumpers, rattles to bells, and more changes were developed through the years. Learn about how science improved the systems to deliver water through hydrants, pumps, hoses, chemicals, and more.

Word comes to Matt and Chester about a man who needs help. Ardin Hook seems a little jumpy, timid, and he doesn't carry a gun, but otherwise Matt leaves him alone to go about his business. After riding out, then back to town on business, Matt gets the update from Kitty about Ardin. We learn a little about his past, and we witness a few men who knew Ardin and give him a hard time. To better keep the peace, Matt goes to Ardin to learn more of his story, and his reason for being a pacifist. There's a difference between a pacifist and a coward, and Matt is willing to back up Ard in facing his bullies. Tension builds as Doc and Chester join Matt to discuss an incident from back in the war. Going to check on the matter, Matt interupts plans for a lynching. A lesson is learned about true strength and bravery.

It's a historic moment in the history of the Civil War when two iron clad ships face off. Tension runs high in the Naval war department. The Confederate iron clad, the Merimac has just damaged several Federal ships. What can be done to keep more damage from happening? CBS reporters interview Naval officers about the damage, and the threat that the Merimac poses. The new class of ship appears to be unbeatable by technology and weapons of the day. This new type of ship has just made all other warships obsolete. Will this be the cornerstone that the South needs to make it's final break and be recognized by the world as an independant nation? Will this brin a swift end to the war? A reporter on the scene delivers a descriptive narrative of the Merrimac, and it's armaments. Navy crewmen are interviewed about the battle that recently took place, and it is recounted with dramatic detail. Suddenly the ew turn in the war is met by the Federal ship, the Monitor. The two iron clads duke it out, trading punch for punch as they empty their cannons at each other. The battle renews, and rages on. The CBS reporters declare a Federal victory, because the Navy port is saved as the Merrimac is repelled. PS: The actual battle ended in a stalemate when both ships ran out of ammunition, and with exhausted crews, the ships broke off the fight and went their separate ways.

As William Wilson and his fiancee, Dolly Mayfield, plan to announce their wedding arrangements, the sound of gunshots break the festive atmosphere. Events unfold in flashback to relate the drama that led to this evening. Bill and his roomate, Charles, are rivals for the hand of Dolly. An unusual detail pops up, A freshman at the university not only shares the same name as William Wilson, but is close in appearance as well. Might this be leading up to a good twin/evil twin situation? Will there be a switch in identities? Between Charlie, and the two Williams, which will Dolly prefer? A complicated love affair is portrayed, and some excellent voice acting adds to the dark story. Luraine Tuttle is awesome as Dolly in the tale of gambling, honesty, grudges, and cheating. Someone holds a deep dark secret, and it going to be a creepy one. Arriving back at our opening scene, listen to learn who it was who got shot, whoo did it, and the result of that violence.

As Gildy gets home from work, he's anticipating spending an all nighter to take up the slack after firing his secretary. He finds his home in a most unusual state. Marjorie and Leroy aren't arguing, and they're actually busy doing homework. Birdie has dinner on time. Well that part isn't so wierd, but that oddball kid, Craig Bullard comes over, and won't go home. It gets even better for Gildersleeves when Leila agrees to be his secretary. What a great day! All his problems are solved, right? The universe has a way of balancing things. After his ideal day, Gildersleeves faces trouble with Leila's first day on the job. He has an argument with his friend Peavey, and things show no sign of getting any better. Join in and enjoy the fun as the comedy of errors and mishaps keep on coming.

The audio is a little scratchy, but not bad for one of Jack's early shows. The audio also takes a couple false starts before taking hold. It's the New Year and the cast celebrate. Ted Weems is the orchestra leader who plays the show in, as Jack sets the tone for the show. Father time helps with the theme. Jack reviews his Christmas holiday gifts, then he and the cast announce their resolutions for the new year. As Andrea Marsh, the vocalist, tries to do her number the audio skips a little, but it's not snipped. Jack shares some topical humor based on current events, sports, and happenings. Anrea is back to sing, Remember Me. After a short word from Jack, which the audio breaks up on, Ted Weems plays a tune. Wow, now that's a switch for these early shows. Usually it's the music that's cut, and the comedy rolls on. Also in these earliest of existing shows, Jack was still proving himself on radio, and the music was a much bigger feature in the program.