Radio Retropolis

In December, 1947, about 6 months after the feature film was released, the entire starring cast from the film reunited one time and one time only for a tremendous radio adaptation.  So for first and last time on radio together, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle starring in the Lux Radio Theatre production about a kindly old man who may be the real Santa Claus. Miracle on 34th Street was broadcast on December 22, 1947.

James Stewart and Donna Reed reunite for this radio performance of arguably the most revered Christmas movie of all time despite its dark premise of a man who considers himself a failure and wants to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. James Stewart’s crushing performance made George a most tortured hero. In order to take advantage of the film recently being in theatres, they decided to perform this radio adaptation on March 10, 1947.

The Bishop's Wife Holiday Podcast

A botany professor hates his wife to the point of wanting to murder her.  Of course, murder has its own complications.  Commentary on the humor in this non-Christmas episode.  Plus, supporting star John McIntire who played some of the most memorable characters in television and was known for delivering the creepiest line in an Alfred Hitchcock classic.

Lamont and Margot befriend a young newspaper boy whose family is in despair during Christmas and only the Shadow can help.  Commentary on the similarity in story to a previous Christmas episode and why The Shadow needed episodes like this.

It’s Christmas Eve and the Andersons are decorating the Christmas tree. The family settles down to listen to Jim tell the story of their namesake in Denmark, Hans Christian Anderson.

Liz is so full of old-fashioned Christmas spirit that she borrows an antique sleigh from a local antique store and goes caroling.  Commentary on Christmas in the suburbs in 1949 and the tradition of the true meaning of Christmas.  Plus, guest star Peter Leeds was considered one of the best straight men in the business.  We discuss what it takes to be a great straight man and why only a few are considered great.

Tonight, we bring you one of the most talked about Dragnet episodes of all time. This is a departure from the typical hard line approach as Christmas comes to the L.A. Police Department. A call comes in to the burglary division that a statue of the baby Jesus has been stolen from an historic Spanish church. The priest implores Friday and partner Frank Smith to find the statue before tomorrow morning's Christmas Day mass. The last five minutes are not to be missed.

A society columnist becomes involved in a mystery when his friend, who was a priest, is murdered over two missing Bibles that lead to what are called the Walls of Jericho.  Commentary on star Keenan Wynn and the evolution of MGM on its twentieth anniversary.

A mysterious swindler named "the Devil's Wife" is conning swamp folks out of their money by telling them they will be cursed to die if they don't pay her money. Commentary on the rise of fear and violence in the 1940's which was reflected in horror movies and radio programs.  Plus the comic book industry, under pressure from the government, decided to set up its own Comics Code Authority to curb excessive violence which also linked content found in radio and television.

A woman is convinced the walls of her room are literally closing in around her, drawing closer and closer, until she feels utter terror at her entrapment.  Commentary on the twist ending and the colorful life of star Ireene Wicker.

In one of the series' most controversial and shockingly compelling episodes in which NBC and Jack Webb received thousands of complaints, a young boy and his .22 caliber rifle he was going to get for Christmas are both missing.

The mystery deepens as Kent is convinced that the man Lois and he met is not the real Great Dane breeder Sir Alfred Trusida Just who is he and why does he know so much about Lois and Kent?  More importantly, what threat will he be to them? Commentary on Superman reacting angrily to Lois' careless meddling.

Lucille Ball plays a penniless performer gets her purse stolen and then returned only now with $10,000 inside. Commentary on supporting stars Harry E. Lang and Patrick McGeehan.

To solve the mystery of unexplained deaths on Beggar’s Row, Lamont goes undercover as a beggar to find its source.  Commentary on the evolving relationship between Cranston and Weston. Plus a notation on the violence in recent Shadow episodes.