Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

Typical American Mother (Aired May 9, 1947) The Alan Young Show was a radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young. It began on NBC radio as a summer replacement situation comedy in 1944, featuring vocalist Bea Wain. It moved to ABC with Jean Gillespie portraying Young's girlfriend Betty. The program was next broadcast by NBC for a 1946-47 run and was off in 1948. When it returned to NBC in 1949, Louise Erickson played Betty and Jim Backus was heard as snobbish playboy Hubert Updike III. In 1950 The Alan Young Show moved to television as a variety, sketch comedy show, taking an 11-month hiatus in 1952. THIS EPISODE: May 9, 1947. "Typical American Mother" - NBC network, Sponsored by Ingram Shaving Cream, Vitalis. Who will be the typical Van Nuys mother on Mother's Day? Alan will be, of course! Al Schwartz (writer), Alan Young, Charlie Cantor, Dick Lane, Elvia Allman, Hans Conried, Jim Backus, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Sherwood Schwartz (writer). 32:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Case Of The Dead Reporter (Aired April 5, 1953) And it shall be my duty, not only to proscute to the limit of the law, all persons accused of crime perpetrated within this county, but to defend with equal vigor, the rights and privileges of all its citizens! Mr. District Attorney, champion of the people, guardian of our fundamental rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Vicki Vola portrayed the District Attorney's secretary, Edith Miller, for the entire run of the series on both radio and television. Mr. District Attorney is a popular radio crime drama which aired on NBC and ABC from April 3, 1939 to June 13, 1952 (and in transcribed syndication through 1953). The series focused on a crusading D.A., initially known only as "Mister District Attorney," or "Chief", and was later translated to television. On television the D.A. had a name, Paul Garrett, and the radio version picked up this name in the final years when David Brian played the role. THIS EPISODE: April 5, 1953. Program #35. Ziv syndication, AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Case Of The Dead Reporter". A reporter finds out who Mr. Big is, the guy that is controlling all crime in town, but he's shot in a phone booth before he can tell Mr. D. A. The date is subject to correction David Brian, Phillips H. Lord (creator). 27:22. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Big Brain (Aired March 14, 1950) Written and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan, the series began on the Mutual Broadcasting System, December 5, 1943, continuing in many different timeslots until September 16, 1952. Unlike many other shows of the era, The Mysterious Traveler was without a sponsor for its entire run. The lonely sound of a distant locomotive heralded the arrival of the malevolent narrator, portrayed by Maurice Tarplin, who introduced himself each week in the following manner. This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable -- if you can! THIS EPISODE: March 14, 1950. Mutual network. "The Big Brain". Sustaining. An absent-minded professor works on a one-of-a-kind computer. It weighs fifty tons, can figure elliptical intergers and the winner of a horse race! The show contains a dramatized airplane highjacing. David Kogan (writer, producer, director), Santos Ortega (doubles), John Marvin, Al Fanelli (organist), Maurice Tarplin (as "The Traveler" and performer), Robert A. Arthur (writer, producer, director), Bob Emerick (announcer), Barney Beck (sound effects), Al Schaffer (sound effects), Leon Janney (doubles), John Martin, Marilyn Erskine. 29:55. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Baffled Book Keeper (Aired November 3, 1950) This Is Your FBI was a radio crime drama which aired in the United States on ABC from April 6, 1945 to January 30, 1953. FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover gave it his endorsement, calling it "the finest dramatic program on the air." Producer-director Jerry Devine was given access to FBI files by Hoover, and the resulting dramatizations of FBI cases were narrated by Frank Lovejoy (1945), Dean Carleton (1946-47) and William Woodson (1948-53). Stacy Harris had the lead role of Special Agent Jim Taylor. Others in the cast were William Conrad, Bea Benaderet and Jay C. Flippen. This Is Your FBI was sponsored during its entire run by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (now AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company). This is Your FBI had counterparts on the other networks. The FBI in Peace and War also told stories of the FBI, although some were not authentic. Earlier on, Gangbusters, and the previously mentioned Mr. District Attorney gave the authentic crime treatment to their stories. And Dragnet, and Tales of the Texas Rangers, took the idea on as well. Crime, especially true crime, was a genre in the magazines early on, with the Police Gazette and its predecessors in England printing lurid true crime stories prior to radio. This is Your FBI took the idea, and made it realistic, exciting and even informational.

Death Stalks The Hunter (Aired April 26, 1949) Big Town is a radio show that aired from 1937 to 1952. Edward G. Robinson had the lead role of Steve Wilson from 1937 to 1942. Claire Trevor was Wilson's society editor sidekick Lorelei Kilbourne, with Ona Munson taking over that role in 1940. Edward J. Pawley portrayed Wilson from 1942 until 1952 when Walter Greaza was heard as Wilson in the final episodes in the radio series. When Big Town moved to television, the program was telecast live, but in 1952 the production switched to film after the move from New York City to Hollywood. The television series ran on CBS from 1950 through 1954, continuing on NBC from 1955 through 1956. Repeat episodes aired on the DuMont Network (under the title City Assignment) while Big Town was still showing first-run episodes on CBS. Reruns were also shown under the titles Heart of the City, Headline and Byline Steve Wilson. THIS EPISODE: April 26, 1949. NBC network origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Death Stalks The Hunter". Wealthy playboy George Martin has been killed while hunting, but it was no accident. AFRS program name: "Mystery Playhouse." AFRS fill: "Mr. and Mrs. North" in "Frizby Klizby." Internal evidence indicates this show was broadcast during the war, however, the program has been dated April 26, 1949 (perhaps April 26, 1944?). Peter Lorre (AFRS host). 29:57. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Policewoman Mixup (Aired December 3, 1950) Amos 'n' Andy was a situation comedy popular in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s. The show began as one of the first radio comedy serials, written and voiced by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll and originating from station WMAQ in Chicago, Illinois. After the series was first broadcast in 1928, it grew in popularity and became a huge influence on the radio serials that followed. No other TV or radio show has ever equaled its hold on the American public," wrote Yale civil rights professor Melvin Patrick Ely."They depicted Afro-American life while minimizing references to race." The radio audience, white and black, tuned in each night to listen to the adventures of characters they all cared about. Amos 'n' Andy had"all the pathos, humor, vanity, glory , problems and solutions that beset ordinary mortals and therein lies its universal appeal," explained journalist Roy Wilkins in 1931. THIS EPISODE: December 3, 1950. "Policewoman Mixup" - CBS network. Sponsored by: Rinso. "Amos" starts the show by saying, "We're on the air for Rinso for the third and last time." This makes little sense in itself, in addition, Rinso sponsored the show through and including the broadcast of December 31, 1950. Ken Niles fluffs Sapphire's name at the start of the show, calling her, "Sarah." When Sapphire's cousin, Sarah Thompson, comes for a visit, The Kingfish quickly sets up an escort bureau to get Andy to chauffer her around. The boys end up kidnapping a policewoman! Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll, Lou Lubin, Ernestine Wade, Johnny Lee, Jeff Alexander (music), Ken Niles (announcer), Roy Glenn. 32:22. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Dead Come Back (Aired June 14, 1946) According to Billboard magazine, talent and production costs for Murder At Midnight averaged about $5000 per program, one of the higher costs of canned, syndicated programming of the era. But the investment shows. And indeed, well into its almost six years of syndication, the series continued to pull respectable audience shares. The talent included well known names such as Lawson Zerbe, Karl Swenson, Berry Kroeger, Lon Clark, Frank Readick, Elspeth Eric, Mandel Kramer, Michael Fitzmaurice, Alfred Shirley, and Raymond Edward Johnson--and his wife, among many other well-respected east coast actors of the era. Anton Leader, later famous for his Television work, directed the series. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: June 14, 1946. Program #9. KFI, Los Angeles origination, Cowan syndication, World transcription. "The Dead Come Back". Commercials added locally. Lefty O'Connor kills Dr. Miller and escapes from the asylum, but Dr. Miller returns again and again! Raymond Morgan (host), Joseph Julian, William Morwood (writer), Anton M. Leader (director), Charles Paul (organist), Louis G. Cowan (producer). 26:00. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Mark Of Shame (Aired May 4, 1947) When it comes to The Hall of Fantasy, there are some mysteries that persist to this day. Maybe that's appropriate, because it claimed to be "the series of radio dramas dedicated to the supernatural, the unusual, and the unknown." One mystery that remains unknown is who the announcer actually was. His lines were so over-the-top, maybe he wished to remain anonymous. But it's this same dead serious approach to monsters, horror, and the supernatural that makes this series so much fun to listen to in a modern context. Despite this campy dimension to the program, do not assume that the series wasn't scary. Many episodes were rather frightening. If the dark, desolate atmospheres didn't get at your nerves, the down-beat endings usually did. THIS EPISODE: May 4, 1947. CBS network, KALL, Salt Lake City origination. "The Mark Of Shame". Commercials deleted. A dying man's curse comes back to haunt a soldier after a fateful duel. The story is based on, "Evaline's Visitant" by Miss Braden. Miss Braden (author), Robert Olsen (adaptor), Richard Thorne (performer, producer, director), Beth Caulder, Archie Hugely, Ken Jensen, Mike Larogo, Earl Donaldson (music), Nefi Sorenson (engineer). 26:44. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Case Of The Missing Corpse (Aired April 4, 1941) Gangbusters was an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories. Beginning with a barrage of loud sound effects — guns firing and tires squealing — this intrusive introduction led to the popular catch phrase "came on like Gang Busters."The series dramatized FBI cases, which producer-director Phillips H. Lord arranged in close association with Bureau director J. Edgar Hoover. Hoover insisted that only closed cases would be used. The initial series was on NBC Radio from July 20 - October 12, 1935. It then aired on CBS from January 15, 1936 to June 15, 1940, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive and Cue magazine. From October 11, 1940 to December 25, 1948, it was heard on the Blue Network, with various sponsors that included Sloan's Liniment, Waterman pens and Tide. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: April 4, 1941. Program #232. Blue Network. "The Case Of The Missing Corpse". Sponsored by: Sloan's Liniment. Two bullets in the head fail to discourage a determined Negro witness (Louis Baker) to a bombing. Last minute police bulletin: watch for Clifford Davidson, escaped convict, Oklahoma. "Gangbusters Nationwide Clues." Attention Southwest: Negro wanted for murder. Black, kinky hair, left eye punctured and may be out, three razor slashes on left shoulder. Attention New England: James Joseph Horan, J.J.H. tattoed on right arm, large ears, eye crossed. He's wanted for bank robbery. The program leaves the air after this broadcast until October 10, 1941. Charles Stark (announcer). 29:39 Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Vaudeville Team (Aired February 25, 1947) In 1936, Mel Blanc joined Leon Schlesinger Productions, which made animated cartoons distributed by Warner Bros. Blanc liked to tell the story about how he got turned down at the Schlesinger studio by music director Norman Spencer, who was in charge of cartoon voices, saying that they had all the voices they needed. Then Spencer died, and sound man Treg Brown took charge of cartoon voices, while Carl Stalling took over as music director. Brown introduced Blanc to animation directors Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, and Frank Tashlin, who loved his voices. The first cartoon Blanc worked on was Picador Porky as the voice of a drunken bull. He took over as Porky Pig's voice in Porky's Duck Hunt, which marked the debut of Daffy Duck, also voiced by Blanc. Blanc soon became noted for voicing a wide variety of cartoon characters from Looney Tunes, adding Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Pepé Le Pew and many others. His natural voice was that of Sylvester the Cat. THIS EPISODE: February 25, 1947. "Vaudeville Team" CBS network. Sponsored by: Colgate Tooth Powder, Halo Shampoo. The Grand Caliph of The Loyal Order Of Benevolent Zebras is coming to town. Mel and Mr. Colby plan to do a comedy routine at the celebration. Alan Reed, Bud Hiestand (announcer), Hans Conried, Joseph Kearns, Mac Benoff (writer), Mary Jane Croft, Mel Blanc, The Sportsmen, Victor Miller and His Orchestra. 24:33. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Red Ladies (Aired February 25, 1953) Throughout most of the 1940's, Matt Cvetic worked as a volunteer undercover agent for the FBI, infiltrating the Communist Party in Pittsburgh. In 1949, his testimony helped to convict several top Party members of conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. Cvetic sold his account to "The Saturday Evening Post" and it was serialized under the title "I Posed as a Communist for the FBI". It later became a best-selling book. In 1951, Warner Brothers released a film based on these accounts entitled "I Was A Communist For The FBI", starring with Frank Lovejoy as Cvetic. In 1952, in the midst of the Red scare of the 1950's, the Frederick W. Ziv Company produced the syndicated radio series with the same title as the movie. It was produced without assistance from the FBI, which refused to cooperate. I Was a Communist for the FBI consisted of 78 episodes syndicated by the Frederick W. Ziv Company to more than 600 stations, including KNX in Los Angeles, California, with original episodes running from April 23, 1952 to October 14, 1953. THIS EPISODE: February 25, 1953. Program #45. ZIV Syndication. "The Red Ladies". Commercials added locally. Cvetic is ordered to assist "The Woman's Peace League." The date is subject to correction. Dana Andrews, Truman Bradley (announcer). Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Little Old Lady (Aired November 29, 1945) Under the capable direction of Dee Englebach and accompanied by the music of Leith Stevens, Powell floated through his lines with the help of such competents as Lou Merrill, Gerald Mohr, Gloria Blondell, Tony Barrett, and Lurene Tuttle. Peter Leeds played Rogue's friend Eugor, an obscure play on names with Eugor spelling Rogue backwards. 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. During the summer of 1946, the show was billed as Bandwagon Mysteries, with a tip of the hat to the sponsor. In the summer of 1947, it was again revived on NBC Sundays for Fitch, with Barry Sullivan in the title role. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: November 29, 1945. Mutual network. "Lovely Little Old Lady". Sponsored by: Fitch's Shampoo, Fitch's Shaving Cream. Conchita Morales hires Richard Rogue to get back her old love letters, while the title old lady invites Richard in for tea and knockout drops. A good story. Dee Englebach (producer, director), Dick Powell, Gerald Mohr, Jim Doyle (announcer), Leith Stevens (composer, conductor), Ray Buffum (writer), Peter Leeds. 32:08. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Rogue's Gallery - Triangle Murder Case (Aired February 21, 1946) Rogue's Gallery came to the Mutual network on September 27, 1945 with Dick Powell portraying Richard Rogue, a private detective who invariably ended up getting knocked out each week and spending his dream time in acerbic conversation with his subconscious self, Eugor. Rogue's Gallery was, in a sense, Dick Powell's rehearsal for Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Powell played private detective Richard Rogue, who trailed luscious blondes, protected witness, and did whatever else detectives do to make a living. It was a good series, though not destined to make much of a mark. Under the capable direction of Dee Englebach and accompanied by the music of Leith Stevens, Powell floated through his lines with the help of such competents as Lou Merrill, Gerald Mohr, Gloria Blondell, Tony Barrett, and Lurene Tuttle. Peter Leeds played Rogue's friend Eugor, an obscure play on names with Eugor spelling Rogue backwards. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: February 21, 1946. Mutual network. "The Triangle Murder Case". Sponsored by: Fitch's Shampoo, Fitch's Shaving Cream. The managing editor of "The Chronicle" has been murdered after tangling with "The Alibi Master," an unethical attorney. Dee Englebach (producer, director), Dick Powell, Gerald Mohr, Jim Doyle (announcer), Leith Stevens (composer, conductor), Peter Leeds. 29:21. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Secret Word Is "Tree" (Aired November 1, 1950) The play of the game, however, was secondary to the interplay between Groucho, the contestants, and occasionally Fenneman. The program was rerun into the 1970s, and later in syndication as The Best of Groucho. As such, it was the first game show to have its reruns syndicated. The mid-1940s was a depressing lull in Groucho's career. His radio show Blue Ribbon Town, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, which ran from March 1943 to August 1944, had failed to catch on and Groucho left the program in June 1944. After a radio appearance with Bob Hope, in which Marx ad-libbed most of his performance after being forced to stand by in a waiting room for 40 minutes before going on the air, John Guedel, the program's producer, formed an idea for a quiz show and approached Marx about the subject. After initial reluctance by Marx, Guedel was able to convince him to host the program after Marx realized the quiz would be only a backdrop for his contestant interviews, and the storm of ad-libbing that they would elicit.

A Murder Plot In Prison (Aired November 19, 1950) The format of the Vincent Price run of The Saint bears a bit of exposition. The signature theme of The Saint over Radio opened all of the Vincent Price canon and beyond. Any sponsor messages usually prefaced the signature whistle and opening theme. The Trim Hair Tonic-sponsored regional run of The Saint from CBS' KNX studios provided three sponsor messages: one at the open, one in the middle and one near the close. From that run forward, Vincent Price would customarily close the program with a personal message directed at one of several pet causes. Though it's not currently known if this was at Price's request or the producers', one can well imagine Vincent Price requesting the closing appeal. The formula continued through the Mutual rebroadcasts and the move to NBC in June of 1950. Vincent Price's closing comments were generally directed towards social issues of the era: race, ethnic and religious discrimination, tolerance and worthy causes of the era. Price at first tied his closing message to the theme of the preceding script. By the later scripts, Vincent Price simply closed with whatever social comment he felt most compelled to address. The comments were clearly heartfelt and sincere. Vincent Price's entire career was a tribute to any number of deeply felt causes and efforts to promote tolerance and unity throughout the world. In that light, Price's portrayals of The Saint must be taken at face value. Show Notes From The Digital Deli.