Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

A Suit For The Party (Aired September 14, 1952) 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: September 14, 1952. Program #25. ZIV Syndication. "A Suit For The Party". Commercials added locally. A comrade has died while having a list of secret Party members. Matt Cvetic tries to find the list on a skid row bum before the Party can retrieve it. Truman Bradley (announcer), Dana Andrews, Henry Hayward (director), David Rose (music). 26:25. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Secret Word Is "Sugar" (Aired February 15, 1950) In one episode, Groucho's brother, Harpo, came down instead of the duck, and in another, a model came down in a birdcage with the money. Marx sometimes slyly directed conversation to encourage the secret word to come up. The duck was also occasionally replaced with a wooden Indian figure. After the contestants' introduction and interview, the actual game began. Contestants chose among available categories and then tried to answer a series of questions within the category. Each couple was staked with $20 and were asked four questions, wagering part or all of their bankroll for each question. The scoring format was later changed to a starting bankroll of $100 and couples selecting question values from $10 to $100. A correct answer added the value of the question to their bankroll and an incorrect answer cut their bankroll to that point in half. According to co-director Robert Dwan in his book, As Long As They're Laughing, Guedel changed the scoring format because too many couples were betting—and losing—all their money.

Marjorie Northrup Amputation (Aired October 19, 1949) In the summer of 1949, MGM reunited Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore to record the radio series, The Story of Dr. Kildare, scripted by Les Crutchfield, Jean Holloway and others. After broadcasts on WMGM New York from February 1, 1950 to August 3, 1951, the series was syndicated to other stations during the 1950s. The supporting cast included Ted Osborne as hospital administrator Dr. Carough, Jane Webb as nurse Mary Lamont and Virginia Gregg as Nurse Parker, labeled "Nosy Parker" by Gillespie, with appearances by William Conrad, Stacy Harris, Jay Novello, Isabel Jewell and Jack Webb. THIS EPISODE: October 19, 1949. Program #2. MGM syndication. Commercials added locally. "Marjorie Northrup Amputation has her leg amputated and develops a bitter attitude toward life. Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, William P. Rousseau (director), Walter Schumann (composer, conductor), Max Brand (creator), Dick Joy (announcer), Raymond Katz (producer). 28:04. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Black Hand (1953) *The Exact Date Is Unknown. Not a true crime show, as this is drama, but this show features Chuck Morgan, as played by Glen Langen, a very believable news anchor at KOP, a Los Angeles radio station. He is pals with Lieutenant Bill Miggs of the police force, who tips him off to hot crime news. Also in on the capers is Morgan's "Gal Friday", Carol Curtis, played by Adele Jurgens. The three meet all types -- mostly on the shady side of the street. In real life, Glen and Adele were husband and wife, the two marrying in 1949. They had met on the movie set of The Treasure of Monte Cristo. On the show, the repartee between the two is strictly old school and quite enjoyable. The dialogue is solid and makes the most of the plots. Unheralded and left for dead, Stand By for Crime is well worth your time. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group.

Neutral Ground (10-18-60) Spyforce was an Australian TV series produced from 1971 to 1973, based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II. It was produced by the Nine Network in conjunction with Paramount Pictures. The series centres on the action and adventures of lead actor Jack Thompson's character Erskine, and his main support character, Peter Sumner's Gunthar Haber. It was the first lead role for Jack Thompson. The two are part of an elite unit of special operatives, the Special Intelligence Unit, and their adventures are loosely based upon those of the real Z Special Unit who often operated behind Japanese held lines during the war. Unlike most previous war film's, Spyforce deliberately steered away from the notion that the United States was solely responsible for Japan's defeat, and highlights the important role Australian forces played in the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army. Producer Roger Mirams was also careful to avoid stereotypes of the genre, and tired formulas for the battle scenes. The idea appealed to American producers Paramount Pictures, who backed creator Roger Mirams to begin production without having seen a script. He made the pilot episode, Spy Catcher, which impressed Paramount, and the Nine Network immediately bought the local rights. The first episode aired in Sydney on August 8, 1971, and the rest of Australia on August 26, 1971. It was originally intended to produce 26 episodes, but following the success of the first series, Mirams held talks with both Nine Network and Paramount Pictures who backed him for a second series.

The Hole In Empty Space (Aired October 25, 1952) The stories followed the 30th-century adventures of Commander Buzz Corry (Ed Kemmer) of the United Planets Space Patrol and his young sidekick Cadet Happy (Lyn Osborn) —- yes, Cadet Happy —- as they faced nefarious interplanetary villains with diabolical schemes. Not surprisingly for the time, some of these villains had Russian- or German-sounding accents. Cmdr. Corry and his allies were aided by such nifty gadgets as "miniature space-o-phones" and "atomolights." Episodes had such pulp-magazine titles as "Revolt of the Space Rats" and "The Menace of Planet X." The special effects used in the live half-hour TV episodes had to be performed in real time. THIS EPISODE: October 25, 1952. ABC network. "The Hole In Empty Space". Sponsored by: Ralston cereals ("Space-O-Phones" premium). A "cycloplex" has been swallowing objects in outer space. It sounds as if this program anticipated the discovery of "black holes" before real scientists did! The first show of the series on radio. Bela Kovacs, Bob Rait, Dick Beals, Dick Tufeld (announcer), Ed Kemmer, Ken Mayer, Larry Robertson (producer, director), Lou Huston (writer), Lyn Osborn, Mike Moser (creator), Norman Jolley. 30:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Boxcars711 Overnight Western "The Six Shooter" (Starring James Stewart) - Hiram's Goldstrike(Aired January 10, 1954) Producer Jack Johnstone has explained that "at first it was an occasional card inquiring about our theme--who wrote it, its title, and so forth. But now its resolved itself into a steady flow of letters and phone calls each week." The tune causing all the excitement is "The Highland Lament" by Ralph Vaughan Williams. To all the mail requesting information on how to buy the record Johnstone must give the same answer: "It's a special English recording restricted to broadcast use only."... The theme of The Six Shooter wasn't the only aspect of the production that created a buzz throughout during the Fall and Winter of 1953-54.Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: January 10, 1954. "Hiram's Goldstrike" - NBC network. Sustaining. An old prospector named Hiram finally strikes it rich. Britt uses his guns in a gunfight (which despite the name of the series, was a very rare occurance), and promptly gets shot at the assay office during a holdup. Jimmy Stewart, Hal Gibney (announcer), Basil Adlam (music), Jack Johnstone (director), Frank Burt (creator, writer), Howard McNear, Herb Vigran, Barney Phillips, William Johnstone, Tony Barrett. 28:50. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Big Clock (Aired July 8, 1949) The television version, produced and filmed at Hal Roach Studios, was broadcast for one season of 35 half-hour episodes on NBC, under the sponsorship of Eastman Kodak, airing from October 5, 1955 to September 12, 1956. Actors on the television series included John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell, Walter Brennan, Peter Lorre, Evelyn Ankers, Fay Wray, Errol Flynn, Edmond O'Brien, Buster Keaton, Buddy Ebsen, William Bendix, Robert Ryan, Brandon De Wilde, Laraine Day, George Sanders, Ward Bond, Rory Calhoun, Jack Carson, Neville Brand, Alan Young, Cloris Leachman, Edgar Buchanan, Peter Lawford, Marie Windsor, Charles Bickford, Zasu Pitts, Joe E. Brown, Jack Elam, Herb Shriner, Kim Hunter, Keenan Wynn, Jeanette MacDonald, Leo Durocher, Macdonald Carey, Ralph Bellamy, Basil Rathbone, Fred MacMurray, Jerry Mathers, Rod Steiger, Ray Milland, Alan Hale, Jr., Gower Champion, Marge Champion, Linda Darnell, Howard McNear, Dennis Hopper, and Leo Gordon. But there was one difference between the two versions of the program: while the radio program had presented only condensed versions of well-known plays and films, the television version presented mostly original dramas. THIS EPISODE: July 8, 1949. NBC network. "The Big Clock". Sponsored by: Pabst Beer. A good adaptation of the classic thriller about a crime reporter forced to track down a killer...himself! Ray Milland, Maureen O'Sullivan, William Conrad, Lawrence Dobkin, Tony Barrett, John Farlow (screen director). 29:12. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Manganese Gold Mine (Aired April 26, 1951) Throughout the 1930s and '40s, Ann Sothern and Lucille Ball, like many performers in Hollywood, had not one but two careers - one in motion pictures and one on radio. MGM Studios had created the series of ten motion pictures based on a brash blonde with a heart "of spun gold." Sothern, due in great part to the Maisie films type-casting, would ultimately admit she was "a Hollywood princess, not a Hollywood queen." But in its time, the Maisie series in film and on radio made her known and loved the world over. And for many, Ann Sothern was a beautiful and intelligent actress whose warmth and charm were singularly beguiling. She continued to do TV (Private Secretary, The Ann Sothern Show) and movie work (A Letter to Three Wives, '49), and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1987 for The Whales of August.She died March 15, 2001. THIS EPISODE: April 26, 1951. Program #63. "Manganese Gold Mine" - MGM syndication. Commercials added locally. Maisie helps a countess and a prince of the country of San Marcos. The date above is the date of first broadcast on WMGM, New York City. Ann Sothern, Arthur Q. Bryan, Gerald Mohr, Hans Conried, Harry Zimmerman (composer, conductor), Hy Averback (announcer), Jack McCoy (announcer), Joan Banks, John L. Green (writer), Sidney Miller. 28:06. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

The Double Miracle (04-22-48) The Hallmark Radio Reader's Digest is an enjoyable compilation of classics of literature and romance made for radio broadcast in the 1940's. The shows were sponsored by makers of Hallmark Greeting Cards. These were independent short stories made for radio. Many of the stories were international love stories - with characters from other countries who were in love with the vibrancy of America. THIS EPISODE: April 22, 1948. CBS network, KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri aircheck. "The Double Miracle". Sponsored by: Hallmark Cards. 9:00 P.M. A man returns from prison with a terrible desire for revenge...but against what? Ralph Bellamy, Karl Swenson, Jay Jackson (host), Karl Swenson, Muriel Kirkland, Robert Sloane (adaptor), Archibald Rutledge (author), Jack Miller (composer), Marx B. Loeb (director). 30:04. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

One More Pallbearer (Aired January 12, 1962) AUDIO ONLY Throughout the 1950s, Rod Serling had established himself as one of the hottest names in television, equally famous for his success in writing televised drama as he was for criticizing the medium's limitations. His most vocal complaints concerned the censorship frequently practiced by sponsors and networks. "I was not permitted to have my Senators discuss any current or pressing problem," he said of his 1957 production 'The Arena', intended to be an involving look into contemporary politics. "To talk of tariff was to align oneself with the Republicans; to talk of labor was to suggest control by the Democrats. To say a single thing germane to the current political scene was absolutely prohibited." Twilight Zone’s writers frequently used science fiction as a vehicle for social comment; networks and sponsors who had infamously censored all potentially "inflammatory" material from the then predominant live dramas were ignorant of the methods developed by writers such as Ray Bradbury for dealing with important issues through seemingly innocuous fantasy. Frequent themes include nuclear war, mass hysteria, and McCarthyism, subjects that were strictly forbidden on more "serious" prime-time drama. THIS EPISODE: January 12, 1962. "One More Pallbearer" - Wealthy Paul Radin tries to get three people from his past to apologize to him by offering them shelter from a staged and phony nuclear war scenario. Rod Serling, Joseph Wiseman, Katherine Squire, Trevor Bardette. Lamont Johnson (Director). 25:01.

A Passion In The Desert (Aired November 7, 1943) The primarily first-person narrative of most of the stories chosen made them relatively easy to convert into script form: introduce a narrator, establish the scene, and then carry on with the plot. And, of course, since they were out of copyright, there were no literary rights to be paid -- a sizeable cost savings for any producer looking to budget a weekly series, then or now. "The Weird Circle" was produced in New York City by the National Broadcasting Company, under the auspices of its Radio-Recording Division. Though best known for live programs over its Red and Blue Networks, NBC produced and recorded a great many shows for syndication to local stations, including such diverse dramatic programs as "Playhouse of Favorites", "Five Minute Mysteries", "Destiny Trails", and "Betty and Bob" (a five-a-week daily "soap opera". Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group and The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: November 7, 1943. Program #11. NBC syndication. "A Passion In The Desert". Commercials added locally. A French soldier deserts and runs off into the desert with a beautiful woman. The date is approximate. Honore de Balzac (author). 25:06. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

A Small Good Thing (Aired February 10, 1986) The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) began airing a fascinating range of classic, mystery, comedy, documentary, and supernatural drama throughout the 1970s to 1990s to a steadily expanding audience--both in Canada and throughout the northern portions of the U.S. The CBC's extensive Radio offerings were a fairly even mix of organic dramas and comedies showcasing Canada's own great actors, writers and production talent, as well as several popular transcribed, syndicated features from throughout the British Empire and the United States. Indeed many of America's most beloved, popular, versatile and award-winning character actors, musicians, and comedians were Canadian citizens who'd honed their craft in all manner of original Canadian Radio drama.

The Fathom Five Matter (Aired February 27, 1956) Johnny often used his time when filling out his expense accounts to give the audience background information or to express his thoughts about the current case.No fewer than eight actors played Johnny Dollar. Dick Powell, of Rogue’s Gallery fame, cut the original audition tape, but chose to do Richard Diamond, Private Detective instead. Gerald Mohr, of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe fame, auditioned in 1955, prior to Bob Bailey getting the title role. Through the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar (Charles Russell, Edmond O'Brien, and John Lund), there was little to distinguish the series from many other radio detective series. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: February 27, 1956. Program #1. CBS network. "The Fathom Five Matter". Sustaining. William Markey has drowned, taking a $75,000 claim with him! The system cue has been deleted. Amerigo Moreno (music supervisor), Barney Phillips, Bob Bailey, Carleton Young, Eleanor Audley, Jack Johnstone (director), John Dehner, Les Crutchfield (writer), Mary Jane Croft, Roy Rowan (announcer), Sam Edwards, Shepard Menken. 1:10:36. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Grave Secret (Aired February 27, 1949) Others who portrayed the Whistler at various times were Gale Gordon, Joseph Kearns, Marvin Miller (announcer for The Whistler and The Bickersons and later as Michael Anthony on TV's The Millionaire), Bill Johnstone (who had the title role on radio's The Shadow from 1938 to 1943) and Everett Clarke. Cast members included Hans Conried, Joseph Kearns, Cathy Lewis, Elliott Lewis, Gerald Mohr, Lurene Tuttle and Jack Webb. Writer-producer J. Donald Wilson established the tone of the show during its first two years, and he was followed in 1944 by producer-director George Allen. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. Of the 692 episodes, over 200 no longer exist. Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: February 27, 1949. CBS Pacific network. "Grave Secret". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. An elderly couple kill their old wealthy employer and are very much surprised when the dead man's neice shows up from Australia. The program opening is very slightly upcut. Sarah Selby, Howard McNear, Betty Lou Gerson, Steve Hampton (writer), Bill Forman, Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller, George W. Allen (producer, director). 29:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.