THIS IS HOLLYWOOD: The Stranger

The Narada Radio Company proudly presents a re-imagined episode of a lost radio series, This is Hollywood! Little is known about this series, other than the fact that it, like many other series in the Golden Age, presented radio adaptations of popular films. When director Pete Lutz was working on his adaptation of the screenplay, he discovered that The Stranger had been adapted for this lost series. Since no recording of this episode, nor any episode, could be located, Mr. Lutz created an introduction and a closing segment that might've been the way This is Hollywood presented them. Right or wrong, there it is, and who can dispute it?

In this production, the Narada Radio Company presents an adaptation of the full film -- indeed the running times of this audio play and the motion picture are very similar -- so you get an hour and a half of suspense, action, adventure, and thrills, all surrounding the story of a post-WWII Nazi hunter, on the track of her prey, the mastermind behind the death camps -- who has destroyed all links to his identity! We're sure you'll agree that our production is just as thrilling as the 1946 film.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

Geri Elliff as COMMISSIONER WILSON

Rhiannon McAfee as MARY LONGSTREET

Pete Lutz as CHARLES RANKIN

Carole Krohn as the SECRETARY and MRS. LUNDSTROM

Greg McAfee and Mark Kalita as the DIPLOMATIC DEPUTIES

Dana Gonsalves as CONRAD MEINEKE 

Michele Barnett as MRS. POTTER

Kendra Murray as SARA

Victoria Fancki as NORA LONGSTREET

Jeff Moon as JUDGE LONGSTREET

Greg McAfee as JEFF LAWRENCE

Bobby Vela as the IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL and the SHIP'S STEWARD

Paul Arbisi as the PHOTOGRAPHER

Nick Wommack as MARVALES and MR. HAROLD

Eugene Lutz as the VOICE ON THE TELEPHONE

Nick Wommack, Eugene Lutz, Keane Lutz, Carole Krohn, Isla Braly, and Melody Gaines as the STUDENTS

Frank Guglielmelli as MR. PEABODY

Riley Lutz as MRS. LAWRENCE

Mark Kalita as MR. LUNDSTROM

Holly Braly as MRS. TINSDALE

Melody Gaines as MRS. RAND and the SHIP'S PASSENGER and

John Bell as DR. HIBBETT

Additional voices were by Julie Krohn and members of the cast

Music was composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. The entire production was supervised by Pete Lutz.

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 51: Wayne & Shuster

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 51, and as we continue Season 5, we present Patte's pick, an example of the Canadian comedy duo Wayne & Shuster, in which they present their famous routine, "Rinse the Blood Off My Toga" -- a sort of Julius-Caesar-meets-Mickey-Spillane. Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our fifty-first number (but 2nd official episode of S5), this episode of Wayne & Shuster, from 2-4-54. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Paul's pick again, and he had nothing ready by the time we asked him what it was, but we're it'll be something...interesting. Join us then, won't you?

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 50: Sherlock Holmes

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 50, our Season 5 premiere! Pete, Paul and Patte welcome Essential Listener Andy, who has suggested an episode of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Gielgud and Richardson, entitled "The Final Problem." Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our fiftieth number (but 1st official episode of S5), this episode of Sherlock Holmes, from 4-17-55. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Patte's pick again, and she, being a Neighbour from the North, will finally bring us a Canadian example of OTR, an episode of Wayne & Shuster! Join us then, won't you?

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 49, the 12th installment of Season 4 (and our Season Finale)! Pete, Paul and Patte present Paul's pick , an episode of Dangerous Assignment, entitled "Investigate Flying Saucers"!  Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our forty-ninth number (but 12th official episode of S4), this episode of Dangerous Assignment, from 4-17-50. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Pete's pick again, and he, along with Essential Listener Andy, will bring us an episode of the classic series, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes! Join us then, won't you?

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 48, the 11th installment of Season 4! Pete, Paul and Patte present Patte's pick , an episode of On Stage, entitled "Heartbreak"!  Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our forty-eighth number (but 11th official episode of S4), this episode of On Stage, from 2-17-54. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Paul's pick again, and he'll bring us an episode of the exciting adventure series, Dangerous Assignment! Join us then, won't you?

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 47: The Whistler (our 2025 New Year's Special!)

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 47, the 10th installment of Season 4! Pete, Paul and Patte present Pete's pick , an episode of The Whistler, entitled "The First Year"!  Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our forty-seventh number (but 10th official episode of S4), this episode of The Whistler, from 12-31-47. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Patte's pick again, and she'll bring us an episode of the exciting anthology series, On Stage! Join us then, won't you?

Long, long before George Burns became the senior citizen movie star of films like "The Sunshine Boys" and "Oh God!" he was familiar to radio and television audiences across the country as the grounded half of the comedy couple Burns and Allen, with real-life wife (and vaudeville partner) Gracie Allen playing the ditzy dame of the duo. Theirs was a 25-year run on the airwaves, and now for Project Audion, Pete Lutz has penned a fresh new Burns and Allen script that recalls the best of their radio work during World War II, right down to their sponsor of the time, Swan Soap. Much like Bob Hope and Jack Benny did, we find the two of them at a naval base entertaining the troops, along with guest stars Henry Fonda and Chico Marx.

You'll be entertained by Audion's transcribed-live transcontinental cast of delicious, delirious vocal talents:

John Bell (as George) in Alabama

Mel Rose (as Gracie) in Pennsylvania

Dana Gonsalves (as Bill Goodwin) in Texas

Les Marsden (as Chico Marx) in California

Scott R. McKinley (as Henry Fonda) in New Jersey 

Pete Lutz (as Mel Blanc as PO2 Ferguson) in Texas

Robert L. Mills (as Adm. Tarbottom) in California 

Larry Groebe supervised the production.

Written and directed by Pete Lutz

SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, based on the 1964 film and adapted/produced/directed by Pete Lutz

Martians are worried that their children are being influenced by Earth trends, so they visit the planet's wise man, who tells them that they should let their children be children, and the Earthling Santa Claus isn't such a bad thing, so their decision is to travel to Earth and kidnap the jolly old elf.

The original film has been described as one of the worst films ever made, and as a result has been spoofed by theatrical companies all over the U.S. Well, the Narada Radio Company is no exception -- originally planned for a live production in December of 2024, Murphy's Law held true and strong, so they recorded it in the director's living room instead, and said director edited the voice tracks on Saturday, December 21st, and mixed all of the music and SFX on Sunday, December 22nd. Now, if you don't like the finished product...the director wishes you a very Merry Christmas.

This play would not have been possible without the following voice talents:

Mario Aguilar as Kimar Cassie Blackwell as Cowgirl Imelda, Winky, and Girmar Dana Gonsalves as Santa Claus, Slobo, and Martian Foreman Pete Lutz as Cowboy Dennis, Cho-Chim and Dr. Werner von Green Lisa McGrew as News Anchor, Hargo, Martian and Elf Pam Pailes as Radio Announcer and Momar Dawn Robertson as Betty and Mrs. Claus Merilee Robinson as Billy and Dennis's Maw Richard Robinson as Dropo Carl Thomas as Henderson, Lomas and Torg Bobby Vela as Announcer and Rigna Tammy Weidemann as Bomar and Shim, and Nick Wommack as Kid-TV announcer and Voldar

Certain music passages by Dr. Ross Bernhardt; other music sourced from the public domain.

OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 46: The Mel Blanc Show (our 2024 Christmas Special!)

Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 46, the 9th installment of Season 4! Pete, Paul and Patte present Paul's pick (which is our annual Christmas Special), an episode of The Mel Blanc Show, entitled "Mel Plays Santa Claus"!  Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!

As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

 

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our forty-sixth number (but 9th official episode of S4), this episode of The Mel Blanc Show, from 12-24-46. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at [email protected] . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Pete's pick again for our first show of the New Year, and he'll bring us a New Year's-themed episode of The Whistler! Join us then, won't you?

Adventures of the Federated Tec, Season 2, Episode 10: Who Killed Bob Teal?

In this exciting second-season finale, our hero gets an assignment that hits too close to home: Find the person who murdered another Federated operative, young Bob Teal. The Tec, along with San Francisco Police Detective George Dean, soon starts sniffing out the trail of the most obvious suspect...but our nameless protagonist eventually begins to wonder if maybe they're after the wrong guy. 

Adapted by Pete Lutz from the story of the same name, originally published in the November, 1924 issue of True Detective magazine. Produced and directed by Pete Lutz. Mixing and mastering by 63audio, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Our cast consisted of the following Narada Radio Company players:

Darren Rockhold as THE ANNOUNCER

Pete Lutz as THE TEC

Joe Stofko as THE OLD MAN

Frank Guglielmelli as OGBURN

Ian Federgreen as BOB TEAL

John Bell as DETECTIVE DEAN

Rhiannon McAfee as MAE LANDIS

Geri Elliff as THE LANDLADY 

Jeff Moon as WHITACRE

The theme, and some incidental music, were composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. 

FEDERATED TEC FANS! We're happy to report that a third season is in the works. Scripts have been written for 11 episodes so far, with a likely four more to go. Each season gets longer than the previous one, because Hammett's stories, for the most part, kept getting longer, better, and more detailed, as his writing skills improved. As a huge fan of Hammett for more than 40 years, I have no desire to condense these longer tales, preferring instead to split them, as you saw in S2, into multi-episode dramas -- S2 alone had three longer stories split into two-parters, for example. Well, S3 will have both two- and three-part story arcs, full of the Hammett hard-boiled style, full of intrigue, and full of the unusual characters he was famous for. You won't wanna miss it!

Here's the line-up for Season Three -- and just for simplicity's sake, we'll be shortening our series title to The Federated Tec:

1. Mike, Alec, or Rufus?

2-3. The Whosis Kid

4-5. The Scorched Face

6-8. Corkscrew

9-11. The Daiwan of Chinatown (orig. title Dead Yellow Women)

12-14. The Gutting of Couffignal

15. The Creeping Siamese

COMING SOON FROM 63AUDIO!