Gunsmoke History 

Straight Arrow 1951-06-21 Cancellation Satire Life Of Dir Ted Robertson

Jack Benny 1952-02-24 The Fiddler 

Blondie 1940-04-01 April Fool's Day (cigs removed on broadcast version)

Police Headquarters Boxing Death Match

My Favorite Husband 1949-04-01 April Fool's Day
  
THE ADVENTURES OF SHELOCK HOLMES 1946-04-01 April Fool's Day Adventure with Basil Rathbone and  Nigel Bruce
 
X Minus One 1955-05-08 Mars Is Heaven 


Broadcast: 2:52:40
Podcast: 2:52:32

LET'S PRETEND- Let's Pretend started radio life as The Adventures of Helen and Mary in 1934 when it was transformed by Nila Mack into the show that would last for two decades until 1954. Mack believed that, if the stories were for children, then children should tell the story. On July 12, 1947, they told the tale of "The Brave Little Tailor" for sponsor, Cream of Wheat. A meek little man has "killed seven with one blow" and has everyone terrified.
 
ROMANCE - Actor Henry Fonda stars in "Casanova Brown" on ROMANCE from November 13, 1945.
Romance_1945-11-13_Casanova_Brown_wHenryFonda 24:45
 
People are Funny - was a long-running American radio and television game show, created by John Guedel that remained popular throughout the 1940s. The program ran from 1942 to 1960. The program's stunts and audience participation were calculated to reveal the humorous side of human nature. After contestants were sent from the studio to perform a task in public, the audience was told how the contestant was being double-crossed. Hosted by Art Linkletter, here is a show from January 17, 1956 

Whisperer. July 08, 1951. NBC net. Sustaining. The first show of the series. "The Whisperer" is a brilliant young attorney with a secret identity. He tackles the plans of Scurelli to sell marijuana to the unsuspecting youth of the city. Alice Backes, Ann Gill (writer), Betty Moran, Bill Cairn (director), Carleton Young, Eddie Firestone, Jerry Farber, John Duffy (original music), Julius Crowlbein, Paul Frees, Ruth Perrin, Stetson Humphrey (creator). 

Unit 99. September 06, 1957. Program #3. ABC net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. The first call: a woman has a gun. James B. Hicks (host, Chief of Sacramento Police), Dan Meredith (Sergeant on duty), Tony Kester (director).
 
Treasury Star Parade. September 10, 1943. Program #253. Treasury Department syndication. Molly and Doc Gamble try to convince Fibber to water the lawn. Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Billy Mills and His Orchestra, The King's Men, Harlow Wilcox (announcer), Don Quinn (writer), Thelma Ritter (writer). 

The Weird Circle. January 08, 1944. Program #26. RCA/NBC syndication. "Frankenstein". Sponsored by: Commercials added locally. Many, many liberties taken with the original story, but still a classic. Mary Shelley (author). 

 
TOTAL TIME: 2:55:34.599
SOURCES: Wikipedia and The RadioGoldindex.com

My Friend Irma. February 02, 1948. CBS net. Sponsored by: Swan, Spry. Jane quits her job and breaks off her romance with Richard when Richard hires a beautiful new secretary. Jane writes a scathing letter and asks Irma to mail it to Richard; a bad mistake. The script was subsequently used on the program on February 17, 1952 (see cat. #106081). Marie Wilson, Cathy Lewis, Cy Howard (creator, writer, producer, direrctor), Parke Levy (writer), Leif Erickson, Hans Conried, John Brown, Frank Bingman (announcer).
 
Stars Over Hollywood. December 30, 1950. CBS net. "Continental Cowboy". Sponsored by: Armor Meat, Dial soap. Sagebrush Sam, a Hollywood cowboy, tries to escape his hordes of fans in Paris. David Chandler (writer), Diane Abbott, Donald Morrison, Frank Goss (announcer), Hans Conried, Lillian Buyeff, Ramsay Hill, Rex Koury (composer, performer), Rolfe Sedan, Vincent Price. 
 
Spotlight Revue. December 10, 1948. CBS net. Sponsored by: Coca-Cola. 10:30 P.M. T Doodles Weaver, Freddie Morgan, George Rock, Spike Jones and His City Slickers, Dorothy Shay, Dick Morgan, Johnny Roventini, Peter Lorre, Dick Joy (announcer)
 
Stand By For Crime. 1953. Cheshire and Associates syndication. Sponsored by: Commercials added locally. The son of one of Chuck's friends has been kidnapped. Chuck is tapped to make the payoff. But this kidnapping is no kidnapping!. Glenn Langan ; Adele Jurgens; Bob Reichenbach (producer)

SUSPICION - "An Actress Meets Death" on this episode of SUSPICION From 1935
Suspicion_1935_ 12:21
 
Mathew Slade, Private Investigator. September 27, 1964. KPFK, Los Angeles origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "A Sweet Scent Of Mystery". A woman's perfume and the smell of murder. The program is also known as: "The Starlight Mystery Theatre.". William Wintersole, Brian Adams (writer, director), Robert Frederick (writer).

The Mysterious Traveler. April 09, 1944. Mutual net. "Beware Of Tomorrow". Sustaining. An interesting story of robotics. A super-strong robot and a super-intelligent robot run amok with an expected-but-nonetheless satisfying conclusion. The script was also used on "The Sealed Book" on July 29, 1945 (see cat. #397). Will Hare, Don Randolph, Phillip Clarke, Maurice Tarplin (as "The Traveler"), Robert A. Arthur (writer), David Kogan (writer), Doc Whipple (organist), Jock MacGregor (director).


TOTAL TIME: 2:57:14.762
SOURCES: Wikipedia and The RadioGoldindex.com

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. August 07, 1939. Program #39. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. "The Six Gates Of Joyful Wisdom." The evil Fu at his best (worst). The last episode of the story. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

The Quiz Kids. April 16, 1941. NBC net. Sponsored by: Alka-Seltzer. The first question is, "Would you drink "Aqua Fountus?" Four of The Quiz Kids had appeared on the The Jack Benny Show on April 6, 1941 (see cat. #34963) and on April 13, 1941 (see cat. #34951). Joe Kelly (host), Jack Benny (guest Quiz Kid), Ken Carpenter (announcer), Gerard Darrow, Mary Kelly

The Private Files Of Rex Saunders. June 6, 1951. NBC net. "The Plan In The Killer's Mind". Sponsored by: RCA Victor. The system cue has been deleted. Rex Harrison, Edward Adamson (writer), Himan Brown (director), Kenneth Banghart (announcer), Leon Janney, Barbara Weeks.  

  Front and Center. July 13, 1947. NBC net. Sponsored by: Army recruiting. Dorothy's first tune is "Feudin', Fightin' and Fussin'." Jack Carson tries to make a date with Dorothy. Dick Powell and Dorothy appear in a comic romance about newlyweds. This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #38891. Dorothy Lamour (hostess), Henry Russell and His Orchestra, The Crew Chiefs, Jack Carson, Dick Powell, Hal Gibney (announcer), Glenhall Taylor (director). 

Bunco Squad. April 20, 1950. CBS net. "The Case Of The Bookworm". Sustaining. A con-artist in St. Louis poses as a scientist. He plans to swindle his mark out of $15,000 by "publishing" his book. The date is approximate. Frank Trumbull (host), Ralph Rose (producer, director), Del Castillo (composer, conductor), Merrick Goldman (writer), Troy Leonard (writer), Joe Walters (announcer).

A Date With Judy. October 22, 1946. NBC net origination, AFRS rebroadcast. Trying to avoid a lecture on international relations, Mr. Foster finds himself obligated to buy a diamond bracelet. Louise Erickson, John Brown, Aleen Leslie (creator, writer).  

Creeps By Night. July 11, 1944. Blue Network. "Sis Who Did Not Die". Sustaining. AFRS version under the title "Mystery Playhouse". Hosted by Peter Lorre.


TOTAL TIME: 2:57:04.068

The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-022

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. August 02, 1939. Program #37. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. Escape from the house of Fu by sliding across on a wire. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. August 04, 1939. Program #38. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. "The Fiery Hand.". Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

Calling All Cars. March 28, 1934. Program #18. CBS Pacific net (Don Lee net). "The Spinoza Case". Sponsored by: Rio Grande Oil. A pyromaniac has set a fire that has done $147,000 worth of damage. The story is introduced by Chief James Davis of the Los Angeles police department.

 The Spotlight Revue. December 3, 1948. CBS net. Commercials deleted. The first tune is, "On Notre Dame." The band also plays, "It's Magic." Guest Frank Sinatra sings, "Once In Love With Amy" and, "Prisoner Of Love" (with embellishments by Spike). Spike Jones and The City Slickers, George Rock, Doodles Weaver, Dorothy Shay, Freddie Morgan, Dick Morgan, Frank Sinatra, Dick Joy (announcer). 

 The Anacin Hollywood Star Theatre. December 18, 1948. NBC net. "Fogbound". Sponsored by: Anacin, BiSoDol Mints. A romance set in San Francisco. A beautiful and wealthy girl from Nob Hill falls for a bitter piano player in a bar. Helena Carter admits that this is her first time before a microphone and before an audience. Helena Carter, Jack Webb, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (host), Donald Woods, Martha Wilkerson (writer), Stacy Harris, Ken Peters (announcer). 

 The Adventures Of Philip Marlowe. June 17, 1947. NBC net. "The Red Wind". Sponsored by: Pepsodent. The first show of the series, as a summer replacement for Bob Hope. The same story was re-done a year later with a different cast (see cat. #8612). Forty-one matched pearls with a diamond propeller clasp...a good reason for murder! The show is referred to as "The Pepsodent Show." Van Heflin, Lyn Murray (composer, conductor), Raymond Chandler (creator, writer), Milton Geiger (adaptor), Lurene Tuttle, Wendell Niles (announcer), William Conrad, James Fonda (producer, director), William Johnstone, Harry Bartell.

Macabre. December 11, 1961. Program #5. AFRTS-FEN origination. "The Midnight Horseman". A good screamer. A painting of a black knight...with occult powers! The announcer mentions that it's Halloween, indicating a possible rebroadcast at a later date. Al Lepage (announcer). 

The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-021

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 28, 1939. Program #35. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The thing that coughs strikes...with four foot long arms!. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 31, 1939. Program #36. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The thing that coughs in the night strikes again!. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon.

 The Sealtest Village Store. March 20, 1947. NBC net. Sponsored by: Sealtest Milk. Guest Vincent Price becomes, "Vinnie The Hillbilly." Leo Diamond plays the harmonica; nine-year-old drummer Joey Preston. Bob Stanton sings and sounds just like Sinatra. Jack Haley tries to take ukulele lessons. Bob Jellison, Bob Stanton, Eve Arden, Frank Nelson, Hans Conried, Jack Haley, Joey Preston, John Laing (announcer), Leo Diamond, Vincent Price, Virginia Martin, Eddie Paul and His Orchestra.

Frontier Fighters. 1938. Program #9. Broadcasters Program Syndicate/Bruce Eells and Associates syndication. "The Donner Party". Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The story of the ill-fated wagon train that was trapped in the snows of the mountains while heading West. Originally syndicated by Radio Transcription Company Of America (Transco). 14:43, Audio Condition: excellent audio, otherwise complete.

The Batman Mystery Club. September 05, 1950. "The Monster Of Dunphries Hall". An audition recording, announced as program #103. At a meeting of the club, Robin (the president of the club) makes no secret of Batman's identity. Sir Alfred Dunphries plans to spend the night in the "Death Chamber." The solution of a pretty good mystery is not to be revealed until the next meeting. Scott Douglas, Ronald Liss. 

 Gallant American Women. October 31, 1939. Blue Network. "These Freedoms". Sustaining. Pioneer women in the making of America, produced in co-operation with The United States Office Of Education, The Federal Security Agency and The Works Projects Administration.Eva Hantzel (program supervisor), Mary R. Beard (The World Center For Women's Archives: historical consultant), Eugenie Leonard, Rudolph Schramm (composer), Jane Ashman (writer) 

 The Amazing Mr. Malone. August 28, 1948. ABC net. Sustaining. Tony Milano, a gangster who believes that "cleanliness is next to godliness" has it in for Jack Reed. Tony frames Jack Reed for murder, so Jack is in need of Mr. Malone's talents as a criminal lawyer. In the opening scene, a man trying to use a pay telephone, speaks to the operator before the sound effects man drops a nickle into the slot. Hearing the nickle, the actor quickly repeats speaking to the operator. Nice recovery!. Frank Lovejoy, Eugene Wang (writer), William P. Rousseau (director), Rex Koury (music), Dresser Dahlstead (announcer), Bernard L. Schubert (producer), Howard Duff (?), Craig Rice (creator).


 The Whistler. September 01, 1948. CBS Pacific net. "Payment In Full". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. After a lawyer murders his wife, he finds himself defending the man he framed for the crime. A better-than-usual story. Bill Bouchey, Laurette Fillbrandt, Sidney Reuthal (writer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer).

The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-020

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 24, 1939. Program #33. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The thing that coughs, a strange white peacock. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 26, 1939. Program #34. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The thing that coughs strikes again, the disgrace of Dr. Fu. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon.

 Bright Star. October 23, 1952. Program #1. Audition show. George tries to expose a phoney oil promotion scheme to Susan. Dates indicated for these programs are approximate and as with most syndicated programs, varied from station to station. Fred MacMurray, Irene Dunne, Sheldon Leonard, Harry Von Zell (announcer), Irv Norton and His Orchestra, Elvia Allman.

 The NBC University Theatre. January 9, 1949. NBC net. "The Grapes Of Wrath". Sustaining. The classic drama of the Depression, the Okies and their search for the promised land in California Albert Harris (composer, conductor), Andrew C. Love (director), Clarke Gordon, Don Diamond (producer, host), Don Stanley (announcer), Earl Lee, Gwen Delano, Howard McNear, J. Donald Adams (intermission commentator), Jane Darwell, Jerry Farber, John Dehner, John Steinbeck (author), June Martell, Lawrence Dobkin, Lou Krugman, Parley Baer, Richard E. Davis (adaptor), Steven Chase, Theodore Von Eltz, Tom Charlesworth, Tony Barrett, Wally Maher.

Crime Club. March 13, 1947. Mutual net. "Fear Came First".   Four women fight over an inheritance in a deserted house. Two murders have just been committed. Roger Bower (producer, director), Sydney Smith, Helen Shields, Grace Copen, Irene Hubbard, Cameron Prud'Homme, Vera Kelsey (author), Stedman Coles (adaptor).

The House Of Mystery. August 3, 1947. "A Gift From The Dead". Sponsored by: Post Corn Toasties, Postum. A mysterious recluse dies after vowing to return from the dead. It seems that he has returned when the family jewels start reappearing. The program originates from New York. John Griggs (host, billed as "Roger Elliott"), Al Fanelli (organist). 

The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-019

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 19, 1939. Program #31. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. A double double-crosser. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 21, 1939. Program #32. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The Fu leaves a clue. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

Town Hall Tonight. May 25, 1938. Red net. Sponsored by: Ipana, Sal Hepatica. Fred Allen.
  
My Little Margie. March 13, 1955. CBS net. "Miss Guided Missile". Sponsored by: Campana (commercials partially deleted). A vacation in Las Vegas. Frank Nelson gets Margie elected, "Miss Guided Missile." Farrell misreads one of his line, making a silly plot funnier. Verna Felton, Gil Stratton, Frank Nelson, Hans Conried, Gordon T. Hughes (producer, director, transcriber), Jean Tatum, Roy Rowan (announcer), Frank Fox (creator), Hal Roach Jr. (producer), Roland Reed (producer), Lee Carson (writer), Jack Harvey (writer), George Neise, Gale Storm (performer, commercial spokesman), Charles Farrell (performer, commercial spokesman).

 The Green Lama. June 26, 1949. CBS net. "The Million Dollar Chopsticks". Sustaining. The Green Lama arrives in Hong Kong to solve a murder and theft. Paul Frees, Ben Wright, Georgia Ellis, Jack Kruschen, Paul McVey, Lillian Buyeff, Lawrence Dobkin, Charles Russell, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Richard Foster (writer), William Froug (writer), Richard Aurandt (music), Larry Thor (announcer). 
  
Inner Sanctum Mysteries. January 11, 1944. CBS net. "Voice On The Wire". Sponsored by: Colgate Tooth Powder, Palmolive Soap. Trapped on an island, a voice on the telephone warns a woman that she has only four hours to live. Raymond Edward Johnson (host), Lesley Woods, Himan Brown (director), Robert Sloane (writer), Karl Swenson, Berry Kroeger.

The OTRNow Radio Program Christmas Special

The OTRNow Radio Program Christmas-01

 The New Burns and Allen Show. December 16, 1941. Program #11. CBS net. Sponsored by: Swan Soap. Gracie drags George to the post office with a very heavy package. George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bill Goodwin, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra, Jimmy Cash, Clarence Nash.

 The Quiz Kids. December 05, 1948. NBC net. Sponsored by: Alka-Seltzer, One-A-Day. The first question is, "What are the best reasons you can think of to prove that there really is a Santa Claus.". Patrick Owen Conlon, Ruthie Duskin, Joel Kupperman, Lonny Lunde, Melvin Miles, Willard Olson (guest: director of research in child development, University of Michigan), Joe Kelly (host), Bob Murphy (announcer).

Candy Matson, YUkon 2-8209. December 10, 1949. NBC net, San Francisco origination. "Jack Frost". Sustaining. A "Santa's Helper" named Jack Frost has disappeared. This leads Candy to a Christmas murder. Bill Brownell (sound effects), Dudley Manlove (announcer), Eloise Rowan (organist), Helen Kleeb, Henry Leff, Jack Thomas, Jay Rendon (sound effects), John Grover (announcer), Lou Tobin, Monte Masters (writer, producer), Natalie Masters.


Duffy's Tavern. December 21, 1945. NBC net. Sponsored by: Minit-Rub, Ingraham Shave Cream. Guest is harpist Robert Maxwell. The cast does, "The Christmas Carol," by Charles and Archie Dickens. Robert Maxwell (harp), Ed Gardner, Sandra Gould (as "Miss Duffy"), Charlie Cantor, Eddie Green, David Titus (producer, director), Marvin Miller (announcer), Matty Malneck and His Orchestra. 

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. December 23, 1956. CBS net. "The Missing Mouse Matter". Sustaining. A $50,000 singing mouse named Gulliver has been kidnapped. Keep your eye on the cat! Bob Bailey, Howard McNear, Dan Cubberly (announcer), Charles Smith (writer), G. Stanley Jones, Amerigo Moreno (musical supervisor), Richard Beals, Parley Baer, Jack Johnstone (producer, director), Mary Jane Croft, Bill James, Lawrence Dobkin.

Have Gun, Will Travel. December 21, 1958. CBS net. "Matt Beecher" ("The Hanging Cross")Sponsored by: Kent. Paladin tries to prevent a battle between Matt Beecher and the Pawnees, caused by a small boy claimed as the son of both Matt Beecher and the Indian Chief. The script was used on the "Have Gun, Will Travel" television show on December 21, 1957. John Dehner, Ben Wright, Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), Gene Roddenberry (writer), Hugh Douglas (announcer), John Dawson (adaptor), Vic Perrin, Jess Kirkpatrick, Roy Woods, Richard Beals, Ann Morrison, Virginia Christine, John James, Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator). 

The OTRNow Radio Program 2024-018

The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 14, 1939. Program #29. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. The Si-Fan and The "Blue Light" strikes. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon. 

11009. The Shadow Of Fu Manchu. July 17, 1939. Program #30. Radio Attractions syndication. Sponsored by: Music fill for local commercial insert. Milk, fish, and trowel. Hanley Stafford, Gale Gordon.

IT'S HIGGINS SIR July 3, 1951. Program #1. NBC net. Sustaining. The first show of the series. Higgins and the ancestral silver descend of the Roberts family, and life will never be the same. Harry McNaughton, Paul Harrison (writer, producer, director, conceiver), Vinton Hayworth, Peggy Allenby
 
CRESTA BLANCA HOLLYWOOD PLAYERS October 1, 1946. CBS net. "Rebecca". Sponsored by: Cresta Blanca Wines. A woman's husband cannot forget his beautiful first wife, and with good reason. A gothic romance. Joan Fontaine, Joseph Cotten, Bernard Katz (music), Axel Gruenberg (adaptor), Frank Bingman (announcer).Joan Fontaine reprises her role from the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film "Rebecca" in this radio adaptation.
 
FRANK BUCK' S JUNGLE QUIZ  July 15, 1941. Mutual net. Sustaining. The first program of the series. A game show with orphans from St. John's Orphanage in Brooklyn as guests. The kids try to stump Frank with animal questions. The first question is, "What snake is the deadliest?" The show is so bad, it's good. Frank even interrupts the announcer as he gives the system cue! Frank Buck.
  
THE ADVENTURES OF FRANK RACE May 1, 1949. Program #1. Broadcasters Program Syndicate syndication. Commercials added locally. An untitled story. The Dineen family has lost two of their Victory ships. Were they sunk for their insurance? Tom Collins, Tony Barrett, Buckley Angel (writer, director), Joel Murcott (writer, director), Bruce Eells (producer), Ivan Ditmars (organist).an radio adventure serial syndicated by Bruce Eells Productions. The 30-minute program's first East Coast broadcast was 1949, and the show ran 43 episodes. "
  
THE HALL OF FANTASY February 13, 1947. CBS net, KALL, Salt Lake ity origination. "The Perfect Script". Commercials deleted. An insane radio producer entices a script writer to his isolated beach house to write "the perfect script." Drugs and insanity await him. Robert Olsen (writer), Richard Thorne (performer, producer, director), Carl Grayson, Beth Colter, Nelson Hall, Earl Donaldson (music).