The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society

Eric brings us back for another visit to The Shadow, this time with a story entitled, “The Island of Ancient Death!” In this story, Margo and Lamont come to an exotic island at the request of a woman who has seen her own face painted in a horrific mural. What secrets lie hidden within the island’s ancient tunnels? What sort of scientific experiment is this woman’s husband pursuing? What major crimes are most conducive to falling asleep? Listen for yourself and find out!

This week, we’re listening to another episode of Vanishing Point, the mind-bending Canadian series from the 1980s. “Split Second” is an adaptation of a story by Daphne du Maurier about a woman who leaves her home for a short walk and returns to find the world is not as she left it. Is she the victim of an elaborate crime? Is she suffering from amnesia or hallucinating her own identity? What if Ebeneezer Scrooge were a heavier sleeper? Listen for yourself and find out!

Joshua has brought another episode of Frontier Gentleman hoping that it receives a warmer reception than his first try! This episode, entitled “Powder River Kid,” features the titular British journalist on a carriage ride across Montana in the company of a chatty bullwhacker and his doddering old father. But soon the party finds a trio of desperate strangers, one of whom has been shot. It leads the travelers to a series of several difficult ethical questions. What is the kind thing to do for these strangers? What choice favors justice? Which president was Popeye’s father? Listen for yourself and find out!

Our thanks to our Mysterious Listener and Patreon Supporter Carl for recommending this episode from the Listener Library, “Zero Hour” from Suspense! This adaptation of a story by Ray Bradbury features a strange children’s game called “invasion.” This game seems to have suddenly become an obsession of kids across the country, all working toward a particular deadline. Who is the mysterious Mr. Drill teaching this game to children? What will happen if children meet their deadline? Do you require a warning about the dangers of the Lindy Hop? Listen for yourself and find out!

We’re listening to our first episode of Sears Radio Theater, “Milwaukee Deep,” one of the show’s Friday night installments, featuring tales of high adventure! The story features a coast guard officer sent undercover to investigate a string of missing ships, seemingly lost in the depths of the Milwaukee Deep. His investigation soon brings him face to face with pirates and ancient gods! Will he discover what happened to the missing ships? Will he live to share what he’s learned? Do you love hearing advertisements for Sears? Listen for yourself and find out!

We’re paying another visit to Inner Sanctum Mystery with an episode rebroadcast by the Armed Forces Radio Network, “The Devil’s Workshop,” by John Roeburt! The story features a man who has dedicated his life to the creation of sinister wax figures, sold to wax museums around the world. But within his workshop, the real and the unreal become indistinguishable and evil takes on a life of its own. Do any of these figures truly come to life? Who is the mysterious stranger with the grisly request? Would this be better as an interactive dinner show? Listen for yourself and find out!

This week is our first foray into Pete Kelly’s Blues, a series featuring Jack Webb as a jazz cornet player who gets wrapped up in the seedy side of Prohibition-era Kansas City. This episode, entitled “Little Jake,” features Pete receiving an unwanted envelope that leads to brutal violence and unspeakable tragedy. What will happen when he finally opens the envelope? What could be so important as to justify all this violence? Could Jack Webb punch out Lee Marvin? Listen for yourself and find out!

William Conrad stars in this episode of Dark Venture entitled “Hideout!” The story features a fugitive, wanted by both the police and criminals after a game of cards turns deadly. But the more he runs, the more it seems as if the cards are stacked against him! Can he find a way out of this predicament? Who will ultimately decide his fate? Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? Listen for yourself and find out!

We’re joined this week by one of our most generous Patreon supporters, Katherine, to listen to an episode of her choosing, “The Thirteenth Sound” from Suspense! The production features Agnes Moorehead and William Johnstone in the tale of a murderer tormented by grating noises and a guilty conscience. As the story unfolds, it both draws on classic literary influences and anticipates iconic detective stories to follow. Will this killer ultimately face justice? Does the killer like modern music? Will we totally ignore Julián Carrillo? Listen for yourself and find out!