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Lux Radio Theater -- It's a Wonderful Life

The word 'classic' never fit a story quite so well as it does "It's a Wonderful Life." This 1947 production for Lux Radio Theater is true to the film version with many of the stars reprising their famous roles for radio. Back are James Stewart as George Bailey, Donna Reed as Mary Hatch but without the unforgettable Lionel Barrymore as Potter. Nevertheless, you'll love the full hour broadcast.

Aired in March, not December as one would suppose, this story (as if you need a preview) is about George Bailey who is in trouble... so much trouble he can't see his way back to happiness and wants to rid the world of himself and his mistakes. God sends Clarence to demonstrate just how blessed a life he has and how he has graced those around him.

Cast include Victor Moore as Clarence, Bill Johnstone as Mr. Bailey, John McIntire as Joseph, Leo Cleary as Uncle Billy, Edwin Maxwell at Potter and Janet Scott as Mother.

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The Six Shooter -- Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol

Jimmy Stewart was brought in to this project, a folksy Western drama, to bring some star power to a fading medium. This was one of the last efforts to rekindle the magic of radio at the end of the era.

Stewart gives a particularly good performance and the writing, production and audio effects of this series are top notch. The Six Shooter was a sustained show on NBC, which meant that it had no sponsor. Directed by Jack Johnstone and written by Frank Burt.

In this episode Brit tells a young runaway the Dicken's Christmas Carol with a western twist. The boy returns home a believer in Christmas. One of the best shows in the series.

Sit Back & Enjoy The Six Shooter.

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John Steele, Adventurer -- Cargo Unknown

A romp thorough the life of adventure as led by John Steele, played by Don Douglas, this series produced some excellent episodes, especially for the younger audience. Broadcast on Mutual from April 1949 to July of 56 this was one of the longer running series in the genre.

This episode, Cargo Unknown is about two men cast away at see with a beautiful women and was broadcast on July 12, 1949

Sit Back & Enjoy John Steele, Adventurer.

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The Sealed Book -- Out of the Past

Heard Sundays at 10:30 on the Mutual network in 1945, The Sealed Book was, from today's perspective, one of the more campy and 'over the top' shows of the mystery/horror genre. Each week (for a run of 26 episodes) a new tale is told from 'The Sealed Book' by the 'Keeper of the Book'. The show started with gong and the voice of host Philip Clarke saying, "once again the keeper of the book has opened the ponderous door to the secret vault wherein is kept the great sealed book in which is recorded all the secretes and mysterious of mankind though the ages." No penalty in those days for run-on sentences.

This episode, a tale of betrayal and blackmail called 'Out of the Past', is written by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan (as are all the rest of them). Many of these shows are recycled for The Mysterious Traveler and this one was rebroadcast on April 19, 1949 as a Mysterious Traveler program.

Sit Back & Enjoy The Sealed Book.

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Abbott & Costello -- Nuts & Bolts

Ah, the sound of laughter, music to the comedian's ear. Few jokesters ever heard more of this music than the tandem of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Outrageously popular on stage, in film, TV and especially on the radio, this, the original odd couple, dominated sketch comedy for years. They never brought their private difficulties, which were many, into public view, sparing their fans the drama and sorrows of their own lives. Too bad this ethos is long lost in Hollywood.

Enjoy this hilarious episode from the program that made them world figures, The Abbott & Costello Show!

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