Waldina

"Symphony of Death" - Candy Matson - June 20, 1950

Candy Matson is a radio program on NBC West Coast that aired from June 29, 1949, to May 20, 1951. It centered on Candy Matson, a female private investigator with a wry sense of humor and a penthouse on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. The program was notable for having a striking female character "without a trace of squeamishness" as well as a veiled gay character in Candy's best friend Rembrandt Watson.

"The Secret Doctrine" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - June 20, 1974

Plot:  After suffering a devastating rejection at the hands of her favorite actor, an obsessed fan directs her violent rage against her former idol.

Today is the 125th birthday of Wallis Simpson.  The king gave up the throne for her.  Her style remained impeccable for her entire life.  Have you seen W.E.?  Brilliant.  It seems that she and Edward were Nazi sympathizers, smug, and generally unpleasant to be around. Can we separate the art from the artist and still admire one simultaneously despising the other? I sometimes think yes, and most often think no. Tell me what you think.

Today is the 120th birthday of Anastasia, the Russian duchess that was executed with her entire family, servants and dog by Bolsheviks led by Vladmir Lenin.  Books and movies have been produced based on the chance that she somehow survived, but science has caught up and her remains have been confirmed along with the rest of her family.  Still, who doesn’t love a good “princess in hiding” fairy tale?

Today is the 125th birthday of the silent movie actress Blanche Sweet. She made over 160 movies, nearly all of them silent and was one of the many actors that did not make the transition to ‘talkies’. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - June 18, 1974

Plot:  An unforeseen accident gives birth to the evil alter ego of the doctor in charge of the experiment.

Today is the 156th birthday of the first Native American physician, activist, and today’s Google Doodle Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte. Her story should inspire everyone, it touches on obstacles, determination, and persistence. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Today is the 139th birthday of the composer Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky.  He was one of the collection of vibrant artists, dancers, writers, composers, musicians from all over the world that gravitated to Paris between the wars.  His works are immediately recognizable and universally adored.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Music:  Stravinsky: The Firebird / Gergiev · Vienna Philarmonic · Salzburg Festival 2000

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://waldina.com/2021/06/17/happy-139th-birthday-igor-fyodorovich-stravinsky/

"After the Thin Man" - Lux Radio Theatre - June 17, 1940

Staring:  William Powel and Myrna Loy.

"Three Times Dead" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - June 17, 1974

Plot:  A store-keeper shows his gratitude to the police officer that saves them by giving his wife a magical figurine able to grant three boons.