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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod originates from the ‘Heart Of Historic Germantown,” Philadelphia, Pa.

Bob Camardella began podcasting at Podomatic in October 2005 and at the Radio Nostalgia Network at Libsyn.com in January 2006. From 2006 through 2009, in addition to the top ranked Boxcars711 show at Podomatic and Libsyn, “Humphrey/Camardella Media Productions” commanded a top ten slot at Podshow (1.5 million downloads per month), a top 10 ranking at Libsyn (1.7 million downloads per month) and top rankings, which continue to date, in the Kids & Family section at I-Tunes. For the last several years, and to date (2013), his podcast here at Podomatic generates over 5 million downloads a year and continues to grow.

Prior to the onset of podcasting, he hosted WPNM Internet Radio, broadcasting a combination of talk, easy listening and early rock and from his hometown in Philadelphia, Pa.

Bob was writer and bass singer for a popular 60’s rock group with 6 releases on the Twist & Algonquin (EMI) labels. He’s a member of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

In his early 20’s, Bob Attended Philadelphia Community College for Photography and the Antinelli School of Photography soon launching Robert Joseph Studios. specializing in portraits and weddings.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 9591: The Alan Young Show - "Stolen Pearl Necklace" (10-04-46) Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

The Stolen Pearl Necklace (Aired October 4, 1946) The Alan Young Show was a radio and television series presented in diverse formats over a nine-year period and starring Canadian-English actor Alan Young. It began on NBC radio as a summer replacement situation comedy in 1944, featuring vocalist Bea Wain. It moved to ABC with Jean Gillespie portraying Young's girlfriend Betty. The program was next broadcast by NBC for a 1946-47 run and was off in 1948. When it returned to NBC in 1949, Louise Erickson played Betty and Jim Backus was heard as snobbish playboy Hubert Updike III. In 1950 The Alan Young Show moved to television as a variety, sketch comedy show, taking an 11-month hiatus in 1952. When it returned for its final season in 1953, the tone and format of the show changed into the more conventional sitcom, with Young playing a bank teller with Dawn Addams cast as his girlfriend and Melville Faber portraying his son. THIS EPISODE: October 4, 1946. "The Stolen Pearl Necklace" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Ipana, Vitalis. After Alan gives Betty a pearl necklace, he discovers it's been stolen from wealthy Mrs. Van Skuffington! Alan Young, Charlie Cantor, Doris Singleton, Ken Christy, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), The Smart Set, Jim Backus, Elvia Allman, Jean Gillespie. 29:42. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Episode 9590: Hercule_Poirot "Evil Under The Sun" Part 3 of 5 Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Agatha Christie Presents Hercule Poirot "Evil Under The Sun" Part 3 of 5 The centerpiece of the movie, the murder mystery itself, is interesting, and kept me guessing right up to the very end. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Evil Under the Sun is that it invites the viewer to try to figure out the puzzle along with Poirot, which makes for a fun and engaging viewing experience. The movie plays fair: although we're not privy to Poirot's thought processes, we see everything that Poirot sees, and thus we have the same opportunity to figure things out as he does. The cinematography is handled well in this regard, as Poirot's insights are shown by a quick zoom to the detail that has caught his attention; this lets the viewer know that he's seen something important, but not what, exactly, is important about it. So in theory anyone in the audience could figure out the solution before Poirot reveals it... but it's quite likely that the solution that Poirot's "little gray cells" comes up with will be a surprise. The only disappointment with the movie comes in the final revelation, however, as one of the key plot points doesn't entirely make sense, and isn't explained.

Episode 9589: Evil Under The Sun (Part 1 and 2 of 5) Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Evil Under the Sun is a classic Agatha Christie Murder Mystery, featuring the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov). In this instance, Poirot is on a working holiday, as he is put on the trail of a fake jewel that leads him to an expensive island resort in the Mediterranean. The other guests turn out to be an interesting assortment, as there are many connections (both overt and concealed) among the guests, as well as a generous helping of ill-will in various directions.It's a very entertaining movie. The fast pace keeps the movie zipping along from one scene to the next; the overall effect is not rushed, however, but sprightly. In fact, the brisk pacing seems in keeping with the fairly light-hearted tone overall. Evil Under the Sun, for all its gloomy title, does not dwell on the darker aspects of human nature, but rather on murder as an intellectual challenge for M. Poirot. The tone is handled quite well. The director uses humorous touches such as Poirot "going for a swim" to maintain the light tone, but never overdoes the humor in an attempt to get laughs out of the audience. Episode Notes From Boxcars711 OTR Pod.

Episode 9588: Henry Morgan Show - "The Radio Program Blood Test" (02-19-47) Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

The Radio Program Blood Test (Aired February 19, 1947) In 1940, Henry Morgan was offered a daily 15-minute series on Mutual Broadcasting System's flagship station, WOR. This show was a 15-minute comedy, which he opened almost invariably with "Good evening, anybody; here's Morgan." In his memoir Here's Morgan (1994), he wrote that he devised that introduction as a dig at popular singer Kate Smith, who "...started her show with a condescending, 'Hello, everybody.' I, on the other hand, was happy if anybody listened in." He mixed literately barbed ad libs, satirizing daily life's foibles, with novelty records, including those of Spike Jones. Morgan stated that Jones sent him his newest records in advance of market dates because he played them so often. He also targeted his sponsors freely. One early sponsor had been Adler Shoe Stores, which came close to canceling its account after Morgan started making references to "Old Man Adler" on the air; the chain changed its mind after it was learned business spiked upward, with many new patrons asking to meet Old Man Adler. Morgan had to read an Adler commercial heralding the new fall line of colors; Morgan thought the colors were dreadful, and said he wouldn't wear them to a dogfight, but perhaps the listeners would like them. Old Man Adler demanded a retraction on the air. Morgan obliged: "I would wear them to a dogfight." Show Notes From The Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. THIS EPISODE: 102139. The Henry Morgan Show. February 19, 1947. ABC network, WCAE, Pittsburgh aircheck. Sponsored by: Eversharp-Schick, Walt's Furs (local). 10:30 P.M. How radio affects blood pressure. Two "ad men" named "Charlie" and "Henry." "Dimitri's Keyhole": a Russian gossip program. How to save on taxes. "Offenbach On Broadway." "Hortense and Gerard." "The Coming Attractions Theatre" presents a funny preview of the movie, "Blubber.". Henry Morgan, Bernard Green and His Orchestra, Arnold Stang, Charles Irving (announcer), Rector Bailey. 29:40. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index. Catalog# 102139.

Episode 9587: The Haunting Hour - "Unidentified Body" (07-28-45) Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Unidentified Body (Aired July 28, 1945) The Haunting Hour is a work-in-progress collection within the holdings of many serious Radio Collectors. From the meager available productions currently in circulation it's clear that the series was popular for its time, at the very least. With a known run of at least 52 unique scripts and more doubtful further 39 to 52 scripts, it would appear that the series was in demand for at least four years--in and out of syndication. Given the high quality of NBC Network voice talent in the circulating episodes, one can well imagine that the remainder of the yet alleged, undiscovered, or uncirculated episodes have at least as much to recommend them. Thankfully, as with many other examples of Golden Age Radio productions, many of the existing episodes in circulation can be directly attributed to the efforts of the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service [AFRTS]. THIS EPISODE: July 28, 1945. Program #24. NBC syndication. "Unidentified Body". Commercials added locally. An amnesiac found by a gang of crooks is told he's a professional murderer and is told to go out and kill! Edwin Wolfe (director). 24:57. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Episode 9586: The Honest Harold Peary Show - "Income Tax Time" (03-14-51) Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

The Harold Peary Show - Income Tax Time (Aired March 14, 1951) Honest Harold Hemp lived with his mother and nephew and did a radio homemaker's program. The series received undeserved negative ratings and general negative attitude of the critics. The Honest Harold scripts were well crafted with well developed characters and had excellent acting and production values. Many people, including Harold Peary, believed that The Great Gildersleeve would not survive without Peary. However, Willard Waterman assumed the role and most listeners didn't notice the difference, as Mr. Waterman did an excellent job in capturing the essence of the Gildersleeve character. THIS EPISODE: March 14, 1951. CBS network. Sustaining. It's "Income Tax Time" once again. Harold's waited until the last minute once again. Harold Peary, Gene Stone (writer), Jack Robinson (writer), Jack Meakin (composer, conductor), Norman Macdonnell (director), Jane Morgan, Joseph Kearns, Parley Baer, Cliff Arquette, Shirley Mitchell, Ken Christy, David Light, Dick Powell (writer), Roy Rowan (announcer). 31:03. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Episode 9585: Hancock's Half Hour - "The Blackboard Jungle" (11-23-55) Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

The Blackboard Jungle (Aired November 23, 1955) Tony Hancock starred as an exaggerated version of his own character, a down-at-heel comedian living at the dilapidated 23 Railway Cuttings in East Cheam. Sid James played a criminally-inclined confidante who usually managed to con Hancock, while Bill Kerr appeared as Hancock's dim-witted Australian lodger. Moira Lister also appeared in the first series before being replaced by Andrée Melly for the next two, both playing love interests for Hancock's character. In the fourth and fifth series, Hattie Jacques played Griselda Pugh, live-in secretary to Hancock and occasional girlfriend of Sid James. The series broke from the variety tradition dominant in British radio comedy into the sitcom or Situation comedy genre.

Episode 9584: "The Gangster's Son" (01-20-50) Jan 27, 2024

Show notes

The Halls of Ivy - "The Gangster's Son" (Aired January 20, 1950) The Halls of Ivy was an NBC radio sitcom that ran from 1950-1952. It was created by Fibber McGee & Molly co-creator/writer Don Quinn before being adapted into a CBS television comedy (1954-55) produced by ITC Entertainment and Television Programs of America. Quinn developed the show after he had decided to leave Fibber McGee & Molly. The audition program featured radio veteran Gale Gordon (then co-starring in Our Miss Brooks) and Edna Best in the roles that ultimately went to British husband-and-wife actors Ronald Colman and Benita Hume. The Colmans had shown a flair for radio comedy in recurring roles on The Jack Benny Program in the late 1940s, and they landed the title roles in the new show. THIS EPISODE: January 20, 1950. "The Gangster's Son" - NBC network. Sponsored by: Schlitz Beer. Is the son of a gangster at Ivy College? Ronald Colman, Benita Hume, William Conrad, Gil Stratton, Don Quinn (creator, writer), Henry Russell (composer, conductor), Nat Wolff (director), Ken Carpenter (announcer), Herb Butterfield, Willard Waterman, Ted Osborne, Gloria Gordon, Walter Brown Neuman (writer). 30:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

Episode 9583: Blondie - "The Camping Trip" (06-29-49) Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

The Camping Trip (Aired June 29, 1949) Blondie is an American comic strip created by Murat Bernard "Chic" Young. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, the strip has been published in newspapers since September 8, 1930. The success of the comic strip led to the long-running Blondie film series (1938-1950) and the popular Blondie radio program (1939-1950). Chic Young drew Blondie until his death in 1973, when the control of the strip passed to his son Dean Young, who continues to write the strip. Young has collaborated with a number of artists on Blondie, including Jim Raymond, Mike Gersher, Stan Drake, Denis Lebrun and currently, John Marshall. Through these changes, Blondie has remained popular, appearing in more than 2000 newspapers in 47 countries and translated into 35 languages, as of 2010[update]. Blondie celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2005. THIS EPISODE: Cat# 64470. Blondie. June, 1945. CBS network. Sponsored by: Super Suds (much of the commercials have been deleted). Alexander is getting ready to go to camp for the first time. The program was rebroadcast on, "Same Time, Same Station" (see cat. #18224). The date is approximate. Arthur Lake, Penny Singleton, Ken Niles (announcer), Hanley Stafford, Chic Young (creator). 22:52. Cat# 64470. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index. 26:19

Episode 9582: The Black Museum - "The Brass Button" (05-10-53) Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

The Brass Button (Aired May 10, 1953) Noted Crime Reporter Percy Hoskins of London's Daily Express was integral to the development of both Whitehall 1212 and Secrets of Scotland Yard. To that end, it's worth noting that the more dramatic, morbid, or salacious elements of The Black Museum's presentations aren't nearly as exacting in detail or as precise in background as those of Secrets of Scotland Yard and Whitehall 1212. Nor, one might well argue, should they have been. By the time that The Black Museum aired, both Whitehall 1212 and Secrets of Scotland Yard had broadcast virtually all of the crimes behind The Black Museum's scripts. They didn't so much steal The Black Museum's thunder as much as virtually demand that. Show Notes From The Digital Deli. THIS EPISODE: May 10, 1953. Program #8. Syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. "The Brass Button". Participating sponsors. Janet Morgan, the "Swamp Girl" is found murdered. The date is approximate. Syndicated rebroadcast date: November 6, 1974. Harry Alan Towers (producer), Orson Welles (narrator), Ira Marion (writer), Sidney Torch (composer, conductor). 29:03. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.

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