Boxcars711 Old Time Radio

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Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Green Hornet "Devils Playground" (12-06-50) May 10, 2007

Show notes

On January 31, 1936, the Green Hornet radio program aired on WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan. Al Hodge played the part of the Green Hornet from 1936 through January of 1943. The program was created by George W. Trendle, the same man associated with the creation of the Lone Ranger radio show. The premise of the Green Hornet was that of a modern day Lone Ranger. The main character was Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher of the Daily Sentinel by day and the Green Hornet by night. Britt Reid was the great-nephew of the Lone Ranger. Britt Reid's war against crime was an extension of his family history. The Green Hornet fought crime with his high-powered car, the Black Beauty.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Ford Theater "The Horn Blows At Midnight" (3-04-49). May 10, 2007

Show notes

Benny plays a big band trumpeter who falls asleep and dreams he is an archangel, sent to destroy earth because persecution and hatred have soared out of control. A light-hearted, farcical approach to the apocolypse that's quite enjoyable, despite Benny's longstanding jokes about being ashamed of it. The plot involves the third trumpet player in the orchestra of a radio program, named the Paradise Coffee Program, who falls asleep listening to the reading of the advertisement: "The coffee that makes you sleep." He dreams he is the angel Athaniel, a trumpeter in the orchestra of heaven, who is such a terrible musician he is relieved of his position and sent on a mission to earth. He is entrusted to blow the Last Trumpet at midnight, but complications in the plot ensue when two fallen angels, named Osidro and Doremus, want to continue their physical existence of pursuing pleasures. While Athaniel encounters experiences of mortal life, such as eating food and the need for money, the fallen angels try to prevent Athaniel from going through with his mission by having his trumpet stolen.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Ford Theater "The Horn Blows At Midnight" (3-04-49). May 10, 2007

Show notes

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Journey To The Center Of Earth "The Hurricane" (1964) May 09, 2007

Show notes

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a classic 1864 science fiction novel by Jules Verne. The story involves a professor who leads his nephew and hired guide down a volcano in Iceland to the "Center of the Earth". This audio theater production is from BBC 1963. The story begins on Sunday 24 May 1863, in the Lidenbrock house in Hamburg, with Professor Lidenbrock rushing home to peruse his latest purchase, an original runic manuscript of an Icelandic saga written by Snorri Sturluson. While looking through the book, Lidenbrock and Axel find a coded note written in runic script.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Hallmark Playhouse "Wyatt Earp Frontier Marshall" (3-24-49) May 09, 2007

Show notes

Wyatt Earp Frontier Marshall starring Richard Conte is a selection from THE HALLMARK PLAYHOUSE which was heard over CBS stations on Thursday evenings sponsored by, of course, Hallmark Greeting Cards. This story is from the Stuart N. Lake book Frontier Marshall, a 1931 biography of Wyatt Earp. It aired March 24, 1949.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Theater Five "The Scream" (8-31-64) May 08, 2007

Show notes

This was ABC's attempt to recapture some of what radio was. The effort was not the best, but at least an effort was made. The stories ranged from science fiction, comedy, social drama and human interest drama, to detective mystery, psychological drama, melodrama and suspense drama. News programs help fill out the remaining time left in the 30 minute time spot from 5 - 5:30 p.m. Click Here to Send This Page to a Friend

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - Gunsmoke "There Never Was A Horse" (9-19-53) May 08, 2007

Show notes

The radio show first aired on April 26, 1952 and ran until June 18, 1961 on the CBS radio network. The series starred William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon, Howard McNear as Doc Charles Adams, Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell, and Parley Baer as Deputy Chester Proudfoot. Doc's first name and Chester's last name were changed for the television program. Gunsmoke was notable for its critically acclaimed cast and writing, and is commonly regarded as THE true adult western and one of the finest old time radio shows. Click Here to Send This Page to a Friend

Boxcars711 Weekend Matinee - Screen Guild Theater "The Lost Weekend" (1-07-46) May 06, 2007

Show notes

Tells the story of an alcoholic, Milland, on a weekend bender. While on his bender he stops in at his favorite watering stop - Nat's Bar on Third Avenue, based on the legendary P. J. Clarke's. There he seeks companionship in his drinking with congenial bartender Nat (Howard da Silva). As the weekend continues, Milland drifts deeper and deeper into his living nightmare, committing crimes and even spending time in a mental ward. Unlike the novel, the protagonist's frustration in the film stems not from homosexuality but from his frustrations as a would-be writer.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - This Is Your FBI "Fugitive Horse Player" (5-17-46) May 05, 2007

Show notes

This Is Your FBI was a radio crime drama which aired in the United States on ABC from April 6, 1945 to January 30, 1953. FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover gave it his endorsement, calling it "the finest dramatic program on the air." Producer-director Jerry Devine was given access to FBI files by Hoover, and the resulting dramatizations of FBI cases were narrated by Frank Lovejoy (1945), Dean Carleton (1946-47) and William Woodson (1948-53). Stacy Harris had the lead role of Special Agent Jim Taylor. Others in the cast were William Conrad, Bea Benaderet and Jay C. Flippen.

Boxcars711 Old Time Radio Pod - The Mysterious Traveler "Change Of Address" (1-22-52) May 05, 2007

Show notes

Written and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Kogan, the series began on the Mutual Broadcasting System, December 5, 1943, continuing in many different timeslots until September 16, 1952. Unlike many other shows of the era, The Mysterious Traveler was without a sponsor for its entire run. The lonely sound of a distant locomotive heralded the arrival of the malevolent narrator, portrayed by Maurice Tarplin, who introduced himself each week in the following manner. This is the Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey into the strange and terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip, that it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves and be comfortable -- if you can!

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