Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Latest Episodes:

BONUS - AKA Archibald Leach (Burns and Allen & Mr. and Mrs. Blandings) Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

It's a belated birthday party for screen legend Cary Grant with a pair of old time radio showcases for his comedic talents. We'll hear him try to dodge a proposal from Gracie's cousin on The Burns and Allen Show (originally aired on NBC on February 13, 1947). Then, Cary Grant is joined by his wife Betsy Drake in the radio spinoff Mr. and Mrs. Blandings, a series that continues the story from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (originally aired on NBC on March 18, 1951).

Episode 421 – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Let George Do It & Box 13) Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

When the mail arrives for George Valentine and Dan Holiday, it means mystery and adventure are soon to follow. Both gumshoes find cases in the responses they receive to their newspaper ads offering their help to people in dangerous situations. We'll hear Bob Bailey in "Destination: Dead End" from Let George Do It (originally aired on Mutual on February 14, 1949). Then, Alan Ladd stars in a pair of syndicated episodes of Box 13 - "Book of Poems" and "The Great Torino."

BONUS - Special Kaye (Danny Kaye Show) Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Sing, dance, act, and make audiences howl with laughter - Danny Kaye could do it all, and he found a magnificent showcase for many of his talents in his own weekly radio series. The Danny Kaye Show found the star at the top of his game surrounded by an A-list supporting cast of Eve Arden, Lionel Stander, and more. We'll hear the first two episodes of the program (originally aired on CBS on January 6 and January 13, 1945).

Episode 420 – It Takes Some Thieves (Lone Wolf & Boston Blackie) Jan 17, 2021

Show notes

Crime used to pay for our old time radio super sleuths this week, but Michael Lanyard (The Lone Wolf) and Boston Blackie left their criminal careers behind and used the tricks of their trade to bring crooks to justice. We'll hear three adventures of these reformed robbers. First, Walter Coy stars as the Lone Wolf in "The Golden Santa" (originally aired on Mutual on January 1, 1949). Then, Richard Kollmar is Boston Blackie in a pair of syndicated shows: "The Stolen Radway's Faust" and "Blackie's Framed for Fur Thefts."

BONUS - Bendix Birthday Bash (Life of Riley) Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

It's a party in this week's bonus comedy episode. We're celebrating the birthday of William Bendix and the anniversary of the debut of his radio sitcom The Life of Riley. Join Chester A. Riley, wife Peg, son Junior, and daughter Babs on misadventures in a pair of shows. First, Riley is excited for a promotion at work - but it isn't his (originally aired on NBC on September 7, 1946). Then, Riley's worried his family forgot his birthday (originally aired on NBC on February 8, 1947).

Episode 419 – Three Halos (The Saint) Jan 10, 2021

Show notes

We're saluting Simon Templar today, and we'll hear three of his radio adventures including the audition recording that kicked off the on-air career of The Saint. Vincent Price is Simon in "The Horrible Hamburger" (originally aired on NBC on September 10, 1950) and Tom Conway plays Templar in "No, My Darling Daughter" (originally aired on NBC on July 15, 1951). Then, Leslie Charteris himself is on hand to introduce "The Miracle Tea Party," an audition recording starring Denis Green as The Saint.

BONUS - Wistful Vista Winter Wonderland (Fibber McGee and Molly) Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

Snow is falling on Wistful Vista in this week's bonus comedy episode. Join Fibber McGee and Molly for a pair of stories about sleds, sleigh rides, and silliness courtesy of the comedic couple and their neighbors. First, Fibber wants to spruce up a childhood toy (originally aired on NBC on February 10, 1948). Then, the whole gang takes a sleigh ride through the snowy streets (originally aired on NBC on January 31, 1950).

Episode 418 – Some Inspectors Call (Black Museum, Whitehall 1212, & Pursuit) Jan 03, 2021

Show notes

The dogged detectives of Scotland Yard are on the case in three old time radio mysteries. First, Orson Welles narrates the story of "The Car Tire" and its brush with murder from The Black Museum. Then, an artificial pearl holds the solution to a murder in "The Case of Marjorie Tate" from Whitehall 1212 (originally aired on NBC on May 11, 1952). Finally, Ben Wright plays Inspector Peter Black in "Pursuit of the Woman in Gray" from Pursuit (AFRS rebroadcast from February 26, 1952).

BONUS – Dropping the Ball (Alan Young Show & Our Miss Brooks) Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

We sign off for the year with two New Year's comedies from the golden age of radio. First, Alan Young tries to keep the plans for a Rose Bowl parade float a secret (originally aired on NBC on December 27, 1946). Then, Eve Arden's Our Miss Brooks is stuck babysitting on New Year's Eve (originally aired on CBS on January 1, 1950).

Episode 417- Cornered (Lux Radio Theatre) Dec 27, 2020

Show notes

Before the world loved Lucy, Lucille Ball starred as a tough noir heroine in The Dark Corner. She played a loyal secretary out to clear the name of her private eye boss. In this Lux Radio Theatre adaptation (originally aired on CBS on November 10, 1947). Lucille Ball reunites with her big screen co-star Mark Stevens in this terrific mystery drama.

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