Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Latest Episodes:

BONUS - Comedy Cranberry Sauce (My Friend Irma & Life with Luigi) Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

Before you dig in to your Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy a pair of Turkey Day comedies from the golden age of radio. First, My Friend Irma brings a live turkey for dinner (originally aired on CBS on November 15, 1948). Then, in Life with Luigi, J. Carrol Naish's Luigi finds himself without a dinner on the big day (originally aired on CBS on November 22, 1949).

Episode 412 – Father Knows Best (Big Guy) Nov 22, 2020

Show notes

Joshua Sharpe was a rarity in the world of radio private eyes. When he closed up his shop for the day, he headed home to his two kids who he raised as a single dad. His son and daughter gave him the affectionate nickname The Big Guy. Together, they starred in the unique radio detective drama where their family lives occasionally intersected with Sharpe's case of the week. Henry Calvin stars as the Big Guy in three radio mysteries: "The Unheard Voice" (originally aired on NBC on May 7, 1950), "The Case of the Villainous Friend" (originally aired on NBC on August 27, 1950), and "The Case of the Patent Leather Bag" (originally aired on NBC on November 5, 1950).

BONUS - Turkey Tales (Jack Benny & Fibber McGee and Molly) Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

We kick off our Thanksgiving celebration with a pair of old time radio Turkey Day comedies. First, Jack Benny dreams he's the main course on the menu (originally aired on NBC on November 21, 1943). Then, Fibber McGee and Molly plan to dine out for Thanksgiving, but a tax bill casts a cloud over the celebration for Fibber (originally aired on NBC on November 22, 1949).

Episode 411 – Say a Little Prayer (Father Brown & Bishop and the Gargoyle) Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

Our sleuths this week are men of the cloth as well as men of mystery. We'll hear Karl Swenson as G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown in "The Mystified Mind" (originally aired on Mutual on August 13, 1945). Then, a retired priest and a reformed ex-con join forces for justice in The Bishop and the Gargoyle (originally aired on NBC on July 14, 1940).

BONUS - Over There (Command Performance) Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

In honor of Veterans Day, we'll hear a pair of shows produced exclusively for our fighting men and women during World War II. Every week, the biggest names in Hollywood donated their time and talent to Command Performance, a showcase of sketches and songs designed to entertain the troops "till it's over - over there." We'll hear two episodes, both featuring longtime USO performer Bob Hope. First, Hope emcees and Lena Horne sings in a show from July 7, 1942. Then, Bob is joined by Bing Crosby in a show from September 25, 1943.

Episode 410 – Marlowe, My Sweet (Lux Radio Theatre) Nov 08, 2020

Show notes

Dick Powell reinvented himself and embarked on a new phase of his career when he starred as Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet. The noir drama broke Powell out of boyish leading roles in musicals and put him on the path to Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond, Private Detective. We'll hear him join co-stars Claire Trevor and Mike Mazurki in a Lux Radio Theatre creation of the film - a production that finds him facing off against future radio Marlowe Gerald Mohr (originally aired on CBS on June 11, 1945).

BONUS - Vote for Comedy (Fibber McGee and Molly & Life with Luigi) Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Americans head to the polls tomorrow after a long and contentious election cycle, and to celebrate the casting of our ballots I've got a pair of old time radio comedies that find our stars exercising their rights. First, Fibber McGee and Molly are poll workers (originally aired on NBC on November 5, 1940). Then, as Luigi Basco, J. Carrol Naish's misguided efforts to get out the vote land him in hot water on Life with Luigi (originally aired on CBS on October 31, 1950).

Episode 409 – Candy Bag (Candy Matson) Nov 01, 2020

Show notes

Candy Matson is on the case, so if you're a crook in San Francisco - beware! Natalie Masters stars as the glamorous and gritty private detective, one of the few female gumshoes to headline her own series during the golden age of radio. We'll hear two of Candy's capers: "The Eric Spaulding Concert" (originally aired on NBC on February 7, 1950) and "San Juan Batista" (originally aired on NBC on November 26, 1950).

BONUS – Bud and Lou Meet the Monsters (Abbott and Costello) Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

We wrap up our month of Halloween comedies with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello hosting some of Hollywood's legends of horror. First, Peter Lorre offers Costello a trip to his sanitarium (originally aired on NBC on January 13, 1944). Next, Bud and Lou investigate Bela Lugosi's haunted house (originally aired on ABC on May 5, 1948). Finally, Lon Chaney, Jr. is after Costello's girl (originally aired on ABC on June 2, 1948).

Episode 408 – Baker Street Trick or Treat (New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

As Halloween approaches, we'll hear Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson face off against supernatural foes - or at least foes who appear to be supernatural. Werewolves, ghosts, vampires - none of them stand a chance against the world's greatest detective. We'll hear Tom Conway as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Watson in "The Adventure of the Black Angus" (originally aired on ABC on October 19, 1946) and "The Adventure of the Carpathian Horror" (originally aired on ABC on April 14, 1947). Then, John Stanley and Alfred Shirley star in "The Case of the Sanguinary Spectre" (originally aired on Mutual on February 8, 1948) and "The Case of the Everblooming Roses" (originally aired on Mutual on May 16, 1948).

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