Showing results by author "Original Radio Broadcasts" in All Categories

Johnny Dollar was a freelance insurance investigator with an “action-packed expense account.” On radio each week from 1949 until 1962, he traveled the world for clients who would cover his expenses. From 1955 through 1956, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar ran as a popular five-a-week 15-minute serial starring Bob Bailey. Enjoy these six five-part programs.

The greatest stars of screen and stage, the greatest writers of print and radio—all combine to keep you in…suspense! Here are twenty nerve-stretching exercises in crime, mystery, and the uncanny featuring Robert Montgomery, Gregory Peck, Lana Turner, William Powell, Ronald Reagan, Joseph Cotton, and more. Fates and fortunes may be threatened by a jealous spouse, an unscrupulous authority figure…or the truth. Find out what rash decisions are made in the desperation of the moment in riveting radio plays produced and directed by Anton M. Leader, William Spier, and Norman Macdonnell.

The boys from Pine Ridge get quite an education when the town finds itself in need of a new school teacher. The candidate they hire is eminently qualified - and not at all what president of the school board, Lum Edwards, had in mind! Professor Sloane, tireless in the pursuit of knowledge, spearheads ambitious plans for an observatory, a rocket ship, and a trip to Mars - manned by none other than Lum and Abner! With financial backing from the unscrupulous Squire Skimp, the duo declares themselves "scientifics" and set their sights on the stars.

He's the man you call when you need it done—no matter what "it" is. Freelance troubleshooter George Valentine is likely to catch absolutely any kind case—from the silly to the sinister. Bob Bailey stars radio's jack-of-all-mysteries in sixteen exciting exploits from 1950. Virginia Gregg co-stars as Brooksie, along with Ken Christy as Lieutenant Johnson and Joseph Kearns as Caleb, the sardonic elevator attendant.

Some people collect coins, some people collect stamps, but Barton Drake collects murders! He's an author, a bon vivant, and an expert in the dark corners of the criminal mind. There's no homicide he won't investigate, no killing he can't solve! Glenn Langan stars as Barton Drake, with Norman Field as Inspector Danton. Together, they crack 16 classic cases of radio mystery from 1945 to 1946!

Celebrate Christmas along with radio's greatest performers, characters and programs. These timeless holiday classics include moving and mirthful comedies, wholesome dramas, and adventurous missions of mercy. Laugh along with comedians like Jack Benny and Red Skelton (in a rare previously uncirculated performance), and with funny families on Fibber McGee & Molly, The Phil Harris - Alice Faye Show, Burns & Allen, The Great Gildersleeve, and The Life of Riley.

In October 1964, as the "British Invasion" of pop music came into its own, Playboy Magazine assigned Jean Shepherd to travel with, and interview, the Beatles on their tour of the United Kingdom. Shepherd also took advantage of his assignment to further travel the UK on his own, exploring from Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands to London with a portable recorder to record material for use on his own syndicated radio program. The result is a fascinating audio documentary of the UK at a distinct point in time, with Shepherd offering commentary and musings uniquely his own on the popular culture and mores of the day.

The fog is thick, the atmosphere is heavy, and the game's afoot once again! World famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted aide Dr. Watson roam the streets of Victorian London in search of the vital clues that will bring malefactors to justice! Adapted from the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and produced by Jim French, The Classic Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is radio drama at its 21st-century best! John Patrick Lowrie stars as Holmes, with Lawrence Albert as Watson, in 16 immortal adventures in sparkling up-to-the-minute audio!

"Hen-reeeeeeeee! Henry Aldrich!" "Coming, Mother!" Yes, here comes radio's favorite teenager, stumbling and bumbling his way through 16 classic episodes. Ezra Stone stars as Henry Aldrich, a likeable sort of kid who managed to turn everything he touched into catastrophe. With a constantly cracking voice, and a head full of absurdities, he confronts the awkwardness of adolescence…with hilarious results.

A new era dawns for Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrills in 1950, as producer-director Anton M. Leader gives way to one of the medium's all-time creative geniuses—radio Renaissance man Elliott Lewis! Compare and contrast their styles as you listen, but hold onto your seat—because no matter who's running the show, the objective remains the same. Suspense!

You might think a small-town water commissioner leads a pretty dull life…but not when he's The Great Gildersleeve! This water commissioner is dealing with an unpredictable romantic life, his growing niece and nephew, and troublesome new neighbors. There's always something doing in Summerfield - and Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve is always right in the middle of it. Harold Peary stars as Gildy in these 16 classic radio episodes, along with Walter Tetley as Leroy, Louise Erickson as Marjorie, and Lillian Randolph as Birdie.

Stand back! The closet door swings open once again and out tumble Fibber McGee and Molly! Join Jim and Marian Jordan and their regulars, Gale Gordon, Bill Thompson, Isabel Randolph, Billy Mills, the King's Men, and Harlow Wilcox for 20 laugh-filled half-hours from the very peak of their radio popularity!

On a small street in a small town, there's a small house halfway up in the next block. It's there that you'll find a family unlike any other (except maybe your own). Vic, Sade, and Rush talk about the things that nobody wants to admit they talk about, but everybody does. Art Van Harvey, Bernardine Flynn, and Billy Idelson star as the Gook family.

"Even when you know who's guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain." He knows who you are and he knows what you did! He's The Whistler—a mysterious figure of the night who knows the nameless terrors of which you dare not speak! Here's radio noir at its finest in twenty tales of crime, mystery, and fate starring Bill Forman as The Whistler. The plotters and the pawns are played by Jeff Chandler, Betty Lou Gerson, Frank Lovejoy, Gerald Mohr, Eleanor Audley, Joseph Kearns, Frances Robinson, and more.

You—yes, you! You might think you're getting away with it. You might think it's in the bag. You might think nobody knows what you're really up to! But The Whistler knows—and tells—in this new collection of twenty tale-twisting thrillers! Real life husbands and wives—Elliott and Cathy Lewis, Frank Lovejoy and Joan Banks, Jeanette Nolan and John McIntire—are heard in this suspenseful set, along with Bill Forman as The Whistler.

Radio Spirits is pleased to present 20 classic tales from one of radio's greatest action and adventure series. This collection will bring you tales of black pearls, headhunters, volcanoes, Nazi convoys and cargos of gold in exotic settings and locales - from South of the Border to Dutch East India, Paris, North Africa, and points unknown! These tightly scripted and directed episodes feature many of radio's finest voices, including William Conrad, Paul Frees, Georgia Ellis, Harry Bartell, Raymond Burr, Joseph Kearns, Parley Baer, Jeanette Nolan, John Dehner, Virginia Greg and many more.

Here comes “This Week’s Play” with Jack Benny and all the gang! Mary Livingstone, Phil Harris, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Dennis Day, and Don Wilson all play their parts in parodies of Hollywood movies, wild Westerns, murder mysteries, and more. Kick back with 16 satirical skits in this collection of classics from the 1940s and 1950s, featuring guest appearances by Barbara Stanwyck, Oscar Levant, Charles Farrell, Sam Goldwyn, Frank Sinatra, and George Jessel!

With a crash and and a thump and a tumble and a bang, open up the closet door for another hilarious visit with Fibber McGee and Molly! Head down to Wistful Vista with Jim and Marian Jordan for 20 zany radio comedy classics! Bill Thompson is heard as The Old Timer and Wallace Wimple, with Gale Gordon as Mayor LaTrivia and Foggy Williams, Arthur Q. Bryan as Doc Gamble, and Harlow Wilcox announcing in these entertaining episodes from 1948.

Next stop: Summerfield! Join Fibber McGee's battling next-door neighbor as he sets out on a brand new life in this collection of early episodes of The Great Gildersleeve! Gildy's new family fast becomes the most important part of his life - and this bombastic bachelor quickly develops a strong sense of heart.

"If the job's too tough for you to handle, you've got a job for me." Whatever your problem, he's the solution! George Valentine is sardonic yet sympathetic as he solves mysteries, unravels crises, and gets to the bottom of whatever's complicating the lives of his paid-up clients. Bob Bailey made his first big impression on radio audiences in this series of tightly-packed, thought-provoking thrillers! Here are 16 of his most fascinating exploits, with Virginia Gregg co-starring as Claire "Brooksie" Brooks.