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Dec 15, 2013

Added (12) new plot summaries and (6) new reviews for various 2000x episodes, courtesy of zM.


Dec 09, 2013

Added (5) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"We Are All Alone" - Theatre Five (1964)

Intelligent signals from space send shockwaves across the world. "3.5/4 Stars. A radio signal from "far beyond the universe?" I think the writer meant the galaxy, and there's more guessed-at science too (a modicum of research at the time would have cleared most of this up as well as providing even more interesting, and enduring, explanations), but it doesn't much matter. If you can roll with it, suspension of disbelief is possible because this is a good story that is carried off well. --- RC"

"The ABC Murders" - Suspense (1943)

Alexander Bonaparte Cust is a traveling salesman who is prone to blackouts due to a previous head injury. At first his headaches and lapses in memory were just a nuisance, but lately whenever Cust travels to a new town and experiences one of these blackouts, someone ends up dead! Could he be the infamous ABC murderer? "Does an admirable job condensing the novel into a scant thirty minutes, but purists will be upset that Hercule Poirot is nowhere to be found—removing the famed detective in favor of focusing on the character Cust. However, this works in the adaptation's favor as Cust is far more complex, changing the story into what would have been a rushed detective story into a gripping psychological thriller. The ending remains a jaw-dropping surprise. [9/10] --- David Schwenker"

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 11-13 of 13.


Dec 03, 2013

Added (3) new reviews and (4) new plot summaries for various Inner Sanctum episodes, courtesy of zM.


Dec 01, 2013

Added (2) new reviews and (2) new plot summaries for various Inner Sanctum episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Nov 30, 2013

Added (2) new reviews and (4) new plot summaries for various NBC Presents: Best Plays episodes, courtesy of zM.


Nov 26, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Death across the Board" - Inner Sanctum Mysteries (1945)

Seller John Strand stumbles into a pawn shop, where he sees a decrepit old man playing chess. Unbeknownst to him, the old man is playing with real human lives, and Mr Strand has just been cast as 'the white knight'. Will the queen take the rook? Who'll take the knight? And who will win the game? Good (white) or evil (black)? With Raymond Massey "Whether or not you enjoy this will depend upon your taste for the fantastical. I personally thought it absolutely absorbing. At each point, somebody dies, and at each point, another twist. Due to the nature of the plot, the characters are necessarily paper-thin. This is the only OTR episode that I've ever encountered in which the commercials are artfully worked into the plot. [9/10] --- Jerry Underwood"

"Nackles" - Mindwebs (1980)

Does God create Men, or does Man create gods? It might seem an academic question, but it seems that nearly every god has a corresponding devil. And if Man does create his own gods, then I guess the next question would be whether Santa Claus is a god?

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 09-10 of 13.


Nov 17, 2013

Added (2) new reviews and (2) new plot summaries for various Suspense and Inner Sanctum episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Nov 16, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 7-8 of 13.


Nov 12, 2013

Added (6) new reviews and (10) new plot summaries for various Inner Sanctum Mysteries episodes, courtesy of zM.


Nov 10, 2013

Added (4) new reviews and (2) new plot summaries for various Suspense, Quiet, Please, and Inner Sanctum episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Nov 09, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Last Rites" - SF 68 (1968)

A priest answers the desperate summons of a dying and lifelong friend who has a seemingly impossible secret he must reveal before the end comes. "Some radio dramas seem like wannabe 'My Dinner with Andre' audio movies. Two guys forever yakking it up in a boring talkathon. Not so here. Yes. it's just two guys talking, ah, but what do they talk about? Life, death, spirituality, the Soul, technological shock, social shock—in what could possibly be a literal and troubling prognostication of a very Asimov-like future. --- Bruce Fisher"

"Balance Sheet" - The Devil and Mr O (1970)

A syndicated re-broadcast of "Profits Unlimited" which first aired on Lights Out! in 1943. A woman inherits a mysterious island and finds it populated with inhuman creatures. 'First aired as "Efficiency Island" on Arch Oboler's Plays, this was originally a rather ballsy (and, unfortunately, still relevant) allegory about the ugly side of global capitalism. For the surviving Lights Out remake, Oboler cut out the most overt political references to turn it into creepy science fiction with a mild social conscience. --- Anonymous'

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 5-6 of 13.


Nov 08, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Nov 06, 2013

Added (3) new reviews for various Hall of Fantasy episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Nov 04, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 3-4 of 13.


Oct 29, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Oct 26, 2013

Added (8) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Devil Doctor" - The Witch's Tale (1939)

After purchasing an historic manor house in England, an American discovers that one of the promised 106 de Caseract family portraits is missing. He summons a local expert, the Reverend Mr Roberts, for an explanation and discovers the portrait isn't missing... it is hidden. For a very good reason. "A well-executed, action-packed episode. The screaming and maniacal laughter at the end dragged on a bit, but the story was well-written and the acting was solid. This episode had a rather involved back-story which was told in a flash during the first 5 minutes. It involves an alchemist, a black mass, a burial chamber, human sacrifices, witchcraft, Lucifer, and a plan to come back from the dead! This episode could easily have been expanded into a one-hour show. Good descriptive language; interesting characters; energetic screaming. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Tor Sands Experience" - BBC (1979)

Scientists at a secret British research facility find themselves 'invaded' by beings from another dimension who are wilfully de-evolving to escape the ramifications of the technology humans are so desperately trying to achieve. 90 min. Story by Bruce Stewart (who also wrote "Omegapoint"). "Tried several times to get through this show and fell asleep every time. Cool story idea, but it turned out boring me. --- Alex DiPietro"

"Frankenstein" - George Edwards Productions - (1938?)

A series of (13) 13-min episodes. Total length: 2 hr, 50 min. Story by Mary Shelley. I have not listened to this yet, so I don't know if this is a faithful retelling of Shelley's classic tale or a loose adaptation. Poor audio quailty will make this series a struggle to listen to. This recording dates from 1938 or possibly earlier... some sources list it as 1932.

This week, parts 1-2 of 13.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Specials for Halloween

"War of the Worlds" - Mercury Theatre on the Air (1938)

Undeniably the most famous—or infamous—radio broadcast of all time. Orson Welles' dramatization of his namesake's immortal Sci-Fi classic was so terrifying that it had many listeners believing an invasion by Martians was actually taking place. Presented like a news report and removed to contemporary America, Welles' approach proved a little too effective for the gullible public. So great was the impact on society that this one broadcast has earned a place in America's cultural heritage. Based on the story by H.G. Wells. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the historic broadcast! "Of all the versions of this classic story, this is still my favorite. This is a brilliant production which turns a mediocre story into something I can listen to again and again." --- zM

"The Masque of the Red Death" - Closed on Account of Rabies (1997)

A reading of the Edgar Allan Poe classic, The Masque of the Red Death, by Gabriel Byrne, backed by music and sound effects. This is a track from a copyrighted two-CD set called "Closed on Account of Rabies". If you enjoy this, I strongly urge you purchase the 2-CD set -- you won't be disappointed! (My interpretation is that this excerpt is permitted under Fair Use, but I am not a lawyer. Use your own judgment.)

"The New Catacomb" - Mysterious Circumstances (1958)

Two young English archeologists, friends yet rivals, make names for themselves in the discipline of Roman remains. One embarks on a three-week love affair while the other discovers a new catacomb. Note: In the original tale, Benchley's name was Burger and was of German/Italian heritage rather than English. Story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; originally published in Tales of Terror and Mystery, 1922. With Howard Marian Crawford (Kennedy), Brian Wilde (Benchley), and Pauline Yates (Mary).

"Speciality of the House" - The Price of Fear (1974)

Dinner at Spiro's is an occasion to be both anticipated and remembered as the finest dining experience in the world—but why is the chef so fanatically adamant that no one be allowed in his kitchen? Story by Stanley Ellin. "This is about the best of the short series of outstandingly good programs produced by Vincent Price for the BBC, called The Price of Fear. In each, Price himself is caught up in an unexpected adventure. In "Speciality of the House" a friend in London introduces Price to a little-known restaurant, Spiro's, with a small but dedicated clientele who wait eagerly for the occasional appearance on the menu of Lamb Armistan, literally food to die for. --- Anonymous"


Oct 20, 2013

Added (10) new reviews and (4) new plot summaries for various Suspense, Lux Radio Theatre, and Campbell Playhouse episodes, courtesy of Anonymous.

Suspense

Lux Radio Theatre

The Campbell Playhouse


Oct 19, 2013

Added (3) new reviews for various Hall of Fantasy and Suspense episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Oct 12, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Jilting of Granny Weatherall" - Sleep No More (1957)

A stream-of-consciousness tale in which a fiercely independent octogenarian, deathly ill, relives the events that forged her character... events she appears to have weathered despite suffering their psychological toll. Story by Katherine Anne Porter. "A simple story that presents Granny's thoughts while on her deathbed. Very powerful... although I don't think the power is inherent in the story. Rather, the power rests in the conjured memories of my own life—memories of sitting with and caring for my mom during the final weeks of her life... the seemingly random thoughts... the hallucinations... the disjointed timelines... the love and affection... the urgency of tasks not yet finished... (you'll be sure to paint behind the refrigerator, now, won't you?)... As I said, powerful memories. Very well written. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Captain of the Pole-Star" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1974)

A doctor hires out to a whaling vessel bound for the Arctic, where the ship becomes icebound. Strange moanings are soon heard on the Polar wind, and ghostly apparitions appear out on the ice. The ship's senior officers are convinced they have something to do with the Captain's mysterious past, but who can say for sure, since he appears to be slowly going insane? Story by Arthur Conan Doyle. "A creepy episode that leaves one with the sense that they had better leave the blinds shut on a cold winter's night for fear of what might appear out on the snow beyond the bedroom window. You'll never see another blowing drift of snow quite the same ever again. Unfortunately, the limited time frame RMT had for its daily productions did not often allow for much depth or sophistication in sound effects, but the keening of the wind and the groaning of the ship under pressure from the ice does much to bring this show to life. Highly recommended. --- Jeff Dickson"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Babylon Run" parts 3-4 of 4.


Sep 29, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Shadow People" - The Hall of Fantasy (1953)

Convinced that malignant entities born of the darkness murdered her father, a young woman seeks help from a renowned expert on the paranormal. But what defense can there be against elementals that rise from the very shadows? The character of Dr. Hesselius is borrowed from the writings of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. "A grim and dark tale if ever I heard one, this is one of the most macabre radio dramas I've yet come across. Although there is no motive mentioned for the creatures' malevolence, this only serves to accentuate the sense of mystery and horror. Leave the lights on for this one. --- Jeff Dickson"

"The Seventh Victim" - X Minus One (1957)

In a future which regulates the instinct for violence by staging government-subsidized hunts—in effect making a social institution of murder—there is no place for human compassion. Or is there? "The premise is pretty far-fetched, and the acting does not succeed in making it any more believable. Nevertheless, if you have more than your fair share of suspension of disbelief, it is an entertaining ride. Sheckley, like Philip Dick, had a gift for concocting 'out-there' societies and story ideas, and this is certainly one of his most outrageous. Yet beneath the absurdity, one gets the feeling he is trying to say something very serious about human nature, and it is usually something so dark that a bubble gum coating like this is the only way to get the patient to swallow the pill. --- Jeff Dickson"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Babylon Run" parts 1-2 of 4.


Sep 15, 2013

Added (5) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"War Game" - Exploring Tomorrow (1958)

The planet Avak, in the Deneb star system, is overpopulated and bristling with energy to expand into other systems. They fought a little war about 10 years ago, but now they have devoted themselves to peaceful commercial and industrial purposes. Interstellar trader, Captain Bratton, has just returned to Earth from Avak with a cargo of children's toys which arouse the suspicion of an Earth customs official who wonders if they really are just toys. Adapted from the story War Game, by Philip K. Dick. In the written story, the planet in question is Ganymede.

"It Happened on Sunday" - The Hermit's Cave (1930x)

A man (and his female cousin) become concerned when his best friend (her fiancé) becomes morose and obsessed with the death of his wife three years previously. The man retreats to his cottage in the country, has the housekeeper burn the painting of his ex-wife, and refuses to leave until after Sunday night. "A good yarn, well told. The acting and pacing are just right, and the ending surprised me. (But then again, it was one of the first Hermit stories I ever listened to.) [7/10] --- zM"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Hunter's Moon" parts 6-8 of 8.


Sep 01, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Incident at Switchpath" - Beyond Tomorrow (1950)

An coroner's enquiry uncovers an uncanny story of an alien device found in a cave that seems to be recording everything that happens on Earth. Why would anyone be interested in this planet? Based on the story "The Sky is Full of Ships", by Theodore Sturgeon.

"The Third Man's Story" - Quiet, Please (1948)

A younger son, jeolous of the skills and knowledge of his older brother, strives to distinguish himself by accomplishing some task his brother can't. But rather than being content with his eventual success, he can't help but gloat... perhaps a bit too much.

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Hunter's Moon" parts 4-5 of 8.


Aug 18, 2013

Added (5) new reviews and (5) new plotlines for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Aug 17, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Great Plague" - The Weird Circle (1943)

A loose adaptation of "A Tale of the Great Plague" by British humorist and poet, Thomas Hood. A young man, willing to learn the ways of the street, teams up with a pair of the greatest thieves what ever lived to do a spot of burgling. The target, a house which belongs to the richest family in the county, is guarded by an old man and his young grand-daughter. Should be doss, what? "A light-hearted tale that was quite enjoyable, though not quite true to the original Thomas Hood short story. The accents were understandable, which is often not the case when Americans try to sound British. You sort of get the idea that C. Farrow, although willing to do anything, doesn't really take to a life of crime... which leads to some ironic surprises. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Beast Must Die" - Suspense (1944)

Told through a cryptic diary, a single father becomes obsessed with finding and murdering the hit-and-run driver who killed his only child. Based on the novel by Nicholas Blake (Cecil Day-Lewis) which was successfully adapted onto film as 'Que la bête meure' in 1969 by the French master of suspense Claude Chabrol. "This thirty minute adaptation does an admirable job condensing the novel, removing the amateur sleuth Nigel Strangeways entirely from the story to focus simply on the father Frank Cairnes and his mission to find and kill the hit-and-run driver—a decision that the French film adaptation made as well. As a result, the story surprisingly works better as we now focus on the people actually involved in the crime instead of following a detective not intimately connected to the other characters—consequently, the story becomes much more psychological and engaging. Admittedly, the ending is slightly convoluted with its presentation of four consecutive twists, but it's undeniably clever and unexpected. Interestingly, the French film does *not* possess the same denouement as the radio adaptation. [9/10] --- David Schwenker"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Hunter's Moon" parts 3 of 8.


Aug 13, 2013

Added (8) new plotlines and (9) new reviews for various Columbia Workshop, Suspense, and Darkness episodes, courtesy of Anonymous.

Columbia Workshop

Suspense

Darkness


Aug 12, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Hunter's Moon" part 2 of 6.


Aug 11, 2013

Added (2) new reviews for various Quiet, Please and Suspense episodes, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.


Aug 10, 2013

UPDATE: My good friend, Anonymous, has provided some additional information regarding Empire Builders and "Armistice Day Reunion" (currently in the Listening Booth):

"Our good friend Wyllis Cooper really did write the Empire Builders' 1930 "Armistice Day" episode. Like the characters, he served in the 131st Illinois Infantry. NBC didn't credit writers on-air in those days, but their names were sometimes used in publicity. Here are a couple of newspaper items about this episode, one of which mentions Cooper, who went by "W. O. Cooper" in those days:

[November 10, 1930 The Capital Times (Madison, WI)]

EMPIRE BUILDERS

A story of the first Armistice Day in France, by one who was there when it happened, will be dramatized in the Empire Builders episode to be heard from the NBC Chicago Studios tonight at 9:30. The author, W. O. Cooper, was with the A. E. F. and F. G. Ibbett, sound technician in charge of producing the wartime noises, was with the British Air forces on the Western Front at the close of the war. Many complications follow when the Old Timer, played by Harvey Hays, is mistaken for a German spy, and the end of the drama is packed with surprises and thrills.

[November 23, 1930 San Antonio Express]

BATTLE EFFECTS IN THIS BROADCAST

Probably the most complete sound effects equipment ever used in broadcasting, including battle effects in which two machine guns, a score of rifles, and several other actual instruments of warfare were used, were heard in the Armistice eve program of the Great Northern Railway's "Empire Builders" series, presented from the Chicago Studios of the NBC.

Special equipment for the sound effects of this production alone cost almost a thousand dollars. In order to set the proper battle effects for the war-time story to be dramatized, two machine guns were mounted on the roof of the building outside the NBC studios, and fired volley upon volley of blank cartridges in order to feed the actual noise of the firing into the microphones. A squad of rifle and pistol men were present and rockets and flares of the type used during the war were discharged at intervals from the flat top of the Merchandise Mart.

An all-male cast of 53 actors took part in the production, in addition to Josef Koestner's orchestra of 14 pieces. Other special equipment installed at great expense for this and other Empire Builders broadcasts, include two gigantic engine bells of the type actually in use on the Great Northern railway engines, a specially constructed apparatus 15 feet in height for the production of the noises of explosions and other loud noises, a regulation engine whistle, and many other innovations in the production of sound effects for radio broadcasting.

The story, which was written by a member of an A. E. F. combat organization stationed on the Western Front at the conclusion of the war, had for its climax the first Armistice Day in France. Harvey Hays, as "The Old Timer," and Don Ameche, youthful juvenile lead, shared dramatic honors in the production. "


Aug 04, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Evergreen Library" - Mindwebs (1979)

After Pruett Evergreen dies, his lawyer visits the Evergreen Estate to make sure everything is in order prior to passing on the bulk of the property, including the library, to the Enchiridion Society—a European group that has something to do with books. Story by Bill Pronzini and Jeffrey Wallmann.

"Armistice Day Reunion" - Empire Builders (1930)

Veterans reminisce about the closing days of WWI. This is one of the oldest recordings in my collection. A weak plot and stiff acting, combined with very poor audio quality, make this episode hard to listen to. It is notable for being one of the earliest known recordings of a Wyllis Cooper story. Cooper is much better known for his later radio work: Lights Out!; Quiet, Please; Cloak and Dagger; and WHitehall-1212. Cooper served during WWI. I can't positively confirm that Cooper wrote this story, but it seems likely.

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "Hunter's Moon" parts 1 of 8.


Jul 18, 2013

Added (5) new shows to the Listening Booth. (Sorry for the delay—been having computer troubles, but they seem to be sorted out now.)

"The Count of Monte Cristo" - Mercury Theatre on the Air (1938)

Marseilles, France, 1815. On the eve of his wedding, Edmond Dantès is accused of treason and sentenced to solitary confinement in prison. His friends and fiancée believe he died during a prison escape. Years later he reappears, disguised with a new identity, and seeks revenge against those who betrayed him. Historical Note: the story opens in Marseilles in Feb, 1815. This is after the first defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte (and his subsequent exile to Elba), but before his 100-day 'return' in the spring of 1815. At this time many 'Bonapartists' were plotting to return their emperor to power. Story by Alexandre Dumas. "A complex, fast-moving tale of injustice, courage, emotional endurance, and revenge. Since a one-hour adaptation can't do justice to such a wonderfully complex story, Welles and company have wisely cut many subplots and presented only the essentials. Acting is superb; sound quality, excellent. There is one minor continuity problem which is easily forgiven - the adaptation claims to open in September, 1815. But by September, Napoleon had already returned to France, been defeated at Waterloo, and exiled to St. Helena. Consequently, Dantès would not have been able to deliver a package to him on Elba. Aside from this, the story moves quickly and smoothly, building to a strong climax. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Aaron Burr Murder Case" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1974)

On a misty morning in early July, high atop the palisade above the Hudson river, movie director Max Perrodien stages a duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr with authentic costumes and fake pistols. Predictably, Hamilton falls to the ground. Unexpectedly, he is found to have been shot with a real pistol engraved with the name 'Aaron Burr'. Clearly, that is not possible. "A lighthearted story with excellent acting (the portrayal of the movie director cracks me up every time I listen). Well-produced, but slightly predictable. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "The Last Rose of Summer" parts 4-6 of 6.


Jun 22, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Omegapoint" - BBC (1975)

"Superb science fiction story beginning with the decoding of an electronic message from a remote transmitter. Stars Dinsdale Landen. Written by Bruce Stewart". -- Diversity Website. 90 min.

"The Dream" - Lights Out (1937)

Darrell Hall is a university professor who has never had a dream in his entire life. But one night he is inexplicably plagued by a nightmare in which pale, livid faces call out to him in a droning chorus and a hideous woman urges him with a constant command of "Kill, kill, kill..." Darrell is soon plagued by these horrific visions every night at 7:00, and it seems there is only one way to appease the demon that occupies his mind... With Boris Karloff. "A good standard chiller that is elevated by the performance of the ever-reliable Boris Karloff. If it weren't for his wonderful lisp-accented terror and screams of anguish, this episode would be little more than average. The dream sequences are effectively handled, particularly the buzzing voices of the damned and the lines describing the siren's grotesque face. The dream woman's voice is a little feeble (the actress who portrayed Karloff's wife in "Death Robbery" probably could've done wonders), but the endless chant of "Kill, kill, kill..." induces an appropriate sense of madness. [7/10] --- Jose Cruz"

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "The Last Rose of Summer" part 3 of 6.


Jun 17, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Jun 15, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "The Last Rose of Summer" part 2 of 6.


Jun 11, 2013

Added (3) reviews for various Nightfall, Lights Out!, and Dimension X series, courtesy of Chlorine Dream.


Jun 08, 2013

Added (5) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Other Man" - 2000 Plus (1950)

Scott Douglas returns home one evening to discover that he is being sought by the World Security Police for murder. And so is Scott Douglas... "My favorite episode of the series. A nice little super-science mystery. Solid acting. Very clear audio quality. Loved the whole doppelganger conundrum. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Signal-Man" - Columbia Workshop (1937)

A journalist interviews a haunted railroad signal-man. Based on the story by Charles Dickens. "The best vintage audio version of this oft-told Dickens story. Excellent, gripping adaptation by Charles Tazewell, carried by bravura acting and sound effects. --- Anonymous"

"The Potters of Firsk" - Dimension X (1950)

Part of a memorial tribute to Vance, Jack (1916-2013). A liaison officer from Earth is caught between a steely planetary administrator and a fanatical alien cult who kidnap and murder people to use as raw materials for their sacred pottery. "Normally, I don't care for Dimension X, as the stories featured are mainly from authors I dislike. However, this story really grabbed my interest and kept it the whole way through. Like most science fiction, this story also has its comically dated bit. The protagonist's C.O. apparently always has the latest Rolls Royce model shipped to him and in this case, it's the 1992 model. One wonders how huge his salary is, as even the cheapest Rolls has a six digit price and I would think that interstellar shipping for such an item wouldn't be cheap either. --- Harry Leshko"

"The Moon Moth" - Seeing Ear Theatre (2000)

Also part of the memorial tribute to Vance, Jack (1916-2013). Sorry, I have not listened to this yet, and I don't have any information about this story. Could be good, could be awful.

"The Steve Gallagher Trilogy" - Piccadilly Radio - (?) - By Special Request

A lengthy serial about the relationship between man and machine in a future where the lines dividing the two become increasingly, and more dangerously, blurred. Never is there a proper title for the trilogy mentioned, though some sources refer to it as the 'Last Rose of Summer Trilogy', perhaps because that segment was the original novel upon which the entire story evolved in radio form. Each segment of the trilogy contains its own story line, though naturally it makes more sense as a whole. The series is not actually from the BBC, but a product of Piccadilly Radio out of Manchester, UK. Series includes:

The Last Rose of Summer -- 6 episodes
Hunter's Moon -- 8 episodes
Babylon Run -- 4 episodes

The entire trilogy totals 8 hr 15 min.

This week, "The Last Rose of Summer" part 1 of 6.


May 21, 2013

Added (1) review for the Nightfall series, courtesy of Tony Comunale.


May 20, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 13 of 13.

Coming up next:

By special request... the 7.5-hr Steve Gallagher Trilogy. The Last Rose of Summer, Hunter's Moon, and The Babylon Run. I haven't listened to any of these but I've heard good things about them.


May 12, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Elementals" - Radio City Playhouse (1949)

A very wealthy man wagers a young couple $25,000 that he can destroy their love within seven days. He maintains there are only three elemental emotions: fear, hunger, and hate, and that by keeping the two lovers within sight of each other, but incommunicado and without food for seven days, their love will be consumed by one or more of the elementals. The young couple believe their love will prove the stronger. Story by Stephen Vincent Benét. "An interesting experiment, well executed. The build-up is much greater in the written story, but the dramatizations are not bad. I enjoyed the Radio City Playhouse version better than the Author's Playhouse, Escape and Suspense versions, with the Suspense version coming in a close second. The acting is fine, and the story is okay... I just had a hard time with the premise. The idea is that after seven days a piece of bread will be tossed to the young couple. If they fight over the bread, they lose. If they share it, they win... and then presumably go out to a restaurant and have a fine meal. This isn't like a pair of starving animals who wouldn't know if they would ever get any more food. So... would seven days without food be enough to destroy one's reason so he/she would not be able to wait another one-half hour? Hard to believe. [7/10] --- zM "

"Terror by Night" - Inner Sanctum (1952)

A woman driving alone at night hears a radio announcement informing of a local prison breakout. The escaped convict is armed and extremely dangerous. Do NOT pick up hitchhikers! Story by Emile C. Tepperman. "Intense and scary in parts with a twist ending that was fairly predictable. Told mostly as the first person narrative of Agnes Moorehead. Moorehead does a creditable job and throws in some nice screaming now and then (that seems to be her strong suit). Tepperman's stories, like that of a good conman, often start fairly slowly and believably. The main characters then have some minor trouble which leads to more trouble and further complications, and before you know it everybody is in serious trouble. Sometimes they get out of it, sometimes they don't. This story is typical Tepperman. The woman driving alone at night has no intention of picking up a hitchhiker. None at all. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 12 of 13.


May 03, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 11 of 13.


Apr 27, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Angel Street" - aka: "Gas Light" - NBC Presents: Best Plays (1952)

London, 1880. Bella Manningham is losing her mind. She misplaces her jewelry and grocery bills; she removes paintings from the walls and forgets where she puts them and can't even remember removing them in the first place; she imagines the gas lights dimming in the evening... Jack, her husband, threatens to lock her in her room if she doesn't straighten herself out... alone... in the dark. This doesn't seem to help. "Equal parts psychological suspense and psychological abuse, this gripping tale relies heavily on the performance of the three main characters: Vincent Price, Judith Evelyn, and Melville Cooper. Price and Evelyn reprise their Broadway roles, with Evelyn playing a frail woman slowly sinking into madness while Price plays her husband who may, or may not, be deliberately driving her so. Cooper plays the shrewd and calculating former detective who is looking into past irregularities. Solid acting all around. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Green Hills of Earth" - Dimension X (1950)

Classic story of a space engineer who suffers a tragic accident and ends up tramping about the Solar System singing about the life of spacers and dreaming of returning to Earth once more before he dies. 'The Green Hills of Earth" is a story by Robert A. Heinlein adapted to radio by no less than three production companies. Dimension X, X Minus One, and the CBS Radio Workshop. The first two, the "X" sessions paint the main character, Rhysling to be a drunk and a jokester. He loses his sight, and goes on to write the greatest song in the galaxy, "The Green Hills of Earth." The CBS version shows Rhysling to be a rude sot that already has this song written, but with no ending. When Rhysling looses his sight in the CBS version, he finishes the song. All three versions have merit, and are very well done. Please note, the actor in both "X" sessions can sing. Not so much for the CBS version. If music is your forté, X Minus One is better because the whole songs are played. Dimension X has the better acting. The CBS version is just plain edgy, Rhysling seems very bitter about a lot of things. This is my favorite radio story. My favorite telling would have to be the Dimension X version. The legend of Rhysling is real in the hearts of those who believe it. Just take a look at how obsessed Apollo XV astronauts were when looking for Rhysling crater on the moon. --- John Pote'

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 10 of 13.


Apr 20, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 9 of 13.


Apr 16, 2013

Added (10) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various 2000x episodes, courtesy of zM.


Apr 14, 2013

Added (16) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Sleep No More episodes, courtesy of zM.


Apr 13, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Beyond Good and Evil" - Mystery in the Air (1947)

Escaped criminal, Philip Gentry, stumbles across a man changing a flat tire by the side of the road. He kills him, buries the body, steals his car, and assumes his identity. No problem... Except the murdered man was the Reverend Howard Pierce who was on his way to take over for the dying Reverend McKillup, and now Gentry finds himself as the head of the local parish. With Peter Lorre. "When Peter Lorre gets in his 'groove' he is truly inspired. It's as if the character he's portraying takes control and Lorre is just along for the ride. Anger, hatred, and fear. It's all here in this story. Peggy Webber, who appeared in several episodes, "remembered a time when Lorre became so overcome with the drama of the story that he sent his script flying into the air, scattering it all over the floor. Lorre had to ad-lib his lines until staffers could re-assemble the pages." [from Horror Stars on Radio: The Broadcast Histories of 29 Chilling Hollywood Voices]. [9/10] --- zM "

"Whence Came You?" - Quiet, Please (1948)

An archaeologist on assignment in Egypt meets an old war-buddy-turned-newspaperman and learns that a mysterious woman has been asking about him in the bar... a woman with beautiful black eyes and beautiful black hair... who smells of death. "This is a slow-moving tale, almost dreamy in spots, which relies strongly on imagery. The ending scene can be rather chilling, but only if you are paying attention and have immersed yourself in the tale. If you are doing something else while listening, like driving, the ending will sound rather boring and matter-of-fact. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 8 of 13.


Apr 06, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 7 of 13.


Apr 04, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 30, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Thirty-Sixth Man" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1974)

Based on the Yiddish legend of the Lamed Wufniks... in which there must always exist on Earth thirty-six righteous men whose purity of heart can dissuade an angry God from destroying the world. In this tale, Satan attempts to divert the latest Lamed Wufnik from the path of righteousness and, in doing so, destroy the world. "This is the only version of this legend I have heard. It is well-written and the acting is solid. Ross Martin does a great job as a newest Lamed Wufnik... a poor Jewish shopkeeper who is trying to please his irritating wife while staying true to his faith. The two goals don't always coincide, which is why he seems like the perfect target for Satan... [8/10] --- zM"

"The Too Perfect Alibi" - Suspense (1949)

A love-triangle-leads-to-murder story. Sam and Jack are close friends... they might be best friends, except they are both in love with the same woman, Katherine. So, when Jack and Katherine announce their upcoming marriage and ask Sam to be Best Man, Sam decides it is time to kill his rival instead... but planning the perfect alibi is not as easy as it sounds. "Superb plot and wonderful acting with a nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all! Not the role I would have expected for Danny Kaye, but Suspense seemed to have great success in casting performers in roles outside their comfort zone. The first person narrative allows us to glimpse what the would-be murderer is thinking as he plots his strategy. Very well done. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 6 of 13.


Mar 28, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 26, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 24, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 22, 2013

Added (1) new show to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 5 of 13.


Mar 17, 2013

Added (8) new plot summaries and (1) new review for various Sleep No More episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 15, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Fog Horn" - Mindwebs (1946)

A lighthouse's lonely fog horn calls up a primeval horror out of the depths. "Some stories have great action. Some, charming dialogue. The essence of this story is its descriptive imagery. This is not a Horror story—at least not in the usual sense—it is a story about 'the sadness of eternity and the briefness of life.' If you are the sort of person who can grieve for Grendel's mother, then this story is for you. Michael Hanson is perfect in this role: mournful and forlorn. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Man Who Was Death" - Murder at Midnight (1946)

An aspiring sculptor, frustrated by not being able to capture the image he desires in stone, decides he must become the image in order to understand it. That wouldn't be so bad... except the image he is trying to capture is that of Death itself. "A straight-forward murder mystery. Solid acting. Very good audio quality. (The organ music grows on you after a while.) [7/10] --- zM"

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 4 of 13.


Mar 13, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 11, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 09, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Thanks for the Memories" - Columbia Workshop (1946)

67 years ago today, March 9th, 1946, Columbia Workshop aired "Thanks for the Memories"—a retrospective by a young Lieutenant of the Cavalry, Bruce Ford Stauderman, relating some of his experiences in England and France during the war.

War is awful. No doubt about it. Even when you win, you lose.

But in this retrospective Mr Stauderman manages to capture some of the fear, anticipation, sorrow... and hope from that awful time.

This is not normal fare for this website, so some explanation is necessary. I was doggedly ploughing through my OTR collection—all 8,000 episodes—listening to the opening and closing credits in an effort to create a detailed author list—when I came across this episode. Now, some authors are easy: Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury. And some are impossible to discover. But most are somewhere in between. The story credits for this episode refer to a Lieutenant of the Cavalry. Bruce... Fords Daughterman? Fords Doterman? Ford Stoddarman? Ford Stauterman? There should be records, right? I recruited my wife (who is an amateur genealogist) to help track down the source. We searched the VA records. We searched 'Find a Grave'. No luck. We searched several other databases. Then, after several days, we began to suspect that Mr Stauderman was still alive. And so he is! (I received a very nice reply to my enquiry email.)

After all that, I had just had to listen to the entire episode. (I'm glad I did—what a find!) This is not Horror, Science Fiction, or Drama. It is simply a letter written from a house-guest (Mr Stauderman) to his gracious hosts (England and France) thanking them for the weekend: Friday, 1942 to Monday, 1945.

My father was also stationed in England and France during the war in some of the same locations (he was in Chateaudun, too) He fought with the Army Air Corps, though. But other than the barest bones, he really wouldn't talk much about his experiences. So it was with a sense of wonder that I listened to Mr Stauderman's recollections... a sense of wonder and a feeling of closeness to my pop, dead these long years past. I hoped that amongst those awful memories he had of the War, there were, perhaps, a few gems that he fondly remembered.

If you enjoy this episode, you might want to shoot Mr Stauderman an email (I'm sure he'd love to hear from you!)

You can get his email address by clicking on the twirling @ sign above his name at the top of his website. I also ran across another gem of a website: an interview with Mr Stauderman's wife, Claude. (Mostly about her father-in-law and the French resistance, but there are some anecdotes about Claude and Bruce, as well.)

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 3 of 13.


Mar 03, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of zM.


Mar 01, 2013

Added (3) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Mirage" - Arch Oboler's Plays (1939)

Linda and Carl, two society sophisticates, desert a party to stroll along a secluded beach. Linda's only interest is society; Carl's is business. They expect to find moonlight, gentle water, and fresh sea air... what they find instead is an indistinct, shadowy sort of man writing in the sand with his finger. He appears to be writing names... followed by dates, then erasing them with his hand and starting over. Story by Arch Oboler. "This allegorical tale for two actors is predictable and the acting is slightly overdone, but I tend to like allegories so I didn't mind so much. The atmosphere is moody, thoughtful, and slightly mysterious—not really Horror at all. I thought the 1939 version with Nan Sunderland was the best, perhaps because it had the best sound quality... but I also liked the timbre of her voice. [8/10] --- zM"

"A Beautiful Viper" - Beyond Midnight (1968)

Out beyond the church of Saint-Germain des Prés, a duel of honour pits Hector de Brissac against his first cousin, André. André the beautiful, André the fortunate, André the loved... André the slain. In his dying breath, André delivers his deathbed curse: "My shadow shall shut the sunlight from your life!" Based on the story "Eveline's Visitant" by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. "A somber, crushingly fatalistic tale with a predictable, yet strong, ending. Even though this is a simple story with a predictable plot and resolution, the acting and pacing still manage to create tension and a strong sense of foreboding. Well-played by the female lead. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum). This week: part 2 of 13.


Feb 28, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Witch's Tale episodes, courtesy of zM.


Feb 26, 2013

Added (10) new plot summaries and (2) new reviews for various Sleep No More episodes, courtesy of zM.


Feb 24, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (5) new reviews for various Alien Worlds episodes, courtesy of zM.


Feb 22, 2013

Added (1) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Lord of the Rings" - BBC (1982)

The classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, told in 13, one-hour episodes. With Gerard Murphy (narrator), Ian Holm (Frodo), Michael Hordern (Gandalf), John Le Mesurier, (Bilbo), and Peter Woodthorpe (Gollum).

This week: part 1 of 13.


Feb 15, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Silver Sky" - BBC (1980)

Two time travellers from separate worlds are drawn to the same location—a beach on a strange unknown planet with no way back home and stalked by deadly predators. Story by Tanith Lee. "Multiple story threads come together in this complicated tale of betrayal and love... bitterness and hope... and of lost pasts and receding futures. This story is involved and can be very confusing (several characters with similar voices talking at the same time... sound effects drowning out voices... dialogue in foreign languages...), so it's really not suitable for listening while driving. Listen at home where you can rewind and replay as needed. This story presents a view of time travel I have not heard before. That novelty bumped up my rating one notch. Solid acting. Engaging story. Good sound effects and music. [9/10] --- zM"

"The Six Who Did Not Die" - Creeps by Night (1944)

Captain Bull Harrison of the Sloop Nancy Hale, leads a crew of six natives and one Cockney mate to the Mangareva Atoll in the Gambier Archipelago—four days east of Sydney—to dive for pearls. What they uncover, in addition to pearls, is that the price of greed is sometimes measured in guilt... Peter Lorre hosts the AFRS version of this episode. "Er... four days from Sydney to French Polynesia in a sloop? Methinks the author is playing fast and free with historical facts. The natives are one-dimensional and stereotypical and the episode is short—only 20 minutes long. But a slightly better-than-average performance by the captain and the mate make this story one of the better surviving episodes of the series. [6/10] --- zM"


Feb 12, 2013

Added (4) new plot summaries and (4) new reviews for various The Weird Circle episodes, courtesy of zM.


Feb 08, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

The last two episodes of the "The Hobbit" - BBC (1968) - parts 7-8 of 8 - Serial


Feb 06, 2013

Added (4) new plot summaries and (4) new reviews for various Alien Worlds episodes, courtesy of zM.


Feb 04, 2013

Added (5) new plot summaries and (7) new reviews for various Suspense episodes, courtesy of Anonymous.


Feb 01, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Roughing It" - CBS Radio Workshop (1956)

A semi-biographical travelogue by American humorist Mark Twain, covering his travels throughout the American West between 1861 and 1867. "Since Roughing It is mostly a series of loosely-connected anecdotes, short stories and tale tales, it lends itself well to adaptation and thinning out. This modern adaptation begins sometime in the 1940s or 50s and takes quite a few pot-shots at the "motion picture" industry before settling down to the text that Samuel Clemens actually wrote. The writing is witty; the acting crisp. Very well done. [8/10] --- zM"

"The House of Death" - The Mysterious Traveler (1944)

Two invalid sisters living with their niece and nephew become disgruntled with their isolated life in the country and make plans to move back to their former home in the city. But when one of their cats dies after eating a piece of meat and the other unexpectedly vanishes, the sisters begin to wonder if their niece and nephew will ever allow them to leave.

The next two episodes of the "The Hobbit" - BBC (1968) - parts 5-6 of 8 - Serial

Classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien.


Jan 27, 2013

A listener recently asked who played Rhysling in the 1950 Dimension X production of "The Green Hills of Earth". Anybody know?


Jan 26, 2013

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

The next two episodes of the "The Hobbit" - BBC (1968) - parts 3-4 of 8 - Serial


Jan 19, 2013

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Hallucination Orbit" - X Minus One (1956)

Stationed alone on Pluto for six years and suffering from isolation psychosis, a man begins to have 'visitors'. Story by J.T. McIntosh. "An interesting examination of the effect long periods of isolation will have on future space exploration. Solitosis will likely be as much a threat as any physical hardships we encounter out there, and it is as inevitable as old age. In this story it is not so much a question of if the hero will get it, but how bad he will get it. In severe cases it causes hallucinations, as the brain tries to fill out the gap in normal social interactions. Even the rational, tough-minded personalities we will no doubt depend on for such jobs are not immune. Their cold reason will not protect them from solitosis; it will merely allow them to recognize that they are slowly going insane. Not a lot of action here - but a great psychological study. --- Jeff Dickson"

"The Scarlet Plague" - Escape (1954)

An inexplicable and lightning-quick plague sweeps across the world, killing its victims within an hour of the first symptoms. Civilization rapidly begins to disintegrate. "An unnerving and relentlessly grim episode, all the more disturbing for the fact that it is not the least bit implausible. Not the kind of fare one would expect from a writer like Jack London (best known for his rather formulaic adventures of the Far North), but apparently he did pen a number of stories that could be called science fiction. This episode has been updated to fit within the time frame of the listening audience, but the decision to do so only enhances the emotional effect. --- Jeff Dickson." Story by Jack London.

The first two episodes of the "The Hobbit" - BBC (1968) - parts 1-2 of 8 - Serial

Classic tale by J.R.R. Tolkien.


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