Plot Spot - What's New

Previous Years:
This Year | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Nov 06, 2014

Added (1) new plot summary for an SF 68 episode, courtesy of Jim.

Survival

Sep 20, 2014

Added (7) new reviews for various Escape episodes, courtesy of Mac.

Sep 18, 2014

Added (1) new review for an X Minus One episode, courtesy of Brian Y.

Gun for Dinosaur, A

Sep 16, 2014

Added (13) new plot summaries and (14) new reviews for various Lights Out!, Columbia Workshop, and Lux Radio Theatre episodes, courtesy of Anonymous.

Lights Out!

Columbia Workshop

Lux Radio Theatre

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Jun 16, 2014

In answer to queries, I am fine; I am just completely overwhelmed with work just now -- living out of a hotel room with a very slow internet connection. I will update the site as often as I can, but the frequency of such updates will be random for the next several months. I appreciate all the email, plot summaries, and reviews and I will get to them as soon as I can! My apologies.

Added (8) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Perhaps the most successful and popular series to come out of the UK. The four separate serials followed the exploits of astronauts exploring the Moon and Mars who uncover an alien plot to conquer Earth. The show was enough of a hit to inspire fan clubs and retrospective documentaries. The first serial ("Operation Luna", 6 hours) was broadcast in 1953, but the magnetic tapes were erased shortly thereafter. It was re-recorded in 1958. The second serial ("The Red Planet", 9 hours) aired in 1954. The third series ("The World in Peril", 10 hours) aired in 1955. A ninety-minute fourth "series" ("Return to Mars", 1.5 hours) aired in 1981. Story by Charles Chilton. "[Journey into Space] was the last radio programme in the UK to attract a bigger evening audience than television." --- BBC Audiobooks

This week "The Red Planet", parts 13-20 of 20.

Apr 06, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Two Came Back" - Escape (1958)

A man gets sucked into a treasure-hunting scheme by an old war buddy whose life he once saved and his buddy's unfaithful vixen of a wife. The hunt takes them to remotest New Guinea, but jungle fever and headhunters soon turn out to be the least of his worries. Story by: Jules Archer. "A terrific episode about two army buddies and their dangerous get-rich-quick scheme. However, the femme fatale wife of the leader (Paul Frees) has her own ideas on how to divide up the loot. I rate it as one of the best Escapes ever, with a shocking twist ending. You'll definitely want to add this one to your collection. --- Carl LaFong"

"Perfect Home" - BBC - Man in Black (2011)

Downtown on a rainy night at a bus stop. It's late. A young man from the neighbourhood hospital mutters to himself as he reads the bus schedule. A street-girl approaches him. They strike up a tentative conversation, neither trusting the other. He wants to help. Or does he? She wants to take advantage of his offer and steal his money. Or does she? Story by: Nick Warburton. "This talky, Kafka-esque tale builds tension slowly, while the writers play cat-and-mouse with the listener. Did she do it? Or did he? Or did anybody do anything at all? The listener never knows anything for sure until the chilling climax, which gives goose bumps. The last few seconds give one final surprise. Excellent, but too slow-moving for the Action Crowd. For the intellectual crowd, this one is a 9/10. By the way, this episode is recorded in full stereo—listening with headphones definitely enhances the experience! --- Jerry Underwood"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Mar 29, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Time Machine" - Alien Voices (1997)

In the late 1800s a scientist of the old-school type—physicist, philosopher, mathematician, inventor—ruminates over the nature of 'time' and tries to convince his friends that travel through time is possible. His friends—a medical doctor, a psychologist, a botanist, and the mayor—are skeptical. The scientist displays a model of a 'time machine', asks his friends to examine it carefully for trip wires, mirrors or hidden tricks... and then makes it disappear, claiming it has 'travelled through time'. His friends are even more skeptical. A week later, the scientist arrives for their weekly dinner looking like he hasn't eaten in a week—filthy, dishieveled, with blood-soaked feet—and tells of his trip 800,000 years into the future... Story by: H.G. Wells. "Essentially a monologue, with Leonard Nimoy (the Time Traveller) providing an account of his journeys. I was disappointed that the 'build-up' by the time traveller was abbreviated so much. In Wells' version, solid arguments are put forth to convince the reader that there is such a thing as the 'fourth dimension' and that 'time travel' might be possible. I always found those arguments entertaining. Nevertheless, Leonard Nimoy does a great job as the Time Traveller. He's supported by a solid cast, and the entire production is backed with great music. One of the best versions of this story I've heard. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Tell-Tale Heart" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1975)

Out-of-work Charlie Daring, accepts the hospitality of his Uncle Jonas and moves his family to Jonas' farm, pledging to earn his keep despite suffering a severe nervous condition. Jonas, however, is a cruel task master and pushes Charlie to his limits. Story by: Edgar Allan Poe. With Fred Gwynne. "This tale focuses on the hypothetical events which might have lead up to Poe's classic short story. Solid acting. Strong conclusion. Interesting interpretation. Well-done. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Mar 25, 2014

Added (85) new authors and (401) new stories to the Famous Authors on Radio page.

Mar 22, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Meteor" - Vanishing Point (1985)

The planet Forta is old and dying. To preserve their civilization, the Fortans launch a series of inhabited 'globes' with the aim of colonizing distant planets. One such globe lands on Earth and is discovered by Sally Fontain, her father, and her fiancée Graham. Story by: John Wyndham. "Audio quality, sound effects and music are all excellent. The story is interesting, but not engrossing. It is told in two parts with the point-of-view alternating between that of the Earthlings and that of the Fortans (from the trip-diary of Onn). This leads to plenty of irony of the 'misunderstood-alien' type, but the overall result is less than I'd hoped. The main problem is with the acting, which (like the rest of this series) is highly variable: sometimes sounding quite professional, but at other times sounding like a well-produced amateur production. Not great audio drama, but definitely worth listening to, especially if your tastes include ironic Sci-Fi/Alien Encounters. [7/10] --- zM"

"Two Men in a Furnished Room" - Mollé Mystery Theatre (1947)

Two strangers rent a furnished room together because of a housing shortage: Carr—world-weary and bitter toward women—and Dixon—affable and pleasant, but with a steady girl. After a few months, Dixon asks Carr if he'll step-out for the evening so he can be alone with Estelle. Carr agrees, but with bad grace. When Carr returns, he finds that Estelle has already left... but she never returns home! Story by: Cornell Woolrich (as William Irish). "Nothing supernatural here, just a straight-forward, hard-boiled, murder mystery with a few unexpected twists. John Payne (who starred in "Miracle on 34th Street") does a great job as the cynical roommate, Red Carr. The other parts are all minor. Good pacing. Good dialogue. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Mar 16, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"A Sound of Thunder" - Bradbury 13 (1984)

Time Safari, Inc. offers hunting enthusiasts the chance of a lifetime, the opportunity to travel back to the Cretaceous to bag the biggest trophy of all time—Tyrannosaurus Rex. Story by: Ray Bradbury. "My personal ALL-TIME FAVORITE audio drama! Whenever I want to turn someone on to the pleasures of the medium, this is the one show I always use to hook them. (Heck, it was the one show that got me hooked.) Usually it makes them hunger for more. There is an incredible depth to the sound effects, the musical cues are downright creepy, and the T-rex roars are guaranteed to have you hiding under the covers. The logic of the story line has holes large enough to drive a herd of hadrosaurs through, but ultimately, who cares? Load up your dino-rifle and enjoy the ride - it doesn't get much better than this. --- Jeff Dickson"

"The Inexperienced Ghost" - Author's Playhouse (1944)

While spending the night at a private men's club in London, John Clayton stumbles upon, and confronts, a ghost. The ghost is young and lean, with scrubby hair, a thin neck, bad shoulders, a feeble chin—an altogether pitiful sight—and has forgotten... how to vanish. Story by: H.G. Wells. "Who ever heard of a silly, Milquetoast Ghost? This ridiculous ghost will bring you a chuckle or two, but the episode is of interest mainly as a historical piece—it's performed in an English that's spoken no more, and uses pre-War humor that's used no more. [5.5/10] --- Jerry Underwood"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Mar 12, 2014

Added (3) new reviews for various Beyond Midnight episodes, courtesy of Noelle.

Mar 09, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Oil of Dog" - The Black Mass (1964)

Boffer Bings has helped out with the family businesses for many years—procuring raw material for his father's business and discarding the waste from his mother's. One day, purely by accident, he discovers a way to merge the two businesses and inadvertently brings ruin upon them all. Story by Ambrose Bierce. "This would have been a downright disturbing tale if it weren't so obviously satire. As it was, I found it quite enjoyable. I find that most Bierce tales sound much better than they read. The sentences are long and the syntax is unfamiliar to my modern ears. It is hard to know which words and phrases to stress without reading each sentence several times. Hearing it performed, or read, however, makes the story flow much easier... Or maybe I'm just lazy. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Mask of Medusa" - Mystery in the Air (1947)

A murderer on the run from the police ducks through a doorway and finds himself in a strange shop, being confronted by an even stranger proprietor. The proprietor claims to be an artist and a connoisseur... of murder. The shop is more like a museum than a shop and is filled with the ghastly wax figures of murderers... all of whom seem very lifelike. Story by Nelson S. Bond. "I can just imagine Lorre—drenched in sweat and thrusting his hands with wild abandon—as he reads the climax. This story is well suited to Lorre's style. I thought the ending, however, was weak and a little disappointing. Perhaps it would have worked better as a one-hour episode? But by then Lorre might have had a heart attack, so perhaps not. [7/10] --- zM"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Mar 02, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"When It Changed" - Mindwebs (19xx)

After six centuries, the Men have returned. And the technologically advanced, all-female population of the former Earth colony are not entirely happy about it. Told by Carol Cowan. Nebula winner and Hugo nominated, 1973. Story by: Joanna Russ. "A somber, pensive story with slowly-building tension that never quite resolves itself into outright violence. The hauntingly beautiful background music underscores the tension and suggests an entire culture about to be lost—changed—forever. As the narrator says: 'Take my life... but don't take away the meaning of my life.' [9/10] --- zM"

"The Moat Farm Murder" - The Columbia Workshop (1944)

Matter-of-fact murderer Dougal confesses to his crime. Story by: Norman Corwin. "One of adaptor-director Norman Corwin's few brushes with conventional horror (as opposed to the global fascist kind he was more often concerned with) is a tour de force for actor Charles Laughton and composer Bernard Herrmann (whose eerie, string-heavy score prefigures the one he wrote for Hitchcock's "Psycho"). Based almost verbatim on a real-life 1903 confession, the script was later done by Orson Welles on The Mercury Summer Theatre and either version is worth hearing. --- Anonymous"

"The Red Planet" - Journey into Space - (1954)

Feb 23, 2014

Added (2) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"You'll Never See Me Again" - Suspense (1946)

Ed Bliss gets in a heated argument with his wife Janet—their first marital spat after only three months of marriage. She stomps out of the house, threatening that Ed will never see her again. Ed isn't too worried at first—figuring he will give her a few days to cool off—but when he calls his mother-in-law to finally speak with Janet, her mother says she never came to their house! Where could she be? Story by: Cornell Woolrich. "Based on a novella by Cornell Woolrich, this radio adaptation is fairly faithful to its source material with its only major change being an altered ending—which, of course, isn't as razor sharp as the original. Regardless, this remains a cracker-jack thriller that provides some of the most startling surprises that Suspense has to offer—indeed, perhaps the most numerous amount of surprises as well since there seems to be a plot twist every other minute. Unpredictable and deceptive—sometimes ingeniously so—though admittedly the final revelation, while certainly being completely unexpected and shocking, strains credibility tremendously. A minor quibble, I suppose, considering the sheer pleasure one receives when listening to this roller-coaster ride. [9/10] --- David Schwenker"

"The Screaming Skull" - Theatre 10.30 (197x)

On a dark and stormy night, Captain Braddock, a retired sea captain, tells how he came to inherit the house where he lives. The house used to belong to his cousin, Luke Pratt, and Luke's wife Mary, but they both died unexpectedly. The captain feels responsible, for it was he who first told the couple about that Irish widow who murdered her husband by pouring hot lead into his ear while he slept... Story by: F. Marion Crawford, 1911. "A promising premise—a story about a spectral skull—is marred by affected diction and a muffled audio. The listener often can't feel sure exactly what has just occurred, which leaves something of a mystery in the finale. Did a haunting skull really exist, or just a deranged old man? I couldn't understand enough of the dialogue to give a fair rating. --- Jerry Underwood"

Feb 15, 2014

Added (7) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Portrait of a Character" - Quiet, Please (1949)

A musician preparing for an upcoming gig—a really big gig—takes his horn in for emergency repairs and gossips about the horribly improper behaviour of some of his boss' people... the boss sure is steamed when he finds out! Story by Wyllis Cooper. "This is really two stories in one: the story of the man and woman, and the story of the horn player. The story of the man and woman drags a bit as the characters are unlikeable and there seems to be no point to the plot. But the story of the horn player injects an element of mystery which moves the story along and concludes with a strong, surprise ending. Hehehe. Maybe you'll figure it out beforehand. I didn't. [7/10] --- zM"

"What Was It?" - Haunted (1980)

July 1854. Harry Crown, author of The History of Supernaturalism, takes a room at a Mrs Moffatt's boardinghouse, a building that has a reputation for being haunted. After only a month, however, Harry is disappointed to discover there is nothing supernatural about the property. He settles into a routine of discussing abstract philosophical thoughts with Dr Stephen Hammond, while they both get high on opium (purely for science, mind you), until the night when... Story by Fitz-James O'Brien. "Excellent writing and bravura performances lift this otherwise-corny Victorian ghost story into a better-than-average thriller. The thing is....creepy! It'll give you a shiver or two. And then it'll make you wonder--was it real? [7/10] --- Jerry Underwood"

"2025" - BBC (1998)

Outlawed by a fearful public, bio-engineering becomes a black-market commodity, the arena of organized crime, underhanded multi-national corporations, and the desperately terminally ill. Story by Mike Walker. "A complex plot, with multiple layers of story and characters interwoven in a scheme to secretly engineer genetic experiments on an old woman with terminal sickle cell anemia. A little slow-moving, but there is a lot of depth here—all the characters have a history and strong, well-defined personalities. You get the feeling this computerized, 'cyberpunk' future society has a lot of depth to it as well. My only complaint was that it wasn't long enough—there is enough raw material here for a whole series. --- Jeff Dickson"

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

A ruthless dictator seeks to be remembered for more than his political and military conquests by breaking the record for the deepest ocean dive in history. But the bathysphere operator accompanying him has his own agenda for the expedition... Story by Arch Oboler. "Aired on Arch Oboler's Plays soon after World War II broke out in Europe. Two outstanding acting performances (Hans Conried and George Zucco) lend crucial believability to a contrived premise in which the oppressed is allowed to confront the oppressor (a favorite device of Oboler's propaganda plays), clarifying their opposing views in the process. --- Anonymous"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Feb 04, 2014

Added (5) new plot summaries and (3) new reviews for various 2000x episodes, courtesy of zM.

Feb 02, 2014

I just realized how many fine OTR authors have died in the past few years. As time permits I will add stories to the Listening Booth, in memoriam. If you have any favourites, please let me know and I'll post them.

2010

2011

2012

2013

Feb 01, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Huckleberry Finn" - The Campbell Playhouse (1940)

"NOTICE: Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR" Story by Mark Twain. "The story of Huckleberry Finn is many things: it is social satire, childhood adventure, nostalgia for simpler times, and a shout-out against racism and slavery. But for me, it is a milieu story—a story which highlights what life was like at a certain place and time... in this case, the antebellum South around 1835-1845. On top of this colourful description of people and places along the Mississippi River is superimposed the story of Huck and Jim as they both try to escape captivity (Huck from his father, Jim from slavery). This story has been dramatized many times, but I like this version starring Jackie Cooper the best. He sounds like Huck. Other versions have actors who sound like grown-ups pretending to be Huck. Orson Welles is wonderful a the narrator who is itching to play Huck for an hour and barely restrains himself from hogging the show. Well, mostly he restrains himself. This is not a dramatization of the novel, however, more a re-telling of some of the key scenes from the novel. Illinois/Jackson Island is here; the Duke and the King are here; the Phelps farm is here. Missing is the blood feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons. The part with the Duke and the King is hard to understand—muffled voices—and the part on the Phelps farm is too short, but all in all, great fun. [8/10] --- zM"

"The Hunting Season" - 2000x (2000)

The State no longer executes those it finds guilty of treason. Instead, it transports them back in time and proclaims them 'fair game' in sanctioned Hunts. David Black has been found guilty of treason. He has been transported to a large American city in the mid-20th century. Five hundred hunters have also arrived. It doesn't matter that David Black was framed. It doesn't matter that those who framed him will be the quickest to the hunt. It doesn't matter because... the hunt is about to begin. Story by Frank M. Robinson. "Very well done! A tense, action-packed episode, full of irony... with a brisk beginning and an abrupt, yet satisfying, conclusion. Excellent pacing, acting, music, and audio quality. John O'Hurley is perfect in the role of the hunted: scared and decisive at the beginning of the hunt, but becoming tired and disoriented as the hunt progresses. This story uses a style I haven't heard in radio before: in addition to hearing what each character says, we also 'hear' each character's inner monologue. It is as if we are an omniscient observer, privy to each character's inner thoughts. In this story, the style works as we hear what both the hunter and the hunted are thinking, and that adds to the tension. [8/10] --- zM"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Jan 31, 2014

Added (4) new plot summaries, courtesy of zM, and (4) new reviews, courtesy of Jerry Underwood.

What Was It? - Haunted
Screaming Skull, The - Theatre 10.30
Inexperienced Ghost, The - Author's Playhouse
Perfect Home - The Man in Black

Jan 29, 2014

Added (4) new reviews and (1) new plot summaries for various Beyond Midnight, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, and Hall of Fantasy episodes, courtesy of Noelle.

Jan 27, 2014

Added (5) new reviews and (2) new plot summaries for various CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Hall of Fantasy, and Sealed Book episodes, courtesy of Noelle.

Berenice
Castle of La Voca, The - review
Death at Storm House - review
Demon Spirit, The
Devil God, The - review
Golden Bracelet of Amoniris, The - review
Mark of Shame, The - review

Jan 26, 2014

Added (21) new authors and (48) new stories to the Famous Authors on Radio page.

Jan 25, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Corpse Nobody Loved" - Inner Sanctum Mysteries (1952)

On a dark and stormy night, a woman misses the last train home, but manages to catch a cab. Wouldn't be so bad, except the cab already has a passenger... one that doesn't look like he'll be paying for the ride. With Joan Lorring and Leon Janney. "Joan Lorring is my all-time favourite radio actress; I can't get enough of her voice! In this episode she manages to project a quivering note of fear even when the script jumps from humorous to ridiculous. The interaction between Lorring (the woman) and Leon Janney (the cab driver) in the opening scene cracks me up every time I listen to it (I'm not sure the humour was intentional, though). The script then settles down to a series of improbable events and hysterical screaming that Inner Sanctum Mysteries does so well. The script isn't the best, but Lorring and Janney pull it through anyway. [8/10] --- zM"

"Delta Sly Honey" - Chillers - BBC (2002)

A mousey Army private in the Vietnam War, victimized by a sadistic Sergeant (is there another kind?) and assigned to corpse removal, is on the edge of a Section 8. His only solace is in broadcasting sympathetic messages on the radio to those killed in the fighting, whom he collectively refers to by the call sign of Delta Sly Honey . A harmless release—until Delta Sly Honey returns his call... Story by Lucius Shepard "A tense and macabre descent into the supernatural played against the backdrop of helicopters overhead and 60's rock music. Well-acted, though I thought the dead soldiers' voices and good-ol'-boy accents seemed a little too earthbound. Nevertheless, it should hold your rapt attention to the last. --- Jeff Dickson"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Jan 20, 2014

Added (5) new plot summaries and (3) new reviews for various Dark Fantasy episodes, courtesy of zM.

Jan 19, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Lulungomeena" - X Minus One (1950)

Tensions at a deepspace relay station erupt over a veteran's claim that his homeworld, Lulungomeena, is the most beautiful in the galaxy. To resolve the dispute, they must rely on the arbitration of an alien Hixabrod, the most literal and honest race in the universe. Part of his Dorsai series about a planet that breeds mercenary soldiers. Story by Gordon R. Dickson. "This is a great story with a clever twist. If you find yourself rooting for the underdog, you'll like this episode. I've read the original short story and I find this radio adaptation to be better. --- C. Phillips"

"On Borrowed Time" - NBC Presents: Best Plays (1988)

Fiercely independent Gramps refuses to accompany Death when he comes calling. Meanwhile, manipulative Aunt Demetria, offended at the way young Pud idolizes Gramps and mimics his uncouth behaviour, manoeuvres to gain custody over Pud so he can be raised as a proper Christian. The result is a battle of wills between Gramps, Aunt Demetria... and Death. Story by Lawrence Edward Watkin. "A slow-moving tale—sad and melancholy in parts, but humorous and tender in others—which dramatizes the necessity for death, without resorting to melodrama or histrionics. Audio quality is superb. The acting is generally good, but what really makes this story work is the interaction between Gramps (abrupt and snappy, yet tender) and Pud (impressionable, wide-eyed, and innocent). Gramps clearly cares a lot for Pud, but is not the type to ever express such thoughts. [8/10] --- zM"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Perhaps the most successful and popular series to come out of the UK. The four separate serials followed the exploits of astronauts exploring the Moon and Mars who uncover an alien plot to conquer Earth. The show was enough of a hit to inspire fan clubs and retrospective documentaries. The first serial ("Operation Luna", 6 hours) was broadcast in 1953, but the magnetic tapes were erased shortly thereafter. It was re-recorded in 1958. The second serial ("The Red Planet", 9 hours) aired in 1954. The third series ("The World in Peril", 10 hours) aired in 1955. A ninety-minute fourth "series" ("Return to Mars", 1.5 hours) aired in 1981. "[Journey into Space] was the last radio programme in the UK to attract a bigger evening audience than television." --- BBC Audiobooks

This week "Operation Luna", parts 5-6 of 13.

Jan 12, 2014

Added (5) new plot summaries and (2) new reviews for various The Sealed Book episodes, courtesy of zM.

Jan 11, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"Poison" - Escape (1950)

An American engineer on contract in India has his excessive bigotry tested to the limit when he wakes to find a deadly snake in his bed and must rely on a native doctor to save him. Story by Roald Dalh. "For many this is their first introduction to the world of ESCAPE, and a fine introduction it is. With Jack Webb as Woody and William Conrad giving a heart attack inducing performance as Harry, in this tale of a bigot in India... and a deadly Krait snake. (9/10). --- HT"

"Every Detail But One" - Fear on 4 (1988)

An expectant single woman, living alone, receives troubling messages on her answering machine from a hoarse, whispering sort of voice calling her by name and urgently pleading for help. She thinks it must be some deranged crank caller... until she starts hearing that same voice at other times: while she's watching television... and while she's sleeping... Story by Bert Coules. "Horrifying and heartbreaking. A very intense, hard-hitting story full of dread. You know something awful is going to happen and you know it's going to be bad. You're disturbed... but you don't know why! The tension builds. The back-story—a radio anchor interviewing an expert on the paranormal—provides a degree of emotional stability so the tension remains bearable (mostly). But eventually all that tension comes crashing down around you in cathartic release. Brilliant acting by Helena Breck (Jenny) with a solid supporting cast all around. If you have a high degree of empathy, though, you might want to give this one a miss. [9/10] --- zM"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Perhaps the most successful and popular series to come out of the UK. The four separate serials followed the exploits of astronauts exploring the Moon and Mars who uncover an alien plot to conquer Earth. The show was enough of a hit to inspire fan clubs and retrospective documentaries. The first serial ("Operation Luna", 6 hours) was broadcast in 1953, but the magnetic tapes were erased shortly thereafter. It was re-recorded in 1958. The second serial ("The Red Planet", 9 hours) aired in 1954. The third series ("The World in Peril", 10 hours) aired in 1955. A ninety-minute fourth "series" ("Return to Mars", 1.5 hours) aired in 1981. "[Journey into Space] was the last radio programme in the UK to attract a bigger evening audience than television." --- BBC Audiobooks

This week "Operation Luna", parts 3-4 of 13.

Jan 10, 2014

Added (5) new plot summaries and (3) new reviews for various The Sealed Book episodes, courtesy of zM.

Jan 06, 2014

Added (4) new plot summaries and (4) new reviews for various 2000x episodes, courtesy of zM.

All for Love - review
By the Waters of Babylon - review
'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman - review
Thing Happens, The - review

Jan 05, 2014

Added (4) new shows to the Listening Booth.

"The Damned Thing" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater (1974)

A coroner presides over the inquest of recently-deceased Hugh Morgan. Foul play is suspected. Testimony is heard from four witnesses... each with a very different tale to tell and each suggesting a different motive, ranging from jealously to revenge to theft to... something bizarre. Story by Ambrose Bierce. "A short story—around 3,500 words—by Ambrose Bierce, which can be read in about 15 minutes. Bierce's descriptive imagery creates a dark and somber mood which resolves quickly around a fairly simple plot. Arnold Moss expands upon the details presented by Bierce and creates a more involved and interconnected story. The original story contains the testimony of William Harker, newspaper reporter, but Moss adds the testimony of three more witnesses. Their testimonies contrast sharply with each other, adding a level of mystery to a suggestion of the supernatural. Solid acting all around. [8/10] --- zM"

"Houston, Houston, Do You Read?" - Sci-Fi Radio (1990)

A space crew caught in a time vortex emerge to find the future Earth populated only by women. They are the only men, but instead of being welcomed by a supposedly love-starved planet, they are treated like a malignant cancer. Story by James Tiptree, Jr. "A thought-provoking look at the 'monsters' we men keep locked within our souls, and what happens when they are set free. Excellent sound effects and music; better than average acting for the series. At times, 'radio transmissions' between the ships are garbled, but 'Houston' does this is a way that still makes the transmissions intelligible—no easy task. Beware: this was originally broadcast as two separate 30-minute episodes, but some versions available to collectors are missing the final 15-minutes from part one. [7/10] --- zM"

"Operation Luna" - Journey into Space - (1958)

Perhaps the most successful and popular series to come out of the UK. The four separate serials followed the exploits of astronauts exploring the Moon and Mars who uncover an alien plot to conquer Earth. The show was enough of a hit to inspire fan clubs and retrospective documentaries. The first serial ("Operation Luna", 6 hours) was broadcast in 1953, but the magnetic tapes were erased shortly thereafter. It was re-recorded in 1958. The second serial ("The Red Planet", 9 hours) aired in 1954. The third series ("The World in Peril", 10 hours) aired in 1955. A ninety-minute fourth "series" ("Return to Mars", 1.5 hours) aired in 1981. "It was the last radio programme in the UK to attract a bigger evening audience than television." --- BBC Audiobooks

This week "Operation Luna", parts 1-2 of 13.

Jan 04, 2014

Added (4) new reviews and (2) new plot summaries for various Campbell Playhouse, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, Quiet Please, and Sci-Fi Radio episodes, courtesy of zM.

Houston, Houston, Do You Read? - Sci-Fi Radio
Damned Thing, The - CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Huckleberry Finn - Campbell Playhouse
Portrait of a Character - Quiet, Please

Jan 01, 2014

Added (8) new reviews for various Campbell Playhouse, CBS Radio Mystery Theater , Nightfall, Theatre 10.30, and Witch's Tale episodes, courtesy of Noelle.

Christmas Carol, A - Campbell Playhouse
Daddy's Girl - Nightfall
Dentist, The - Nightfall
In the Name of the Father - Nightfall
Night of the Howling Dog - CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Physician of the Dead, The - Witch's Tale
Troth of Death, The - Witch's Tale
Wendigo - Theatre 10.30