Moonlight Audio Theatre

Western hero Jake Dimes, Range Detective, is back for another very special holiday tale, "Santa Claus of Bitter Creek". Jake and his sidekick Briar Buck spin a Christmas yarn for their wives and in-laws when they all gather for the holidays: A cowboy who has lost his faith in Christmas gets it back in spades when he helps a youngster buy presents for his mother. It's a heart-warming tale that's perfect for Christmas! Written and directed by Pete Lutz – adapted from a short story by A. C. Abbott, and starring the Narada Radio Company.

With the voice talents of:

Dana Gonsalves as JAKE DIMES

Victoria Fancki as CHRIS GREENSLATE DIMES 

Austin Beach as BRIAR BUCK 

Nancy Bueler as MOLLY SUTCLIFFE BUCK 

Joe Stofko as FRED GREENSLATE 

Glenn Hascall as SLIM SUTCLIFFE and

Debby Gonzales Ramirez as LUPE; with

Philboyd Studge as JEFF MITCHELL 

Isla Braly as BUD

Pete Lutz as MIKE GABBY 

Paul Patterson as JIM BAILEY and

Lisa Michaud as BUD'S MOTHER 

The Jake Dimes Theme was composed by Pete Lutz, arranged and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt. 

Direct download: JDRD_SC-of-BC_2023_final.mp3
Category:Christmas -- posted at: 9:28am EDT

Mindstream Players Christmas Special. Written, edited, mixed and directed by Tom Konkle

Starring Kurtis Bedford as Dr. John Watson

Tom Konkle as Sherlock Holmes

Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Mrs. Hudson, Lady Arabella, Penelope Chutney-Featherstone

Pete Lutz as Barnaby Winklethorpe

Jude Gerard Prest as Figgy

Gino C. Vianelli as Humphrey Carruthers

Bob Clendenin as Algernon Butterworth

And ? as Madam Zepyra.

Direct download: sherlock-holmes-the-case-of-the-exploding-christmas-pudding.mp3
Category:Christmas -- posted at: 4:35pm EDT

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it! Big Story radio drama recreated by Project Audion!

Newspaper reporters were once heroic figures - exposing rackets and corruption, taking down the powerful and giving voice to the powerless. The "Big Story" series from audio drama's original classic era (the mid 20th century) celebrated the newspaper reporter - selecting true headlines and converting them into gripping dramas, much like Dragnet did with police.

Audion's December offering is a story set during the Christmas holiday, and while there IS an appearance by Santa Claus and a happy ending - this is a drama, pure and simple - of murder, greed, and redemption. Hmmm…maybe a Christmas theme after all! Our cast reaches from Canada to across the United states to recreate this lost original script just as it was done back then, so you can hear it for the first time since December 20, 1950! Our cast:

David Phillips in Virginia
Donna Patton in Tenessee
Trevor Rines in Canada
Sean Massey in Texas
Julie Hoverson in Washington
Dana Gonsalves in Texas
Scott McKinley in New Jersey
Ken Raney in Texas
and Larry Groebe did the heavy lifting

Direct download: a49-bigstory-sondtrack.mp3
Category:Christmas -- posted at: 4:14pm EDT

In the late 1940s and early 1950s the Phil Harris-Alice Faye radio series was a master class in radio comedy. Harris (charming, egotistical, smooth, Southern) and Faye (grounded, smart, and only occasionally the movie star) were surrounded by eccentric regulars like Elliot Lewis as Phil’s band buddy Remley, and Walter Tetley as the little kid Julius - and each week the happy result could be heard in the gales of laughter from the live studio audience. Today, Harris is best remembered as the voice of Balloo the Bear in Walt Disney's Jungle Book, but former Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L. Mills fondly recalls the Harris-Faye radio shows of his youth, and has penned a pitch-perfect recreation for our coast-to-coast Project Audion cast to perform. We promise you a half-hour's classic entertainment!

Our cast --
Pete Lutz (Phil Harris)
JoAnne Kurman (Alice Faye)
John Bell (Frank Remley)
Bob Beaumont (Willie / Mr. Scott)
Angela Young (Julius / Miss Bluecross / Customer)
Ken Jeffries (Announcer)
Robert L Mills (Druggist, Scriptwriter)
Larry Groebe (Producer/Director)

Direct download: a48-harris-faye-soundtrack.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 4:10pm EDT

Who was it who made that phone call to the emergency room, the one that set off the horrible chain of events that took place in The Dark? Project Audion recreates the episode "The Dark" from LIGHTS OUT - one of classic radio's most imaginatively gruesome shows. It's an episode show that hasn't been heard in its complete form since January 1938! "Lights Out" was the work of master radio dramatist Arch Oboler, and he memorably redid "The Dark" 25 years later as a highly abridged adaptation for an LP called "Drop Dead" - the only recording you could hear until now. But Project Audion worked from the original half-hour 1938 script to deliver extra thrills and chills, and leading to a climax where -- well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? Who's afraid of The Dark? You will be!

Our cast features: Jacob Palka in Illinois

Douglas Herrman in California

Denise Cline in Kentucky

Robert Stevenson in Indiana

Sounds, production, and direction by Larry Groebe in Texas

Direct download: a47-lights-out-master-audio.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

Hi-Yo, Silver! The Lone Ranger is perhaps vintage radio drama's single most famous creation. Yet the Masked Man's formative years from 1933 until 1938 are essentially lost to us because no recordings were made. Original scripts DO survive, and Project Audion has selected episode #266 (out of nearly 3000!) from October 12 1934 to recreate. In 1934 the Lone Ranger and Tonto are not quite as we remember them, and the story -- featuring a cattle rancher, the coming of the railroad, and a "greasy half-breed" named Magdalena -- is rough-edged, less sensitive and streamlined than in later years. But this was the Lone Ranger that took the country by storm during the Great Depression. Now, for the first time in nine decades, this early version of the Lone Ranger rides again!

The cross-country cast of Project Audion's transcribed-live recreation includes

Lone Ranger: Dennis Thompson

Tonto: Ken Raney

Announcer: Greg Vestal

Steve Greencliff: Norman Cline

Magdalena: Pete Lutz

Tad Brewster: Scott McKinley

Gwendolyn Wiggs: Angela Young

Mother Wiggs: Sharon Grunwald Father

Jerimy Wiggs: Chuck Daugherty

Larry Groebe produced, directed, and cleaned up after the horses.

Direct download: a46-lone-ranger-audio.mp3
Category:Western -- posted at: 4:01pm EDT

The short-lived noirish radio detective series "Pat Novak for Hire" is probably better loved now than it was in the late 1940s, thanks to its darkly-comic quips and the dry-as-dust performance of Jack Webb in the title role (just before his blockbuster turn on "Dragnet.") Novak - the man, like the show - was one of those "hard-boiled" types - he may bounce or crack, but he doesn't break easily. Novak shows are loved for their Raymond Chandler-esque plots and style, where the lead character never met a crook or a lady he couldn't describe with a delirious simile. Project Audion offers up a brand-new episode penned for Project Audion by long-time network television writer Casey Keller. Mr. Keller's script matches the late-1940s originals blow for blow, dame for dame, gunshot for gunshot, metaphor for metaphor. Step into the perpetual foggy night of the San Francisco waterfront to meet "Pat Novak, For Hire" in our transcribed-live adventure. 

Pat Novak: PETE FERNBAUGH (WV)

Jocko Madigan: TOM KONKLE (CA)

Inspector Helleman: TEE QUILLAN (TN)

Hannah Gordon: JOANNE KURMAN (CA)

Stripper 1: DONNA PATTON (TN))

Stripper 2: JULIE HOVERSON (WA)

Jack Silver: KIM TITUS (TX)

Announcer/Goon: LOTHAR TUPPAN (CA)

Goon: BOB MILLS (CA)

Coroner: CASEY KELLER (CA)

Written by Casey Keller

Sound, Direction, and Production by Larry Groebe

Direct download: a45-pat-novak-audio.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 3:54pm EDT

It's the year 2090. There are signs that a pandemic is coming - a pandemic which will kill millions of innocent people - again. Because it's happened before. But this time, just maybe, we know what - or who - is causing it...and a chance to stop it.

That's the setup for "Syndrome Johnny," a lost episode from a nearly-forgotten science-fiction anthology radio drama from 1953 called "Tales of Tomorrow." The television version of "Tales of Tomorrow," which actually came before the radio edition, is considered one of the first serious scifi video series. The TV edition spawned the radio offshoot, which hoped to fill the void of the recently-cancelled and now-classic series "Dimension X," adapting stories from Galaxy Magazine. Failing to find a sponsor, it only lasted a few months. The sound quality of the few recordings that survive is mostly quite poor, and our recreation "Syndrome Johnny" doesn't survive at all.Our transcontinental cast performs in the classic audio drama tradition - live in one uninterrupted take - to recapture the spirit of this pioneering science fiction show for a national audience for the first time in 70 years.

In our cast: Trevor Rines, Canada

Tim Burns, Kansas

Jack Ward, Canada

Greg McAfee, California

Rhiannon McAfee California

Gary Layton, Texas

and Larry Groebe, Texas

Direct download: a44-tales-of-tomorrow-audio.mp3
Category:Sci-Fi -- posted at: 3:44pm EDT

Old-Time Radio Essentials is back with episode 40, the 3rd installment of Season 4, and our fourth Holiday Special! Pete, Paul and Patte present an episode of the long-running Mutual series Nick Carter, Master Detective. This time it's Paul's pick, called "Nick Carter's Christmas Adventure"!  Will Pete dwell on technical details and miss the historical context? Will Patte compare this to something Canadian? Tune in and find out!

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our fortieth number (but 3rd official episode of S4), this episode of Nick Carter, Master Detective, from 12/25/43. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Pete's pick again, and he'll bring an episode of The Henry Morgan Show!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-40_Nick-Carter-Xmas_12-17-23_final.mp3
Category:Old Time Radio -- posted at: 11:49am EDT

THE CELLAR Miniseries 3.5: Far Below

The Cellar's third miniseries concludes with this adaptation by Pete Lutz of one of the most famous pulp-horror tales to appear in Weird Tales magazine! Robert Barbour Johnson's story of a special squad of the NYPD, assembled to combat strange subterranean creatures in the subway tunnels, was voted the best story ever to appear in those pages. Mr. Lutz's adaptation takes a few liberties with the story, but only enough to keep it moving along at a good clip. We think you'll approve! Thanks for joining us for this year's miniseries, and be sure to come back next year for our fourth outing in...The Cellar! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Announcer: Trevor Rines
Cadavera Quivry (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young
 
INSPECTOR CRAIG: Pete Lutz
LIEUTENANT: Dana Gonsalves
DR. BLOOM: Paul Arbisi
HAGGERTY: Nick Wommack
CAPTAIN RICHTER: Les Marsden
THE VOICES OF "THEM": Sarah Leight, Larry Cashion
 
Theme by Tom Rory Parsons
Incidental music by Ross Bernhardt
Produced & directed by Pete Lutz
Direct download: TC-MS3_E05_Far-Below_final.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 1:06am EDT

 

DESECRATE (HORROR) Philamena was a seer, a psychic by modern vernacular. And somewhere among these stones is her gravesite. Tonight, we're going to contact her." On All Hallows' Eve, a graveside Ouija board session descends into a nightmare, unveiling a web of lies and betrayal between longtime friends and perhaps a doorway to something far more disturbing.

 Warning: Explicit language, violence, and graphic content. Written, directed, and produced by John Ballentine. Original music score by Kevin Hartnell. CAMPFIRE RADIO THEATER

Direct download: Campfire_Radio_Theater-_Desecrateb6h4c.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 11:04pm EDT

TIES OF BLOOD – PART TWO (HORROR, MYSTERY) "All predators aren't created equal." Nikki's inquisitive instincts lead her into dangerously precarious situations as the mystery of the Red Hill Adductions deepens.

Warning: Explicit Language and Graphic Content. Written, directed, and produced by John Ballentine. Original music score by Kevin Hartnell. CAMPFIRE RADIO THEATER

Direct download: Campfire_Radio_Theater-_Ties_of_Blood_Part_2bangi.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 11:51pm EDT

OF BLOOD – PART ONE (HORROR, MYSTERY) “All the freaks come out before daybreak.” A rash of abductions in the small community of Red Hill leads a young woman to suspect her mysterious nocturnal neighbor might be hiding a sinister side.

Warning: Explicit Language and Graphic Content. Written, directed, and produced by John Ballentine. Original music score by Kevin Hartnell. CAMPFIRE RADIO THEATER

Direct download: Campfire_Radio_Theater-_Ties_of_Blood_Part_19qzye.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 11:28pm EDT

THE CELLAR Miniseries 3.4: The Renegotiation

The Cellar Miniseries continues with this thrilling retelling, by Kevin Kordis, of an old folktale. In order to save the people of his village from marauders, a blacksmith must enter into an agreement with the agent of a mysterious figure. Some years later, he feels that he should revisit this situation with the agent. The agent doesn't agree, but the smith is...quite persuasive. Mr. Kordis wrote this play for the 2019 Cellar Scriptwriting Competition, and received Honorable Mention. We're very proud to be finally presenting it.  This episode has the added thrill of having been edited and mixed in a single marathon production session lasting approximately 10 hours! We hope you enjoy it. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Announcer: Trevor Rines
Cadavera Quivry (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young
 
Nick Wommack as The ORATOR
Jason D. Johnson as The SMITH
Chuck Wilson as The ELDER
Orlando Segarra as The AGENT

The Cellar theme by Tom Rory Parsons

Incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Produced & directed by Pete Lutz

Direct download: TC-MS3_E04_The-Renegotiation_final.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 11:55pm EDT

THE CELLAR Miniseries 3.3: Gear Jammin'

The Cellar Miniseries continues with this exciting horror tale by Mark Slade, with characters taken from a 1970s TV series, Movin' On, but with a supernatural element the creators of that series never dreamed of adding! Sonny and Will, long-haul truckers who share driving duties, are down on their luck as usual. A stranger offers them a considerable amount of money to carry a strange parcel cross-country, with the usual unforeseen consequences. This episode has the added thrill of having been edited and mixed in a single marathon production session lasting approximately 12 hours! We hope you enjoy it. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Announcer: Trevor Rines
Cadavera Quivry (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young
 
Pete Lutz as SONNY
Dana Gonsalves as WILL
Carole Krohn as CATHY
Chuck Wilson as TRUMAN
Mark Kalita as NICHOLS
Jason D. Johnson as the SIX COPS
Teddi Giggy as DOREEN and
John Bell as RALPH SPARE

The Cellar theme by Tom Rory Parsons

Incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Produced & directed by Pete Lutz

Direct download: TC-MS3_E03_Gear-Jammin_final.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:49am EDT

THE CELLAR Miniseries 3.2: Four Bros in a Deer Camp

In this quirky tale by Will Anderson and Pete Lutz, four friends drive out to the country on what's intended to be a deer-hunting weekend, but some vandalism and hijinks result in some supernaturally dangerous consequences. It's the 2nd of 5 planned episodes for this third miniseries of The Cellar! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Announcer: Trevor Rines
Cadavera Quivry (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young
 
JAY-SO: Orlando Segarra
GHOULIE: Larry Cashion
JIMBO: Dana Gonsalves
RUSTY: Mark Kalita
CORPSY CORA/WOMAN: Teddi Giggy
JERKY STORE OWNER: Jason D. Johnson

The Cellar theme by Tom Rory Parsons

Incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Produced & directed by Pete Lutz

Direct download: TC-MS3_E02_4-Bros-in-a-Deer-Camp_final.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:33am EDT

SPECIAL NOTE: This play is featured in my book, Get Me Out of Here and Other Plays, available at amazon.com and from the publisher, at these links:

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Here-Other-Plays/dp/B0BV49MHJC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

https://gnashingteethpublishing.com/product/buy-get-me-out-of-here-pete-lutz/

OR...if you'd like an autographed copy, please contact me at f6point3@gmail.com, and I'll tell you how to get one. Thanks!

THE CELLAR MINISERIES 3.1: Get Me Out of Here
 
GET ME OUT OF HERE tells the story of young married couple Gene and Sandy, who buy a big old house in a small town in Central Illinois. Shortly after moving in, Gene starts seeing some weird stuff, but Sandy doesn't believe him. To give anything more away would spoil the story -- so listen for yourself!
A tense thriller with some humorous moments, this play was written in the style of, and as a tribute to, the OTR series Quiet Please. On behalf of our excellent cast, I hope you enjoy this, the first of five planned, all-new episodes of...The Cellar!
DISCLAIMER: While this story takes place in the playwright's childhood home, the entire tale is fictitious. Certain names have been changed for obvious reasons. NARADA RADIO COMPANY
 
CAST:
 
Announcer: Trevor Rines
 
Cadavera Quivry (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young

Gene: Pete Lutz 

Sandy: Carole Krohn

Nelson Boatwright III: Orlando Segarra 

Eric: Isla Braly 

Charlie McCourt: Paul Arbisi 

Tom O'Bannon: John Bell 

Servant: Rachel Pulliam 

Dr. McBain: Chuck Wilson 

Direct download: TC-MS3_E01_GMOH-final_rev.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 1:19pm EDT

BIG STAGE AUDIO THEATRE: Laura

Adapted, produced and directed by Pete Lutz, from the screenplay by Jay Dratler, et al., this full-length presentation brings the story to life in your imagination. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

With the voice talents of:

Carole Krohn as LAURA

Les Marsden as WALDO LYDECKER

Tom Konkle as MARK McPHERSON 

Rachel Pulliam as ANNE TREADWELL  

Dana Gonsalves as SHELBY CARPENTER and

Geri Elliff as BESSIE; with

Additional voices by Pete Lutz and 

Darren Rockhold as the ANNOUNCER

Music composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt.

Direct download: BSAT_Laura_final.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 12:07am EDT

NBC BEST PLAYS: The Petrified Forest, originally aired 9-20-1953; remade for Sonic Summerstock Playhouse 2023 by the Narada Radio Company

In the midst of the Great Depression, Alan Squier, a failed writer, now a disillusioned, penniless drifter, wanders into a somewhat frowzy roadside diner in the remote town of Black Mesa, Arizona, at the edge of the Petrified Forest. Here he meets owner Jason Maple, his daughter Gabrielle, and Gramp, Jason's father, who regales anyone who will listen with stories of his adventures in the Old West with such characters as Billy the Kid. Eventually the diner is overrun by gangsters, headed up by Duke Mantee, who has escaped prison and is being chased down by the law.

The Petrified Forest was a 1935 stage play by Robert E. Sherwood, made into a 1936 film that starred the principal actors of the stage play, Leslie Howard (Squier) and Humphrey Bogart (Mantee). 

CAST:

Darren Rockhold as ANNOUNCER

Les Marsden as GRAMP MAPLE

Gino C. Vianelli as BOZE HERTZLINGER

Bobby Vela as the TELEGRAPH LINEMAN

Paul Arbisi as JASON MAPLE

Carole Krohn as GABBY MAPLE

Ebony Rose as PAULA

Chuck Wilson as MR. CHISHOLM

Stephanie Stearns Dulli as MRS. CHISHOLM

Carl Thomas as JOSEPH

David Ian as JACKIE and the RADIO VOICE

Dana Gonsalves as DUKE MANTEE

Duane Noch as RUBY

Tre' Minor as SLIM

Frank Guglielmelli as the LEGION COMMANDER

Pete Lutz as ALAN SQUIER

Music was sourced from the public domain.

Recorded over Zoom in July 2023, with actors from Texas, California, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Originally released 8/13/23 on the Mutual Audio Network as a feature of the 2023 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse festival.

Direct download: NRC_SSSP23_Petrified-Forest_final_REV2.mp3
Category:Drama -- posted at: 10:36am EDT

SONIC SUMMERSTOCK PLAYHOUSE '23:

Lux Radio Theatre's production of Kaufman & Hart's You Can't Take it With You, remade by the Narada Radio Company.

Tom Konkle as YOUR ANNOUNCER

Les Marsden as GRANDPA

Laura Mirsky as PENNY

Noah Diamond as TONY

Amanda Sisk as ALICE

Joe Martinez as CECIL B. DEMILLE

Victoria Fancki as ESSIE

Dana Gonsalves as ED

Debby Ramirez as RITA

Larry Groebe as PAUL 

Scott McKinley AS MR. DEPINNA  

Tre Minor as DONALD

Pete Lutz as KOLENKHOV

Alex Lagase as MR. KIRBY

Stephanie Stearns Dulli as MRS. KIRBY

John Bell as HENDERSON of the IRS

Ian Federgreen as the head J-MAN and

Geri Elliff as GRAND DUCHESS OLGA KATRINKA 

 

Additional voices performed by Stephanie Stearns Dulli, John Bell, and Pete Lutz

 

Recorded over Zoom in July 2023, with actors from Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, Alabama and Illinois. Originally released 8/6/23 on the Mutual Audio Network as a feature of the 2023 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse festival.

Direct download: NRC_SSSP23_YCTIWY_full_final_rev.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 6:42am EDT

SONIC SUMMERSTOCK PLAYHOUSE '23:

BBC Radio 1966 production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, remade by the Narada Radio Company.

ANNOUNCER: Julia Eve

GEORGE was played by Dana Gonsalves

LENNIE by Les Marsden

with Pete Lutz as CANDY

Chuck Wilson as THE BOSS

Austin Hanna as CURLEY

Victoria Fancki as CURLEY'S WIFE

Norman Cline as SLIM

Paul Arbisi as CARLSON

Doug Fain as WHIT and

Carl Thomas as CROOKS

Produced & directed by Pete Lutz; mixed & mastered in Corpus Christi, TX by 63audio

Recorded over Zoom in June 2023, with actors from England, Texas, California, Kentucky and Illinois. Originally released 7/30/23 on the Mutual Audio Network as a feature of the 2023 Sonic Summerstock Playhouse festival.

Direct download: NRC_SSSP23_Of-Mice-and-Men_final.mp3
Category:Drama -- posted at: 11:13pm EDT

S2 E6 - The Girl With the Silver Eyes - Part Two

In this thrilling conclusion to the latest two-part adventure, our nameless sleuth finally meets the "girl" in question -- only to find out that she's left a trail of dead men behind her, and she wouldn't mind a bit if the Tec was just one more corpse to step over.

Starring The Narada Radio Company.

Adapted by Pete Lutz from the story by Dashiell Hammett.

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

Pete Lutz as THE TEC

Geri Elliff as the HOTEL SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR

Mark Kalita as DICK FOLEY and TIN-STAR JOPLIN

Rhiannon McAfee as JEANNE DELANO

Jason D. Johnson as R. F. AXFORD

Jeff Moon as TAG KILCOURSE

John Bell as PORKY GROUT

Frank Gugliemelli as THE VOICE IN THE CROWD and the BANK TELLER

Ian Federgreen as ROACH

Dana Gonsalves as BURKE PANGBURN and

Joe Stofko as THE OLD MAN

Theme and incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt, other music sourced from the Public Domain

Mixing and sounds by Fishbonius Sound Design

This production was supervised by Pete Lutz

Direct download: AFT_S2E06_Silver_Eyes-P2_final.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 10:08pm EDT

S2 E5 - The Girl With the Silver Eyes - Part One

Our nameless sleuth is called in by a lovesick young poet to find his runaway fiancee -- but soon finds that his client is in too deep. Is it love, or...something else?

Starring The Narada Radio Company.

Adapted by Pete Lutz from the story by Dashiell Hammett.

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

Pete Lutz as THE TEC

Dana Gonsalves as BURKE PANGBURN

Rhiannon McAfee as JEANNE DELANO 

Jason D. Johnson as R. F. AXFORD

Geri Elliff as MRS. CLUTE

Daniel French as MR. CLEMENT

Angela Young as the TRANSFER COMPANY CLERK and the DETECTIVE AGENCY CLERK

Frank Guglielmelli as the ELEVATOR BOY and the BANK TELLER

Ian Federgreen as MR. FALL

John Bell as PORKY GROUT and

Joe Stofko as THE OLD MAN

Theme and incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Mixing and sounds by Fishbonius Sound Design

Direct download: AFT_S2E05_Silver_Eyes_final.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 11:11am EDT

Old-Time Radio Essentials is back with episode 39, the 2nd installment of Season 4! Pete, Paul and Patte present an episode of the syndicated series Diary of Fate. This time it's newcomer Patte's pick, suggested by Essential Listener Ted, called "The Trina Crowley Entry"!  Will Pete enjoy it? Will Patte shed tears of regret at the thought of continuing as our co-host? Will Paul ever stop mentioning Harry "Red" Bever? Tune in and find out!

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our thirty-ninth number (but 2nd official episode of S4), this episode of Diary of Fate, from 3/9/48. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: It's Paul's pick again, and he'll bring an episode of Bold Venture!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-39_Diary-of-Fate_7-02-23.mp3
Category:Old Time Radio -- posted at: 8:45am EDT

Project Audion revisits one of the funniest, most beloved radio comedies of the 20th century. Fibber McGee and Molly tickled the radio audience for so long - more than a quarter of a century - that it spawned the very first-ever spinoff shows... and recurring gags like Fibber's hopelessly overstuffed closet, and quips like Molly's "t'ain't funny, McGee", remained part of shared American pop culture long after the series left the airwaves. Part vaudeville act, part sitcom, the series stared real-life couple Jim and Marion Jordan who were indeed former vaudeville comics. Don Quinn's scripts and a large cast of supporting characters who stopped by 79 Wistful Vista kept the laughs rolling.

Now, Robert L. Mills (former comedy writer for Bob Hope) has wonderfully recreated the style of the show at its peak in a new script penned just for Project Audion. In it, Fibber thinks he's come up with a brilliant and practical new invention - for once, does his boasting have merit? Listen to our transcontinental cast and laugh!

Our cast:

Fibber McGee: John Bell, AL

Molly / Teeny: Holly Adams, NY

Harlow Wilcox: Ken Jeffries, CA

Wallace Wimple: Dana Gonsalves, TX

Mayor LaTrivia: Bob Beaumont, CA

Doc Gamble: Frank Guglielmeli, PA

Old Timer: Harry Middlebrooks, CA

Gildersleeve: Larry Groebe, TX

Leroy: Carolyn Threlkeld, KY

Produced, directed, and mixed by Larry Groebe

Direct download: a43-fmm-podcast.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 9:17am EDT

Old-Time Radio Essentials is back with episode 38, the Season 4 Premiere! Pete, Paul and Dave present an installment of the long-running series "The Fred Allen Show". This time it's Pete's pick, a double-feature of Fred and the gang, with both episodes featuring Orson Welles as guest-star!  Will Dave, who leaves us for greener grass after this episode, love it? Will Paul, through his bitter tears, express his continuing hatred of Orson? Tune in and find out! (NARADA RADIO COMPANY)

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our thirty-eighth number (but first official episode of S4), these episodes of Fred Allen, from 1942 and 1946. We'll introduce the shows, play them in their entirety, then discuss them at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: Our new "third co-host" Patte will bring us something very interesting, I'm sure!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-38_Fred-Allen_5-28-23_final.mp3
Category:Old Time Radio -- posted at: 12:50am EDT

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, a new production of Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre, is set to launch on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023, to all the online retail sites, including Amazon, Audible, Apple Store, Ratuken Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Downpour, and Walmart.

Listen here to a scene from this production and please support this excellent production company by making your purchase of their dramatization of Lewis Carroll's timeless classic.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - By Lewis Carroll

Adapted for audio by Diane Vanden Hoven – Directed by George Zarr

Post Production: David Farquhar

Release Date: May 30, 2023, Everywhere Audiobooks Are Sold.

Cast In Order of Appearance:

GEORGIA LEE SCHULTZ - Alice

NOELLE DUPUIS – White Queen

PETE LUTZ – White King

SKYE GOULBOURNE – Tiger Lily

TRISHA ROSE – Rose

ASHLEY BANKER – Red Queen

GEORGE ZARR – Conductor

ROB TYMEC – Paper Man

HEIDI STEWART – Beetle

ELLIN WALLIN – Owl

BILL CRAVEN – Tweedle Dum

KEITH BURNETT – Tweddle Dee

JOHN JARVIS – Humpty Dumpty

JEFF DUPUIS – Messenger

MICHAEL CROUCH – White Knight

Direct download: White_Knight_Scene_12.mp3
Category:Family -- posted at: 8:46am EDT

S2E4: The House in Turk Street

While on the search for a missing boy, the Tec inadvertently runs afoul of some crooks, who think he's after them. Full of crosses and double-crosses! Starring The Narada Radio Company.

Adapted by Pete Lutz from the story by Dashiell Hammett.

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

THE TEC: Pete Lutz

MRS. QUARRE: Geri Elliff

MR. QUARRE: Paul Arbisi

HOOK: Mark Kalita

ELVIRA: Rhiannon McAfee

TAI: Jeff Moon

THE OLD MAN: Joe Stofko

OTHER VOICES: Daniel French

Theme and incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Mixing and sounds by Fishbonius Sound Design

Direct download: AFT_S2-E04_House-Turk-St_final2.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 11:26am EDT

Project Audion recreates an extraordinarily rare and early lost episode of the classic audio drama Suspense. When CBS premiered the the show in June 1942, it wasn't immediately evident that it would become one of the all-time great radio dramas, running for 20 years and nearly 1000 stories. Indeed, in this (just Suspense's fifth-ever episode, from July 15, 1942), while all the typical ingredients are in place (in this instance, a murder aboard a moving train) the show hadn't quite yet settled into the style that would soon define classics like 1943's "Sorry, Wrong Number." Heard for the first time in 80 years, our recreation of this lost Suspense episode -- "The Witness on the Westbound Train" -- is taken from the single known surviving script. It features the same transcontinental cast of vocal actors who appeared in Project Audion's very first episode, along with additional talented voices who have appeared in Project Audion shows during the past three years.

The Cast: 

MARK: Pete Lutz, TX

JOE: Doug Fain, KY

DORIS: Patte Rosebank, Canada

CONDUCTOR: Denny Thompson, CO

LAWRENCE / RANDOLPH: John Mauldin, TN

BILL / BAGGAGEMAN: Dick Huitema, FL

ANNOUNCER / WAITER: Robert Stevenson, IN

DIRECTION / PRODUCTION / SOUND: Larry Groebe, TX

Direct download: a42-suspense-westbound-train.mp3
Category:Suspense -- posted at: 6:33pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION #41: Life With Luigi - "Luigi's Toothache"

This month Project Audion recreates a classic radio comedy based on a timeless premise. As a nation of immigrants, the clash of old and new cultures in America has offered authors an unending supply of humorous situations. "Life with Luigi" mined this comedic vein from 1948 to 1953. Each week, small-town Italian Luigi Basco struggled to navigate the complexities of his new American life, supported by his friends from Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia. It's full of charming stereotypes with broadly entertaining accents, it's-a great, innocent fun. In this episode, Luigi's aching tooth leads him into the unfamiliar world of medical specialists...

Luigi: Jacob Palka, IL

Pasquale: Pete Lutz, TX

Schultz: Larry Groebe, TX

Announcer / Horowitz / Man: Ken Jeffries, CA

Olson / Doctor: Paul Arbisi, IL

Miss Spaulding / Rosa: Donna Patton, TN

Directed by Mr. Palka and produced by Mr. Groebe

Direct download: a41-life-with-luigi-soundtrack.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION 9 - Lights Out: "Little Old Lady"

Project Audion premieres our recreation of the classic supernatural radio show "Lights Out" - a 1943 episode entitled "Little Old Lady." It's a ghostly story written and directed by the master of spooky stories, Arch Oboler. It's a tale truly made for radio, where you close your eyes and let your imagination run wild.

Our transcontinental cast, hooked together via Zoom, includes

Angela Young

Kristin James

Denise Cline

Brad Oxnam

Larry Groebe and

John Mauldin of the Inexplicable Dumb Show in Tennessee.

We hope you'll listen in...with the lights out!

Direct download: Project_Audion_Episode_9___Lights_Out.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 12:56pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION 4 - Gunsmoke: "The Guitar"

Project Audion presents a recreation of the vintage radio show Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke, one of the classic "adult Westerns", had a ten-year run on radio and an astounding 20+ years on television. This early episode, "The Guitar", originally aired December 26, 1953 and was later remade on both the television and radio series. A simple man with an unexpected talent is taunted by town bullies, with tragic results.

Project Audion is a collaboration of radio theatre actors from across North America recording OTR shows live via Zoom. This Audion episode features the talents of

Dennis Thompson in Colorado,

Doug Fain in Kentucky,

Paul Arbisi in Illinois,

Dan Keenan in Colorado,

Norman Cline in Kentucky,

Pete Lutz in Texas,

Denise Cline in Kentucky,

Dick Huitema in Florida,

Tim Burns in Kansas,

Darren Rockhold in Illinois, and

Larry Groebe in Texas.

Doug Fain directed and Larry Groebe produced it.

Direct download: PA-4_Gunsmoke_The_Guitar.mp3
Category:Western -- posted at: 12:46pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION - THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: "Murder in the Casbah"

Sherlock Holmes is such an iconic figure, and so well-suited for radio, that the detective was on the air for over 20 years (starting in 1930) and portrayed by a half dozen actors. None, however, were better than Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathbone, who owned the roles from 1939-1946. Project Audion recreates an episode from December 3, 1945 entitled "Murder in the Casbah" which was sponsored by Petri Wine. Audion's transcribed-live edition features a cast of voice actors performing from England, Hollywood, and multiple locations in between.

Holmes: David Ault, UK

Watson: Paul Arbisi, IL

Announcer: Lec Zorn, IN

Miss Tretfield: M J Cogburn, TX

Col. de Brisson: Trevor Rines, CA

Rafi: Jacob Palka, IL

Leaming/Commissioner: Joe Mendell, UK

Ayisha: Grace Wagner, IL

Milton: John Mauldin, TN

Waiter/ Dr. Porter: Robert Mills, CA .

..and produced and directed by Larry Groebe in Texas

Direct download: PA_Sherlock_Holmes__Murder_in_the_Casbah.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 12:34pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION - The Lineup: "The Scared Schoolmarm Scrape"

Project Audion’s newest cross-country OTR recreation is an episode of the police drama "The Lineup" which hasn't been heard since it was originally broadcast in January 1952. The Lineup was added to the CBS radio schedule after Dragnet became a massive hit, and ran for four years on radio, plus six years on television and a 1958 movie.

The lead cop role (which was portrayed in 1952 by Bill Johnstone, who was a former "Shadow" and “Whistler”) is here played by Ed Dennis, an actual law enforcement officer for four decades. He even used his own handcuffs in the show's final scene.

Our full cast: Ed Dennis / Illinois

Dan Keenan / Colorado

Chris Marcellus / Utah

Angela Young / Florida

John Bell / Alabama

Barry Katz / Florida

Kim Titus / Texas

Denny Thompson / Colorado

Tom Wilkins / Illinois

Ken Raney did SFX from Texas, Denny Thompson directed, and Larry Groebe produced the show.

Direct download: PA_2020_The_Lineup.mp3
Category:Drama -- posted at: 12:17pm EDT

SOLE TWIN AUDIOS: Old Time Radio Theatre, "Sorry, Wrong Number" by Lucille Fletcher

Sole Twin Audios presents a recreation of Suspense's "Sorry Wrong Number," an episode made famous by Agnes Moorehead who played the main role 7 times for Suspense, starting in 1942.

Directed and Produced by Rachel Pulliam

Cast:

Announcer - Dean T. Moody 

Mrs. Stevenson - Julie Hoverson 

Operator - Christina Roberts 

Man - Robin Robbins

George - Dean T. Moody

Chief Operator - Karen Corrado 

Sergeant Martin - Jerry Kokich

Western Union - Michael Hornstein 

Information - Madeleine Hamley 

Hotel Receptionist/Caller - Gina Moravec 

Music by Ross Bernhardt 

SFX by freesound.org

Direct download: STA_Sorry_Wrong_Number_remake-2023.mp3
Category:Suspense -- posted at: 11:50am EDT

THE REASONABLY AMAZING ADVENTURES OF FLASH GORDON Episode 6: Zarkov to the Rescue

A silly take on the original radio series Flash Gordon which is now in public domain. Starting April 22, 1935, and again in May 2022  the strip was adapted into The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon, a 26-episode weekly radio serial. The series followed the strip very closely, amounting to a week-by-week adaptation of the Sunday strip for most of its run.

Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, starring Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden and Witch Queen Azora, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune,  Bob Clendenin as Dr. Zarkov, Pete Lutz as Saul (Pete Lutz heads the Narada Radio Company), Kurtis Bedford as Vultan, and David Beeler as the announcer and the Lieutenant. The original radio series broke with the strip continuity in the last two episodes, when Flash, Dale and Zarkov returned to Earth. We broke it completely.

Edit and  Sound effects by Tom Konkle.

Directed by Tom Konkle.       

Music by Bryan Arata and Tom Konkle.  

The show comedy version script by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford. 

Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle created the Mindstream Players.

Direct download: R-A-A-flash-gordon-EP6-zarkov-to-rescue.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:03pm EDT

THE UNDEAD TRAIL: Where Death Comes Uninvited - episode 4

Jim Wilkes, Sheriff of Liberty Gulch, and his deputy Abe Farrow, have tracked the murderous town mayor into the desert, only to have him get the drop on them, take them captive, and to reveal that he is a shape-shifting monster. The mayor has left them to be taken captive by the local Indian tribe, on whose lands they have been trespassing in their pursuit of the mayor. CHRONOSPHERE FICTION

 Written by Craig Robotham

Cast

Jason D Johnson : Narrator

Jim Wilkes : Pete Lutz

Ilana Labourine : Annie Deemes

Paul Arbisi : Abe Farrow

Rich Greene : Dan Wilson 

Anne Ghrist : Crow's Shadow

Katelin Curtis : Leaping Toad

Joe Stofko : Chief of the Tribe

Daniel French at Fishbonius Sound Design : Production, Editing, Foley, Sound Design, Music, Mixing, Mastering 

Direct download: Death_Uninvited_4a.mp3
Category:Western -- posted at: 6:58pm EDT

CAMPFIRE RADIO THEATRE: Last Resort

In the midst of a surreal dreamlike reality, a broken, flawed man relives the last drunken hours of his life in pursuit of an elusive perfect moment from his past as he hurtles headlong on a collision course with fate.

Warning: Contains explicit language and graphic content.

Written, directed and produced by John Ballentine

From a story by Kevin Hartnell

Cast:

Jared Rivet

Jack Kincaid

Jessica McEvoy

Kevin Hartnell

Motzie Dapul

John Bell

Monique Bagwell

Original music score by Kevin Hartnell

Direct download: Campfire_Radio_Theater-_Last_Resort9ys7n.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:08pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION #40: I Was a Communist for the FBI

(Orig. rel. 3/10/23) What's black and white and Red all over? “I was a Communist for the FBI”, that’s what - the Cold-War era radio thriller that purported to tell the real-life story of Matt Cvetic, who posed as a member of the Communist Party while actually spying for the FBI. Whether true or fantastic, these half hour “radio noir” dramas put forward the fears which the Red Menace held for mid-century America. Most episodes of this taut melodrama can be heard today, but a handful of episodes are lost, and Project Audion’s March show is one of them. The script to “Citizens of Nowhere” was pulled from archives in New York and is performed by our nationwide cast for the first time in 70 years.

MATT CVETIC: Jeff Billard, MA

KAY MORONI: Holly Adams, NY

ANTON REISLING: Pete Fernbaugh, WV

DORA REISLING: Julie Hoverson, WA

BEEKER OF THE FBI: Caleb Fisher, VA

COLBY: Greg Vestal, TX

ANNOUNCER & VOICE: George Taylor, TN

Production, direction, and audio by Larry Groebe, TX

Direct download: PA-40_I_was_a_Communist_for_the_FBI.mp3
Category:Drama -- posted at: 6:45pm EDT

Old-Time Radio Essentials is back with episode 37, the Season 3 finale! Pete, Paul and Dave present an installment of the long-running series "Counterspy". The usual free-wheeling discussion follows, with Paul, Dave and Pete weighing the merits of this particular episode. Will they love it, or hate it, or try to waterboard it? Tune in and find out!

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our thirty-seventh number (but 12th -- and penultimate -- official episode of S3), this episode of Counterspy, from 1945. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: Pete brings us, for our season 4 opener, a double-feature of The Fred Allen Show, with both guest-starring Orson Welles (it's a tradition, ya know)!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-37_Counterspy_03-19-23_final.mp3
Category:Old Time Radio -- posted at: 1:26am EDT

THE MUTUAL STAGE: Charade

Hearkening back to such classic series as Lux Radio Theatre and Mercury Theatre On the Air, The Mutual Stage presents all-new adaptations of films and stage plays, sourced from the public domain. In our inaugural effort, director/producer Pete Lutz has assembled an Oscar-worthy cast to bring you his adaptation of the hit 1963 film, CHARADE. Get set for comedy, adventure, and romance, as we tell the story of a recent widow whose husband stole a quarter of a million dollars -- and now his partners want that money back! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

Darren Rockhold as THE ANNOUNCER

Jack Ward as THE HOST

Greg McAfee as GRANDPIERRE, BARTHOLOMEW, MARINE

Karim C. Kronfli as PETER JOSHUA

Rhiannon McAfee as REGGIE

Gwendolyn Lim as JEAN-LOUIS

Lisa Michaud as SYLVIE

Dana Gonsalves as GIDEON and BRITISH DELEGATE

Pete Lutz as TEX, GENDARME, EMBASSY TELEPHONE OPERATOR, MONSIEUR FELIX

Ian Federgreen as "BARTHOLOMEW"

Chuck Wilson as SCOBIE

Tanja Milojevic as ITALIAN DELEGATE

Carole Krohn as FRENCH DELEGATE

Geri Elliff as FUNERAL ATTENDANT, WAITER, VENDOR, CRUIKSHANK'S SECRETARY

MUSIC BY Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Adapted, produced & directed by PETE LUTZ

 

Direct download: MS-ep01_Charade_NRC_final-rev2_03-20-23.mp3
Category:Comedy Drama -- posted at: 1:01am EDT

Old-time Radio Essentials continues its 3rd season with an episode of Let George Do It – "There Ain't No Justice"! This one's Dave's pick, and it sparks quite an animated discussion. Who will like it? Will anybody hate it? Why wonder? Tune in and find out!

And since we're on the subject of finding things out, while you listen you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:

1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")

2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?

So with this in mind, we three bring you, as our thirty-sixth number (but 11th -- and penultimate -- official episode of S3), this episode of Let George Do It, from syndication, likely 1954 or '55. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it! 

NOTE: Please stay with us after the regular show for a very special interview with novelist Mark Miller, discussing his new novel, The Two-Headed Lady at the End of the World!

Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...

To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.

Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.

Next Time: Paul brings us, for our season finale, an episode of David Harding: Counterspy!

Direct download: OTR-E_Ep-36_Let-George-Do-It_02-19-23_final.mp3
Category:Old Time Radio -- posted at: 12:06pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION 39 - Little Ham from Harlem, by Langston Hughes

Project Audion presents a world premiere of an unrealized radio play by the famed Black poet Langston Hughes. What might radio drama's Golden Age of the 1930s, '40s and '50s have sounded like had Black creators been allowed time on the airwaves? Back then, radio was almost exclusively a stage for White entertainers, with only a handful of secondary roles and occasional guest appearances offered to people of color. In 1943, Langston Hughes took the lead characters from a successful theatrical comedy he had written eight years earlier - "Little Ham from Harlem" - and proposed creating a daily soap opera around them. Hamlet Jones of the Singing Shoe Shine Parlor, and Tiny Lee, his "stout but beautiful" lady friend, would have been the main focus of radio's first Black soap opera. It would have taken the radio audience around Harlem life as Hughes knew it, encompassing everything from numbers-running to local night spots. But "Little Ham" would have not been just a soap opera. It was also full of comedy, and each episode was deliberately scripted to feature songs from the cast worked into the action. Langston Hughes wrote the show's first two 15 minute episodes, then shopped his concept to networks, syndicators, and advertising agencies. But in the 1940s, no one would take a chance on such a progressive idea. As Hughes noted some years later, 'My Agents stated flatly "It is just abut impossible to sell a Negro writer to Hollywood or radio, and they use Negro subject matter very rarely."' His two completed scripts for "Little Ham" were filed away, unproduced and unheard. Now Project Audion brings the show to life for the first time.

"Little Ham from Harlem" features the talents of Black actors from across America, and is preceded by an interview with Dr. Vanessa Valdez, Director of City College of New York's annual Langston Hughes festival, who offers insights into Langston Hughes' work and impact.

Our cast features:

LITTLE HAM: Lee J. Green, NE

BUSTER: Robert Stevenson, IN

SHINGLE: Willie Macon, FL

PAPA MACK: Carl Thomas, TX

TINY LEE: Yle Blackburn, CT

SUGAR LOU: Tabetha McNeal, VA

LAWYER / STRANGER: Sean Massey, TX

ANNOUNCER / CUSTOMER: Norval Soleyn, NY

with production and direction by Larry Groebe in Texas

Direct download: a39-full-audio.mp3
Category:Comedy Drama -- posted at: 1:29pm EDT

PROJECT AUDION #38 -- The Jack Benny Program, "Mutiny on the Bounty"

Think you've heard almost every Jack Benny radio show? Try one that was just written! Project Audion presents a recreation newly penned by Robert L. Mills, former staff writer for Bob Hope. Project Audion has gathered the classic Benny gang, guest stars Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen, and a virtual studio audience for a half hour of laughter, including a send-up of "Mutiny on the Bounty." Our transcontinental cast of voice actors even recorded this show live via Zoom on a Sunday night at 7. 

Featuring the talents of...

JACK BENNY: Scott R. McKinley, NJ

CHARLIE MCCARTHY / EFFIE KLINKER / MR. KITZEL: Duane Noch, NJ

EDGAR BERGEN: Larry Groebe, TX

MARY LIVINGSTONE: Denise Cline, KY

PHIL HARRIS: Norman Cline, KY

DENNIS DAY / FRANK NELSON: Bob Beaumont, CA

STAGE HAND / SHELDON LEONARD / MEL BLANC: Pete Lutz, TX 

DON WILSON: Ken Jeffries, CA

...and produced and directed by Larry Groebe

Direct download: a38-jack-benny-bounty-audio.mp3
Category:Comedy -- posted at: 1:23pm EDT

THE SUNDOWNERS – Episode 4: Three Faces of Death
[Rated R for Violence and Adult Language]

Written by Mark Slade
Directed and Produced by Viktor Aurelius

Featured in the cast were:

David Ault as Fowler
Viktor Aurelius as Granger
Alexis Bristowe as Amy
Atticus Jackson as Mick
Austin Beach as Jakus
Snake as Heck
Josei Kage as the Little Girl, Woman and Dawn
Jeff Niles as Stranger #1 and #2
and Pete Lutz as Stranger #3 and #4

Music by Kevin MacLeod ( http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ )
Sound Design by Viktor Aurelius

© The 4077th and ALL BETTER AUDIO (2016)

Direct download: Sundowners_Ep4_ThreeFacesofDeath.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:29am EDT

THE SUNDOWNERS – Episode Three: “BLOOD BATH”

[Rated R for Adult Language, Violence and Sexual Situations]

Written by Mark Slade

Directed and Produced by Viktor Aurelius

Featured in the cast were:

Jeff Niles as the Narrator

Keane Lutz as Joey

Mary Genevieve Fortier as Maddy

David Ault as Fowler

Viktor Aurelius as Granger

Terrence Drye as Glenndale

Pete Lutz as Boris

Angela Young as Sabrina

Jessica Mathews as Nadya

Cheyenne Gibbs as Drina

David Schütz II as Gino Thompson

and Cary Michael Ayers as Ned

Music by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/)

Sound Design by Viktor Aurelius

© The 4077th and ALL BETTER AUDIO (2016)

Direct download: Sundowners_Ep3_BloodBath.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:25am EDT

The Sundowners - Episode 2: Sam Hill Died Here

[Rated R for Adult Language, Sexual References and Violence]

Written by Mark Slade

Directed and Produced by Viktor Aurelius

Featured in the cast were

Jeff Niles as the Narrator

David Ault as Fowler

Viktor Aurelius as Granger

Gwendolyn Jensen Woodard, Mary Genevieve Fortier, Jeff Niles, Viktor Aurelius and Jack Ward as the Voices

Pete Lutz as Sam Hill

Keane Lutz as the Paper Boy

Ryan Vollmer as Ned

Mary Genevieve Fortier as the Little Girl

Gwendolyn Jensen Woodard as the Mother

Cary Ayers as the Tavern Keep

Jeff Niles as Chester

Cheyanne Gibbs as Dawn

and Terrence Drye as Glenndale

Music by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/)

Sound Design by Viktor Aurelius

© The 4077th and ALL BETTER AUDIO (2015)

Direct download: Sundowners_Ep2_SamHill.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:20am EDT

THE SUNDOWNERS Episode 1: Elixir

It is 1887 in a Salt Mining town in Utah Territory populated by peaceful citizens who have their own "unique" way of life. Some believe that they are religious fanatics, but that only scratches the surface. But when two detectives wander into town to investigate a missing person, the truth is revealed.

ORIGINALLY AIRED AS A JEFF NILES PRESENTS EPISODE.
Featured in the cast were:

David Schütz II as the Drunk
Jeff Niles as the Tavern Keep
Matt Weller as Boone
Laura Nicole as Lucinda
David Ault as Fowler
Viktor Aurelius as Granger
and Kat Waterflame as Glory

Music by Kevin MacLeod ( http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ )
Sound Design by Viktor Aurelius

Direct download: sundowners-e-1-elixir.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:16am EDT

Jeff Niles Presents: “Seeing Red”
Written by Mark Slade
Directed and Produced by Viktor Aurelius

Synopsis: Tonight, Danny and his recently wedded wife, Helen, are leaving a concert. They had a great time and were really enjoying themselves. But it seems that their evening of fun might run into a snag.

Featured in the Cast were:

Viktor Aurelius as Danny
Laura Nicole as Helen
and Rachel Rumler as Susan

Music by Kevin MacLeod ( http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ )

Sound Design by Viktor Aurelius
© The 4077th and ALL BETTER AUDIO (2015)

Direct download: JNP18-Seeing_Red.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 6:09am EDT

S2E3: One Hour

The Tec is called in when a print shop owner is run down in the street by a stolen car. He goes looking for the perps, and when he finds them, the secret they're keeping may cost our hero his life! Adapted by Pete Lutz from the story by Dashiell Hammett.

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

THE TEC: Pete Lutz

RICHMOND: Noah Diamond

CROSTHWAITE: Paul Arbisi

COFFEE: Jeff Moon

SOULES: Mark Kalita

THE OLD MAN: Joe Stofko

OTHER VOICES: John Bell

Theme and incidental music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Mixing and sound design by Fishbonius Sound Design

Direct download: AFT_S2-E03_One-Hour_final.mp3
Category:Mystery -- posted at: 8:20pm EDT

The Undead Trail - Where Death Comes Uninvited - Episode 3

Having exonerated the drifter, Abe Farrow, of the arson-murder of a number of children in the town, Jim Wilkes (formerly of the U.S Marshal’s office and now Sheriff of Liberty Gulch) has appointed Abe as his deputy. This is bound to rile up the crooked mayor and his supporters, who Jim is determined to face off with, down at the saloon. CHRONOSPHERE FICTION

Written by Craig Robotham

Cast

Jason D Johnson as Narrator

Pete Lutz as Jim Wilkes

Ilana Labourine as Annie Deemes

Paul Arbisi as Abe Farrow

Rich Greene as Dan Wilson 

Jeff Moon as Wallace Leach, Passersby, Townsfolk

Katelin Curtis as Passersby, Townsfolk

Direct download: Death_Uninvited_3.mp3
Category:Western -- posted at: 6:16pm EDT

The Undead Trail - Where Death Comes Uninvited - Episode 2, A New Deputy in Town

Jim Wilkes, formerly of the U.S Marshal’s office, has taken a job as Sheriff in the town of Liberty Gulch. Barely preventing a lynching, Jim finds himself saddled with a deputy who, likely, owes his position and allegiance to the local mayor rather than the law. CHRONOSPHERE FICTION

Written by Craig Robotham

Cast

Jason D Johnson as Narrator

Pete Lutz as Jim Wilkes

Ilana Labourine as Annie Deemes

Paul Arbisi as Abe Farrow

Rich Greene as Dan Wilson 

Jeff Moon as Wallace Leach, Passersby, Townsfolk

Katelin Curtis as Passersby, Townsfolk

Daniel French at Fishbonius Sound Design: Production, Editing, Foley, Sound Design, Music, Mixing, Mastering 

Direct download: Death_Uninvited_2.mp3
Category:Western -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

Craufurdland Castle in Fenwick, Ayrshire, keeps its secrets close. It has been held in the same family for almost two thousand years.  It is the early 1800s.  Janet Craufurd, Lady of the house, writes in her diary, charting the progress of renovations to the estate which has suffered years of neglect.

But Janet’s mind is not easy. She suspects that the house has its own story to tell – a story lost in a secret passage, in hidden rooms, in dusty books and neglected papers. And someone is watching her as she searches for answers; someone she cannot see but whose presence she senses as she works.

There Goes Craufurdland is the final play in An Ayrshire Trilogy, three audio dramas which celebrate Ayrshire and its people. The Trilogy is supported by Creative Scotland.

Author

Jill Korn

Director

Jill Korn

Sound design

Alex Bennett

Original music

David Simpson

Janet Craufurd

Kerry Burley

William Craufurd

Lorenzo Novani

Nurse

Diane Brooks

Isabella Keith

Kirsten Maguire

John Walkinshaw Craufurd

Alex Bennett

William Boyd, Earl of Kilmarnock

Euan Galbraith

Thomas Coutts

Iain McAleese

Other parts

Members of the cast

Direct download: 003_ThereGoesCraufurdlandmp3.mp3
Category:Fantasy -- posted at: 1:54pm EDT

In 1786, Robert Burns sent a copy of his book, Poems, Chiefly in The Scottish Dialect, to Mrs Frances Wallace Dunlop of Dunlop in Ayrshire. She was so taken with it, and with him, that she became his patron and later, his confidant.

But the voices of these two strong and determined characters still resonate across the years through their letters. Their friendship endured for a decade before their differences drove them apart. The Lady and The Poetfocuses on this platonic relationship, which was like no other in Burns’s short and eventful life.

The Lady and The Poet is the second play in An Ayrshire Trilogy, three audio dramas which celebrate Ayrshire and its people. The Trilogy is supported by Creative Scotland.

Author

Jill Korn, based on an original play by James Miller

Director

Jill Korn

Sound design

John Boyd

Songs by Robert Burns

Rachel Macpherson-Graham

Narrator

Robert Donaldson

Frances Dunlop

Diane Brooks

Robert Burns

Lorenzo Novani

Jean Armour

Rachel Macpherson-Graham

James Armour/Gilbert Burns

John McQuiston

Other parts

Members of the cast

Direct download: 002_TheLadyandThePoet2mp3.mp3
Category:Drama -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

An angelic fantasy tale set on a remote Scottish island. The bees have all left , apparently forever, and spring has not arrived. Everything is out of kilter and only Breagh, it seems, can put it right. High Spirits is about finding friendship and facing fear. “You’re a child of the air. Your job is to cross the barriers that separate the different elements in this world. Your job is telling stories, and bringing back harmony.” High Spirits is part of An Ayrshire Trilogy, three audio dramas which celebrate our rich history and culture. The Trilogy is supported by Creative Scotland.

Author

Jill Korn

Director

Jill Korn

Sound design

John Boyd

Original music

Gregor Keachie

Elsa

Kerri Clarence

Breagh

Angela Ness

Stewart

Matthew O’Hara

Auntie Bee

Diane Brooks

Radio Announcer

Niall Macdonald

Other parts

Members of the cast

Clarsach (harp)

Rachel Hair

Guitar

Ron Jappy

Singer

Kerri Clarence

Singer

Christy Scott

Direct download: 001_HIGH_SPIRITS_.mp3
Category:Fantasy -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT

From DREAMS & SCREAMS PRODUCTIONS comes a 5-part audio horror series called The Somnilyte Sessions, produced by Sara Brooke Christian, PhD. Here we present Episodes 5, the season finale. Enjoy!

  • Episode 5 The Train is Coming

          In the season finale, Rebekah comes face to face with her greatest fear. Will Rebekah be able to escape the grips of the SomniLyte Institute? 

            Cast: Emily Gray, Chase Bernard, Sydni Meyers, Victoria Myssik, Théo Lambert-Scott, Henry Southwick, Sophia Brazda, Hannah Thibodeaux, Anna Broussard, Samantha Staggs, Abbe Gail Gross, Marq Parks, Zachary Ochinko, Robin Talbot, Brandon Persica

Direct download: EP_5_the-somnilyte-sessions.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 7:17pm EDT

From DREAMS & SCREAMS PRODUCTIONS comes a 5-part audio horror series called The Somnilyte Sessions, produced by Sara Brooke Christian, PhD. Here we present Episodes 3 & 4, which we promised for November, but life got in the way. As stated before, the finale is promised soon. Enjoy!

  • Episode 3 Birthday Cake

            The Institute’s true intentions begin to show as Rebekah endures another session and her friends and fellow patients begin to disappear.

            Written by Chase Bernard and Desiree Carpenter

            Cast: Emily Gray, Chase Bernard, Sydni Meyers, Victoria Myssik, Théo Lambert-Scott, Henry Southwick, Sophia Brazda, Hannah Thibodeaux, Anna Broussard, Samantha Staggs, Abbe Gail Gross, Marq Parks, Zachary Ochinko, Robin Talbot, Brandon Persica

  • Episode 4 In The Name of Science

            Rebekah investigates the unexplained and confronts those in charge in her most tense dreamscape yet.

            Written by Aaron Wood and Sara Brooke Christian

            Cast: Emily Gray, Chase Bernard, Sydni Meyers, Victoria Myssik, Théo Lambert-Scott, Henry Southwick, Sophia Brazda, Hannah Thibodeaux, Anna Broussard, Samantha Staggs, Abbe Gail Gross, Marq Parks, Zachary Ochinko, Robin Talbot, Brandon Persica

Direct download: EPS-3-N-4__the-somnilyte-sessions.output.mp3
Category:Horror -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT

A FISH IN THE SEA PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: The Screaming Skull

In the second annual edition of The Chilling Tales of Yuletide, we have a full-length adaptation of the 19th century short story, The Screaming Skull.

After the death of his friends, Dr and Mrs Pratt, Captain Braddock takes up residence in their former home. Yet he soon becomes convinced that the skull he found in the upstairs bedroom screams every night, haunting him, and that it was the cause of Dr Pratt's death. When investigators Miller and Shaughnessy (a believer and skeptic respectively) arrive to learn more about the situation on the night before Christmas Eve, Captain Braddock explains the haunting, as well as his theory that the skull belonged to Mrs Pratt and that her husband killed her. A half-tormented man himself, Captain Braddock is erratic in his explanations and retellings, and even Shaughnessy's skepticism is slowly put to the test as the haunting of the skull begins to drag them into the tale of murder and betrayal and guilty consciences.

Based on the story by Frances Marion Crawford and adapted by Lana O'Kell.

Sound Editor: Tori Taylor

Captain Charles Braddock: Pete Lutz

Miller: Joshua Chadwick

Shaughnessy: Lana O'Kell

FIND MORE "A FISH IN THE SEA PRODUCTIONS" at Apple Podcasts and all podcast providers

Direct download: The_Screaming_Skull_Full_Score.mp3
Category:Christmas -- posted at: 6:50am EDT