Kraft Music Hall w/Bing Crosby 44-12-21 Christmas Show

Philco Radio Time w/Bing Crosby 47-12-24 Christmas Show

Yes, it's a full hour of music and comedy when Bing and his special guests gather round the microphone for the holidays. In these two examples of Bing's standard Christmas fare, we'll hear the 1944 Kraft Music Hall show, and the one from Philco Radio Time in 1947.

We hope you've enjoyed these holiday selections, personally selected by Moonlight Audio Theatre's curators. OLD TIME-RADIO

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF NERO WOLFE: The Case of the Slaughtered Santas (CHRISTMAS)

Sydney Greenstreet stars as the title character, which originated in the novels by Rex Stout. Wolfe is reluctant to take on a strange case involving the murders of several bell-ringing, corner-standing Santa Clauses. Originally aired 12/22/50. OLD-TIME RADIO

THE SIX-SHOOTER: "Britt Ponset's Christmas Carol"

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a monthly podcast dedicated to the discussion and evaluation of various episodes of Old-Time Radio. As our title suggests, we look for and try to select those episodes that truly represent a particular series, and belong in every OTR aficionado's collection. And so we present, as our 2nd annual Christmas Special, this episode of the Western series starring James Stewart, "The Six-Shooter". Join us for the full episode, and stay for the discussion afterwards! Co-hosts Pete, Paul and Dave have years of experience listening to classic radio shows and you'll have fun listening to the deconstruction.

For more episodes of this series, search "Old-Time Radio Essentials" at naradaradio.libsyn.com

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT LIGHTS WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE, 1941 (CHRISTMAS)

In this historic broadcast direct from the White House, hear FDR's words as he lights the White House Christmas tree, just two weeks or so after the attack on Pearl Harbor. With greetings from the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, songs from a choir, and statements from both Pres. Roosevelt and special guest Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, who was visiting Washington at the time. (OLD-TIME RADIO)

HOTPOINT HOLIDAY HOUR: "The Man Who Came to Dinner" starring Jack Benny (CHRISTMAS)

In this delightful radio adaptation of the famous Kaufman & Hart script, Jack Benny plays the curmudgeonly Sheridan Whiteside, who takes over the home of a wealthy family in an Ohio town, after he is injured in a fall. While the role wasn't written with Benny in mind, Jack's personality is infused with Whiteside's and the play truly becomes his. Enjoy! (OLD-TIME RADIO)

LUX RADIO THEATRE: Miracle on 34th Street (CHRISTMAS)

In this delightful adaptation of the classic Holiday film, Lux presents the story of Kriss Kringle, who gets hired as 'the best store Santa Claus ever" by Macy's Department Store in New York City. But is he truly old Saint Nick, as the children come to believe, or just a deranged old coot? Find out for yourself as you listen in delight to "Miracle on 34th Street"! Originally aired on CBS radio, 12-20-48.

SANTA'S STOLEN TOY SACK, A Jake Dimes Christmas Number

In this special Christmas Western adventure, Jake Dimes, Range Detective returns to tell a heartwarming tale of the Old West, so have a seat and lend us yore ears, pard'ners! Adapted, produced and directed by Pete Lutz, from a pulp Western story written by S. Omar Barker. Starring THE NARADA RADIO COMPANY.

CAST:

Dana Gonsalves as JAKE DIMES

Glenn Hascall as MR. PINKELSON

Austin Beach as BRIAR BUCK

John Bell as POP JECKLIN

Owen McCuen as OLD JOE McGILLIS

Agnes McCuen as CAP

Eloise McCuen as KITTY

Aubrey Miller as MARTHA and

Sebastian Ruiz as EDDIE

with additional voices by Lisa Michaud, Philboyd Studge, Ana Ruiz, Evy Elizondo, Crosby Miller, Eva Huckaby, Ian Robertson and Jacqueline Robertson.

Music passages came from "The Winter's Passed" by Wayne Barlow, plus the traditional Christmas carols "Wexford Carol" and "The Holly and the Ivy".

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

MIRACLE FOR CHRISTMAS (DRAMA)

It's the Narada Radio Company's 2nd of three very special holiday offerings for 2020, a loving remake of the classic radio drama, "Miracle for Christmas", from the Grand Central Station series, broadcast annually for several years. Our script is from the 12-24-1949 broadcast. In this heartwarming tale, a cynical ambulance driver resents having to work on Christmas Eve; but he soon realizes the importance of his job when the young doctor he is transporting from case to case appears to perform miracle after miracle. You will want to listen to this one again and again. NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ANNOUNCERS: Michele Barnett, Dawn Robertson

MAC: John Bell

DR. MASON: Dana Gonsalves

SWITCHBOARD GIRL/ELLIE: Jessica Mathews

DR. GARRETT: Chuck Wilson

DISPATCHER: Dawn Robertson

DRUNK/YOUNG FATHER: Pete Lutz

VOICE IN THE CROWD: Ross Bernhardt

MUSIC BY Dr. Ross Bernhardt

DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY Pete Lutz

Recorded via Zoom in November 2020.

PROJECT AUDION PRESENTS: "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas"

In this new production, the Project Audion players remake Norman Corwin's classic holiday tale, told completely in rhyme! We learn how the forces of evil want to destroy Christmas, and how a hero comes to the rescue! 

Project Audion was created in 2020 by Larry Groebe of Generic Radio Workshop and this is their 13th production, bringing actors from all over the United States, plus a few from Canada, together via Zoom to re-create the classics of Old-Time Radio. Find more productions (with video included!) at YouTube: search "project audion larry groebe".

CAST:

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (COMEDY)

Lovingly remade by the Narada Radio Company, this is Radio City Playhouse's adaptation of Paul Gallico's short story, originally broadcast 12/25/49 on NBC Radio. A newspaperman and his photographer are shanghaied on Christmas Eve by the Editor's bossy wife to find and deliver two goats and a red wagon. Hijinks and hilarity ensue as they reluctantly take on this challenge.

CAST:

Pete Lutz as PERRY BROWN

Dana Gonsalves as AL VOGEL

John Bell as TEX COURT and MR. PETTINGSOLL

Jessica Mathews as RUSTY

Michele Barnett as ANNOUNCER and MRS. BUANACASSA

Dawn Robertson as THE WAITRESS, MRS. PETTINGSOLL and THE BOY

Chuck Wilson as THE BUTLER and THE WAITER

John Bell, Jessica Mathews and Chuck Wilson as THE GOATS.

Music was by Dr. Ross Bernhardt.

Direction and post-production by Pete Lutz

Recorded in Zoom in November 2020.

THE LAST WIGWAM CHRISTMAS (SUPERNATURAL/CHRISTMAS)

"Uncanny County" is an anthology series featuring stories of the supernatural, the weird, and the macabre; sometimes the stories are touching, other times they're humorous. But they're always extremely well-made and entertaining. 

In "The Last Wigwam Christmas", an Indian-themed motel on a deserted stretch of road is seeing an unusual amount of traffic on Christmas Eve. In Uncanny County, anything can happen, and it usually does.

CAST:

Alison Crane, Todd Faulkner, Emily Edwards, Matthew Hammond, Ron Sanborn, Monah Yancy, William Franke

Written by Allison Crane, adapted from her play.

Uncanny County created by Todd Faulkner & Alison Crane

Produced by Todd Faulkner, Alison Crane and William Franke

Executive Producer: Jessica Walker

A Christmas Carol is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech.

A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, and then three other spirits, all in hopes of transforming Scrooge into a better man.

This production is brought to you by Studio Severn, produced and directed by Gareth Severn. It is an adaptation of the 1939 radio play starring Lionel Barrymore, whom some say was the best and only Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Narrator/Belle's Husband/Second Gentleman – Gareth Severn

Ebenezer Scrooge – Glenn Hascall

Bob Cratchit – Rocky Westbrook

Fred (Scrooge's Nephew) – Ted Wenskus

Gentleman (Collector for charity)/Tiny Tim – Steven Walker

Ghost of Marley – Pete Lutz

Ghost of Christmas Past – Larry Oliver

Ghost of Christmas Present – Dexter Herron

Fezziwig  – Owen McCuen

Belle/Fran/Girl  – Zoe Jenkins

Mrs Cratchit – Julia Eve

Martha Cratchit – Sarah Pinel

First Gentleman – Tom Fellas

Mrs Dilber – Natalie Winter

Charwoman – Lillian Rachel

Undertaker's Man – Cary Michel Ayers

Old Joe – Terry Cooper

Scrooge's Niece – Natalie Chisolm

The Cratchitt Children - Zoe Jenkins, Gareth Severn, Joanie and Chloe Denhart

Penned in 1847, Emily Bronte's story of love, hate, and revenge has remained an eternal classic. Heathcliff, a foundling boy, is taken in by the kind Mr. Earnshaw and raised with his own children, Cathy and Hindley. While Hindley's jealousy grows, Cathy finds the boy endearing and together they form an inseparable bond. Despite her connection and love for Heathcliff, Cathy struggles with fulfilling society's expectations of her to marry a rich man or the desire to follow her heart: Heathcliff. SOLE TWIN AUDIO

John Bell as the Announcer and Lockwood

Karl Werner as Heathcliff

Mindy Rast-Keenan as Isabella

Marisha Tapera as Ellen

Alexa Chipman as Cathy

Karim Kronfli as Earnshaw

Rachel Pulliam as Young Heathcliff

Emily Smith as Young Cathy

Gabriel Harris as Young Hindley

David Ault as Hindley

Pete Lutz as Edgar Linton

John Lingard as Joseph

Jerry Kokich as Dr Kenneth

Alex Gilmour as Servant

Directed by Rachel Pulliam

"TODAY'S SPECIAL" (HORROR)

Welcome to "The Cellar", Episode Five: "Today's Special", by our director/producer Pete Lutz, inspired by an episode of the BBC Radio series, "The Price of Fear". It's the story of two friends who frequent a little out-of-the-way restaurant in the Hill Country of Texas. What's on the menu may turn out to be a little...unusual. Bon Appetit! NARADA RADIO COMPANY

CAST:

ANNOUNCER: Graham Rowat

CADAVERA QUIVRY (Your Ghostly Host): Angela Young

LINUS MATHRIDGE: Alan Clower

CAVIN CARSTAIRS: Dana Gonsalves

MRS MATHRIDGE/HOSTESS: Kristy Glick

MME. FEDOSIA: Aileen Corpos

RESTAURANT PATRON: Kevin Schuster

AIRPORT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Zoe Jenkins, Pete Lutz

MUSIC composed for this episode by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

"THE CELLAR" Theme by Tom Rory Parsons