Today is a good day to listen to Bad Day at Black Rock, Project Audion's latest radio drama recreation. We're going far afield with this 1959 show, because by this time in America, television had killed off the great radio movie adaptation series like "Lux Radio Theatre." In other countries like Australia, radio drama still thrived through shows like Caltex Theatre. They adapted Bad Day at Black Rock from the gritty, Oscar-nominated 1955 drama with Spencer Tracy, where one man takes on a dying town that harbors a dirty secret. Now Project Audion recreates it with a transcribed-live coast-to-coast cast which includes:
MACREEDY: Les Marsden (CA)
SMITH/JENKINSON: Pete Lutz (TX)
COLEY/ANNOUNCER: Tom Konkle (CA)
DOC: Dana Gonsalves (TX)
SHERIFF/CONDUCTOR 2: John Bell (AL)
PETE: Austin Hanna (TX)
HASTINGS: Gino Vianelli (CA)
LIZ: Jesirae Kesler (TX)
VOICE/SAM/CONDUCTOR 1: Larry Groebe (TX)
Pete Lutz directed, & Larry Groebe produced
Sonic Summerstock 2022: The Campbell Playhouse production of TWENTIETH CENTURY -- this is the full production, available now as a single track!
(Orig. rel. 7/24/22) Please enjoy this special re-enactment of a classic radio play (adapted from a famous film and stage play). Twentieth Century is a screwball comedy, with laughs and situations that come at you as rapidly as the railroad train for which it's named. Listen and enjoy! NARADA RADIO COMPANY.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Les Marsden as OSCAR JAFFE
Rhiannon McAfee as LILY GARLAND
Dana Gonsalves as OWEN O'MALLEY
Pete Lutz as OLIVER WEBB and McGONIGLE
Lothar Tuppan as MAX JACOBS, LLOYD, and GERMAN ACTOR 1
John Bell as MR. CLARK and the COP
Rachel Pulliam as SADIE
Tom Konkle as GEORGE SMITH and ANNOUNCER
Carl Thomas as UNCLE RUFUS and THE PORTER
Larry Groebe as THE CONDUCTOR
Jesirae Kesler as ANITA and MISS SCHULTZ
Gino Vinanelli as FLANNAGAN, POP, and GERMAN ACTOR 2
Victoria Fancki as VALERIE and the WOMAN ON THE TRAIN
Jason D. Johnson as FATHER and the MAN ON THE TRAIN and
Jack Ward as STANLEY, the SHERIFF, and the WESTERN UNION MAN
Music by Ross Bernhardt
Special thanks to Rick Tribble for providing the "Rail Sounds" LP that furnished most of the...um...rail sounds.
(Orig. rel. date 7/3/22) Sonic Summerstock Playhouse returns with of this very special remake of a BBC Sunday Night Theatre episode from 1958, "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" by Herman Wouk. We hope you enjoy it! It was recorded over Zoom using actors in California, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Alabama. Directed by Pete Lutz and starring The Narada Radio Company
Gareth Severn as the BBC ANNOUNCER
Les Marsden as CAPTAIN QUEEG
Dana Gonsalves as LIEUTENANT MARYK
Austin Hanna as LT JUNIOR GRADE KEITH
Tom Konkle as LT KEEFER
Carl Yowell as LCDR CHALLEE
Chuck Wilson as CAPTAIN SOUTHARD
Joe Martinez as DR LUNDEEN
Paul Arbisi as DR BIRD
Rachel Pulliam as PETTY OFFICER URBAN
John Bell as CAPTAIN BLAKELY
Jessica Mathews as the STENOGRAPHER
Ebony Rose as the ORDERLY and
Pete Lutz as LIEUTENANT GREENWALD
Additional voices: Dave Robison, Edward Champion
Music for this production was composed and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt.
(Orig. rel. 11/28/21) Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials is here! It's our premiere, and Pete's pick -- and he's bringing us a thrilling episode of The Columbia Shakespeare Cycle for us to enjoy and discuss.
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-sixth number (but 1st official episode of S3), this episode of The Columbia Shakespeare Cycle - Twelfth Night, from 1937. 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.
In this horror-comedy by Joann Farias, a man makes jewelry out of the teeth of dead people, and the town he lives in experiences a rash of hauntings. Originally broadcast in 1996 on Public Radio.
Performed by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe in their downtown Nicholasville, Kentucky theater during the 2022 Summer show, June 24 - 26. This is an episode of "Easy Aces" called "Jane's Mother Comes To Visit".
Performers include Connie McDonald (Ace), Denise Cline (Jane), Susan Clements (Mrs. Bell), Kaitlyn Wesley (Miss Anderson), and Steve Watts (Ken and Mother) Singing the lead song is Rachel Williams. www.kcalotr.com
Performed by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe in their downtown Nicholasville, Kentucky theater during the 2022 Summer show, June 24 - 26. This is a combination of two "Lum and Abner" old time radio episode that aired in May of 1943.
Performers include David Damron as the announcer and Cedric, Norman Cline as Lum, and Doug Fain as Abner. Singing the lead song is Rachel Williams. www.kcalotr.com
(Orig. rel. 6/4/21) Project Audion premieres our latest recreation - a lost episode of On Stage. No recordings exist of this OTR drama from July 1954, so Patte Rosebank in Canada and Tim Burns in Kansas are stepping into the roles that Cathy and Elliott Lewis played on the original broadcast, assisted by Trevor Rines in Canada with music and FX from Larry Groebe in Texas. On Stage was an anthology series created by (and for) the Lewises, who had appeared on so many radio shows they became known as "Mr. and Mrs. Radio." In this episode, "Interlude", two lost and lonely adults who find each other one in a bar one night, and find the paths of their lives changed. This Audion recreation was directed by Patte Rosebank and produced by Larry Groebe.
(Orig. rel. 3/5/21) Project Audion's latest production recreates a vintage episode of "Destination X" called "Requiem", an adaptation of a short story by science fiction master Robert Heinlein. In our 21st-century world, when it's been over 50 years since we first set foot on the moon, it's fascinating to revisit a time when we had yet to even send a man into space. What dreams might drive a man to reach the moon and the stars? Dimension X gave us answers in this episode from September 1951.
Our North American cast includes:
Bob Beaumont in California
Marty Bufalini in Michigan
Larry Groebe in Texas
Lesley Marberry in Tennessee
John Mauldin in Tennessee
Brad Oxnam in Tennessee
Jacob Palka in Illinois
Rachel Pulliam in Missouri
Sound Effects were by Ken Rainey in Texas, and John Mauldin directed.
(Orig. rel. 9/4/20) Project Audion's 10th episode recreates one the best episodes from the award-winning 1950s science fiction series "X Minus One" using a cross-country Zoom conference and a cast of both Audion veterans and first-timers:
Announcer: Trevor Rines in Canada
Narrator: Kim Titus in Texas
Guy Burkhardt: Lothar Tuppan in California
Mary Burkhardt: Rachel Pulliam in Missouri
Henry Swanson: Duane Noch in New Jersey
Dorchin: John Bell in Alabama
April Horn: M J Cogburn in Texas
With sound effects by Key Raney in Texas, and production and direction by Larry Groebe
In "The Tunnel Under the World," based on a story by Frederick Pohl, a man was up on June 15th with a strange feeling of deja vu. His suspicions turn out to be justified when he eventually discovers his whole world is not what it seems to be...
(Orig. rel. 6/27/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials concludes! It's our finale, and Pete's pick -- and he's bringing us an exciting episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers for us to enjoy and discuss.
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-fifth number (but 12th official episode of S2), this episode of Tales of the Texas Rangers from 1950. 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! WARNING: This OTR episode contains derogatory comments about Latin-Americans. Listener discretion is advised.
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.
(Orig. rel. date 5/23/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! It's our new co-host's choice this episode -- and New Dave, for our 5th episode of 2021, and has picked a very exciting episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe for us to discuss.
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-fourth number (but 11th official episode of S2), this episode of Philip Marlowe from 1950. 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.
Recording of a live performance of the Narada Radio Company, at RealmsCon 2015 in Corpus Christi, TX. Originally released 10/30/15, on archive dot org, in honor of World Audio Drama Day.
Our production has all the earmarks of a live performance: people coughing, folks walking in and out of the room, etc. Try not to let that distract you too much.
"Inner Sanctum Mysteries: Death of a Doll" was originally broadcast on NBC radio in October 1948.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
(orig. rel. 4/25/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! We introduce our new co-host this episode -- and we hope you enjoy the New Dave! This installment is our fourth for 2021, and Paul gets two choices in a row for some reason, so he selected an episode of Boston Blackie entitled "Murder at the Rodeo" for us to discuss.
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-third number (but 10th official episode of S2), this episode of Boston Blackie from 1946. 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.
Premiering on Project Audion, a brand-new episode of "The Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Show" that sounds just as if an unknown script from 1940 had suddenly turned up. That's just how spot-on is the writing in this tribute penned for Project Audion by former Bob Hope comedy writer Robert L Mills.
Charlie and Edgar come up against W. C. Fields as well as a snarky agent from the IRS who sounds suspiciously like the unmistakable voice of Frank Nelson. It's our tribute to that most improbable of vintage radio's hit shows - a radio comedy starring a ventriloquist. Close your eyes and listen, then rewind to watch how our coast-to-coast cast (pictured here) handled the transcribed-live performance. Delightful summertime entertainment that speaks for itself!
Participants in this show included:
Robert L. Mills in California
Duane Noch in New Jersey
Pete Lutz in Texas
Bob Beaumont in California
Paul Arbisi in Illinois and
JoAnne Kurman in California
Robert L. Mills penned the script, while Larry Groebe produced and handled the audio from Texas.
(Orig. rel. 3/14/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This installment is our third for 2021, and we finally come back around to Paul, whose choice for this episode is an entry in the Duffy's Tavern series, just in time for St. Patrick's Day, with guest star Pat O'Brien. Archie and the gang are getting Duffy's Tavern decorated for the wedding anniversary of the boss and his wife, and film star O'Brien drops by to lend a hand.
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-second number (but 9th official episode of S2), this episode of Duffy's Tavern 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! We also say farewell to our co-host, Dave Feldmann, who is launching his own OTR podcast.
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.
MINDSTREAM PLAYERS PRESENT: RED WIND
Vernon Wells (Commando, Mad Max) as Detective Philip Marlowe
ADDITIONAL CAST:
Pete Handelman, Kate Enggren, Theresa Ireland, Kurtis Bedford, Tom Konkle , Gino Vianelli, Jude Gerard Prest
"There was a rough desert wind blowing into Los Angeles that evening, one of those hot dry Santa Ana winds that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair, make your nerves jump and your skin itch." Philip Marlowe closed up his office early and went out to get a beer. There is a drunk in the bar, then a guy named Waldo enters looking for a tall good-looking girl in a silk dress and bolero jacket. He finds she isn’t there and as he leaves the drunk guy calls him Waldo, then kills him with a shot from his gun. Philip Marlowe finds himself investigating who shot Waldo and why. This was the first episode of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe.
MINDSTREAM PLAYERS PRESENT:
DRACULA: A TALE IN BLOOD
A tale of horror in the theater of the mind.
Starring Pete Handelman, Jude Gerard Prest, Vernon George Wells, Theresa Ireland, Tanya Johnson, Kurtis Bedford, and Tom Konkle as Dracula.
Directed and edited by Tom Konkle.
Produced by Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle.
Inspired by Orson Welles.
Special thank you to Vincent Colavitti for sound design, mix and effects.
The Shadow Murders In Wax by Mindstream Players
Starring Kurtis Bedford
Karah Britton as Margo Lane
Jude Gerard Prest
Pete Handelman
Matt Fowler
Theresa Ireland
Tom Konkle as The Shadow
Bob Clendenin
Gino Vianelli
Cassidy Brown
Music by Bryan Arata
Adapted from the 1938 radio drama and directed by Tom Konkle
Produced by Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle
ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE - not for listeners under age 13
A tongue-in-cheek application of the classic Flash Gordon radio serial. In this hilarious send-up, Flash deals with hawk-men and a strange queen.
Flash Gordon was played by Tom Konkle, later famous for nothing in particular. The cast also includes Rhiannon McAfee as Dale Arden, Gino C. Vianelli as Captain Thune, Stephanie Stearns Dulli as the Witch Queen Azora, Pete Lutz as Sal. Also starring Kurtis Bedford as Zug and starring Pete Handelman as the announcer and Hawkman with a hose. 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 after we did a faithful version of episode one.) Edit and Sound effects by Tom Konkle. Music by Bryan Arata. The comedy version script by Tom Konkle. Producers Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle started the Mindstream Players.
(Orig. launched 2/27/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This installment is our second for 2021, and instead of rotating to Paul, we have brought in as our special guests, the co-hosts of THE MYSTERIOUS OLD RADIO LISTENING SOCIETY: Joshua, Tim, and Eric! Their choice for this episode is an entry in the Columbia Workshop series, called "A Radio Primer", written by Norman Corwin. (Dave couldn't make it for this episode but he'll be back next time!) Join us for a five-way discussion that is hilarious at times, but always informative!
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twenty-first number (but 8th official episode of S2), this episode of The Columbia Workshop from 1941. 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.
PROJECT AUDION #30, Season 3 Premiere!
Out of more than 900 episodes that the classic radio thriller Suspense produced between 1942 and 1962, there are 13 shows that are missing, and OTR researchers have tried for years to track them down. One of the missing 13 is "The Eavesdropper," which aired just once - January 3, 1956. No recording has ever been found. Thanks to Suspense historian Dr. Joe Webb, Project Audion is able to recreate "The Eavesdropper" so you can hear it for the first time in more than 65 years - a story of a high-rise murder plot that was discovered and which leads to a double execution.
Our transcribed-live recreation features a cast that reaches from Hollywood, California to Toronto, Canada. Watch and listen as we hope to keep you in...Suspense!
CAST:
Duane Noch, New Jersey
Patte Rosebank, Canada
Tim Burns, Kansas
Trevor Rines, Canada
Bob Beamont, California
Directed by Ms. Rosebank and produced by Larry Groebe
Here's a re-release from the 11th Hour Audio line-up for World Audio Drama Day 2018, one which the Narada Radio Company helped to make: "The Opportunist", written especially for 2018 11th Hour by Steve Schneider. Directed and recorded by Pete Lutz, and edited/mixed by MJ Cogburn of Darker Projects. Music by Ross Bernhardt. The folk song "Knoxville Girl", sung with very little skill by the director, is in the public domain.
The Cast:
Jason D. Johnson as GRAVES
Alan Clower as NORTON
Nick Wommack as HENRY
Dana Gonsalves as DEACON
Pete Lutz as LUCKY
Russ Walker as ROY
Ross Bernhardt as MORTY
Mark Rigsby as MacCLELLAN
Alisha Strand-Mueller, Jessica Mathews and Lisa Ayala as THE WRAITHS
Darren Rockhold as CREDITS ANNOUNCER
(Orig. rel. date 1/24/21) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This installment is our first for 2021, and Pete's choice, so he's bringing us an episode of "Fibber McGee & Molly": PIONEER DAYS. Will our discussion cause Dave to apply Johnson's Glo-Coat to his cat? TUNE IN AND FIND OUT!
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 twentieth number (but 7th official episode of S2), this episode of "Fibber McGee & Molly" from 1946. 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! Happy New Year!
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.
(Orig. rel. 11/22/20) Season Two of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! In this installment, our 2nd annual Thanksgiving Special, Pete, Paul and Dave present another of Paul's selections, this time an episode of Life With Luigi: THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION. Will our discussion lead to overeating? Will Dave go into a cranberry coma? TUNE IN AND FIND OUT!
And since we're on the subject of discussion, we hope to determine whether 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 18th installment (but 5th official episode of S2), this episode of Life With Luigi from 1949. 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.