Episode 1 -- "Treasure Island", The Mercury Theatre On the Air

Based on the very positive response from our 2nd annual Christmas Special, Moonlight Audio is happy to present the full series of Old-Time Radio Essentials, a podcast wherein a specific episode from a selected OTR series is presented, and then discussed by three co-hosts: Pete Lutz, Jane St. John and Paul Arbisi; to determine whether or not it 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 first installment, the 2nd episode of Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre series, "Treasure Island", originally broadcast July 18th, 1938. 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! 

To comment or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Watch for monthly releases of Old-Time Radio Essentials, right here on Moonlight Audio!

PULP-POURRI THEATRE S3 E4: The Time-Cutter (SCI-FI)

“The Time-Cutter” is an original story by our producer-director, Pete Lutz. Originally written and produced as a live “radio” drama on the stage at Harbor Playhouse in 2001, Pete revised the script for Pulp-Pourri Theatre in 2014. This production is sponsored by Ō-Sha-Lene Motor Fuel and stars the Narada Radio Company. It's a companion piece to the previously issued "D.N.A. Pit" episode.

John Dark lives in the year 2050 but believes he somehow got unstuck in time and originally comes from another era, one in the past. He makes a living in Celestial City as a time-traveling private detective, calling himself “The Time-Cutter”.  This episode of Pulp-Pourri Theatre outlines John Dark’s latest case, which could, on a very personal level, be called his strangest. Listen and enjoy!

CAST OF CHARACTERS (In order of appearance): 

JOHN DARK: Todd Jones

VIVIAN CHEN: Griffin Greene

BRENDA ROMERO: Katie Loftin

TAXI DRIVER: Mark Hacala

SHOOTER: Julio Herrera

REPORTER: Aaron Kenigsberg

KIM MICHAEL: McKenna DeYoung

NURSE NANCY: Ophelia McBride

ANNOUNCER: Lisa Ayala

ADDITIONAL VOICES: Emily Carpenter, Christin Sanchez 

Ō-SHA-LENE Commercial Voices: 

Derek Lutz/John Valadez/Michele Cotter/Pete Lutz/Cheyenne Gibbs/Jason D. Johnson/Debby Leal/Lisa Ayala

OPENING ANNOUNCERS: Gene Lutz, Rich Wentworth

PULP-POURRI THEATRE THEME composed and performed by Rich Wentworth 

MUSIC BY THE FOLLOWING (Through a Creative Commons License):

The Good Lawdz, “One For Brownie”

U.S. Army Blues Band, “Dance Of The Stargazer”

The Good Lawdz, “Preachin’ The Blues”

U.S. Army Blues Band, “Bayou Farewell”

Dazie Mae, “I Have To Spend More Time With My Lover”

Kevin MacLeod, “Reign Supreme”

Kevin MacLeod, “Unseen Horrors”

Blue Dot Sessions, “That River Wide”

Kevin MacLeod, “Water Lily” 

SLIPPERY FINGERS by Dashiell Hammett (MYSTERY)

We proudly present episode three, "Slippery Fingers", adapted by Pete Lutz from Hammett's third published Op story, in 1923. We hope you enjoy it and will join us for future episodes. 

The Tec is hired by the adult son of a wealthy man, who was found murdered in his study under unusual circumstances. Fingerprints were found on the murder weapon but they can't be traced to anybody. Join the Tec for an unusual look into police procedure and specialized criminal activity! 

ADVENTURES OF THE FEDERATED TEC WAS CONCEIVED BY PETE LUTZ AND DEVELOPED BY PETE LUTZ AND MARK SLADE. "Slippery Fingers" was dramatized, directed and produced by Pete Lutz. Mixing and post-production was by Daniel French of Fishbonius Sound Design.

Our Cast consisted of the following players:

ANNOUNCER: Darren Rockhold

THE FEDERATED TEC, HORSEY BOY 2: Pete Lutz

FREDERICK GROVER, BOB TEAL: Jordan Bruster

BARTON, DET. PHELS, VOICE OF HAMMETT: Paul Arbisi

NED ROOT, GEORGE FARR:  Jeff Moon

HORSEY BOY 1, DET. DEAN, MARQUIS HOTEL DETECTIVE: John Bell 

JOSEPH CLANE: Frank Guglielmelli

SGT. O'GAR: Jason D. Johnson

DICK FOLEY: Mark Kalita 

THE OLD MAN: Joe Stofko

THEME/INCIDENTAL MUSIC: Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Join us next time for episode four, "The Black Hat that Wasn't There"! AND BE SURE TO HEAR ALL EPISODES OF THIS SERIES, RIGHT HERE ON MOONLIGHT AUDIO!

2-B-R-0-2-B by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (SCI-FI)

Join us in the year 2000 as seen from the 1960s, in this classic dystopian story by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. 2-B-R-0-2-B (pronounced "To Be Or Not To Be") is set in a different America, one where population control is the absolute law. A dark story but not without a bit of humor. From season 2 of Pulp-Pourri Theatre, adapted, directed and produced by Pete Lutz, and starring the Narada Radio Company.

Certain music passages by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com. All materials such as sound effects and incidental music in this production were sourced from the public domain or other sources, were used for entertainment purposes only, with no infringement intended. Special features between the acts and commercials for fictitious products were written and produced by Pete Lutz.

VONNEGUT: Christian Ferris 

EDWARD K. WEHLING, JR: John Valadez 

DR. BENJAMIN HITZ: Jason D. Johnson 

LEORA DUNCAN: Wendy Sauer

COP: Derek E. Lutz

PAINTER: Pete Lutz 

NURSE: Darrin Ruiz

HOSPITAL ORDERLY: Dana Gonsalves

ETHICAL SUICIDE HOSTESS: Leanne King

SPECIAL FEATURES CAST:
Chip Lutz, Andy Schmillen, Ken Schmillen, Chris Hawkins, Stephanie Jordan, McKenna DeYoung, Maggie Strain, Cheyenne Gibbs

THE D.N.A. PIT (SCI-FI)

“The D.N.A. Pit” is an original story by Pulp-Pourri Theatre's producer-director, Pete Lutz. Originally written and produced as a live “radio” drama on the stage at Harbor Playhouse in 2001, Pete revised the script for the series' third season in 2014. This production is sponsored by Dromedary Cigarettes and stars the Narada Radio Company. 

Dr. Philip Schaefer is a geneticist in Celestial City who has invented what's being called an Earth-shattering device: The D.N.A. Pit, which is capable of altering any living creature's DNA. Dr. Schaefer wants to use his device for the good of mankind, but forces beyond his control may try to subvert his miraculous device to their own twisted ends! Listen and enjoy!

CAST OF CHARACTERS (In order of appearance):

VENESSA SANTOS: Aileen Corpos
DR. PHILIP SCHAEFER: Dana Gonsalves*
DR. DARREN McCORMICK: Austin Hanna
COMPUTER VOICE: Angela Elgueda Young*
STERLING STEELE: Mark Hacala
HOMELESS MAN/HENCHMAN: Juan Perez

THE EYES OF THAR (SCI-FI)

For this episode from Pulp-Pourri Theatre's fourth season, we journey to the Red Planet for a weird sci-fi adventure that takes place both under the surface and in a completely different universe. It's called "The Eyes of Thar" and was penned by that prolific pulpster, Henry Kuttner.

Kuttner lived a short life, dying in 1958 at the age of 42, but in that time he published dozens of short stories for the pulps, 18 or more novels, and just as many stories for the Golden-Age Green Lantern comic book series. If you haven't heard of Kuttner, perhaps you've read a story published under one of 17 different pseudonyms; his contemporaries felt he'd been cheated out of his well-deserved fame, because his fans didn't know he'd written so many stories under so many names.

"The Eyes of Thar" was originally published under the Kuttner name in the Fall 1944 issue of Planet Stories. The adaptation was written by Pete Lutz in 2014 and recorded in 2016, with some pick-up lines recorded in 2017. Ms. Morizawa's introduction was recorded in 2017.

Stay tuned after the episode to hear a very special announcement for a worthy organization.

CAST:

GUEST INTRODUCTION by Julia Morizawa of "The Bright Sessions" podcast

ANNOUNCER, QUIANA, and THE CREATURE: Kristy Glick

SAMUEL DANTAN and THE SHAMAN: Pete Lutz

Musical score composed and performed by Tom Rory Parsons

Post-production and sound design by MJ Cogburn

Pulp-Pourri Theatre theme composed and performed by Rich Wentworth

Opening announcements by Gene Lutz and Rich Wentworth

FIRST CONTACT (SCI-FI)

A re-imagining of the classic story from the Old Time Radio Show X Minus One. The story was written by Murray Leinster and bought up to date by Gareth Severn of Studio Severn Productions.

Two distant and differing races encounter each other in a chance meeting in outer space. How will they react to each other? Will this meeting culminate in a great friendship or will everything turn sour? Find out when we have 'First Contact'.

Starring

The Announcer - Jerry Kokich

Dave Maresca - Lt. Dort

Pete Lutz - Captain Roger Emmenheim

Emily Rittamer - The Alien

Robert Finch - The Commander

Frank Guglielmelli - Weapons Control

Lashanta Hall - Communications Officer

Rocky Westbrook - Navigation Controller

Lt. Burns - Carson Campbell

Special Credits - Artwork: Stephen Goad

DOCTOR WHO: THE FINAL GAME - Episode 7 (SCI-FI)

At long last, the final chapter in this special Doctor Who fanfic series from Studio Severn and Black Glove Studios! (See our previous chapters right here at Moonlight Audio!)

The Final Game Part Seven

Two Time Lords. One Last Battle. A Final Farewell.

Celebrating 50 Years of Jon Pertwee and Roger Delgado in Doctor Who

Cast List

The Doctor - Marshall Tankersley

The Master - Terry Cooper

Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart - Tony J Fyler

Sarah Jane Smith - Sarah Wheatley

Liz Shaw - Denise Sutton

Jo Jones - Julia Eve

Mike Yates - Johnny Robinson

Sgt Benton - Richard Gurl

Lieutenant Samantha Thompson - Zoe Jenkins

Corporal Carol Bell - Natalie Chisholm

Corporal Maisie Hawk - Lillian Rachel

San Jackson - Lee Rawlings

Sgt Osgood - Stephen McGrane

Prime Minister Jeremy Thorpe - Mark McManus

The Daleks - James Hart

The First Doctor - Owen McCuen

The Second Doctor - Chris Walker-Thomson

The Next Doctor - Paul Jones

Jeremy Fitzoliver - Gareth Severn

Doctor Henderson - Paul Arbisi

THE CELLAR Episode 6: "The Defense Rests" (HORROR)

"Do you dare to go down into...THE CELLAR?"

Welcome to episode six of our continuing horror/suspense anthology series, "The Defense Rests", adapted by our director/producer Pete Lutz, from a 1938 pulp-fiction story by Julius Long. Joanna Sanders is a ruthless defense attorney who will stop at nothing to get her clients acquitted, until one day she suddenly finds herself unable to do a thing in the aftermath of a particular murder.

CAST:

ANGELA YOUNG as CADAVERA QUIVRY

GRAHAM ROWAT as YOUR ANNOUNCER

Aileen Corpos as JOANNA SANDERS

Lisa Ayala, Katie Loftin, Zoe Jenkins and Rachel Rumler as THE REPORTERS

Zoe Jenkins as THE BAILIFF and THE BYSTANDER

Teddi Giggy as THE JUDGE

Merilee Robinson as THE FOREWOMAN OF THE JURY

Lisa Michaud as DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROBERTS

Jessica Mathews as TALIA

Leo Longoria as COSTELLO

Michele Barnett as DOCTOR ASMAN

Jackie Ayers as DOCTOR GOWANS

Victoria Fancki as BILLIE WILLIAMS

"The Cellar" theme by Tom Rory Parsons

Sound effects created by Pete Lutz, and/or acquired from freesound.org and/or the Public Domain

Music passages from the following compositions by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech.com:

Symmetry

Shadowlands 2 - Bridge

Shadowlands 4 - Breath

Shadowlands 7 - Codex

LOST HEARTS by M. R. James (HORROR)

This tale tells the story of Stephen Elliott, a young orphan boy, who is sent to stay with his much older cousin, Mr Abney, at a remote country mansion, Aswarby Hall, in Lincolnshire. His cousin is a reclusive alchemist obsessed with making himself immortal. Unfortunately, Stephen soon discovers a terrible secret at Aswarby that may affect his life drastically.

CAST:

STEPHEN: Austin Mosher

MR. ABNEY: Pete Lutz

NARRATOR/MRS. BUNCH: Sarah Golding

MR. PARKES: Jason D. Johnson

Closing credits read by C. K. Standard

Adapted for audio by Pete Lutz from the 1895 short story by M. R. James.

Produced, Composed, Directed and Sound Designed by Tom Rory Parsons   

Art by Rachel Peebles