NO SOAP RADIO: The Jack Benny Program, "No One Remembers Jack's Birthday"
Our 4th NO SOAP RADIO production was created in February, 2023 and premiered at the 3rd annual Jack Benny Convention. This is a recreation of the 1955 Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny - "No One Remembers Jack's Birthday". We chose this particular program to spotlight one of our actors, Victoria Gordon. Victoria’s grandfather, Al Gordon, was one of the writers on this show. Al was part of Jack Benny’s writing staff for many years and also had a very successful career writing for many TV sitcoms and variety shows throughout the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s.
This show was produced, directed and edited by Paul Kovit.
If you’d like to see a video version of this show checkout our website: https://nosoapradioplayers.com/
While there you can access our other productions as well as info about our group. And if you like our videos feel free to hit the subscribe button on YouTube so you can be alerted as soon as we release another production.
CAST:
Jack West as Jack Benny
Ian Oberg as Don Wilson
Victoria Gordon as Pauline, Lois, and the Ticket Taker
Paul Kovit as Danny Brecker
Zach Dillinger as Charlie Bagby
Laura Mirksy as Dennis Day’s mother
Annette Bochenek as Mary Livingstone and The Lucky Strike singer
Tony Semczuk as Mel, Polly the Parrot, and The Theater Manager
Paul Patterson as Rochester
Zach Eastman as the speaking Dennis Day
Robert Creighton as the singing Dennis Day
Marco Bautista, Martin O’Reilly, and Leonardo Civitano as The Beavers
Patricia Benjamin-Doyle as the Western Union Operator and Opera Singer
Adrienne Jones, Margo Hennebach, and Mark Saunders as the Birthday Singers
Our 10th NO SOAP RADIO production is based on an original script written by Craig Shemin. This Jack Benny Program takes place in 1955. Jack wonders what it would be like if he was the subject on the TV show This Is Your Life. All of the usual cast of characters make appearances, including Mary Livingstone, Dennis Day, Phil Harris, Rochester, Don Wilson, Frank Nelson, and Professor LeBlanc. Also a number of guest stars appear including Jack Benny's sister Florence, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Groucho Marx, and Fred Allen! The show was produced, directed and edited by Paul Kovit.
If you’d like to see a video version of this show checkout our website: https://nosoapradioplayers.com/
While there you can access our other productions as well as info about our group. And if you like our videos feel free to hit the subscribe button on Youtube so you can be alerted as soon as we release another production.
CAST:
John Bell as Jack Benny
Eric Jacobson as George Burns
Stephanie D’Abruzzo as Gracie Allen
Noah Diamond as Groucho Marx
Larry Groebe as Fred Allen
Craig Shemin as Professor LeBlanc
Victoria Gordon as Daisy and The Lucky Strike singer
Paul Kovit as Ralph Edwards
Zach Dillinger as Phil Harris
Annette Bochenek as Mary Livingstone
Tony Semczuk as Frank Nelson and Jack Bailey
Paul Patterson as Rochester
John Henderson as Don Wilson
Zach Eastman as Dennis Day
Laura Mirsky as Florence
Long, long before George Burns became the senior citizen movie star of films like "The Sunshine Boys" and "Oh God!" he was familiar to radio and television audiences across the country as the grounded half of the comedy couple Burns and Allen, with real-life wife (and vaudeville partner) Gracie Allen playing the ditzy dame of the duo. Theirs was a 25-year run on the airwaves, and now for Project Audion, Pete Lutz has penned a fresh new Burns and Allen script that recalls the best of their radio work during World War II, right down to their sponsor of the time, Swan Soap. Much like Bob Hope and Jack Benny did, we find the two of them at a naval base entertaining the troops, along with guest stars Henry Fonda and Chico Marx.
You'll be entertained by Audion's transcribed-live transcontinental cast of delicious, delirious vocal talents:
John Bell (as George) in Alabama
Mel Rose (as Gracie) in Pennsylvania
Dana Gonsalves (as Bill Goodwin) in Texas
Les Marsden (as Chico Marx) in California
Scott R. McKinley (as Henry Fonda) in New Jersey
Pete Lutz (as Mel Blanc as PO2 Ferguson) in Texas
Robert L. Mills (as Adm. Tarbottom) in California
Larry Groebe supervised the production.
Written and directed by Pete Lutz
SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS, based on the 1964 film and adapted/produced/directed by Pete Lutz
Martians are worried that their children are being influenced by Earth trends, so they visit the planet's wise man, who tells them that they should let their children be children, and the Earthling Santa Claus isn't such a bad thing, so their decision is to travel to Earth and kidnap the jolly old elf.
The original film has been described as one of the worst films ever made, and as a result has been spoofed by theatrical companies all over the U.S. Well, the Narada Radio Company is no exception -- originally planned for a live production in December of 2024, Murphy's Law held true and strong, so they recorded it in the director's living room instead, and said director edited the voice tracks on Saturday, December 21st, and mixed all of the music and SFX on Sunday, December 22nd. Now, if you don't like the finished product...the director wishes you a very Merry Christmas.
This play would not have been possible without the following voice talents:
Certain music passages by Dr. Ross Bernhardt; other music sourced from the public domain.
In terms of sheer fun and laughter during radio's classic mid-century era, it's hard to beat the Phil Harris/Alice Faye show. A spinoff from Jack Benny, bandleader Phil Harris and his family found themselves in classic sitcom predicaments week after week. Now, Robert L. Mills, former writer for Bob Hope, has created another fresh script that brings all those characters -- including Frankie Remley, Julius, brother Willie, your friendly Rexall druggist and others -- back to life.
Project Audion's talented voice actors came together live with a virtual studio audience to create a delightful - and delightfully accurate - recreation of a radio comedy classic:
PETE LUTZ in Texas (Phil)
ANGELA YOUNG in Florida (Alice and Nurse Syringe)
DUANE NOCH in New Jersey (Remley)
JULIE HOVERSON in Washington (Julius)
BOB BEAUMONT in California (Willie/Doctor)
MEL ROSE in Pennsylvania (Phyllis/Little Alice/Store Patron)
HARRY MIDDLEBROOKS in California (Admiral)
RANDY KERDOON in Washington (Announcer)
ROBERT L. MILLS, in California, who also scripted the show (Druggist)
Production was handled in Texas by Larry Groebe
THE REASONABLY AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DALE ARDEN & DR. ZARKOV Episode 10: Flash Gets Eclipsed Part 2
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.
Directed and edited by Tom Konkle
Written and Produced by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford
Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon and Hawkman
Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden
Kurtis Bedford as Announcer 1 and Ming
Gino C. Vianelli as Thune
David Beeler as Dr. Zarkov
Pete Lutz as Bound-and-Gagged Guard
Music various in the public domain 1934
THE REASONABLY AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DALE ARDEN & DR. ZARKOV Episode 9: Flash Gets Eclipsed, Part 1
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.
Directed and edited by Tom Konkle.
Written and Produced by Tom Konkle and Kurtis Bedford
Starring Tom Konkle as Flash Gordon and Hawkman
Stephanie Stearns Dulli as Dale Arden
Pete Lutz as Saul, Hawkman Envoy, and Guard 2
Kurtis Bedford as Announcer 1 and Ming
Gino C. Vianelli as Thune
David Beeler as Dr. Zarkov
Music various in the public domain 1934.
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)
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.
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
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
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.
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
Old-time Radio Essentials continues its 3rd season with an episode of Birds Eye Open House – "Groucho Brings a Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner"! This one's Pete's pick, or rather, that of his special guest, Essential Listener Noah Diamond*. Noah's an actor, author, podcaster, Marxian Scholar, and off-Broadway Groucho impersonator, not to mention a very funny guy, so you can imagine the discussion of this episode's merits by Noah and our three co-hosts will be sparkling and rapid-fire and exceptionally funny. But why imagine 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-fifth number (but 10th official episode of S3), this episode of Birds Eye Open House, from 11/22/45. 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: Dave brings us an episode of Let George Do It!
*Noah's body of work (and possibly his body) can be found at noahdiamond.com
Season Three of Old-Time Radio Essentials continues! This time it's Pete's pick -- but he's invited Essential Listener Rick to choose something for us to enjoy and discuss. (NARADA RADIO COMPANY)
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-ninth number (but 4th official episode of S3), this episode of The Red Skelton Program, from 4/29/49. 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: An episode of Mark Trail, and another guest programmer!
The first of two shows, performed at KCAL's annual live dinner theatre, at the First Vineyard Winery in Nicholasville, Kentucky, on Saturday, October 29, 2022. KCAL OLD-TIME RADIO TROUPE
1st episode: Fibber McGee and Molly – “The Flying Saucer”
Cast (in order of appearance):
David Damron (Wilcox and Shriner)
Norman Cline (Fibber)
Denise Cline (Molly)
Steve Watts (Doc Gamble and Sergei)
Doug Fain (Officer, Mayor Latrivia, and General)
Susan Clements (1st woman)
Galisa Watts (2nd woman)
Connie McDonald (Rhoda)
Carolyn Threlkeld (Teeney)
As performed (live) by the KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe from Nicholasville, Kentucky at their fall 2022 "Mixed Nuts" show.
Cast includes:
Norman Cline (Gildersleeve)
David Damron (Leroy)
Connie McDonald (Marjorie)
Denise Cline (Birdie and commercials)
Susan Clements (Leila)
Doug Fain (Peavey)
Steve Watts (Judge Hooker)
Cooper Bartlett (Dr. Hargrave).
Song by Rachel Williams and sound effects by Eddie Clements. www.kcalotr.com
THE DAYCARE DASH (Comedy) Meet Julie, a modern-day urban single mom just trying to pick up her daughter Tina at the daycare center on time. Can Julie make it before the late fees set in? Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching. She has forty minutes to get to the garage and get crosstown. So on your marks, get set, GO...
CAST
GEORGIA LEE SCHULTZ - Julie
KEITH BURNETT - Lou and Cop
BRADY VAN VAERENBERGH - Man in Street and Man in Car
JOHN FRAY - Jeremy
BILL CRAVEN - Truck Driver
EMMA MCDONALD – Tina
Directed by George Zarr
Recording Engineer and Post Production – David Farquhar
Runtime: 11:19
Performance ©2022 Design Sound Productions / Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre
Fred Allen is a name unfamiliar to most people today, but for two decades his radio show set the standard for the best of American humor. His comedy and satirical influence can be seen in everything from Looney Tunes to Saturday Night Live. Robert L. Mills, comedy writer for Bob Hope, has crafted a "new" Fred Allen show for Project Audion which successfully recalls the time Allen had the #1 program on the airwaves (in the late 1940s).
We'll visit "Allen's Alley" with Senator Claghorn, Mrs. Nussbaum, and others; take on "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" in a movie parody, and welcome guest stars Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, thanks to a coast-to-coast cast of sterling vocal talent which includes:
FRED ALLEN: John Bell, AL
MOODY / CASSIDY / BANDITO: Pete Lutz, TX
PORTLAND / MRS. NUSSBAUM: Julie Hoverson, WA
KENNY DELMAR: Ken Jeffries, CA
CLAGHORN / GRIZZY: Harry Middlebrooks, CA
EDGAR BERGEN: Robert L. Mills., CA
CHARLIE MCCARTHY: Scott McKinley, NJ
with Direction & Production by Larry Groebe, TX
(Orig. rel. 8/14/22) The United Artists of Mutual present: More Bob & Ray! Recorded especially for Sonic Summerstock Playhouse 2022, it features Jeff Billard in the roles of Bob Elliott, and Pete Lutz as the many voices of Ray Goulding, in a half-hour of zany sketches. Enjoy!
1. Show open/Public Service Message
2. Fern Ock Veek, Sickly Whale Oil Processor
3. Einbinder Flypaper commercial
4. Happy Birthday, Ken Vose!
5. Anxiety!
6. Monongahela Metal Foundry commercial
7. Search for Togetherness
8. Mr. Science
9. Closing
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.
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