Greetings, fellow Wellesians, Wellsians, OTR-lovers, Mars-lovers (not Bruno), historians, and seekers! In honor of World Audio Drama Day (observed annually, every October 30th) 2018, the following friends and fellow audio drama makers gathered via Skype to create a special panel discussion (in alphabetical order):

Ed Champion of "The Gray Area" podcast

Joe Griffin and Ele Matelan of Wildclaw Theatre Chicago

Pete Lutz of 63audio/Narada Radio Company (Host)

Jeff Niles of 4077th Productions

Aimee Pavy of "12 Chimes, It's Midnight" podcast

We're discussing the historic and fateful "War of the Worlds" radio program from the Mercury Theatre on the Air, first broadcast on CBS on 10/30/38. Then we're playing the 50th anniversary tribute-remake first broadcast on NPR on 10/30/88. Then we come back and talk about that, comparing it to the original. Fun, freewheeling discussion abounds! So what are you waiting for? Start listening, eh? And enjoy!

Episode 9 -- "Christmas Show 1950", The Bing Crosby Chesterfield Show

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 ninth installment (and Pete's selection), this episode of The Bing Crosby Show 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! 

Episode 8 -- "Gracie Buys a Live Turkey", The Burns & Allen Show

Welcome to 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 eighth installment (and a selection from Essential Listener Melissa), this episode of Burns & Allen from 1942. 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! 

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 seventh installment (and a listener's choice from Joshua, a co-host of another OTR panel show), this episode of Inner Sanctum Mysteries from 1949, "A Corpse for Halloween". 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 on how we might improve this podcast, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com .

Another thrilling entry from Sonic Summerstock 2021! Rachel Pulliam and Dream Realm Enterprises bring you an exciting double-feature from the classic SUSPENSE radio series and renowned radio writer Louise Fletcher. “Dark Journey” tells of Alice, who ventures to New York with her friend, Anne, to try and win back her beau, but Alice becomes increasingly frightened by Anne’s ability to make things happen simply by wishing for them. In “That Thing in the Window,” a man is disturbed when he cannot stop seeing the figure of a man in his neighbor’s apartment. SOLE TWIN AUDIO

CAST:

ESCAPE: The Derelict

Recently released on the Mutual Audio Network's Sonic Summerstock Playhouse, the Narada Radio Company presents their re-imagining of "The Derelict", an episode of the OTR series ESCAPE, first aired in 1953. Originally set in one of Earth's oceans, director Pete Lutz picked up our castaways and placed them in outer space. Listen as one woman and three men survive the destruction of their spacecraft and take refuge on a deserted, ancient rocketship. Once onboard, personalities collide and tempers flare after the discovery of an abandoned treasure.

CAST:

ANNOUNCERS: Jason D. Johnson, Pete Lutz

CORA: Kristy Glick

KEETMAN: Karim C. Kronfli

MIKE: Larry Groebe

LU WA: Pete Lutz

COMMERCIAL: Mrs. Holepuncher

Music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

Regular contributor Rachel Pulliam (Jane Eyre, Rebecca, etc.) has created a new audio drama company that will be devoting itself to re-enacting classic OTR favorites, plus other original programming with a vintage vibe. Sole Twin Audios will kick off its Old-Time Radio Theatre series with that tense drama from Suspense, "Short Order", which takes place in a roadside diner shortly after the end of World War II. Get a little "taste" of that now, with this trailer, and watch for the launch at https://anchor.fm/soletwinaudios

SONIC SUMMERSTOCK PLAYHOUSE 2021: Algiers, from Lux Radio Theatre

Director Pete Lutz presents an extended adaptation of Lux Radio Theatre’s ALGIERS - the story of French jewel thief Pepe Le Moko, who evades capture by hiding in plain sight, in the maze-like Casbah district. When he meets the beautiful Gabrielle, he begins to hate his surroundings — and realizes that he has made his own prison within these ancient walls.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Announcer: Darren Rockhold

Hedy Lamarr/Gaby: Victoria Fancki

Charles Boyer/Pepe Le Moko: Pete Lutz

Slimane: Les Marsden

DeMille: Joe Martinez

Prefect of Police: Pete Lutz

Ines: Jessica Mathews

Regis: Dana Gonsalves

Grandpere: Paul Arbisi

Janvier: John Bell

Andre: Carl Yowell

L'Arbi and Maxim: Gareth Severn

Carlos: Jason D. Johnson

Marie: Aileen Corpos

Pierrot: Rachel Pulliam

Aicha: Dawn Robertson

Additional voices were provided by Geri Elliff, Kendra Murray, and members of the cast.

Music by Dr. Ross Bernhardt

NARADA RADIO COMPANY

NEW KINGDOM RADIO THEATRE PRESENTS: THE THIRD SOLDIER

In ancient Rome, two old members of the legion discuss their past times as soldiers of the Empire. One, Graccus, recalls his part of the crucifixion of the said "King of Jews" in Jerusalem. What transpires is hostile banter and the sinister underbelly of Caesar's Gladiator sport.

"The Third Soldier" is a production of the New Kingdom Radio Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, a re-creation of an episode of NBC's "Biblical Dramas" series, originally broadcast 1/8/1928; made especially for Sonic Summerstock Playhouse 2020.

CAST:

Graccus: JV Torres

Antonius: Austin Beach

Narrator: Mike MacDonald

Lustra: Shannon Perry

Marius: Schuyler Torres

Tertius: Levi Reid

Dromidus: Brandon Richard

Caesar: Steve Fisher

The Mysterious Traveler - "The Ugliest Woman in the World" Originally broadcast on MBS, February 20, 1944

Remade June 2021 on Zoom

Cast:

Gloria King: Denise Cline 

Richard: Norman Cline 

The Mysterious Traveler: Doug Fain 

Jane Arnold: Connie McDonald 

Dan: David Damron 

Professor Hadley: Pete Lutz 

This is the fourth installment of our "zoom" presentations for 2021. Visit our website at www.KCALotr.com for more information about upcoming performances.

Pete Lutz appears courtesy Narada Radio Company Audio Drama. NaradaRadio.libsyn.com

Episode 6 -- "The Cable Car Case", Candy Matson, YUkon 2-8209

Welcome to 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 sixth installment (and Jane's choice), this episode of Candy Matson 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! 

Episode 5 -- "A Connecticut Yankee", The Ford Radio Theatre

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 fifth installment (and Paul's choice), this episode of The Ford Radio Theatre from 1947. 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! 

Our Miss Brooks - "Spring Cleaning"

Originally broadcast on CBS Radio, May 1, 1955

Re-created on Zoom in April 2021

Cast:

Connie McDonald: Connie

Carolyn Threlkeld: Mrs. Davis

Billy Holland: Mr. Murdock

Doug Fain: Mr. Conklin

Denise Cline: Lola

Norman Cline: Mr. Boynton

David Damron: Walter

Larette Latham: Harriet

Roger Garrison: KCAL Crooner

This is the third installment of our Zoom presentations for 2021. Visit our website at www.KCALotr.com for more information about upcoming performances.

Episode 4 -- "Rommel's Treasure", The Goon Show

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 fourth installment (and Pete's choice), this episode of The Goon Show from 1955. 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! 

NARADA RADIO COMPANY

Episode 3 -- "The Little People", Lights Out

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 third installment (and Jane's choice), this episode of "Lights Out" (aka "Lights Out Everybody"), from a rebroadcast in 1943 or '44. 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! 

This Project Audion episode offers the national premiere of a NEW Fibber McGee and Molly episode, written by Robert L. Mills, former staff writer for comedy legend Bob Hope. Mills' script recreates the style, laughs, and charm of classic Fibber & Molly radio shows. "Fibber's Missing Tux" literally brings the couple out of retirement to be honored for their years on the airwaves.

As a bonus, after our recreation, we interview Robert L. Mills himself in his Hollywood home, talking about writing comedy, his days with Hope, and the Old Time Radio era.

It's an OTR fan's dream, and our dream cast includes:

Fibber McGee: John Bell (Alabama)

Molly: Jan Welch (North Carolina)

Teeny: Carolyn Threlkeld (Kentucky)

Doc Gamble: Ken Raney (Texas)

Old Timer: Harry Middlebrooks (California)

Wally Wimple: Duane Noch (New Jersey)

Harlow Wilcox: Chris Hart (Florida)

Production, direction, and sound by Larry Groebe (Texas)

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER - KCAL Old Time Radio Troupe 

Nicholasville, Kentucky, is the home of KCAL, a community theatre group dedicated to re-creating classic Old-Time Radio shows. They traditionally put on four shows year from their theatre on South Main Street, although during the pandemic they've been creating their shows on Zoom. Here's their latest, a remake of Escape's "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe.

RODERICK USHER: Norman Cline

DOCTOR/ANNOUNCER: David Damron

NARRATOR: Doug Fain

PROJECT AUDION #15: The Life of Riley

Project Audion came into existence about a year ago, formed as a result of the COVID pandemic, with creator Larry Groebe seeking a way to bring actors together and provide entertainment for folks stuck at home. In this fifteenth edition of the series, it's PA's recreation of the classic radio (later TV) situation comedy "The Life of Riley" and the charming 1950 episode "The Rileys' First Date” -- originally aired for Thanksgiving, but re-created for Valentine's Day, 2021. Audion’s edition comes complete with recreated laugh track.

Directed by Tom Wilkens, and starring a truly transcontinental cast: 

Here's the Narada Radio Company's very first entry for the Sonic Society's Summerstock Playhouse: a remake of the Lux Radio Theater's 1951 adaptation of Carol Reed's 1949 film, "The Third Man". 

In case you didn't know, the Summerstock Playhouse brings you, every Summer, a handful of old-time radio remakes from modern-day audio drama producers. As I indicated above, this was our first entry. We've participated in every festival since 2015 and will be releasing more remakes this summer. Enjoy the show!

Episode 2 -- "Jack Tries to Get Rose Bowl Tickets", The Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny 

Welcome to Old-Time Radio Essentials, a new 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 second installment (and Paul's choice), this episode of what was popularly called "The Jack Benny Program", originally broadcast 01-04-1948. 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! 

Episode 2 -- "Jack Tries to Get Rose Bowl Tickets", The Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny 

Welcome to 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 second installment (and Paul's choice), this episode of what was popularly called "The Jack Benny Program", originally broadcast 01-04-1948. 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! 

Created especially for Sonic Summerstock 2020, 63audio presents its third of four old-time radio remakes, a lost episode of the QUIET, PLEASE series, entitled "Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall", originally broadcast 8-24-47. Oliver is a man in an unhappy marriage, and under the thumb of his tyrannical boss. It seems the only way he can get any relief is to tell his troubles to his friend Eddie, over the phone. As we listen, we learn that someone else is listening, and has an unusual solution to Oliver's problems. Produced & directed by Pete Lutz.

CAST:

OLIVER/ERNEST CHAPPELL: Pete Lutz

EVERWEIN: Dana Gonsalves

CAROLINE: Kristy Glick

DICTAGRAPH VOICE: Dawn Robertson

MUSIC: Dr. Ross Bernhardt