On “X Minus One” big-game hunters go after the biggest of game:  dinosaurs.  It’s time-travelers vs their prehistoric trophies in “A Gun for Dinosaur.”  Then on “The Great Gildersleeve,” Gildy helps out with the neighborhood women’s Red Cross committee.  What could possibly go wrong?

X Minus One

March 7, 1956

“A Gun for Dinosaur”

02:13

The Great Gildersleeve

March 11, 1945

“Chairman of Women’s Committee”

33:27

For the 100th episode of “Presenting the Transcription Feature,” we present two of the best programs from the radio’s golden age:  “Dragnet” and “The Jack Benny Program.”  First up, detectives Friday and Romero track a hold-up man all around town, using brains and patience while ducking bullets and punches.  Then Jack and the cast have lunch at a drug store, providing plenty of opportunities for cheapness, mispronunciations, and a visit from entertainment legend Eddie Cantor.

Dragnet

December 14, 1950

“The Big Break”

02:53

The Jack Benny Program

May 8, 1949

“Jack is Upset with the Cast”

33:20

After World War II, there was a severe housing shortage that criminals took advantage of.  In this episode of “Boston Blackie,” our hero tries to right that wrong.  Then on “Vic and Sade,” first young Rush wants to invest in a lifetime pass to the movies, then Vic is delighted to learn that his face will be on the cover of his industry magazine.

Episodes

Boston Blackie

September 17, 1946

“The Apartment Swindler”

1:47

Vic and Sade

December 17, 1940

“A Bijou Lifetime Pass”

May 2, 1941

“Vic’s Picture on Quarterly Cover”

30:13

It’s the battle of the sexes on “The College Quiz Bowl,” with women’s college Mt Holyoke vs. then-men’s college Colgate (Colgate went co ed in 1970).  How well do you know your famous men nicknamed “Fox,” Greek myths, and British poets?  Then on “Our Miss Brooks,” Connie has to work hard to get her beau, Mr. Boynton, to ask her out for Valentine’s Day dinner.

Episodes

The College Quiz Bowl

November 9, 1955

“Mt Holyoke vs. Colgate”

01:44

Our Miss Brooks

February 19, 1950

“Valentine’s Day Date”

26:02

Let's start the new year with an episode of “Information Please.”  It's 1939, and we're still in the middle of the Great Depression.  Do you know your “Gulliver’s Travels,” love songs, and baseball pennant-winners?  Then we’ll return to Wistful Vista for another visit with “Fibber McGee and Molly.”  It’s a new year for them as well, and they’re planning to host a sleigh ride.

Episodes 

Information Please

April 18, 1939

"Guest:  H. V. Kaltenborn"

1:43

Fibber McGee and Molly

January 11, 1949

“Organizing a Sleigh Ride”

30:26

We transition from Christmas to New Year’s in this episode.  First Sherlock Holmes spends the season investigating the mystery of The Blue Carbuncle on “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.”  Who stole the valuable gem and how did it end up in a Christmas goose?  This incarnation of the Great Detective stars two of the finest actors of the 20th Century:  Sir John Gielgud as Holmes and Sir Ralph Richardson as Watson.  Then on “The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show,” Phil is trying to help his pal Elliott with a New Year’s Eve party.  Nothing could possibly go wrong, right? 

March 13, 1955

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

“The Blue Carbuncle”

3:14

December 28, 1952

The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show

“New Year's Eve Party At The Harrises”

30:39

We start off the Christmas season with two comedies.  First, on “The Bob Hope Show,” Bob visits Blondie and Dagwood Bumstead from the comic strip “Blondie” on Christmas Eve and then stumbles upon a haunted house. “The Bing Crosby Show” features Bing premiering “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and kidding around with his good friend Louis Armstrong.

Episodes

The Bob Hope Show

December 20, 1938

“Christmas”

2:59

The Bing Crosby Show

November 28, 1951

"Guests:  Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald"

34:48

In celebration of Thanksgiving, we start off with the Pilgrims leaving England on “You Are There.”  Various economic and religious refugees are about to set sail for New England aboard the “Mayflower.”  Then on “Fibber McGee and Molly,” the couple are hard at work preparing all the fixings for the big day.

EPISODES

You Are There

December 21, 1947

“The Sailing of the Mayflower”

2:43

Fibber McGee and Molly

November 25, 1935

“Buying Vegetables At A Roadside Stand”

32:26

 We start off with Groucho Marx hosting the funniest game show of all time, “You Bet Your Life.” A movie location scout talks about how parts of Los Angeles are more like Italy than Italy itself, and a married man with the last name of Bachelor stirs up laughs.  Then on “The Great Gildersleeve,” it’s the middle of World War II, and Gildy is worried about saboteurs on the Home Front.

Episodes

You Bet Your Life

April 18, 1951

“The Secret Word is ‘Light’”

1:38

The Great Gildersleeve

January 24, 1943

"Sabotage"

31:21

We celebrate All Hallows Eve with a couple of Halloween-related episodes.  First, on “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe,” the rotund P.I., famous for almost never leaving the comfort of his house, does so to obtain some orchids and ends up in a spooky old house high on a hill.  Then on “The Jack Benny Show,” Jack throws a Halloween party.  His silk tights fail to remind anyone of Romeo.  Meanwhile, Rochester’s efforts to spike the punch are continually thwarted.

Episodes

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

January 26, 1951

“The Phantom Fingers”

1:46

The Jack Benny Show

October 29, 1939

“Masquerade Party”

31:54