I like to start off the new year with these adaptations by “The Lux Radio Theater” of light, amusing tales.  “The Canterville Ghost” was a short story written by Oscar Wilde in 1887. Over the years, there have been numerous adaptations.  The latest version just aired in the U.K. on the BBC and starred Anthony Head of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as the title character.  I assume this will be coming to American television soon.  So, in anticipation, here is the 1945 rendition, which features a lot of World War II-era material. 

The Lux Radio Theater

June 18, 1945

“The Canterville Ghost”

2:31

Even tough-guy detectives sometimes get involved in sentimental or humorous situations during their Christmas episodes.  And the fabulous, freelance insurance investigator of “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar,” is no exception.  Then it’s time for the cast of “The Jack Benny Program” to put on a play about letters to Santa before Jack and Mary go Christmas shopping at a department store.

Episodes

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

December 23, 1956

“The Missing Mouse Matter”

1:39

The Jack Benny Program

December 17, 1939

“Christmas Shopping for Perfume and a Necktie”

32:38

Welcome to another Christmas season on “Presenting the Transcription Feature.”  We’ll be doing one mystery and one comedy during each of this month’s episodes.  We begin with Sydney Greenstreet as that mighty, if lazy, private investigator, the titular hero of “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe.”  This episode might be little darker than most Christmas stories, but it’s still a good mix of coziness, tough-guy action, and Wolfian brain power.  Then we go Christmas shopping with “The Great Gildersleeve.”  Try as he might, he just can’t seem to economize this year.

Episodes

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

December 22, 1950

“The Slaughtered Santas”

1:50

The Great Gildersleeve

December 15, 1948

“Christmas Shopping” aka “Economy This Christmas”

32:09

This year would have been the 101st birthday of actor Ricardo Montalbán. We mark it with an episode of “Family Theater,” in which he plays the real-life hero / outlaw of Old California, Joaquin Murietta. Murietta was almost certainly the inspiration for the fictional hero / outlaw of Old California, Zorro. Then it’s Thanksgiving with all the gang on “The Jack Benny Program.” In this classic episode, Jack dreams he has been put on trial for the murder of a turkey. Both Phil Harris’ signature tune “That’s What I Like About the South,” and the Andrews Sisters’ hit “The Lady From 29 Palms,” get witty parodies.

The Jack Benny Program
November 30, 1947
“Turkey Dream”
33:06

This October 27 marks the 163^rd birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt.  T.R. is a mass of contradictions.  He was born sickly, but, through sheer force of will, built himself up to a big, bull moose of a man.  He was a One Percenter deeply concerned with the plight of the poor.  He was a native of Manhattan who went to Harvard, yet was passionate about the great outdoors and created the U.S. Forest Service which administers our National Parks.  On this

episode of “Biographies in Sound,” NBC radio interviews historians and contemporaries in order to gain insight into the man and his times.

Episode

Biographies in Sound

November 14, 1957 

“They Knew Theodore Roosevelt”

3:27

“Lights Out” was one of radio’s earliest suspense anthology dramas. A lot of its earlier episodes were criticized as being, frankly, gross, but this one is more restrained. It’s just plain creepy. Set in the typing pool / script department of a creepy radio show, it’s also one of the most meta. Then, on “The Jack Benny Program,” Dennis Day negotiates his contract, Rochester buys a race horse, and the gang puts on an Ozark melodrama.

Episodes

Lights Out

May 11, 1943

“Murder in the Script Department”

2:58

The Jack Benny Program

June 2, 1940

“Hillbilly Feud”

26:29

“The Columbia Workshop” was the CBS network’s series of experimental radio dramas, frequently adapting literary works. The show openly experimented with format, sound effects, and the power of music to convey emotion and theme. Tonight, we present an adaptation of a short story by the British fantasy writer Lord Dunsany. The music is by Bernard Herrmann. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he went on to score movies like “Citizen Kane, “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,” and “North by Northwest.” Then, we return to comedy-in-academia with “The Halls of Ivy.” Dr. Hall appears to have won a major literary award, and both the school and his wife have big plans.

Episodes

The Columbia Workshop

December 19, 1936

“The Gods of The Mountain”

3:00

 The Halls of Ivy

April 28, 1950

“The Scofield Prize”

33:07

We start off with another classic episode of “Dragnet.” There’s a good mystery with a high-stakes villain, and I really enjoy all the throw-away, one-liner character moments. Then on “The Aldrich Family,” a typical high school situation turns in to a classic sit-com misunderstanding. But this one is executed particularly well.

Episodes

Dragnet

January 4, 1951

“The Big Holdup”

1:34

The Aldrich Family

December 11, 1947

“School Ring” aka “Henry Wants a School Ring”

31:47

There was no shortage of private detectives during the golden age of radio. We’ll start tonight with an entry new to our program: “Michael Shayne, Private Detective.” You’d never guess by listening to his tough but lovable voice here that star Wally Maher was the voice of Screwy Squirrel and the Turkey in the classic 1945 Tex Avery short “Jerky Turkey.” Tonight, he takes on a tricky case at a local college. Then on “You Bet Your Life,” Groucho Marx complains to a pharmacist about the amount of cotton in pill bottles, then banters with a Hollywood baker and a couple who have eight children.

Episodes

November 5, 1946

“Return to Huxley”

2:23

You Bet Your Life

October 28, 1953

“The Secret Word is ‘Chair’”

28:40

"The Girl Who Was Death"

UK Airing: January 18, 1968

US Airing: September 7, 1968

The Prisoner appears to have returned to London and is sent on a mission to find Professor Schnipps' rocket that is set to destroy London. But he must contend with a lovely female assassin first.

Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.

Time to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear with “The Lone Ranger.” This time the Masked Man and Tonto intervene with competing gold strikes threaten to turn deadly. Then we see how things are going for “The Great Gildersleeve” and family. Inspired by such self-starters as Abraham Lincoln, Gildy decided to make something of himself, possibly even in politics.

Episodes

The Lone Ranger

June 6, 1941

“Gold Strike in the Chattos”

1:32

The Great Gildersleeve

October 22, 1947

“Congressman Gildersleeve”

31:15

We return to the world of crusading journalism with “Big Town.” Edward J. Pawley takes over from Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson, managing editor of “The Illustrated Press,” the leading newspaper in some Big Town. This episode proves conclusively that crime doesn’t pay and there is no honor among thieves. Then on “Fibber McGee and Molly,” Fibber thinks he’s found a sure-fire way to avoid taxes. Will the study of his town’s most ancient laws put him in clover or will he be eating crow?

Episodes

Big Town

November 9, 1948

“The Fatal Chain”

1:48

Fibber McGee and Molly

May 19, 1953

“Old Law to Escape Taxes”

32:38

On “Rogers of the Gazette,” Will Rogers, Jr. returns as the editor of that fictional small-town newspaper, the “Illyria Weekly Gazette.” Along with dispensing homespun common sense and aphorism-filled advice to the betterment of his readers and fellow citizens, this week he’s solving a minor mystery: is Abraham Lincoln complaining about the maintenance of the town’s city hall clock? Then on “Archie Andrews,” Archie and Jughead’s passion for using all the latest slang in conversation isn’t going over so well with the rest of Riverdale’s residents.

Episodes

Rogers of the Gazette

November 11, 1953

“The Town Clock”

2:07

Archie Andrews

May 18, 1946

“Jive Talk” aka “Hip Talk”

32:22

"Living in Harmony"

UK Airing: December 29, 1967

US Airing: No Network Airing

The Prisoner is trapped in a town called Harmony after trying to resign as the sheriff of another town. Sound familiar? It does to the viewer, but the Prisoner isn't twigging to what's happening.

John and writer Jim Beard discuss the Western and what it means to each of them, the completely wasted opportunity in the writing of the ending of the story, and the symbolism of washing hands.

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Lucille Ball stars in a dramatic, criminal role on “Suspense.” She plays an ambitious woman who won’t let anything stand in her way – not even murder. Then, on “The Jack Benny Program,” Jack and the gang broadcast from Corona Naval Hospital. Tonight, they’re accompanied by the world-famous (really!) harmonica player Larry Adler, who amazes with his virtuosity.

 Episodes  

Suspense

October 25, 1945

“A Shroud for Sarah”

1:43

The Jack Benny Program

November 19, 1944

“From Corona Naval Hospital”

32:24

"Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling"

UK Airing: December 22, 1967

US Airing: August 3, 1968

The Prisoner finds himself in another body, but back in London. He must convince the woman he loves that he is himself while tracking down the man who invented the process that put him in another body.

John and writer Jim Beard discuss Jim's wanting to remove this episode from the entirety of the series, John's only real issue with it being the end scene, and a possible explanation for The Prisoner's hostility to women.

Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.

We start off with more of Old Time Radio’s quintessential medical drama, “The Story of Dr. Kildare.”  A tricky operation performed at a hospital is one thing, but a simple operation performed at in an unusual location is another.  How will Dr. Kildare remove an appendix from a man who is miles away at sea?  Then on “Duffy’s Tavern,” the Great Gildersleeve himself drops by to listen to another one of Archie’s business opportunities.

Episodes

The Story of Dr. Kildare

August 17, 1950

Appendicitis Operation at Sea

1:53

Duffy’s Tavern

November 24, 1944

“Guest: Harold Peary”

29:04

"A Change of Mind"

UK Airing: December 15, 1967

US Airing: August 24, 1968

The Prisoner is subjected to a process that will lobotomize him when he refuses to conform with the Village and its people.

John and writer Jim Beard discuss the episode that on the surface, is a perfect example of what the show is all about. And yet, there are elements that the two have issues with, and they discuss it in detail on this podcast.

Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.

Isis

"Dreams of Flight"

December 13, 1975

Chala likes to design airplanes and wants to enter the school competition, but her competition is willing to go to any lengths to make sure she doesn't. To make matters worse, Chala's brother is not supportive of her "Dreams of Flight".

We come to the end of the first season of Isis with a story whose moral doesn't exactly match the plot. Is this a story about accepting that all people are deserving of respect or is this a story about accepting that woman are as capable of doing anything a man can do? John and Richard discuss this as well as the the story arc of Cindy Lee and the conclusion of the first season of Isis.

It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode. Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.​

Moral: "People who come from different backgrounds or from different countries deserve the same respect we give everyone else. Putting someone down because they speak a different language or are a different color just doesn't make sense. What does make sense is treating people just the way we want them to treat us."

Guest Cast

Cynthia Avila as Chala

Paul Hinkley as Mark

Tom Williams as Bill

Fabian Gregory as Raoul

"It's Your Funeral"

UK Airing: December 8, 1967

US Airing: August 10, 1968

The Prisoner learns of a plot to kill Number Two on the eve of his retirement. Does he act on it or does he allow it to proceed?

John and writer Jim Beard discuss the episode that has its good and bad points.  They talk about the idea of previous Number Twos we haven't seen, the strong ties to Doctor Who's "Marco Polo", and the question of if it's worth bringing The Prisoner to your side by this stage in the series.

Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.

We start off with another episode of “Information Please.” Are you up on the sizes of sports venues, the significance of ringing bells, and literary wives? Then on “Gunsmoke,” a criminal seeks revenge on a whole town for the shooting of his kid brother. Not every Western is about cowboys and Indians. Sometimes, like this episode, they can be tight, psychological dramas.

Episodes

Information Please

December 12, 1941

“Guest: Dr. George N. Shuster”

1:37

Gunsmoke

February 21, 1953

“Meshougah”

29:29

"Hammer Into Anvil"

UK Airing: December 1, 1967

US Airing: August 31, 1968

The Prisoner matches wits with the new Number Two as Two tries to be the Hammer to The Prisoner's Anvil.  But who is really the Hammer?  

John and writer Jim Beard discuss the impact this episode had on Jim as a young person and why it is a favorite of Jim's father.

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"Jeff Regan, Investigator” is a Jack Webb series that just predates “Dragnet.” This P.I. has an even drier delivery than Detective Friday, but he’s much more sarcastically verbose. In tonight’s episode, movie cowboys and racehorses get entangled in a big-money scam. Then on “The Jack Benny Program,” Jack goes into Beverly Hills to try to buy a new violin string and ends up getting a parking ticket.

Episodes 

Jeff Regan, Investigator

November 13, 1948

“The Guy From Gower Gulch”

2:32

The Jack Benny Program

January 17, 1954

“Jack Gets A Parking Ticket”

32:45

Let’s return to “The Lux Radio Theater” for an adaptation of the brilliant 1944 film noir mystery, “Laura.”  You can miss a lot in an audio adaptation of a film noir, but luckily this version features the two main stars and one of the supporting players.  Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney return, as does Vincent Price.  Otto Kruger Takes over Clifton Webb’s role.  Close your eyes and enjoy.

The Lux Radio Theater

February 5, 1945

“Laura”

1:53