Tue, 12 October 2021
“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. EpisodesLights OutMay 11, 1943“Murder in the Script Department”2:58The Jack Benny ProgramJune 2, 1940“Hillbilly Feud”26:29
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_LIGHTS_OUT_and_JACK_BENNY.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 4:32pm EDT
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Mon, 20 September 2021
“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. EpisodesThe Columbia WorkshopDecember 19, 1936“The Gods of The Mountain”3:00The Halls of IvyApril 28, 1950“The Scofield Prize”33:07
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_THE_COLUMBIA_WORKSHOP_and_THE_HALLS_OF_IVY.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 7:45pm EDT
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Fri, 6 August 2021
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. EpisodesDragnetJanuary 4, 1951“The Big Holdup”1:34The Aldrich FamilyDecember 11, 1947“School Ring” aka “Henry Wants a School Ring”31:47
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_DRAGNET_and_THE_ALDRICH_FAMILY.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 9:41am EDT
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Wed, 14 July 2021
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 Michael Shayne, Private Detective November 5, 1946“Return to Huxley”2:23You Bet Your LifeOctober 28, 1953“The Secret Word is ‘Chair’”28:40
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_MICHAEL_SHAYNE_and_YOU_BET_YOUR_LIFE.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 6:17pm EDT
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Sun, 11 July 2021
"The Girl Who Was Death" UK Airing: January 18, 1968US Airing: September 7, 1968The 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. John and writer Jim Beard discuss this episode that both agree is fluff, but one finds it charming while the other just can't wait to get it over with. They also talk about McGoohan's pervious series, Danger Man, some of the better elements of this episode. Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.
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Sat, 26 June 2021
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. EpisodesThe Lone RangerJune 6, 1941“Gold Strike in the Chattos”1:32The Great GildersleeveOctober 22, 1947“Congressman Gildersleeve”31:15
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_THE_LONE_RANGER_and_THE_GREAT_GILDERSLEEVE.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 8:08am EDT
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Sun, 23 May 2021
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?EpisodesBig TownNovember 9, 1948“The Fatal Chain”1:48Fibber McGee and MollyMay 19, 1953“Old Law to Escape Taxes”32:38
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_BIG_TOWN_and_FIBBER_MCGEE_and_MOLLY.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 9:42am EDT
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Tue, 20 April 2021
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. EpisodesRogers of the GazetteNovember 11, 1953“The Town Clock”2:07Archie AndrewsMay 18, 1946“Jive Talk” aka “Hip Talk”32:22
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_ROGERS_OF_THE_GAZETTE_and_ARCHIE_ANDREWS.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 6:24pm EDT
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Wed, 7 April 2021
"Living in Harmony" UK Airing: December 29, 1967US Airing: No Network AiringThe 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.Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.
Direct download: OUAV_-_Living_in_Harmony.mp3
Category:Once Upon a Village -- posted at: 11:55am EDT
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Sat, 27 March 2021
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. EpisodesSuspenseOctober 25, 1945“A Shroud for Sarah”1:43The Jack Benny ProgramNovember 19, 1944“From Corona Naval Hospital”32:24
Direct download: Presenting_the_Transcription_Feature_-_SUSPENSE_and_JACK_BENNY.mp3
Category:Presenting the Transcription Feature -- posted at: 7:16am EDT
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