Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

Comedy and Crime on a Tuesday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, George Burns and Gracie Allen, originally broadcast July 8, 1940, 85 years ago, Grandpa’s 92nd Birthday.  It's Grandpa's ninety-second birthday and a surprise party is planned.

Followed by Breakfast in Hollywood starring Tom Breneman,  originally broadcast July 8, 1947, 78 years ago.  The program originates from the auditorium of the high school in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania (Tom Breneman's home town). The "Good Neighbor" award goes to a lady in Jamestown, Indiana. The oldest lady in the audience is ninety-eight-years-old. 

Then, <...

Crime and Drama on a Monday

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Escape, originally broadcast July 7, 1947, 78 years ago, The Man Who Would Be King. An adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic. Two British adventurers travel to a remote part of Afghanistan to become kings, but their ambition leads to betrayal and a tragic downfall when they are exposed as frauds. 

Followed by Did Justice Triumph, originally broadcast July 7, 1947, 78 years ago, Poison for Profit.   A gang operating out of a nightclub is selling poison to people who wa...

Crime on a Sunday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator starring William Gargan, originally broadcast July 6, 1954, 71 years ago, The Tough Guy.  Barrie joins in the search for a missing $30,000 in stolen loot. 

Followed by Somebody Knows, originally broadcast July 6, 1950, 75 years ago, The Gladys Kern Murder.  On February 14, 1948, a Los Angeles real estate agent is showing a client through a vacant house. The client must have taken a violent dislike to the property, as the agent is found knifed to death the next day. CBS...

Westerns and Drama on a Saturday

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast July 5, 1954, 71 years ago, Hack Prine. A professional gunman, who is an old friend of Marshal Dillon's, is hired by a coward and an enemy of Dillon's to gun down the Marshall. 

Followed by Have Gun Will Travel starring John Dehner, originally broadcast July 5, 1959, 66 years ago, Comanche.   Paladin rides to Montana territory to persuade a young deserter from the 7th Cavalry to return. 

Then, Escape, ori...

Drama on a Friday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The Adventures of Sam Spade starring Howard Duff,  originally broadcast July 4, 1948, 77 years ago, the Rushlight Diamond Caper. Sam is hired to guard the wedding presents, but not the groom, who is stabbed to death with a pair of garden shears!

Followed by The Lives of Harry Lime starring Orson Welles, originally broadcast July 4, 1952, 73 years ago, Paris Is Not The Same.  Harry Lime meets an old flame from wartime London in Paris. He soon uses a "Third Man" to...

Crime on a Thursday

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Box 13 starring Alan Ladd, originally broadcast July 3, 1949, 76 years ago, House of Darkness.   A shot in the dark helps Dan Holiday and a blind man find adventure.

Followed by The Green Lama starring Paul Frees,  originally broadcast July 3, 1949, 76 years ago, The Last Dinosaur.  A woman is killed in a swimming pool...by a baby dinosaur! Anything goes at a Hollywood cocktail party

Then, Broadway is my Beat starring Larry Thor, originally broadcast July 3, 1950, 75 year...

Drama on a Wednesday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Encore Theater, originally broadcast July 2, 1946, 79 years ago, Men in White starring Robert Taylor.   A doctor must choose between his socialite fiancée and the nurse who loves him. 

Followed by Calling All Cars, originally broadcast July 2, 1935, 90 years ago, The Oakland Payroll Robbery. A train robbery has taken place in Contra Costa County. 

Then, I Was a Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews, originally broadcast July 2, 1952, 73 years ago, Where The Red Men Roam. "The B...

Westerns and Crime on a Tuesday

First, a look at the events of the day

Then, Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast July 1, 1956, 69 years ago, A Gun for Chester.  Asa Ledbetter is in town, and Chester (Parley Baer, pictured) thinks he's out to kill him! 

Followed by Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr, originally broadcast July 1, 1956, 69 years ago, The Trooper’s Widow. Mrs. Stocker, the new bride of a trooper, learns the harsh realities of the frontier the hard way. 

Then, The Roy Rogers Show, originally broadcast July...

Drama on a Monday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Boston Blackie starring Chester Morris, originally broadcast June 30, 1944, 81 years ago.  Mr. Manleder's business note for $100,000 is due tomorrow. Only Boston Blackie can prevent his business failure. The frame around Blackie is for murder. Who was that masked man?

Followed by Calling All Cars, originally broadcast June 30, 1937, 88 years ago, The Case of the Perfumed Cigarette Lighter. A dead body has been found near a detour of Valley Boulevard. It may be a murder. 

Then, Escape, originally broadcast June 30, 1950, 75 years ago, Blo...

Drama on a Sunday 

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Lights Out, originally broadcast June 29, 1943, 82 years ago, Bathysphere.  A dictator and a scientist embark on a daring dive in a deep-sea diving bell (a bathysphere), hoping to break depth records.  But strange things begin to happen... 

Followed by The Man Called X starring Herbert Marshall, originally broadcast June 29, 1951, 74 years ago, Death and Treasury March Hand in Hand.  Ken Thurston flies to France to track down a rogue agent with the secrets of "Operation Zero."

Then...

Comedy and Crime on a Saturday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The Screen Director’s Playhouse, originally broadcast June 28, 1951, 74 years ago, Lady Takes a Chance starring Joan Caufield and John Lund.  An adaptation of the 1943 Romantic Western Comedy that starred Jean Arthur and John Wayne.  A  New York working girl who travels to the American West on a bus tour and meets and falls in love with a handsome rodeo cowboy. 

Followed by The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Gerald Mohr, originally broadcast June 28, 1950, 75 years ago, Pelicans Roost.  Lynn Rus...

Comedy on a Friday 

First a look at the events of the day

Then, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, originally broadcast June 27, 1937, 88 years ago with guest Sonja Henie.  Don Ameche and Sonja Henie appear in a romantic skit. Charlie McCarthy tells about his dishonest Uncle Anthony and plans to sue W. C. Fields for slander. W. C. has become a Hollywood columnist (satirizing Walter Winchell). 

Followed by The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast June 27, 1943, 82 years ago, Gildy’s Wedding Day. The last show of the season. Gildersleeve gets pre-n...

Comedy on a Thursday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The Fred Allen Show, originally broadcast June 26, 1949, 76 years ago, Last Show of the Series.  A walk down Main Street, asking the Allen's Alley residents "Do most people plan their vacations?" Guest Henry Morgan needs $300, so Fred takes him to the secret vault of "Mr. X." NBC has the last laugh when the show runs late and is cut off the air. 

Followed by The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, originally broadcast June 26, 1949, 76 years ago, Contract Renewal.   Will Rexall rene...

Drama on a Wednesday 

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Jeff Regan Investigator starring Frank Graham and Frank Nelson, originally broadcast June 25, 1950, 75 years ago, No Sad Clowns For Me. When a little old man named Crackly comes in, don't take his case. Mr. Crackly wants to find a man named Bliss.

Followed by Mr. President starring Edward Arnold, originally broadcast June 25, 1950, 75 years ago, I’ll Take Manila.  The President is in conflict over how to handle the islands of the Philippines, something that might bring the US i...

Westerns and Comedy on a Tuesday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, originally broadcast June 24, 1954, 71 years ago, Myra Barker.   The Six-Shooter proposes marriage. The last show of the series.

Followed by Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr, originally broadcast June 24, 1956, 69 years ago, The Loving Cup.  Captain Quince has an unusual way to give Lieutenant Seiberts the confidence he needs to be a good officer. 

Then, Fibber McGee and Molly, originally broadcast June 24, 1941, 84 years ago, Leaving for Hollywood to Make...

Drama on a Monday 

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Lights Out, originally broadcast June 23, 1937, 88 years ago, Happy Ending.  There’s a baby in Mrs. Conley’s future…but what will Mr. Conley say?  Or do? 

Followed by Boston Blackie starring Chester Morris, originally broadcast June 23, 1944, 81 years ago.  First Show of the Summer Series, the Summer replacement for Amos ‘n’ Andy.  Blackie is arrested in Chicago. He's accused of taking $10,000 from a woman's grandfather. It's all the woman's plan to help her recover The Jonathan Diamond.

Then...

A Criminal Sunday

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The CBS Radio Workshop, originally broadcast June 22, 1956, 69 years ago, Another Point of View, or Hamlet Revisited.   An analytical misrepresentation of Shakespeare's greatest hero.  William Conrad narrates. 

Followed by Crime and Peter Chambers starring Dane Clark, originally broadcast June 22, 1954, 71 years ago.  Bruce Eldritch's partner named Paul Maxwell has been killed. 

Then, Counterspy starring Don Maclaughlan, originally broadcast June 22, 1942, 83 years ago, The Case of the Border Invaders.   Enemy spies are parachuting into America. A Gestapo agent takes o...

Crime on a Saturday 

First a look at the events of the day

Then, Screen Director’s Playhouse, originally broadcast June 21, 1951, 74 years ago, DOA Starring Edmund O’Brien reprising his role from the 1950 motion picture. A man is given a slow acting poison and has very little time to figure out who did it. 

Followed by The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Gerald Mohr, originally broadcast June 21, 1950, 75 years ago, The Gold Cobra. Marlowe is hired by Roth Winkman, a character right out of Dickens, to deliver a gold cobra...

A Friday full of Variety

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, originally broadcast June 20, 1937, 88 years ago with guest Mae Robison. Charlie McCarthy gets a lesson from a "French" tutor.  Mae Robson ("A grand old lady of the theatre") appears in scenes from, "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals." On Father's day, W. C. Fields remembers his father, a doctor who treated a man for yellow jaundice for years before learning he was a Chinaman. Charlie wants to call W. C. Fields "Dad." Bill tells him to "go...

Crime on a Thursday


We start with the news of the day in history


First up, Johnny Madero, Pier 23 starring Jack Webb, originally aired June 19, 1947—78 years ago. In “Find Pete Sutro,” Johnny, a waterfront tough guy, finds himself tangled in multiple murders. It's a gritty performance in the style Webb would later make famous in Dragnet.


Next, Challenge of the Yukon starring Paul Sutton, also from June 19, 1947. In “Grizzly,” a prospector is shot and a Mountie is murdered by a pair posing as trappers. They enlist Grizzly Martin to...

Drama on a Wednesday 

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar, originally broadcast June 18, 1946, 79 years ago, The Hooded Gang Protection Racket.  A masked society of extortioners has been formed, which Blackie tries to break up. 

Followed by Inner Sanctum Mysteries, originally broadcast June 18, 1946, 79 years ago, I Want to Report a Murder starring Santos Ortega.  A man with an insanely jealous wife starts to be blackmailed by a young woman after he accidentally kills her husband. There are lots of corpses all over the place...

Westerns on a Tuesday

First a look at the events of the day

Then Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast June 17, 1956, 69 years ago, Cheap Labor.  Fos Capper wears no gun, but doesn't seem to need one. When he proposes to Kerry Stancil, her brother swears to kill him!

Followed by Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr,  originally broadcast June 17, 1956, 69 years ago, The Winter Soldier.  A soldier becomes a "snowbird" and deserts the army in the springtime. 

Then The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, originally broadcast June 17, 1954, 71 years ago...

Drama on a Monday 

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Death Valley Days, originally broadcast June 16, 1939, 86 years ago, Shoo-Fly.   A tough old lady runs her own claim in the Panamint mountains...with a harsh word and a shotgun. 

Followed by Crime Classics, originally broadcast June 16, 1954, 71 years ago, the Death of a Baltimore Birdie…and Friend.  A canvasback prize fighter, his adventures in love and murder. 

Then, Did Justice Triumph, originally broadcast June 16, 1947, 78 years ago, the Man Who Died Twice.  A case of fraud against a...

Crime on a Sunday

First a look at the events of the day

Then Crime and Peter Chambers starring Dane Clark, originally broadcast June 15, 1954, 71 years ago.   Jack March is suspected of the murder of the Contessa La Fresso. She's been knifed to death. Keep your nose on those flowers!

Followed by Calling All Cars, originally broadcast June 15, 1939, 86 years ago, The Man with the Injured Knee.  A murder and robbery has taken place in Nogales.

Then Lights Out, originally broadcast June 15, 1943, 82 years ago, Prelude to Murder. . An insanely jealous orchestra conductor is convinced th...

Comedy on a Saturday 

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then, Screen Directors Playhouse, originally broadcast June 14, 1951, 74 years ago, The Ghost Breakers starring Bob Hope.  Bob is hired to accompany a beautiful girl to Castle Maldito in Cuba.

Followed by Father Knows Best starring Robert Young, originally broadcast June 14, 1951, 74 years ago, Father's Day Picnic. The family plans a Father's Day picnic; physical preparations begin.

Then You Bet Your Life starring Groucho Marx, originally broadcast June 14, 1950, 75 years ago, The Secret Word is Tree. The first cou...

Comedy on Friday the 13th

First a look at the events of the day

Then, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, originally broadcast June 13, 1937, 88 years ago with guest Joan Blondell.  Charlie McCarthy is in trouble with the truant officer again. Dorothy Lamour sings, "Please Make Me Be Good," a new Rodgers and Hart tune, being heard for the first time on the air. Joan Blondell appears in a skit by Colin Clements titled, "Spring." Afterwards, Charlie does his version, titled, "Summer."  W. C. Fields has built a better mousetrap. He's then introduced to young Rollo Pe...

Crime on a Thursday 

First,  a look at this day in History.

Then Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast June 12, 1954, 71 years ago, The Cover-Up.  Barnaby Hoffer plans to kills Art Long, but both of them are found dead! It looks like Sam Baxtin did it!

Followed by Have Gun Will Travel starring John Dehner, originally broadcast June 12, 1960, 65 years ago, Search for Wylie.  Paladin tries to return Willie Dawson to El Paso...to tell him that he's no longer a wanted man. 

Then The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starr...