Radio Retropolis

This special episode tells three tales of life and death in the city of Los Angeles one Fourth of July weekend.  Commentary on Webb pal Harry Bartell and an examination of why one crucial scene, in which Friday did not deliver, but Bartell's character did.  Also, why Stacy Harris, known for his aggressive roles, excels here as the father of the boy who was at the center of one story's tragedy.

Pug had grand illusions to steal the map from Kent as a gag.  But unbeknownst to him, others are planning to do the same thing at the same time which puts Pug's life in dire straits. Commentary on the derogatory term half breed used against the villain.

Lamont Cranston dies so that The Shadow can go undercover to battle a super-villain who has discovered his secret identity. Commentary on how the science fiction of yesterday became the science fact today as we learn a new power of the Shadow.  Plus,a look at the 1939 ratings and which show was number one.  We end with a salute to Agnes Moorehead in her final episode as Margo Lane.

Clark, Jimmy and young Pug prepare to head back to Metropolis by ship after their harrowing experience with the Clara M and the treasure map. But they are once again in serious danger when two nefarious fellows learn Kent has a valuable treasure map in his possession and make plans to steal it.  Pug also has plans which puts him in great danger.

An unidentified man is abducted from a downtown street where blood stains are found on the sidewalk. The abductors escaped in a gray sedan which turns up later also containing matching blood stains.  Commentary on Jack Webb's working style and the sci-fi icon who launched his career adapting real police stories into Dragnet scripts.

A vicious convict is released from jail and goes after the man who put him behind bars -- The Shadow.  Commentary on North and South Brother Islands in the East River by the Bronx as the source locations most likely used for this episode.   Plus we look at the raw brutality of the lead villain which we see more in this season as well as Agnes Moorehead not being available for this episode.

An impatient wife who has had enough of her invalid husband who just won't die on his own decides to murder him .  JR speaks on the controversial life of star Joan Fontaine.

Someone killed Claudia's first husband…and then her second.  When she picks up a mysterious hitchhiker on the side of the road who seems to know all about her, she is convinced she's the next to die unless she can secure the police to nab him before he tries to murder her.  Commentary on tonight's stars Everett Sloane and Wendy Barrie.

Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane overhear a shortwave radio message of an international spy who is planning to steal a new warplane. Commentary on how Hollywood represented zombies and how this episode takes real voodoo legend to explain their existence here. Plus, we pay tribute to the one of the episode's co-writers who went on to create one of the most popular fictional detectives in modern lite...

A man who is in desperate need of money discovers his elderly aunt has a heart condition so fragile that any sudden shock could kill her.  JR speaks on the unusual life and career of star James Mason and his wife and co-star of this episode Pamela Bellino.  Plus, Mason's discovery that saved Buster Keaton's Hollywood legacy.

A small time poker player is in the game of his life in which the loser must commit suicide.  Commentary on the Twilight Zone feel of the episode.  Plus actor Larry Haines and episode writer Emile C. Tepperman.

A woman is reported murdered, but the only clue seems to be a statue made of wax.  Commentary on the continued love/hate relationship of Lamont Cranston and Commissioner Weston.  Plus, a true conflicted conclusion for The Shadow.

Jane Wyman stars tonight as a wife who is accused of poisoning her sickly husband at a remote mountain lodge learns her husband is on to her and that he tipped off his detective friend, Rocky Rhodes, who is on his way to the lodge to analyze the pills to prove her guilt.  JR speaks on reverse Agatha Christie angle which results in the ultimate practical joke.  Plus an exsdclusive interview with Fa...

Friday interrogates a drug addict to reveal his narcotics source and then goes deep undercover at great risk posing as a heroin dealer to nab the main guy in action. Commentary on the special edit needed to restore this episode.  Plus character actor Sam Edwards who plays Jules.

A smart lawyer who successfully defended a murderer in court demands a very high fee-one that may be too costly.  Commentary on the fascinating career of tonight's star Joseph Julian who starred in radio but also did special effects.  In addition, he was a foreign correspondence reporter who went to Hiroshima following the atomic bomb drop.

A blind man, with a highly developed sense of touch, is forced to be a safe cracker for a gang of bank robbers, or else they'll shoot his seeing-eye dog.  Commentary on clarifying the Weston/Perry White influence, the love/hate relationship of Cranston and Weston as well as the various actors who portrayed Weston and how Johnstone made the character of Cranston more three dimensional than Welles.

A man's friends stop by while he's cementing a hole in the cellar floor thinking he killed and buried his cheating wife there.  JR speaks on the brilliance of Charles Laughton's use of voice.  Plus, why this is not just an ordinary mystery thriller.

FINAL PODCAST IN THE SERIES! The boys make a deal with the girls, if Liz and Iris can slim down to the same dress size they wore ten years ago, George and Rudolph will buy each of them a whole new Easter outfit. This is the final existing episode of My Favorite Husband and our final podcast of this series.  Commentary on the transition from radio to television for Lucille Ball and the significance...

Sergeant Friday sets out to break a racket that consists of requests for contributions to phony charities.  Commentary on the new Dragnet comic strip.  Plus, the word "crippled" and trying to find the least offensive path to righteousness.

A man believes he is someone else yet he sees himself dead and buried.  Or is he?  Commentary on the convoluted plot which was saved by the incredible talent of actor Myron McCormick.

The evil Dr. Dharma uses his "telepathic hypnosis" to cause a series of suicides to profit from the victim's insurance. Lamont Cranston becomes his next victim and it's up to Margo Lane to save his life.  Commentary on Margo Lane being the hero in this episode as well as the fact that the Shadow is not infallible and is very nearly defeated by a villain of equal status.

A typical middle-aged couple driving home turn on the car radio and hear that a "mad-dog" killer is on the loose in the area...who just happens to be hiding in their backseat.  Commentary on casting against type fpor Suspense for publicity with Fibber McGee and Molly in the lead roles. Plus a look at the San Fernando Valley, the "Valley", and how it changed from this broadcast through the years an...

Iris lets slip that one of Liz's friends is throwing a party Saturday night, and Liz and George aren't invited. But which friend is it?  Commentary on the comparison with this episode to Halloween Surprise Party with the exception of how the writers misfired once again by writing Liz somewhat untruthfully at the end.  One more episode to go!

Friday investigates an unidentified woman who is found chloroformed to death!  Commentary on real deaths by chloroform.  Plus, why people make false murder confessions.

A man purchases an old portrait: a portrait with a history of death... for the artist... for the model... and for all those who own it. Commentary on actress Lesley Woods.