Radio Retropolis

A convict Friday put away for narcotics dealing has been released and is willing to help Friday catch the big man behind a heroin ring.  In order to do so, Friday goes undercover to expose him.  Commentary on why this was a standout episode for Jack Webb.  Plus, Barney Phillips as new partner Ed Jacobs and why he was not long for the show.

Kent, who just found out about the story in the Planet called in by Jimmy, was astonished that Jimmy would write such a smear campaign against the players.  Commentary on Kent's ability to break impossible codes.

A tramp steamer captain rescues a man lost at sea who says he abandoned the ship because they were attacked by some sea monster that turned the water to blood with the crew started disappearing one by one.  Commentary on the Manhattan Project which coincided with this day in history.  Plus, actor Arthur Vinton who starred.

After a professor is fired dishonorably from the faculty, he seeks revenge by planning to set off a bomb at the chapel during graduation day.  The countdown to the last of the Orson Welles episodes continues with four more to go.

A worried mother has a son with a severe life-threatening fever. Because of a widespread flu epidemic, she has to face the problems alone.  JR speaks on actress Martha Scott.

Kirby's smear campaign framing the two players depends upon Jimmy calling in the gambling story to the Planet.   When Jimmy refuses, Kirby threatens a brutal response unless he complies.  JR speaks on Candy Meyers and the infamous Stolen Costume episode from The Advetures of Superman television series.

Liz inadvertently returns a dress to a more expensive store than where she bought it, and makes money on the deal. So she decides to go into business buying dresses at one store and returning them at the other. Commentary tonight on how this episode was remade on radio and adapted for I Love Lucy.  Plus a look at how Lucille Ball redefined her comedic image from the early stages of radio into the...

Two convicts escape from a nearby penitentiary. According to reports they are heading towards Los Angeles and are both armed and dangerous.  In the meantime, Friday is given some shattering news.  His partner of 11 years Ben Romero died that morning of a massive heart attack.  As Romero's portrayer, Barton Yarborough, died in the same manner just a week before this episode, Jack Webb wanted an epi...

Superman is worried about the whereabouts of Jimmy and Jack who are now held captive by Vincent Kirby the head of the Knights of the White Carnation.  Commentary on Jimmy's real age discovered here.

A doctor visits Africa to catch a large gorilla to bring him back to New York with them to go in a zoo. The gorilla, however, seems to take an unusual dislike in the doctor as if he had known him from somewhere.  Commentary on the real evolution of man and gorilla that mirrors the plot line of this episode. Plus guest star Anne Seymour.

During a cave tour, several students fall down a pit when the rail gives way. When a rescue team goes down, they find no bodies. The Shadow and Margot Lane investigate and discover a secret mine deep below the caverns and much more horrifying unearthing.

A two-timing wife thinks that her meek, bank-teller husband is planning to kill her.   JR comments on the difference between misunderstandings in the style of drama versus comedy.

Jimmy and Jack Wilson pretending to agree with the hate agitators, relayed to Kent that they were told to meet at a lunch wagon to get further instructions by telephone.   But when they got there, they were carted away by the agents themselves who showed up in person.  JR comments on the three reasons why dramas of the Golden Age are still far superior to those today.

Liz tells George's mother that she's ill so the older Mrs. Cooper won't come to Liz' bridge game.  But George's Mother, as well as all of Liz' friends, thinks she is really pregnant. Commentary on why the word pregnant was an issue shortly after this episode.  Also, we talk about the behind the scenes real life emotion that went in to the Lucy is Enceinte episode of I Love Lucy.

A twenty-two-year-old girl has been abducted and her family receives an anonymous message demanding $30,000 for her safe return.  This is Barton Yarborough's very last episode of Dragnet. Commentary revisiting the history of how Dragnet came to be. Plus guest star Whit Connor who usually would have been an unlikely casting choice of Jack Webb's.

Jimmy and Jack disregard Clark's advice and decide to follow the man responsible for inciting the student riot not knowing they are being led right to the inner sanctum of the Knights of the White Carnation.  JR comments on recent listener reviews of the Superman radio series.

John and Muriel encounter car trouble and resort to stay at a spooky Haitian plantation in which they are told stories about the local voodoo which predicts an unhappy future for the couple.

While visiting Egypt, Lamont Cranston investigates why patients keep disappearing from the Cairo General Hospital. Listen for a bone chilling performance from Margot Stevenson!

A middle-aged sandwich clerk borrows money from the store cash register to bet on a long-shot horse race guaranteed to win. When the horse loses, the psychological trauma of being "honest" haunts him and adds a psychological twist to the story.  JR comments on what desperation leads to.  Plus, Charles Laughton.

Jimmy is being threatened by an angry mob of students as he protects the boys who were accused of throwing the game.  JR comments on Superman's speech to the rioting students about bullying and mob rule.

Mr. Curry, George and Liz's landlord, is raising the rent, supposedly on instructions from his late wife, Bernice. Liz figures that she can fix things with a crooked Ouija Board. Commentary on how the Ouija Board came to be as well as the special connection Lucille Ball had with numerology.

Friday and Romero discover a woman and two dead canaries killed in the same manner in the same house. Commentary on the brilliant performance of guest actress Joyce McCluskey and why this is one of Dragnet's top episodes.

Superman works to clear the names of the boys who were first beaten and then framed for taking bribes thanks to Knights of the White Carnation.  JR comments on how fate plays into the lives of Superman's pals.

A ship sailing the Caribbean crashes and loses all hands except 5 men. One of the men is dying and puts a curse on the Captain and another man right before he dies. The remaining men find another ship and board it only to find it abandoned and filled with pirate treasure.

Lamont and Margo head for Panama to track down a spy ring that's laying mines to disrupt shipping through the canal.  Commentary to follow episode.