Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

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 treat...

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 fr...

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 S...

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 Sol...

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 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 m...

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 F...

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 Cl...

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.  Pala...

Crime on a Wednesday First, a look at the events of the day Then Let George Do It starring Bob Bailey and Virginia Gregg , originally broadcast June 11, 1951,  74 years ago, Sucker Stunt.   George Valentine is the sucker when he proves Tim McGeehan is guilty of armed robbery. But what about the murder that McGeehan committed? George Valentine provides McGeehan's alibi! Followed by Boston Blackie s...

Drama on a Tuesday First,  a look at this day in History. Then The Hallmark Playhouse , originally broadcast June 10, 1948, 77 years ago, The Devil and Daniel Webster.  The first show of the series. A good New Hampshire lawyer voids a deal with the Devil!  Followed by Fort Laramie starring Raymond Bur r, originally broadcast June 10, 1956, 69 years ago, The Young Trooper.  A young boy named Jed su...

Comedy on a Monday First a look at the events of the day Then Amos ‘n’ Andy, originally broadcast June 9, 1944, 81 years ago, Shirt Tail.   The start of the program is delayed for D-Day bulletins (Communique #8) and invasion news (four and a half minutes). The case of Andy and the Comfy Collar Shirt Company.  Followed by The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary , originally broadcast June 9, 1...

Comedy on a Sunday First,  a look at this day in History. Then Town Hall Tonight with Fred Allen , originally broadcast June 8, 1938, 86 years ago, Satire on Song Writers. Fred interviews "actors" about the coming summer stock season. People You Didn't Expect To Meet: Ray Smith, a hunting and fishing guide from upstate New York. Ed Albany: "The Human Echo" performs.  Followed by the Judy Canova Sh...

Our salute to Radio the day after D-Day, 1944, 81 years ago First a look at the events of the day Then Orson Welles Almanac , originally broadcast June 7, 1944, 81 years ago. Orson Welles introduces and performs in a portrait of the home front during the invasion. Followed by Vic and Sade , originally broadcast June 7, 1944, 81 years ago. Sade is playing hooky from work, Uncle Fletcher is going to...

Our salute to Radio on D-Day, 1944, 81 years ago First,  a look at this day in History. Then The Red Skelton Show , originally broadcast June 6, 1944, 81 years ago.  A mostly music program to salute Red’s leaving.  He had been drafted into the Army.  Junior prays for D-Day. Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra handle most of the entertainment.  Fibber McGee and Molly come in to wish Red best of luck, bu...

Westerns on a Thursday First, a look at the events of the day Then Have Gun Will Travel starring John Dehner as Paladin, originally broadcast June 5, 1960, 65 years ago, Apache Concerto. Paladin is sent to return a harmonium salesman and his lovely niece home, despite being captured by the bandit Chivaro. Followed by Gunsmoke starring William Conrad , originally broadcast June 5, 1954, 71 years ag...

A Funny Wednesday First,  a look at this day in History. Then The Steve Allen Show , originally broadcast June 4, 1950, 75 years ago with guest Eve Arden. The Summer replacement for Our Miss Brooks.  Steve and Eve do a sketch portraying the happy home life of two married screen stars.  Followed by the news from 75 years ago, then My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball and Richard Denning , orig...

A Funny Tuesday First a look at the events of the day Then Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden , originally broadcast June 3, 1951, 74 years ago, Miss Brooks takes over the First Aid Course.   Miss Brooks has to take over teaching Madison High's first aid course. But first, a test of her abilities.   Followed by the news from 74 years ago, followed by The Jack Benny Show , originally broadcast June...

A Funny Monday First,  a look at this day in History. Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson , originally broadcast June 2, 1953, 72 years ago, Laughing Boy.   Irma's boss has purchased a race horse named, Laughing Boy. Followed by the news from 72 years ago, then Martin and Lewis Show , originally broadcast June 2, 1953, 72 years ago with guest Jeff Chandler.  Dean, Jerry, and Jeff do a sketch...

Drama on a Sunday First a look at the events of the day Then Frontier Gentleman starring John Dehner , originally broadcast June 1, 1958, 67 years ago, Duel For A School Marm.  The new school marm is most popular with town residents, despite the fact that there are no children in town! Followed by the news from 67 years ago, followed by Suspense , originally broadcast June 1, 1958, 67 years ago, R...

A Dramatic Saturday First,  a look at this day in History. Then Suspense, originally broadcast May 31, 1945, 80 years ago, August Heat starring Ronald Coleman.  A very hot day finds strange predictions of the future starting to come true. Followed by Let George Do It starring Bob Bailey and Virginia Gregg, originally broadcast May 31, 1948, 77 years ago, The Island in the Lake.  George visits the...

Espionage on this Friday with remembrances of Memorial Day First a look at the events of the day Then Counterspy starring Don MacLaughlan and Mandel Kramer, originally broadcast May 30, 1948, 77 years ago, The Case of the Camera Happy Crooks.  A movie company comes to a small town in Pennsylvania to re-enact a famous bank robbery. Even the mayor and the chief of police lend a hand. Followed by Thi...

A Funny Thursday, and we remember Fred First,  a look at this day in History. Then Father Knows Best starring Robert Young , originally broadcast May 29, 1952, 73 years ago, Sorting Through the Old Trunk. Memories in an old trunk conspire to get Jim in a swimming race with the father of one of Bud’s classmates. But when Jim bows out to go to the fair, the race gets moved from the YMCA to the Fair!...

A Funny Wednesday First a look at the events of the day Then Jack Benny , originally broadcast May 28, 1950, 75 years ago, Last Show of the Season. A reporter asks Jack about how he met all his cast members. The origin story of Superman, it ain’t.  Followed by The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, originally broadcast May 28, 1950, 75 years ago, Tickets to South Pacific. Phil tries to get an extra two...

Westerns on a Tuesday First,  a look at this day in History. Then Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr , originally broadcast May 27, 1956, 69 years ago, The Sergeant’s Baby.  Stella Merchant is expecting her baby shortly. Captain Quince is left in charge of the garrison. He becomes a midwife with the help of Sergeant Gorce.  Followed by the news from 69 years ago, then Gunsmoke starring William Con...