Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

A Dramatic Tuesday First a look at this day in History. Then The Weird Circle , originally broadcast February 18, 1945, 80 years ago, The Oblong Box.   A horror story about an ill-fated ocean voyage and the strange secret of the box on board a drifting longboat.  Followed by I Was a Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews, originally broadcast February 18, 1953, 72 years ago, The Black Gospel....

A Funny Monday First a look at the events of the day Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast February 17, 1952, 73 years ago, Jane Decides to Quit Her Job.   Jane quits her job and breaks off her romance with Richard when Richard hires a beautiful new secretary. Jane writes him a scathing letter and asks Irma to mail it to Richard; a big mistake.  Followed by Fibber McGee a...

A Criminal Sunday First a look at this day in History. Then Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast February 16, 1954, 71 years ago, The Big Sucker.   A con-man uses real diamonds to cheat unsuspecting victims, selling them cut glass after they've taken the bait.  Followed by The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe starring Sydney Greenstreet, originally broadcast February 16, 1951, 74 years ago...

A Funny Saturday First a look at the events of the day Then Screen Guild Theater , originally broadcast February 15, 1943, 82 years ago, They Got Me Covered starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.  Bob battles Nazi spies in Washington, D.C. and gets to kiss Dottie at the end of a wise-cracking comedy. Followed by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis originally broadcast February 15, 1952, 73 years ago with g...

We focus on a Sunday 65 years ago First a look at this day in History. Then Suspense , originally broadcast February 14, 1960, 65 years ago, Sorry Wrong Number starring Agnes Moorehead.  The eighth and final presentation of Lucille Fletcher’s most renowned radio work, seventeen years after it’s first performance.    An invalid woman battles the frustrations of the telephone system after she overhe...

A Valentine Thursday First a look at the events of the day Then Lum and Abner , originally broadcast February 13, 1949, 76 years ago, Lum Tries To Make His Own Valentine For Rowena.   Lum saves thirty-five cents on a valentine...complications ensue!  Followed by Jack Benny originally broadcast February 13, 1955, 70 years ago,  Jack Misses his Surprise Birthday Party.   It's Jack's birthday, but no...

A Criminal Wednesday First a look at this day in History. Then Mr. District Attorney starring Jay Jostyn, originally broadcast February 12, 1941, 84 years ago, The Man From Alcatraz.  Vannie Devine is on the lam. His nerve and his health are shot. He only has his pal Monk and his pet marmoset for company. Bullets Kane is out to kill him, so he calls on Mr. D.A. for protection. Followed by Inner Sa...

A Variety Tuesday First a look at the events of the day Then The Big Show starring Tallulah Bankhead , originally broadcast February 11, 1951, 74 years ago.  Groucho Marx advertises "Plebo," his unique product. The Andrews Sisters celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of their singing as a trio by doing a medley of their hits. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis do a comedy routine, Dean also sings. Judy Ga...

A Funny Monday First a look at this day in History. Then Jack Benny, originally broadcast February 10, 1952, 73 years ago, Getting the Song Published. Jack heads back east to try to get a New York City publisher to publish :When I Say I Beg Your Pardon”.  The usual train station hijinks, including Mel Blanc as the announcer.  Followed by My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast F...

A Criminal and Creepy Sunday First a look at the events of the day Then The FBI in Peace and War, originally broadcast February 9, 1958, 67 years ago, The Upstairs Roomer.  A crook takes a room in a house, but the landlord knows the crook has a lot of money, and tries to figure out how to get it from him.   Followed by the news from 67 years ago, then Frontier Gentleman starring John Dehner, origi...

A Dramatic Saturday First a look at this day in History. Then Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast February 8, 1953, 72 years ago, The Big Press. A pair of check forgers are at work in Los Angeles. Sgt. Friday goes undercover to track them down.  Followed by Escape, originally broadcast February 8, 1953, 72 years ago, Jetsam starring Ben Wright.  Junius Peabody is an alcoholic, broke,...

A Funny Friday First a look at the events of the day Then People Are Funny starring Art Linkletter, originally broadcast February 7, 1950, 75 years ago, Cinderella Gets Her Greatest Wish.  The first contestant tries to milk a goat on stage. "The Cinderella Girl" from Omaha returns...and gets a job in the movies! Followed by the news from 75 years ago, then Bob Hope , originally broadcast February...

A Dramatic Thursday First a look at this day in History. Then Under Arrest starring Joe Desantis, originally broadcast February 6, 1949, 76 years ago, The Sam Carver Case.  Did Sam Carver commit suicide or was he murdered? Ask the spiritualist...she knows a ghost that can kill! Followed by Barrie Craig Confidential Investigator starring William Gargan, originally broadcast February 6, 1952, 73 yea...

A Dramatic Wednesday First a look at the events of the day Then Inner Sanctum Mysteries , originally broadcast February 5, 1946, 79 years ago, Skeleton Bay starring Betty Lou Gerson. A mystery writer witnesses a murder. The killer sees the witness, who surprisingly offers to help the killer dispose of the body!  Followed by Let George Do It starring Bob Bailey and Virginia Gregg, originally broadc...

A Funny Tuesday First a look at this day in History. Then Father Knows Best starring Robert Young, originally broadcast February 4, 1954, 71 years ago, The Telephone Mix-Up. To get the new people on the party line to hang up, Bud and Kathy pretend to be mobsters.   Followed by Jimmy Durante originally broadcast February 4, 1948, 77 years ago, Courtin’ Corabelle. Jimmy and guest Victor Moore go "Co...

A Dramatic Monday First a look at the events of the day Then Suspense , originally broadcast February 3, 1949, 76 years ago, Backseat Driver starring Fibber McGee and Molly.  A killer commandeers the car of a couple leaving the movies.  Followed by Screen Directors Playhouse , originally broadcast February 3, 1950, 75 years ago, The Sea Wolf starring Edward G. Robinson. An adaptation of the classi...

A Funny Sunday First a look at this day in History. Then Suspense, originally broadcast February 2, 1953, 72 years ago, Plan X starring Jack Benny.  Zeno, the Martian, is sent to meet the first rocket from Earth to land on his planet, and to put "Plan X" into effect.   Followed by Jack Benny, originally broadcast February 2, 1947, 78 years ago, What if Jack Benny was Never Born.  Jack and Mary go...

A Dangerous Saturday First a look at the events of the day Then The Lives of Harry Lime starring Orson Welles, originally broadcast February 1, 1952, 73 years ago, The Dark Enchantress.  A young lady in the Algerian casbah needs the help of Harry Lime. Followed by Ceiling Unlimited, originally broadcast February 1, 1943, 82 years ago, The Future. The program starts with a scene set at La Guardia a...

A Funny Friday First a look at this day in History. Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast January 31, 1949, 76 years ago. Professor Kropotkin is going to have to go to the old men's home, unless his friends can help.  Followed by Father Knows Best starring Robert Young, originally broadcast January 31, 1952, 73 years ago, An Evening Out.  Jim and Margaret Anderson are pla...

A Dangerous Thursday First a look at the events of the day Then The Shadow starring Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead, originally broadcast January 30, 1938, 87 years ago, The Poison Death.   A madman threatens to poison the entire city...and signs his threat...The Shadow! Followed by Dark Fantasy , originally broadcast January 30, 1942, 83 years ago, Death Is a Savage Diety.  A tale of witchcraft...

A Western and Weird Wednesday First a look at this day in History. Then Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast January 29, 1955, 70 years ago, Young Love.  Jesse Wheat is shot in cold blood by two drifters who plan to take over his cattle, his wife, and his ranch.  Followed by Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr, originally broadcast January 29, 1956, 69 years ago, The Boatwright’s...

A Dangerous Tuesday First a look at the events of the day Then The Adventures of Philip Marlowe starring Gerald Mohr, originally broadcast January 28, 1950, 75 years ago, The Hairpin turn. Marlowe meets a pistol-packin' mama, who happens to be a champion sharpshooter, and a dead body, drilled dead center with a target pistol! Keep your ear on Mutt, chum! Followed by The New Adventures of Sherlock...

A Funny Monday First the Jack Benny Show from January 27, 1946, 79 years ago, Contest Winners of the I Can't Stand Jack Benny Contest are announced. Jack is scheduled to give away $10,000 to the winners of the "I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest. Phil sings a duet with his daughter. Fred Allen, the chief judge of the contest, announces the winners from New York.  Then My Favorite Husband starring L...

A Funny Sunday First a look at the events of the day Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast January 26, 1948, 77 years ago.  Irma gives up on Al and joins a Lonely Hearts Club.  Followed by The Charlie McCarthy Show, originally broadcast January 26, 1947, 78 years ago, guest Roy Rogers.  Charlie has a pocket full of silkworms. They're the start of Charlie's Wormatorium.  M...

A Criminal Saturday First a look at this day in History. Then Big Town starring Edward Pawley, originally broadcast January 25, 1949, 76 years ago, The Fatal Fix.  Willy The Weep sees a young girl attacked on a Big Town dock. She's been slashed by Shiv The Knife to keep a basketball fix racket under wraps.  Followed by Suspense , originally broadcast January 25, 1954, 71 years ago, Want Ad starrin...