Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

A Funny Friday First a look at the events of the day Then Jack Benny , originally broadcast January 24, 1954, 71 years ago,  The cast does a tale of the frozen North: "The Shooting Of Dan McGrew."  Followed by Joan Davis Time , originally broadcast January 24, 1948, 77 years ago, Sam Spade.  Joan has a date with Freddie Hartzfelder, so she tries to look glamorous She dreams of a caper with detecti...

A Funny Thursday First a look at this day in History. Then Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, originally broadcast January 23, 1949, 76 years ago, New Head of the English Department.  The position of head of the English department is up for grabs, and Miss Brooks would very much like to grab it.  Followed by Lum and Abner , originally broadcast January 23, 1949, 76 years ago, The Farewell Dinner....

A Western Wednesday First a look at the events of the day Then Fort Laramie starring Raymond Burr, originally broadcast January 22, 1956, 69 years ago,  Playing Indians.   Captain Quince baits a trap for a band of horse thieves and murderers who are trying to make the cavalry think they are Arapahos.  Followed by Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast January 22, 1955, 70 years ago...

A Variety Tuesday First a look at this day in History. Then The Big Show starring Tallulah Bankhead, originally broadcast January 21, 1951, 74 years ago.  NBC’s big variety show with guests Fred Allen, Portland Hoffa, Eddie Cantor, Judy Holliday, Gypsy Rose Lee, Vaughn Monroe, and Patrice Munsel. Followed by Amos ‘n’ Andy , originally broadcast January 21, 1951, 74 years ago, Mama and Hubert Smith...

A Funny Monday First a look at the events of the day Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast January 20, 1952, 73 years ago,  The Burglar.  A burglar has taken Jane's new brooch. Followed by The Fred Allen Show , originally broadcast January 20, 1946, 78 years ago, with guest George Jessel.   The Allen's Alley question is, "How have you been coping with the meat shortage?"...

A Dramatic Sunday First a look at this day in History. Then The Screen Guild Theater originally broadcast January 19, 1941, 84 years ago, The Magnificent Obsession starring Myrna Loy and Don Ameche.  An adaptation of the 1935 film.  The life of spoiled rich Robert Merrick is saved through the use of a hospital's sole resuscitator, but because the medical device cannot be in two places at once, it...

A Criminal Saturday First a look at the events of the day Then Suspense, originally broadcast January 18, 1954, 71 years ago,  The Face is Familiar starring Jack Benny. An innocent schnook is used by a gang of bank robber to help them with a caper.   Read about Jack’s forays on Suspense here… https://www.classicradio.stream/2023/01/jack-benny-on-suspense.html Followed by Dragnet starring Jack Webb...

Comedy on a Friday First a look at this day in History. Then The Great Gildersleeve starring Willard Waterman, originally broadcast January 17, 1951, 74 years ago, A Nervous Father.  Marjorie gets the urge to move furniture, a sure sign that the baby is on the way! Followed by Truth or Consequences starring Ralph Edwards, originally broadcast January 17, 1948, 77 years ago, The Walking Man.  Who i...

A Criminal Thursday First a look at the events of the day Then The Shadow starring Orson Welles and Agnes Moorehead, originally broadcast January 16, 1938, 87 years ago,  Sabotage.  A small tube of nitroglycerine helps the Shadow to break up a spy ring run by the strange Dr. Arnheim.  Followed by Dr. Christian starring Gene Hersholdt, originally broadcast January 16, 1938, 87 years ago, The Flood....

Drama on a Wednesday First a look at this day in History. Then Let George Do It starring Bob Bailey and Virginia Gregg, originally broadcast January 15, 1951, 74 years ago, Tune on a Triangle.   George Valentine is tricked into rescuing a woman on a building ledge...as a publicity stunt. She's a trapeze artist...and there's an insane strongman who has George's gun.  Followed by Inner Sanctum Myste...

A Silly Tuesday First a look at the events of the day Then Fibber McGee and Molly originally broadcast January 14, 1947, 78 years ago,  Package at the Post Office.  Fibber battles a snowstorm to get a package from the Post Office.  Followed by The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast January 14, 1945, 80 years ago, For The Defense.  Gildersleeve is trying to get out of a...

Drama on a Monday First a look at this day in History. Then The Man Called X starring Herbert Marshall, originally broadcast January 13, 1951, 74 years ago.  Ken Thurston flies to Cuba to track down a tiny package that threatens the welfare of the world. Followed by Calling All Cars , originally broadcast January 13, 1939, 86 years ago, The Case of the Silver Cord. The Chief of Police of Santa Mon...

A Silly Sunday First a look at the events of the day Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast January 12, 1948, 76 years ago,  While listening to the radio, Irma enters the KNX, "I Want To Be A Bride, Because" contest and becomes part of the Lucky Couple! Followed by Jack Benny, originally broadcast January 12, 1941, 84 years ago, Jack is Late with No Script.   Jack's writer...

Drama on a Saturday First a look at this day in History. Then Screen Guild Theater , originally broadcast January 11, 1943, 82 years ago, Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore.   A tuneful adaptation of the movie.  Followed by Screen Directors Playhouse , originally broadcast January 11, 1951, 74 years ago, Ivy starring  Joan Fontaine.  A ruthless woman lets nothing stand in her way of...

A Funny Friday First a look at the events of the day Then George Burns and Gracie Allen , originally broadcast January 10, 1938, 86 years ago, Gracie’s Murder Mystery.  The cast does Gracie's new murder mystery, "Slay It With Music," or, "Love Begins At Eight Dollars and Forty cents." Followed by The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast January 10, 1943, 82 years ago, Fib...

Westerns and Crime on a Thursday First a look at this day in History. Then Screen Directors Playhouse , originally broadcast January 9, 1949, 76 years ago, Stagecoach starring John Wayne. Based on the movie about The Ringo Kid, The Plummer Boys, and The Apaches. Followed by Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast January 9, 1954, 71 years ago, The Joke’s on Us.  Three men lynch a ra...

A Dramatic Wednesday First a look at the events of the day Then Gang Busters , originally broadcast January 8, 1949, 76 years ago, The Case Of The Surprised Safecrackers. The program's 13th anniversary. New York's Safe and Loft Squad is watching Tommy DeLuca and his assistant plan and execute a safe job. The past president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Mayor of Balti...

A Dramatic Tuesday First a look at this day in History. Then Screen Guild Players , originally broadcast January 7, 1946, 79 years ago, The Lost Weekend starring Ray Milland.  The classic about the battle of the bottle. Barry Fitzgerald presents the Redbook Award to the writers of the story (including Billy Wilder). Followed by Escape , originally broadcast January 7, 1948, 77 years ago, The Secon...

A Funny Monday First a look at the events of the day Then My Friend Irma starring Marie Wilson, originally broadcast January 6, 1952, 73 years ago, Memoirs.   Irma has written her memoirs and is looking for a publisher. The program is actually holding a "March Of Dimes Auction;" the highest bidder gets Marie Wilson's services for a day (as a secretary only!) Followed by Jack Benny , originally bro...

A Dramatic Sunday First a look at this day in History. Then Arch Obolers Plays, originally broadcast January 5, 1943, 82 years ago, Speed.   A story about two men with a mighty power, the power to move very, very rapidly. Followed by Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast January 5, 1954, 71 years ago, The Big Listen.  A drunk in a Turkish bath supplies the clue needed to round up a gang...

Drama on a Saturday First a look at the events of the day Then Suspense , originally broadcast January 4, 1959, 66 years ago, Don’t Call Me Mother starring Agnes Moorehead. A possessive mother is determined to break up her son's marriage.  Followed by Yours Truly Johnny Dollar starring Bob Bailey, originally broadcast January 4, 1959, 66 years ago, The Hollywood Mystery Matter. A strange $10,000 e...

A Western Friday First a look at this day in History. Then The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, originally broadcast January 3, 1954, 71 years ago, A Friend in Need.  Britt meets a killer in a narrow canyon who tells a very believable story. Followed by the news from 71 years ago, then The Hallmark Hall of Fame , originally broadcast January 3, 1954, 71 years ago, The True Story of Tom Mix.   A...

Drama on a Thursday First a look at the events of the day Then Dr. Christian starring Gene Hersholdt, originally broadcast January 2, 1938, 77 years ago, The Kidnapped Husband.   A woman's husband has been kidnapped. Or has he?  Followed by Dark Fantasy , originally broadcast January 2, 1942, 82 years ago, Resolution 1841.  Four people are spending New Years Eve at an old house.  But it seems that...

New Years Day Comedy First a look at this day in History. Then Jack Benny , originally broadcast January 1, 1939, 86 years ago, Goodbye 1938,  Hello 1939.   Mary reads a New Year's poem. The show features the first performance of, "The New Tenant," which was to become an annual New Year's fantasy.  Followed by Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, originally broadcast January 1, 1950, 75 years ago,...

A Funny New Years Eve First a look at the events of the day Then Jack Benny originally broadcast December 31, 1950, 74 years ago, A New Years Eve show.  A reprisal of the annual changing of the arms in the New Year. Followed by The News from 74 years ago, then Phil Harris/Alice Faye , originally broadcast December 31, 1950, 74 years ago, Mr. Scott's New Years Party.  Phil and Alice haven't been in...