Classic Radio Theater with Wyatt Cox

Two hours of Crime First a look at this day in History. Then Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast January 4, 1953, 71 years ago, The Big Mask Part II. The "Black Masked Bandit" eludes efforts of the cops to track him down. It's as if he knows what the law is planning next. Followed by The Screen Guild Theater, originally broadcast January 4, 1943, 81 years ago, Suspicion starring Joan...

Two hours of Westerns First a look at this day in History. Then Have Gun Will Travel starring John Dehner, originally broadcast January 3, 1960, 64 years ago, Return Engagement. Paladin is hired to protect a rancher from Curly McLain, who is just out of Yuma prison, where he's spent the last six years. After discovering that Curly was framed, Paladin tries to right an injustice. Followed by Gunsmo...

Two hours of Drama First a look at this day in History. Then Dr Christian starring Gene Hersholdt, originally broadcast January 2, 1938, 86 years ago, The Kidnapped Husband. A woman's husband has been kidnapped. Followed by Theatre Royale, originally broadcast January 2, 1954, 70 years ago, Country of the Blind. In the valley of the blind, the one-eyed man is not always king! Sir Laurence Olivier...

Two hours of Crime Drama First a look at this day in History. Then The Whistler, originally broadcast January 1, 1945, 79 years ago, Two For The Money. A man plans revenge on his brother by leaving $25,000 in cash in his brother's cab! Followed by Calling All Cars, originally broadcast January 1, 1935, 89 years ago, Highlights of 1934. A re-dramatization of events from the past year. A murder, a b...

Two hours of New Years Eve Comedy First a look at this day in History. Then Phil Harris and Alice Faye, originally broadcast December 31, 1950, 73 years ago, Mr. Scott’s New Years Eve Party. Phil and Alice haven't been invited to the sponsor's New Year's Eve party, so Phil plans to take Alice to Ciro's. Followed by Jack Benny, originally broadcast December 31, 1944, 79 years ago, Jack Resolves to...

Two hours of New Years Eve Comedy First a look at this day in History. Then George Burns and Gracie Allen, originally broadcast December 30, 1948, 75 years ago, New Years Eve Party. George and Gracie go out on a double date with Meredith Willson and his date. Followed by The Great Gildersleeve starring Harold Peary, originally broadcast December 30, 1945, 78 years ago, New Years Eve. It's New Year...

Two hours of Crime First a look at this day in History. Then Gangbusters, originally broadcast December 29, 1945, 78 years ago, The Case of Red Coleman. Red Coleman is "The King Of The Big Thicket" county of Texas. He's a murderer, bank robber, kidnapper and a very nasty guy. Followed by Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast December 29, 1953, 70 years ago, The Big Steal. A wave of burg...

Two hours of Crime First a look at this day in History. Then Dragnet starring Jack Webb, originally broadcast December 28, 1952, 71 years ago, The Big Mask part 1. A robber wearing a black mask has hit a string of supermarkets. After going shopping for groceries, he locks the market employees in the freezer! Followed by Suspense, originally broadcast December 28, 1958, 65 years ago, The 32nd of De...

Two and a half hours of Westerns and Comedy First a look at this day in History. Then The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, originally broadcast December 27, 1953, 70 years ago, Cora Plummer Quincy. Cora Plummer had remarried soon after her husband died. Her son is convinced his step-father is after the family ranch and money. Followed by Gunsmoke starring William Conrad, originally broadcast De...

A Mixed bag today... First a look at this day in History. Then Dr Christian starring Jean Hersholdt, originally broadcast December 26, 1937, 86 years ago, Doris Fleming. A story about the owner of a dress shop. Followed by the Jack Benny Show, originally broadcast December 26, 1954, 69 years ago, Dennis Has a Cold. Jack gives a Christmas present to Ed, who is still down in the vault. It's the day...

Two hours of Christmas shows First a look at this day in History. Then The New Edgar Bergen Hour with Charlie McCarthy, originally broadcast December 25, 1955, 68 years ago, Edgar and Charlie and Candy. Frank Fawcett (a Santa's helper) is interviewed, Charlie and Candy recite "The Night Before Christmas," Charlie tells the story of Red Riding Hood from the wolf's point of view. Prof. Kirkwood disc...

Two adaptations of A Christmas Carol Richard Diamond, Private Detective starring Richard Diamond, originally broadcast December 24, 1949, 74 years ago, "A Christmas Carol". The famous story by Charles Dickens, but done by Richard Diamond, the private detective, and his friends. Then The Six Shooter starring Jimmy Stewart, originally broadcast December 20, 1953, 70 years ago, Britt Ponsett's Christ...

The Campbell Playhouse, originally broadcast December 24, 1939, 84 years ago. "A Christmas Carol" starring Lionel Barrymore. The definitive version of the classic story. Barrymore never was better.

Lights Out, originally broadcast December 22, 1937, 86 years ago. "Uninhabited (Christmas Story 1918)". A Christmas story, set during the war in 1918. A French soldier, an Australian, and an American Negro soldier find themselves aboard a railroad train. Have they met before? Are they wise men? And Treasury Star Parade, originally broadcast December 25, 1942, 81 years ago, "A Modern Scrooge". A Wa...

Two episodes of Radio's Outstanding Theater of Thrills. First, Suspense, originally broadcast December 21, 1958, 65 years ago, "Out For Christmas" starring Raymond Burr. Santa Claus has a gun and is out for revenge. He's really an ex-con out to get the rat who testified against him, and his girl who ran off with the rat! Then Suspense, originally broadcast December 20, 1959. 64 years ago, "Korean...

Two other Christmas Miracles First, Duffy's Tavern starring Ed Gardner as Archie, originally broadcast December 22, 1948, 75 years ago, Miracle on Third Avenue. Archie is depressed after not getting a Christmas bonus until a stranger pays him a visit. Jeff Chandler guest stars in an uncredited role. Then Grand Central Station. Originally broadcast December 24, 1949. "Miracle For Christmas" starrin...

The Lux Radio Theatre. Originally broadcast December 20, 1948, 75 years ago. . "Miracle On 34th Street" starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. An adaptation of the award-winning 1947 film. Kris Kringle is indignant to find that the man assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated. When he complains to event director Doris Walker...

Two episodes of the wonderful ABC program The Greatest Story Ever Told First, from December 21, 1947, 76 years ago, No Room at the Inn. The story of the Nativity and what happened in that manger. There was no hospitality, no welcome. There was severe overcrowding in and around Bethlehem, and the local residents and visitors alike were unwilling or unable to receive Jesus when he was born. Then fro...

Jack Benny goes shopping in two episodes of his long-running program. First from December 19, 1948, 75 years ago, Jack goes Christmas shopping and buys a wallet for Don Wilson. But it's never quite that simple, is it? Well, not for Mel Blanc. Then, from December 05, 1954, 69 years ago, Jack goes Christmas shopping for oil paints for Don Wilson. Or is it Water Colors? Mel Blanc is ably assisted by...

The Lux Radio Theatre, Originally broadcast March 10, 1947, 76 years ago. "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Victor Moore. Tired of his life on Earth, a man finds out what it's like never to have been born.

The Texaco Star Theatre starring Fred Allen, originally broadcast December 18, 1940, 83 years ago. Texaco News Of The Week: The case histories of child geniuses. Jack Benny is the only person to ever mail in a tea bag for a refill. Stuart Canin, the fourteen-year-old violinist who played, "The Bee" and started the Benny-Allen feud returns. Once again, he plays Schubert's, "The Bee." The Texaco Wor...

Two hours of Christmas shows First a look at this day in History. Then The Jimmy Durante Show, originally broadcast December 24, 1947, 76 years ago, Christmas Show. Guest Margaret O'Brien makes the rounds with jolly Jimmy Duranteclaus. Followed by Broadway is my Beat starring Larry Thor, originally broadcast December 24, 1949, 74 years ago, Nick Norman and Santa Claus. Nick Norman is just out of S...

Two hours of Christmas shows First a look at this day in History. Then The CBS Radio Workshop, originally broadcast December 23, 1956, 67 years ago, All Is Bright. The story of how "Silent Night" came to be written and became world famous. Followed by The Adventures of Red Ryder, originally broadcast December 23, 1948, 75 years ago, Christmas Story. Little Beaver is demanding cash for Christmas. D...

Two hours of Christmas shows First a look at this day in History. Then Good News of 1939, originally broadcast December 22, 1938, 85 years ago, Christmas Show. Baby Snooks and Daddy visit Santa Claus. Frank Morgan, the mountain climber. Baby Snooks recites, "The Owl and The Pussycat." A radio drama, "Rendezvous At Dawn," with Robert Taylor and Rita Johnson. Robert Young hosts. Followed by Stars Ov...

Two hours of Christmas shows First a look at this day in History. Then The Aldrich Family starring Bobby Ellis, originally broadcast December 21, 1952, 71 years ago, Christmas Eve with the Family. It's the day before Christmas and Eleanor Wentworth is giving Henry an expensive wallet. Henry tries to buy a battery-operated Christmas tree pin for Eleanor. Followed by The Fitch Bandwagon starring Phi...