Radio Retropolis

Superman finally arrives safely on Utopia to rescue Jimmy but is faced with a heavy gravitational pull from the planet that renders him unable to move.  JR speaks on the two major pop culture genres that emerged in the postwar 1940s.

Liz goes on the radio quiz show, "Everybody Wins," and wins a check for $500, but she only gets to keep it if she can cash it within 25 minutes, and the banks are closed. Commentary on the continuity of the plot line.  Also we celebrate the gentle humor of guest actor Wally Maher who shines in this episode.  Plus , we look back at a classic scene between Lucille Ball and Wally Maher in the episode...

A man is shot and critically wounded in the street of a residential neighborhood. His assailant is unknown and nowhere to be found. Commentary on Barney Phillips as Ed Jacobs taking glee in Friday missing dinner at the diner.  Plus, the California State Juvenile Officers Association which is mentioned in tonight's episode.  Finally, guest stars Jack Kruschen and Helen Kleeb.

Superman, now on Utopia, to save Jimmy from execution finds himself unable to move from the heavy gravitational pull of the planet rendering him completely helpless.  JR speaks on how Perry White's blustery disbelief in others related to the children listening which JR compares to a very special episode of The Andy Griffith Show called "Mr. McBeevee". 

Peter Frame was killed in a knife attack leaving another man still alive who vows vengeance on his killer. The only clue is a certain watch charm that belonged to the dead man. Commentary on star Les Tremayne.

A madman kills a scientist who has developed a secret serum for restoring youth. Commentary on the connection in this plot to the real life Nazi genetic experiment called Lebensborn or the Fountain of Life.

A young girl believes she hears a woman screaming for help deep underground in the empty lot next door yet no one believes her.  JR speaks on star Margaret O'Brien, her lost Oscar, and the controversy that almost resulted in her death on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis.

Perry White, Kent and Poco finally meet as Kent tries to understand what this strange rhyming fellow means  on this other planet called Utopia with Jimmy there in danger for his life.  JR speaks on Superman special guest Rear Admiral Reginald Belknap retired who awards the Superman radio series as The Best Children's program.  Plus, what being in space really meant in early 1947 and what was about...

Liz tries to play matchmaker for Peggy Martin with one of George's clients, but both the client and George think that Liz is going after the guy for herself. The audio is a little challenging but it's a funny episode that survives in the My Favorite Husband library. Commentary on the risque' storyline for 1950 that involves negligees and extra-marital affairs and how these storylines were soon aba...

A mother with four children disappears which leaves her sister to care for the children left behind. However, there's evidence of foul play. Commentary on the precise sound effects in Dragnet and how it gives us tremendous insight into what the visual could be. Interestingly, there was also a sound misdirection with Barney Phillips.  Finally, the location of Mulholland Drive which figures into thi...

Poco decides to rocket back to earth to track down Kent or Perry White with the last-ditch effort to find Superman.  JR speaks on the fascination with darker stories and horror in the WWII era.

rA reluctant deep-sea diver who murdered two men believes his next deep dive will end with his death. Commentary, on the meaning of "Eight Bells". Plus, a significant WWII event of this date, the #1 song and movie in America.

A doctor experimenting with chemicals in his lab "accidentally" blinds his assistant in a plot to use him to undermine the institution for its stock. Commentary on who Blue Coal's John Barclay really is.  Plus , the origin of the Shadow theme song.

Agnes Moorehead makes her fourth appearance on Suspense in the most famous radio play ever written about a bedridden woman who overhears a telephone conversation plotting somebody's murder...hers!  JR speaks on Moorehead, the film version of this script and why this is considered a masterpiece in suspense.

Jimmy and Anthar are imprisoned by Zaram awaiting trial while Kent investigates where Utopia is if it even exists.  JR speaks on the lack of popularoty of the rhyming Poco character.

When George forgets Liz's birthday, Liz sends an anonymous reminder through Mr. Atterbury,  only for George  to think it's his mother's birthday instead. Commentary on exceptional audio quality of the episode, guest actress GeGe Pearson, and the tremendous comedic pacing of this very funny script.

Two convicts escape from San Quentin.  They're armed and begin a crime wave of hold-ups. The trail leads to Mexico via San Diego as they vow never to be taken alive.  Commentary on San Diego Chief of Police Adam E Jansen who is credited as a contributor to this story line. Plus commentary on guest star Whitfield Connor.

Jimmy is in trouble on Utopia and Kent is finally figuring it out back on earth.  JR speaks on George Reeves quitting The Adventures of Superman after season 2.

A macabre tale of an artist whose insane love for his soon to be ex-wife turns into the most vicious hate when he asks her to pose for his sculpture of her bust. Commentary on star Lee Bowman. Plus , Lipton Tea lady Mary Bennett promoting Lipton Chicken Soup as the meal of the week!

A man who embezzled $2 million from his bank fakes his death and hides out on a secluded island off the coast of Nova Scotia.  The Shadow has figured out the scam and heads out to find him. Commentary on the Wellesian approach to this episode and Johnstone's approach to this Welles inspired script, the formula of writing comic book villains, and the real threat in Europe in 1938.

A man accepts an easy job answering phones for a horse betting operation from a woman he met in a bar only to find the woman dead the next day and he is the prime suspect!  JR speaks on stars Edmond O'Brien and Ann Blyth and O'Brien's real life brush with the mob world on one of his films. 

Jimmy goes along with what he thought was a joke until he finds himself in a round rocket ship hurtling through space to the planet Utopia.  JR speaks on who in the Bible Superman was really based on.

After listening to Liz explain how she balances her checkbook, George sends her to night school to learn arithmetic.  Commentary on why George, a banker, would let his mathematically challenged wife continue to mishandle their bank book. Plus we look at Liz' creative math and compare it to a similar routine by Abbott and Costello. Also, we discuss the Curly and Shemp Howard connection as well as t...

The owner of an apartment building signs leases for the apartments then he threatens to kill the tenants if they move in.  Commentary on how arson was legally received back in 1952 and whether an individual could legally burn his own building down.

What may sound like a joke to Jimmy is serious business with Anthar which only means Jimmy is in for a big, unsettling surprise.  JR speaks on the rise of old time radio enthusiasts thanks to...podcasts.