The Chronic Rift Network

Even tough-guy detectives sometimes get involved in sentimental or humorous situations during their Christmas episodes.  And the fabulous, freelance insurance investigator of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," is no exception.  Then it's time for the cast of "The Jack Benny Program" to put on a play about letters to Santa before Jack and Mary go Christmas shopping at a department store.   Episodes Your...

Welcome to another Christmas season on "Presenting the Transcription Feature."  We'll be doing one mystery and one comedy during each of this month's episodes.  We begin with Sydney Greenstreet as that mighty, if lazy, private investigator, the titular hero of "The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe."  This episode might be little darker than most Christmas stories, but it's still a good mix of coziness...

This year would have been the 101st birthday of actor Ricardo Montalbán. We mark it with an episode of "Family Theater," in which he plays the real-life hero / outlaw of Old California, Joaquin Murietta. Murietta was almost certainly the inspiration for the fictional hero / outlaw of Old California, Zorro. Then it's Thanksgiving with all the gang on "The Jack Benny Program." In this classic episod...

This October 27 marks the 163 rd birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt.   T.R. is a mass of contradictions.   He was born sickly, but, through sheer force of will, built himself up to a big, bull moose of a man.   He was a One Percenter deeply concerned with the plight of the poor.   He was a native of Manhattan who went to Harvard, yet was passionate about the great outdoors and created the U....

"Lights Out" was one of radio's earliest suspense anthology dramas. A lot of its earlier episodes were criticized as being, frankly, gross, but this one is more restrained. It's just plain creepy. Set in the typing pool / script department of a creepy radio show, it's also one of the most meta. Then, on "The Jack Benny Program," Dennis Day negotiates his contract, Rochester buys a race horse, and...

"The Columbia Workshop" was the CBS network's series of experimental radio dramas, frequently adapting literary works. The show openly experimented with format, sound effects, and the power of music to convey emotion and theme. Tonight, we present an adaptation of a short story by the British fantasy writer Lord Dunsany. The music is by Bernard Herrmann. If that name sounds familiar, it's because...

We start off with another classic episode of "Dragnet." There's a good mystery with a high-stakes villain, and I really enjoy all the throw-away, one-liner character moments. Then on "The Aldrich Family," a typical high school situation turns in to a classic sit-com misunderstanding. But this one is executed particularly well. Episodes   Dragnet January 4, 1951 "The Big Holdup" 1:34   The Aldrich...

There was no shortage of private detectives during the golden age of radio. We'll start tonight with an entry new to our program: "Michael Shayne, Private Detective." You'd never guess by listening to his tough but lovable voice here that star Wally Maher was the voice of Screwy Squirrel and the Turkey in the classic 1945 Tex Avery short "Jerky Turkey." Tonight, he takes on a tricky case at a loca...

"The Girl Who Was Death" UK Airing: January 18, 1968 US Airing: September 7, 1968 The Prisoner appears to have returned to London and is sent on a mission to find Professor Schnipps' rocket that is set to destroy London. But he must contend with a lovely female assassin first. John and writer Jim Beard discuss this episode that both agree is fluff, but one finds it charming while the other just ca...

Time to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear with "The Lone Ranger." This time the Masked Man and Tonto intervene with competing gold strikes threaten to turn deadly. Then we see how things are going for "The Great Gildersleeve" and family. Inspired by such self-starters as Abraham Lincoln, Gildy decided to make something of himself, possibly even in politics. Episodes The Lone Ranger June...

We return to the world of crusading journalism with "Big Town." Edward J. Pawley takes over from Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson, managing editor of "The Illustrated Press," the leading newspaper in some Big Town. This episode proves conclusively that crime doesn't pay and there is no honor among thieves. Then on "Fibber McGee and Molly," Fibber thinks he's found a sure-fire way to avoid taxes....

On "Rogers of the Gazette," Will Rogers, Jr. returns as the editor of that fictional small-town newspaper, the "Illyria Weekly Gazette." Along with dispensing homespun common sense and aphorism-filled advice to the betterment of his readers and fellow citizens, this week he's solving a minor mystery: is Abraham Lincoln complaining about the maintenance of the town's city hall clock? Then on "Archi...

"Living in Harmony" UK Airing: December 29, 1967 US Airing: No Network Airing The Prisoner is trapped in a town called Harmony after trying to resign as the sheriff of another town. Sound familiar? It does to the viewer, but the Prisoner isn't twigging to what's happening. John and writer Jim Beard discuss the Western and what it means to each of them, the completely wasted opportunity in the writ...

Lucille Ball stars in a dramatic, criminal role on "Suspense." She plays an ambitious woman who won't let anything stand in her way – not even murder. Then, on "The Jack Benny Program," Jack and the gang broadcast from Corona Naval Hospital. Tonight, they're accompanied by the world-famous (really!) harmonica player Larry Adler, who amazes with his virtuosity.   Episodes   Suspense October 25, 194...

"Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" UK Airing: December 22, 1967 US Airing: August 3, 1968 The Prisoner finds himself in another body, but back in London. He must convince the woman he loves that he is himself while tracking down the man who invented the process that put him in another body. John and writer Jim Beard discuss Jim's wanting to remove this episode from the entirety of the series, John'...

We start off with more of Old Time Radio's quintessential medical drama, "The Story of Dr. Kildare."   A tricky operation performed at a hospital is one thing, but a simple operation performed at in an unusual location is another.   How will Dr. Kildare remove an appendix from a man who is miles away at sea?   Then on "Duffy's Tavern," the Great Gildersleeve himself drops by to listen to another o...

"A Change of Mind" UK Airing: December 15, 1967 US Airing: August 24, 1968 The Prisoner is subjected to a process that will lobotomize him when he refuses to conform with the Village and its people. John and writer Jim Beard discuss the episode that on the surface, is a perfect example of what the show is all about. And yet, there are elements that the two have issues with, and they discuss it in...

Isis "Dreams of Flight" December 13, 1975 Chala likes to design airplanes and wants to enter the school competition, but her competition is willing to go to any lengths to make sure she doesn't. To make matters worse, Chala's brother is not supportive of her "Dreams of Flight". We come to the end of the first season of Isis with a story whose moral doesn't exactly match the plot. Is this a story a...

"Professor Goodfellow's GEEC" Aired: September 23, 1973   Professor Goodfellow has developed the means to make humanity's life so much more simpler - the GEEC - a computer system that will run the world and handle all the tasks that occupy humanity and keep them from reaching their full potential. He offers it for free to the world when the US government passes on getting involved. At first, it al...

"It's Your Funeral" UK Airing: December 8, 1967 US Airing: August 10, 1968 The Prisoner learns of a plot to kill Number Two on the eve of his retirement. Does he act on it or does he allow it to proceed? John and writer Jim Beard discuss the episode that has its good and bad points.  They talk about the idea of previous Number Twos we haven't seen, the strong ties to Doctor Who's "Marco Polo", and...

We start off with another episode of "Information Please." Are you up on the sizes of sports venues, the significance of ringing bells, and literary wives? Then on "Gunsmoke," a criminal seeks revenge on a whole town for the shooting of his kid brother. Not every Western is about cowboys and Indians. Sometimes, like this episode, they can be tight, psychological dramas. Episodes Information Please...

"Hammer Into Anvil" UK Airing: December 1, 1967 US Airing: August 31, 1968   The Prisoner matches wits with the new Number Two as Two tries to be the Hammer to The Prisoner's Anvil.  But who is really the Hammer?   John and writer Jim Beard discuss the impact this episode had on Jim as a young person and why it is a favorite of Jim's father. Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@...

"Jeff Regan, Investigator" is a Jack Webb series that just predates "Dragnet." This P.I. has an even drier delivery than Detective Friday, but he's much more sarcastically verbose. In tonight's episode, movie cowboys and racehorses get entangled in a big-money scam. Then on "The Jack Benny Program," Jack goes into Beverly Hills to try to buy a new violin string and ends up getting a parking ticket...

Let's return to "The Lux Radio Theater" for an adaptation of the brilliant 1944 film noir mystery, "Laura."   You can miss a lot in an audio adaptation of a film noir, but luckily this version features the two main stars and one of the supporting players.   Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney return, as does Vincent Price.   Otto Kruger Takes over Clifton Webb's role.   Close your eyes and enjoy. The Lu...

"Checkmate" UK Airing: November 24, 1967 US Airing: August 17, 1968   The Prisoner appears to have the upper hand as he manages to recruit a team to aid him in his quest to escape. But is a woman who loves him a little too easily the mole in the escape group or is the Prisoner just another pawn in a game he cannot win? John and writer Jim Beard discuss what many consider a quintessential episode o...