Radio Retropolis

Lamont and Margo fly to an isolated valley and soon discover that the villagers act like zombies due to a mad man who rules over them. Commentary on the relevance of this episode's theme with Hitler's speech to the Reichstag on January 30, 1939-just 8 days after this broadcast. We also pay tribute to Shadow announcer Ken Roberts.

Danny Kaye plays against his lighthearted type as a man who plots the murder of his rival to win his woman by creating the perfect alibi. JR speaks on the complex personality of Kaye as well as controversies in his life.

Lois and Horatio are in mortal danger after being discovered snooping in Barnaby's fishing shack by Ike Barnaby himself. JR speaks on what listeners of the Superman radio show back in the 1940's said were their favorite serials.

After messing up a joke, bombing at bridge, and lousing up George's breakfast, Liz develops an inferiority complex. Commentary on the transition from this radio series to what became I Love Lucy and the initial challenges Lucy had including CBS approving Desi as her husband, why Lucy hated the show's sponsor, and real near catastrophes during filming that stayed in the show.

A mail truck of registered mail has been robbed with its crew of 3 severely beaten. The only clue is a $20 bill left behind. Commentary on the LAPD's role in a federal case. Plus guest actress Inge Jollos unique background.

As Lois and Horatio are safe once again from drowning at sea, they decide to do a little investigating on their own by targeting the fishing shack of Ike Barnaby. JR speaks on Horatio F. Horn's return and whether the character was well received in the Superman storyline.

A married couple murder an elderly man for the money he has hidden in a pillowcase and now have to cover their tracks as investigators close in. Commentary on the great twisty reminiscent of The Twilight Zone. Plus, actors Santos Ortega and his one day of infamy and Elspeth Eric. Also, Paul McGrath officially takes over as our ghoulish host.

City officials make light of a convict's promise of revenge after his execution until those he promised to kill from beyond the grave wind up dead. Commentary on the love/hate relationships between comic book heroes and law enforcement, a returning Shadow actress in a guest role, and an unknown Richard Widmark who lent his voice to many minor characters in radio before hitting it big in his first leading role Kiss of Death in 1947.

An elderly woman hires a young, troubled drifter as a handyman only to find out that he may be deeply emotionally disturbed and dangerous. JR speaks on stars Ethel Barrymore and Gene Kelly as well as the comparisons between Kelly and Frank Sinatra who performed this role a few years prior.

Horatio and Lois once again find themselves in mortal danger as the boat they're on catches fire from the strange monster…only this time Kent is with them. He can save them, but how will he do so without giving up his secret identity? JR comments on actress Joan Alexander, Lois Lane herself, who inherited $70 miilion before her death.

George gets a letter from the Army so Liz thinks he's been drafted. George, on the other hand thinks Liz is having a baby. Commentary on how one of the great radio episodes could have become a great television episode if they hadn't made one mistake.

A professional gambling ring has set up operations in the city and dozens of people are being victimized. Yet the gamblers keep on the move. Commentary on The Edgar Allan Poe Awards in which Dragnet once is a recipient for Best Mystery.

Kent begins his investigation into this strange sea monster that seems to have extraordinary powers. JR speaks on what to expect once Batman enters into the public domain.

A man on death row escapes prison with the help of a mysterious society woman who seemingly can predict every move he makes. Commentary on one of the errors of this episode with regards to the gun used. Also, actress Simone Simone's short but sweet Hollywood career. Plus, this is the last episode featuring our host Raymond.

A falsely accused spy thinks of nothing but revenge for twenty years while sitting in jail, but the man who will pardon him is in mortal danger and the Shadow must save not one life but two. Commentary on how the Shadow is not infallible and can lose a fight.

A good ex-cop gone bad who has been ordered by his boss, a gangster, to murder a policeman and former friend. JR speaks on twist ending and the strange life of William Bendix being cast against type who in his teens caused Babe Ruth to get sick and miss a game.

Superman has arrived in St. Selmo and begins his frantic search in the dark night over the water for the missing trio. JR speaks on what to soon expect for Superman when the earliest version of The Man of Steel enters the public domain.

Liz' exaggerations become so bad that George cuts off Liz's allowance until she can prove that she can consistently tell nothing but the truth. Commentary once again on the unlikable manner in which Liz has been written that is against the nature of why we love Lucille Ball. Plus commentary on Lucy favorite Shirley Mitchell who guest stars in this episode.

For more than two months a wave of safe burglaries have been well planned, well executed and there are no leads to the whereabouts of the suspects. Special commentary on the politics and business of Dragnet and Jack Webb's tough guy reputation. Plus Dragnet company actors Stacy Harris and Harry Bartell. Do not miss this podcast!

After their boat is destroyed, Lois, Horatio and Marble hang on to ship wreckage in the dark, cold ocean along with a very worried Kent who hears Lois may be lost at sea. JR speaks on the shortlived television series Superboy.

A young woman tries to convince a detective that another mysterious woman, who seems to appear and disappear at will, killed her father. Commentary on a familiar plot line. Plus actress Wendy Barrie's unique connection to Peter Pan.

A mad scientist, who is dying from an incurable heart disease, builds a time machine to keep him alive to relive December 31 over and over again just so that he can repeatedly kill his cousin who has wronged him. Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane are the only two conscious enough to realize the repetition of New Year's Eve and try to figure a way to end this madness. Commentary on the concept of time travel and how it could ruin or enhance a dramatic plot.

A man who is tired of his overbearing wife, meticulously plans her murder just before they are set to leave for an extended trip to America. JR speaks on the original story Back for Christmas comparisons. Plus, the tumultuous life of star Herbert Marshall, his affair with Gloria Swanson, and loss of a leg.

Lois and Horatio head out to the open sea with this strange captain who somehow has a personal interest in this bizarre sea monster. Will Lois get more than what she bargained for? JR speaks on the origins of a comic superhero that led to two versions of the character due to legal battles- Captain Marvel and Shazam!

Liz bought George's Christmas present, a cuckoo clock, with a rubber check, and now she needs to figure out a way to make good on it so the store owner won't repossess the clock. Commentary on why this episode betrayed the likability of the Liz character. Plus, we celebrate guest star the great June Foray who passed away just two months before this podcast at the age of 99.

A dead woman has been left in the hospital elevator. There's no lead to the identity of the corpse and there's no apparent cause of death. Commentary on the curve ball in the act. Plus actress Gwen Delano.

A new serial begins as Lois and returning eccentric investigator Horatio F. Horn travel to a northern Canada fishing village upon ruimors of s strange occurrence in the sea. JR speaks on the detailed audio cues. Plus a look at gossip columnist Walter Winchell.

A police detective investigates a series of murders by a whistling slasher. Commentary on star Arnold Moss and his even more famous son Jeff who was known for creating some of the most memorable characters and music in modern history.

A man with a special visitor pass to a prison takes a tour of the "Death House." The deranged guard forces the guest to sit in the electric chair, then straps him down and flicks the switch. Commentary on two new surprising actions taken by Lamont Cranston and his alter ego as well as the first execution by electrocution.

James Cagney stars as a man who is about to be awarded the "Safest Driver in the State" only to be responsible for a multiple fatality car accident on his way to the ceremony. JR speaks on the Auto-Lite inspired plot intended for driver safety awareness, yet the deeper context revolves around psychological trauma and guilt.

Zaram and his soldiers are on their way to invade Earth, while Superman is hurtled into space with Jimmy and Poco in dire straits as Planet Utopia begins to crumble. JR speaks on important milestones that occurred on this day including major Superman news.

Liz is determined to play the lead in the women's club play, even if she has to keep the leading lady from showing up. Commentary on this being the first My Favorite Husband episode that reflected the overall theme of of the Lucy character in I Love Lucy. Plus, we feature guest actress Mary Shipp.

Friday investigates an experienced confidence man who targets elderly widows for their money has already conned his first two victims of more than $8,000. Commentary on the departure of Barney Phillips as Ed Jacobs and the introduction of Ben Romero's nephew Bill Lockwood. Plus, actor Martin Milner and how Jack Webb guided his career.

As Zaram is about to expose Kent as being actually Superman having never left the cell, the planet Utopia suffers a strong earthquake signaling the pending doom of the planet. JR speaks on how much Superman radio and TV actors were really paid.

A clock maker is in possession of a cursed clock that only operates when using the original 30 pieces of silver given to Judas Iscariot. Any man who has come in contact with this clock has died a violent death. With this information, the clock maker seeks the man who murdered his father. Commentary on tonight's guest star Berry Kroeger. Plus, we look at the different views of Judas Iscariot.

A young man is about to inherit his parents estate until his evil uncle gets involved by placing a hypnotic spell on him which could mean his death. Commentary on why this episode was a misfire for the series.

Two sisters find their lives unraveling inside a lonely seaside mansion when one of the sisters decides to buy a casket for someone who will die in three weeks. But which one? JR speaks on star Rosalind Russell's combative career against the studios.

After it is revealed that Clark Kent has "replaced" Superman in the cell, Zaram places Jimmy in with him while he bugs the cell hoping that Kent will tip his hand. JR speaks on the popularity of Superman through the decades.

Liz fakes an illness in order to get George to buy her a mink coat. George is on to her and brings in a real doctor to give her fake diagnosis that Liz thinks is very real. Commentary on the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy fakes an Illness" from which this script was adapted.

A seven week old baby has been abandoned in the bus depot waiting area and the mother is nowhere in sight with no leads as to where she could be. Commentary on this controversial episode and how the Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters in 1952 affected the story.

Superman, who still cannot move due to heavy pull of gravity from Utopia, has one final and seemingly dangerous trick that could change things forever. JR speaks on ratings for the series and the changes made to increase listenership.

After forty years, a headless skeleton and a bog oak necklace that turns out to be a woman's murdered sister who was to marry the man the first sister vowed to have. Commentary on the controversial life and career of tonight's guest star Miriam Hopkins.

A mad musician threatens the city with his, "Symphony of Silence in E-flat" in which hidden bombs explode at a loud noise. Commentary on the brilliant last few minutes of the episode plus the significance of E Flat in heavy metal music.

Regarded as the best mystery story of all time by the Mystery Writers of America, tonight's episode features a police sergeant, a newspaper reporter and an elusive serial killer who seems to elude both men. JR speaks on the twist that alarmed audiences at that time. Plus stars Claude Rains and Vincent Price.

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.