Radio Retropolis

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 Vacation Time in which Lucy flubs her line which evokes a huge audience laugh and breaks up Maher.

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 to come forth later that summer.

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 abandoned due to the new moral codes that were adopted for television in 1954.

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 this plot.

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 tonight's guest star who was blacklisted as a purported communist.

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.

This episode takes a little bit of active listening due to its less than ideal quality, but I hope you enjoy this next episode about two guys driving across the desert pick up three hitch-hikers who turn out to be escaped Nazi prisoners. Commentary on the Nazi's last attempt to overtake the Allies with the Battle of the Bulge, plus Hitler begins to mentally lose it causing some dissension in ranks.

A criminal lawyer clears his clients only to force them into a series of robberies. Commentary on great voice actors of the day and the art form of being a radio actor at that time. Plus, we discuss the logic of The Shadow as to how mass hypnosis would work if he really existed.

John Garfield stars as a man in the criminal underworld who is given a literal "death sentence" by a mob boss. He is told he has exactly one week to live. JR speaks on Garfield's tragic career and his controversial death at age 39.

Jimmy Olsen encounters a strange man named Anthar who claims to be from a "lost planet" called Utopia and warns of an invasion of Earth. Commentary on this serial which is an exact remake of the "lost" serial Planet Utopia from 1944.

When Liz gets a traffic ticket on the day George is "Safety Week" chairman, George decides to lock the car in the to garage and hide the key. Commentary on why Lucille Ball allowed her character Liz to be naive and prone to deceitful tactics which are normally not admirable, sympathetic characteristics. Also discussed are real driving statistics based on gender that may surprise you.

A narcotics dealer has been badly beaten and claims his assailant was a young police officer. Extended commentary on an email we received based on the concerns of a listener from a previous podcast commentary.

Lois manages to break free of her binds and sets fire to the room hoping to attract outside attention before she and Bucky are executed. But will they be saved before they succumb to the very flames? JR speaks on who fans believe is the best live action Superman of all time. Will your favorite be on the list?

A chemist develops a substance that supposedly allows colorblind people to perceive colors, but it has dangerous side effects leading to madness and death. JR speaks on villains and the intent of the plot.

While Lamont and Margot are visiting a friend in Haiti, a local voodoo cult kidnaps their friend's child. With the help of The Shadow, Margot must convince the natives that she is a powerful priestess to try and save the child. We discuss the practice of voodoo in the 1930s as well as today in comparison to Christianity. Plus, this was Margo's big episode played exceptionally well by Agnes Moorehead.

William Powell stars as a criminal who escapes a prison train after a crash but remains handcuffed, leading to a frantic, isolated struggle to break free to collect the $250,000 he has stashed away. JR speaks on actor William Powell, his connection to Jean Harlow, and his powerful performance in this episode.

As Lois and Bucky face an uncertain fate as prisoners of The Man without a Face, Kent makes the discovery that two world peace organization leaders on the hit list are to appear at a state department reception ending at midnight. JR speaks on if James Gunn's Superman (2025) is now a financial success.

George has invited ten dinner guests on Katy's day off, and Liz is determined to prove to George's mother that she can prepare a dinner for twelve without any help. Commentary on who Liz Cooper really is and the fact that we don't really know much about her. Also listen for a young Richard Crenna who plays a young delivery boy infatuated by Liz.

A woman disappears and her husband, Chester Abbott, becomes suspect. The man's stepson then disappears. Commentary on similar plot lines in previous episodes. Plus, an inside look at the producer/director side of Jack Webb and his big gamble for television.

When Superman finds the two photographs of major world leaders in the possession of the Man Without a Face, he realizes the dire situation for all involved, including the now missing Lois and Bucky. JR speaks on the end of the movie going experience as we know it and what many will pay a fortune to see that will replace it.

A voice on the phone and a strange melody warn a woman that she will die at midnight. Commentary on new sponsor Colgate Tooth Powder.

Pirates sink their boat on purpose in order to fool another ship to "rescue" them. The ruse works and with Cranston and Margot Lane on board, the hi-jacked ship sets sail to a small island where the pirates harbor an even deadlier purpose. Commentary of the real Pirates of the Caribbean and the eerie foreshadowing of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Lucille Ball returns to Suspense playing a con artist who preys on strange men for financial gain until one day she targets a man who happens to be a serial killer. Commentary on Lucy's hit comedy series My Favorite Husband and the chance of luck that changed television forever.

Herbert Calkins of Scotland Yard provided a tip for Lois, but has put both Lois and Bucky in danger as the house they are staking out belongs to The Man Without a Face. JR speaks on Kellogg's Rice Krispies as a sponsor. Plus why villains feel they need to disclose their entire plan to their captives.

Liz thinks George's Christmas stag party is just an excuse to ditch the wives and hang with the boys. Not letting that sit well, Liz decides to crash the party in disguise. Commentary on why a certain joke got a huge laugh plus musical conductor Wilbur Hatch.

A trail of pornography infiltrating Los Angeles high schools leads to a run-down Hollywood studio and a movie has-been. Commentary on sexuality and the law in the 1950s. Plus, guest star Ralph Moody.

Kent may have figured out that the Man Without a Face is looking to benefit from creating even more devastation by setting the stage for another World War! JR speaks on why it is difficult to get modern audiences to the cinema.

Inner Sanctum host Raymond becomes the subject matter in a story about a man named Gideon Blake who was burned to death ten years ago and just happens to show up on Raymond's door. Commentary on the falling out between series producer Himan Brown and Raymond Edward Johnson who played Raymond the host.

The city is in a panic after being blackmailed by a criminal using a stolen black fog machine. He threatens to add a poisonous gas to the fog and kill everyone if $5 Million isn't paid. Commentary on why Johnstone's Shadow seems to want to make sure he's just a regular guy unlike Welles'Shadow as being more supernatural. Plus, we'll discuss the other big broadcast on this very night given by Winston Churchill to the United States following the Munich Crisis.

Ray Milland stars as an old-time, highly successful officer who has trouble adapting to modern police methods. In pursuit, he accidentally kills an innocent suspect and is faced with trying to cover-up his misdeed. JR speaks on star Ray Miland and the comparisons of this episodes connection to Death of a Salesman.

Superman and Bucky are shocked and dismayed by the disappearance of Bucky's father's letter naming all those who oppose the World Peace Organization. So, they fly back to France to get answers. JR speaks on how the comics enlisted Superman in the war effort. Plus, the racial bias displayed through Superman propoganda towards Japanese-Americans.

Liz and George have their pictures taken for their Christmas cards, but then can't agree on which shot to use. Commentary on why I Love Lucy only did one holiday episode, plus we look at series sponsor Sanka.