Radio Retropolis

A band of dope peddlers launches a full-scale operation in Los Angeles targeting high-school children. Commentary on the recent commendation both Dragnet and Jack Webb received for the best new star of tomorrow and excellence in programming.

Just when all hope was lost in not only catching the Monkey Burglar but in finding Robin, Kent makes the discovery of a gymnastic medal they believe belongs to the real Monkey Burglar. JR comments on the continuing problem with Batman in this serial.

A British officer and his servant in India make use of their eastern mystic powers to avenge the death of the officer's brother at the hands of thugs in Chicago. Commentary on why this episode, although enjoyable, was a rare miss for Wyllis Cooper.

Lamont Cranston and Commissioner Weston witness a condemned man being hanged at the prison, but they later learn he's somehow still alive and killing off the jury members who sent him to the death house. Plus, commentary to follow.

A young man needs money soon to pay a debt or he's a dead man who devises a plan to get the insurance money off his mother's boarder who doesn't have long to live. JR speaks about stars Fay Bainter and Tony Barrett. Plus, the reason why they aired a 30 minute episode instead of their hour long program.

The trap Kent had planned using Robin as bait backfired when the Spider and Jonesy intercepted those plans and kidnapped both Robin and Jimmy Olsen. JR comments on the tribute paid to Superman by the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the problems they faced throughout the years.

Liz is concerned when George wants to check her will which turns to fear once she's convinced George wants to do her in when she finds a one way airline ticket and a receipt for some arsenic and some rope. Commentary on the behind scenes story about the I Love Lucy episode called Lucy thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her from this script as well as the rarely heard audio clip from the never aired pilot episode of I Love Lucy about Ricky's will upsetting Liz.

A pair of hold-up men known as "The Kid Bandits" are robbing and beating their victims. They're young and brutal with no pattern to their operation. But a pack of matches may be Friday and Romero's best lead. Commentary on the first scene which shows a much more informal, off duty friendship between Friday and Romero.

Clark Kent gets Henderson to agree to release Robin for 48 hours in his custody to bait a trap for the real Monkey Burglar. But someone else is wise to Kent's plan. JR comemnts on an Adventures of Superman television episode similar to this story.

Saladine and Erlich are two warlocks in the eternal battle between good and evil with Erlich using his black magic to control zombies in destroying the world. Saladine is the only one who can stop him. Commentary on the real origins of the zombie and how they were represented here as compared to those in Night of the Living Dead, 28 Days Later, and, of course, the television phenomenon The Walking Dead.

Two spies are gaining War Department secrets with the help of a spiritualist who reads people's minds.

In Act 2, Eric Strange is investigating the murder of his researcher friend Leland Rogers, when a speeding car tries to run him over. Who was driving? Who wants him dead? And why? JR comments on the real "blind spot. Plus, actor Edmond O'Brien.

In Act 1, Eric Strange, an author-turned-bodyguard, vows to protect his employer, a famous pollster, from someone who is trying to kill him. When the man winds up dead, the police think it's suicide. Strange believes it was murder and sets out to prove it putting himself in mortal danger. JR reviews the Act.

As Robin was identified by the victim as the Monkey Burglar including the fact that he could not provide an alibi without giving up his identity as Dick Grayson, Inspector Henderson decides to detain Robin for 48 hours while he builds a case against him. JR comments on the tribute to Superman from Radio Mirror Magazine.

In the second part of our Women's Right story, Liz and Iris have bet George and Rudolph that they can hold down a job, and the boys have bet the girls that they can take care of the housework and cooking. Commentary on the origins of the Equal Rights Amendment and its failure to ratify. Plus, a look at one of the all-time Classic I Love Lucy TV episodes from which these radio scripts were used.

Walter Harrison is on the window ledge of a downtown building, thirteen stories above the street threatening to leap to his death at exactly 2 pm just 22 minutes from now. Commentary on this great real-time episode when everything happens in 22 minutes.

Kent, Batman and especially young Robin were stunned when Inspector Henderson identified the Monkey Burglar as…Robin. Jr comments on the big faux pas in this episode.

A man who is slated for execution is out into a cell believed to be haunted A cop killer refuses to confess, so he gets put in a cell allegedly haunted by the ghost of another cop killer to see if that'll make him crack. Commentary on the brilliance of how Wyllis Cooper uses our deepest darkest fears about death to terrify us even more. Plus, we look at Cooper's follow up series called Quiet, Please.

Three airplanes flying to Argentina have disappeared, which leads The Shadow to a mad scientist in the Amazon with a serum that makes people older.

In Act 2, Sid Latch, after accidentally being responsible for the death of Hollywood movie star Roger Miles, continues to evade police with Iris-except can he trust the people who seem to want to help him? JR comments on the unacceptable animal abuse in the storyline to prove a point as well as the great twist ending.

Sid Latch, a loner living with his dog in Montana, comes across a belligerently drunk Hollywood movie star, Roger Miles, who is accidentally killed while trying to harm Sid's dog, and decides to go on the run with his girlfriend, Iris. JR speaks on the foresight of social justice in 1948 that is extremely relevant today.

A new mystery begins as Perry White frantically tells Kent there is a new kind of acrobatic criminal who appears to scale tall buildings and rob very wealthy people. JR speaks on the need for Batman in this episode.

Liz and Iris are excited about the equal rights amendment and demand equality with George and Atterbury. Commentary on United Mine Workers president John L. Lewis whose news announcement from CBS starts this episode. Plus we look back on the history of Bonbons and today's guest star who appeared in the cult classic Reefer Madness.

A man nicknamed "The Rattlesnake Bandit", who is fast and prone to attack violently, takes great pleasure in beating his victims senseless before shooting them for no reason at all. Commentary on Robert "Rattlesnake" James who most likely was the loose inspiration for this story and left a trail of inventive, horrific murders.

Superman subverts Uncle Ed's small plane carrying the dry ice that forces rain clouds to empty before hitting Freeville and commands the pilots instead to fly to Abner's cabin where, unbeknownst to Superman, Lois and Abner are about to be killed. Commentary on what makes a good serial and the one trait about villains you will always find.

A difficult rehearsal for a murder scene in a Lights Out radio episode is interrupted by an eccentric old man peddling coffins just in case someone needed one in the near future. Commentary on guest actor Charles Eggleston as the coffin salesman who may be best remembered for his one appearance on the hit sitcom The Honeymooners.

A mummy's curse seems valid when a strange death ray kills those who enter an Egyptian exhibit at a museum.

In Act 2 of Suspicion, as both Captain Finlay and Sgt. Keeley conduct their separate investigations of the murder in which Corporal Mitchell seems the likeliest suspect as he was last seen with the murder victim alive. Commentary on the original sublot of this story. Plus Robert Young's and Robert Mitchum's turbulent lives are explored.

In Act 1 of Crossfire, a man is murdered, and a homicide detective and an Army sergeant conduct parallel investigations to figure out whodunnit. Commentary on connection in style to Dragnet.

With Lois and Abner's lives in peril, Superman is many miles away but makes a startling discovery that may solve this mystery once and for all. JR comments on why the writers chose a certain course of action from Superman instead of something more dramatic.

Liz wants to hire the town's new interior decorator, Andrew, to redecorate her house, but George tells her she'll have to do the job all by herself. Commentary on the greatness of Gale Gordon.

A wealthy businessman is thought to have committed suicide although murder has not been ruled out. Friday and Romero investigate the suspicious circumstances and make a startling discovery. Commentary tonight on the Dragnet pattern of determining the guilty party. Plus, we look at the possibility with present day technology how one can or cannot carry out the deed that one of our characters actually does in 1950 Los Angeles.

Abner Sykes explains to Lois and Clark that he can prove how his machine has been manipulating the weather. JR comments on George Reeves' appearance on I Love Lucy.

John Phillips is having an affair with his pretty secretary and he fears it won't be long before his wife finds out. With his secretary's growing infatuation and Lucille heading down to the office that same day, John finds himself consumed by both passion and guilt and wondering how to get out of it. Commentary on inner conflict, passivity and how both can ultimately lead to suicide.

Enemies of the United States have developed a germ that could wipe out the entire army, eventually leaving the U.S. open to invasion. The Shadow must hurry and find out who is behind it and if a cure is available.

In Act 2 of Suspicion, with Mr. Mummery recovering from his poisoning attempt, he is determined to get to the truth of who wants him dead. Is it the escaped Mrs Andrews? Is Mrs Sutton really Mrs. Andrews? Or is there another possible motive? JR comments on the second acts shortcomings. Plus, star Sam Jaffe.

In Act 1 of Suspicion, a man suspects his new cook is trying to poison his wife and him. Commentary on the coalminer's strike of 1948 per the newsflash at the head of the episode.

After saving Abner Sykes, the telegrapher who had recently disappeared from the burning cabin, Superman in the guise of his alter ego Clark Kent phones Lois to tell her she needs to go out on the street and wait for a friend to pick her up and bring her to his location. JR comments on Lois and Superman's first solo meeting and flight.

George talks Liz into teaching Wally, the son of the bank's newest director, Mr. Forsythe, how to dance the Samba, and Wally gets a crush on Liz. Commentary on the I Love Lucy adaptation of this episode called Young Fans that also includes a teenage Dick Crenna in both the radio and TV versions, Jim Backus channeling his inner Mr. Magoo, and listening to Lucy and Richard Denning break character at the end.

Friday and Romero deal with a dangerous robber who sets out to prove no jail can hold him. Commentary on the real life copycat escape of three inmates at the Santa Ana jail in 2016.

Lois thinks she wrapped up the entire story with Uncle Ed's un-American speech against the veterans. However, Clark believes there is much more to the story. The drought itself! JR comments on the reality of man-made weather!