The Mid to Late 1940s


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Drive In

Program Suspense
Air Date 1.11.1945
Length 30.2
Genre Suspense
Award Escape and Suspense Vintage Broadcasts
Plot synopsis Woman accepts ride from the wrong stranger
Emotion Good
Intellec low
Transcend moderate
Writing Good
Acting Judy Garland
Research Little
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script by Muriel Roy Bolton
Acoustic Effective
Music Suspenseful
Narration Protagonist's narration
Social Mean Cautionary tale
Surprise Surprise escape at end
Venue Vivid Little
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

Beautiful Dreamer

Program Matinee Theater
Air Date 1.28.1945
Length 29.43
Genre Drama
Award Praised as a serious attempt at quality drama by the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group
Plot synopsis Biography of songwriter Stephen Foster.
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend History, racism
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Good
Structure chronological sequence of acts
Perspective* 3rd person, 1st person
Adapt/author
Acoustic Effective
Music Original and rare performances of Foster's music
Narration Host
Social Mean Musical genius
Surprise Tragedy
Venue Vivid From New Orleans to the Bowery
Authentic Accurate
Link Click

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Program Lux Radio Theater
Air Date 2.12.1945
Length 50.06
Genre War drama, history
Award Old Time Radio Downloads
Plot synopsis Heroism and love during Spanish civil war 1937-39
Emotion Good
Intellec moderate
Transcend Good
Writing Excellent Hemingway
Acting Gary Cooper, Ingred Bergman
Research Moderate
Structure Three Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from Ernest Hemingway novel
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Dramatic
Narration DeMille
Social Mean War, patriotism and fate
Surprise
Venue Vivid Mountains of Spain
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

On a note of triumph

Program CBS Radio
Air Date 5.13.1945
Length 57.06
Genre History
Award OTRR, Cronkite
Plot synopsis WWII triumph in Europe celebrated
Emotion Good
Intellec Strong
Transcend Moderate
Writing Excellent, Norman Corwin
Acting Good
Research Good
Structure Histrorical spine
Perspective* 1st persson
Adapt/author Original script by Norman Corwin
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Original orchestration
Narration
Social Mean Propaganda or patriotism?
Surprise
Venue Vivid Varied
Authentic Accurate
Link Click

Donovan's brain

Program Suspense
Air Date 5.18.1945
Length 61.47
Genre Fantasy, Science Fiction
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Dr. Corey conducts experimental brain research
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Strong
Writing Brilliant
Acting Orson Welles
Research Excellent
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from Novel
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Orchestra provide dramatic score
Narration Medical laboratory
Social Mean Ethics of medic al research on monkeys and humans
Surprise
Venue Vivid Medical laboratory
Authentic Accurate
Link - Part 1 Click
Link - Part 2 Click

August Heat

Program Suspense
Air Date 5.31.1945
Length 24.5
Genre Suspense/Adventure
Award Old Time Radio Downloads
Plot synopsis Artist's mysterious sketch
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend moderate
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Moderate
Structure Narrative sequence being recalled by protagonist as narrator
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from an original 1910 story by W.F. Harvey
Acoustic Subtle, effective
Music Suspenseful
Narration Protagonist's narration
Social Mean Metaphysics of crime, art
Surprise Twist at end
Venue Vivid Ordinary, but vivid
Authentic Clear, authentic
Link Click

The Undecided Molecule

Program CBS Workshop Corwin Presents
Air Date 7.17.1945
Length 29.13
Genre FantasyChildrens
Award Cronkite, Tangent praises for creativity
Plot synopsis An imaginary court room uses clever rhyme to consider the case of a molecule that won't be just one susbstance
Emotion Moderate
Intellec Strong for children
Transcend Science, physics
Writing Compelling, clever poetry
Acting Vince Price, Groucho Marx, Sylvia Sidney
Research Good science
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original by Norman Corwin, the poet laureate of radio
Acoustic Squeeking voice of molecule, cosmic alarm
Music Delightful
Narration Host opens
Social Mean Freedom, indivdiuality and science
Surprise Humor
Venue Vivid Fantasy
Authentic Accurate scienc e
Link Click

Shadow of death

Program Inner Sanctum Mysteries
Air Date 10.2.1945
Length 28.48
Genre Mystery, horror
Award
Plot synopsis Insanity and murder
Emotion Good
Intellec low
Transcend low
Writing Good
Acting Good, Ricahrd Widmark
Research little
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script
Acoustic Enviroemental acoustics
Music Melodramatic music
Narration Limited
Social Mean Insanity, death, mystery intersect
Surprise Is protagonist really insane?
Venue Vivid Graveyard
Authentic Accurate
Link Click

Dunwich Horror

Program Suspense/Fantasy
Air Date 11.1.1945
Length 28.08
Genre Horror
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Supernatural haunting
Emotion Strong
Intellec moderate
Transcend Fear
Writing Compelling
Acting Robert Colman
Research Good
Structure Three acts…
Perspective* 1st person?
Adapt/author Adapted from HP Lovecraft 1928 short story
Acoustic
Music
Narration Host
Social Mean Spiritual terror
Surprise Twist
Venue Vivid Remote countryside
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

The Disappearing Scientists

Program Sherlock Holmes
Air Date 1.1.1946
Length 28.29
Genre Mystery
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Holmes and Watson cleverly solve case of scientists who disappear while studying radium
Emotion Good
Intellec Strong
Transcend Moderate
Writing Good
Acting Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 3rd person, 1st person
Adapt/author Original script?
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music
Narration Dr. Watson narrates
Social Mean Medical science, murder, mystery
Surprise Twist solves crime, clues embedded
Venue Vivid Laboratory
Authentic Accurate
Link Click

Make Ready my Grave

Program Inner Sanctum Mysteries
Air Date 4.23.1946
Length 24.22
Genre Mystery, Horror
Award Cronikite
Plot synopsis Groom introduces bride to family estate and curse
Emotion Good
Intellec low
Transcend moderate
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Little
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script
Acoustic Graveyard sounds
Music Suspenseful
Narration Host introduces, protangonist narrates in past tense, then story present tense continues
Social Mean hereditary insanity and wealth
Surprise Surprise ending
Venue Vivid Cemetary, mansion
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

Go Away, Dixie Gilian

Program Pat Novak for Hire
Air Date 11.24.1946
Length 29.43
Genre Detective
Award OTRR, Greatdetectives.net
Plot synopsis Novak solve murder case involving mysterious woman
Emotion Strong
Intellec Moderate
Transcend moderate
Writing Excellent, witty
Acting Jack Webb
Research Moderate
Structure Acts informal
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Origina
Acoustic Acoustical environment
Music
Narration Pat Novak
Social Mean Life's struggles and crime
Surprise Clever, sarcasm
Venue Vivid Metaphors
Authentic San Francisco waterfront and more
Link Click

The House in Cypress Canyon

Program Suspense
Air Date 12.5.1946
Length 30.2
Genre Suspense
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Haunted house terrifies potential renters, told as a story within a story as mystery
Emotion Strong
Intellec moderate
Transcend Fear of unknown
Writing Compelling
Acting Robert Taylor
Research Moderate
Structure Three acts puntuated by commercials
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script
Acoustic Environmental acoustics, creaking door of house and sounds of haunting mashing dishes
Music Music sets tone of mystery
Narration Whistler narrates, intro along with protagonist narrating
Social Mean Mysterious manuscript frames supernatural possession of an otherwise modest, nondescript home for seemingly average couple seeking to rent
Surprise
Venue Vivid
Authentic
Link Click

Frenchman's Creek

Program Lux Radio Theater
Air Date 2.10.1947
Length 52.42
Genre Mystery, Romance
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Lady and pirate fall into ill-fated love
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Strong
Writing Excellent Du Maurier
Acting Joan Fontaine, David Niven
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adaptation of du Maurier's novel
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Period music
Narration Host
Social Mean Dangers of drunk driving
Surprise
Venue Vivid Cabin onboard pirate ship, country manor and estate
Authentic Believable
Link Click

Mell-A-Lot

Program Let's Pretend
Air Date 8.23.1947
Length 24.26
Genre Fantasy/Childrens
Award Cronkite
Plot synopsis MellALot uses love, compassion, generosity to free three enchanted brothers.
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Freedom thru love and compassion
Writing Compelling, poetic
Acting Child actors
Research Excellent
Structure Acts
Perspective* 2nd person
Adapt/author Original
Acoustic Environmental sounds such as a door opening or closing, raven, and sound of magic flute
Music Children's melody
Narration Host
Social Mean Compassion, love
Surprise Metaphors used to teach love when afraid
Venue Vivid Forest journey,
Authentic Believable sounds of imaginary land
Link Click

Crime and punishment

Program Mystery in the Air
Air Date 9.25.1947
Length 25.39
Genre Suspense/Literature
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Brilliant scholar seeks to outwit police
Emotion Strong
Intellec High
Transcend Good
Writing Excellent Dostoyevsky
Acting Peter Lorre
Research Excellent
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from movie based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky 1866 classic novel
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Dramatic, trilling strings
Narration Protagonist's narration
Social Mean Is anyone above social rules, justice
Surprise Twist
Venue Vivid Ordinary, but vivid
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

Fall of the house of usher

Program Escape
Air Date 10.22.1947
Length 29.59
Genre Mystery, Horror
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Visitor to the doomed House of Usher
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Parable against evil…but what kind?
Writing Brilliant
Acting Paul Frees
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from EAP classic tale
Acoustic Environmental acoustics, sounds of mansion creaking with age and worse
Music Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain theme music
Narration Letter read
Social Mean Mental illness, incest or worse suggested but never revealed
Surprise Unresolved
Venue Vivid Fungus covered walls
Authentic
Link Click

Pollock and the Porroh Man

Program Escape
Air Date 10.29.1947
Length 30.12
Genre Adventure
Award Best of Escape
Plot synopsis Racist man haunted
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Good
Writing Excellent HG Wells
Acting
Research Moderate
Structure Narrative sequence
Perspective* 2nd person, 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from HG Wells
Acoustic Effective
Music Dramatic, suspenseful
Narration Narrator, host
Social Mean Superstition, racism
Surprise Unexpected justice
Venue Vivid Vivid from Africa to London
Authentic Accurate historically
Link Click

The Country of the Blind

Program Escape
Air Date 11.26.1947
Length 29.41
Genre Adventure
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Sited man thinks he can use his ability to see to rule the blind whom he disovers in hidden valley
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Strong
Writing Brilliant
Acting Edmund Obrien
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author adapted from HG Wells
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music
Narration Robert Conrad
Social Mean Desire for power
Surprise The blind are far more powerful and capable than some sited persons might think
Venue Vivid Remote valley in Andes
Authentic Believable
Link Click

Kaleidoscope

Program Dimension X
Air Date 1.1.1948
Length 30.34
Genre Science Fiction
Award Best of Escape
Plot synopsis Catastrophe in space journey
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Strong
Writing Excellent
Acting Robert Conrad
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from Bradbury
Acoustic Environmental
Music Yes
Narration No
Social Mean introspection
Surprise Powerful
Venue Vivid Space
Authentic Convincing
Link Click

Second-Class Passenger

Program Escape
Air Date 1.7.1948
Length 30.03
Genre Suspense/Adventure
Award OTR
Plot synopsis Ship passenger caught in web of intrigue in Mozambique
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Love and romance in exotic land
Writing Excellent, Percival Gibbon
Acting William N. Robson adapted, produced and directed the play for radio; Harry Bartell played Dawson. Jeannette Nolan the sultry woman in Mozambique.
Research Moderate
Structure Acts
Perspective* 2nd person
Adapt/author Adapted from short story by Perceval Gibbon
Acoustic Sounds of rain and more in Mozambique
Music
Narration
Social Mean Adventure, romance
Surprise Does he make it back to ship?
Venue Vivid Exotic Mozambique
Authentic Rich description of alleys and rooftops
Link Click

Leiningen Versus the Ants

Program Escape! First for Mystery in the Air
Air Date 1.14.1948
Length 29.13
Genre Adventure/Suspense
Award Cronkite, widely acclaimed, produced on four shows multiple times over many years.
Plot synopsis Plantation owner in jungle struggles against invading army of ants
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Humans against nature
Writing Compelling
Acting William Conrad
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 2nd person
Adapt/author Adapted from original story by Carl Stephenson in 1938 issue of Esquire magazine.
Acoustic Sounds of struggle against ants
Music
Narration Host
Social Mean Cautionary tale, Powerful warning to care for earth and society
Surprise Leiningen's heroic efforts
Venue Vivid Exotic Amazon jungle
Authentic Accurate descriptions of plantation
Link Click

Papa Benjamin

Program Escape
Air Date 1.24.1948
Length 29.43
Genre Adventure/horror
Award OTR
Plot synopsis Man steals sacred voodoo chant to save jazz club
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Strong…stealing from others culture to exploit
Writing Compelling
Acting Good
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1sr person
Adapt/author Original
Acoustic Good acoustical environments
Music Jazz, chants, drumming
Narration
Social Mean Racial overtones, discrimination
Surprise Surprise ending
Venue Vivid New Orleans French Quarter
Authentic
Link Click

Ancient sorceries

Program Escape
Air Date 2.21.1948
Length 30.54
Genre Mystery, horor
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Supernatural forces draw a man to ancient village
Emotion Strong
Intellec Good
Transcend Struggle between deep desire and conscience
Writing Compelling
Acting Paul Frees
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Effective music
Narration Protagonist's narration
Social Mean
Surprise Man's internal conflict between passionate desire and conscience
Venue Vivid Ancient Welsh village
Authentic
Link Click

Murder in Jazz Time

Program The Mysterious Traveler
Air Date 4.20.1948
Length 25.53
Genre Mystery/Suspense
Award Acclaimed by OTR
Plot synopsis Singer's husband battles insane jealousy
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend High
Writing Compelling
Acting Hazel Scott
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script
Acoustic Train whistle that introduces show
Music Gifted musical performance featuring jazz piano and voice of acclaimed jazz artist Hazel Scott
Narration Host
Social Mean Musical genius, passion, jealousy
Surprise Twist at end
Venue Vivid New Orleans
Authentic Jazz club, actual New Orleans settings along Mississippi and French Quarter
Link Click

Murder on margin

Program Whistler
Air Date 5.9.1948
Length 28.16
Genre Mystery
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Murder mystery formula is inverted, starting with a confession
Emotion Strong
Intellec low
Transcend Guilt
Writing Fair
Acting Good
Research Little
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from original story
Acoustic Environmental acoustics, sounds of phone and more at police station
Music Narrator opens
Narration Host, man in black
Social Mean Greed
Surprise Role of guilt as motivator in muder
Venue Vivid 3am setting opens play
Authentic Realism
Link Click

The Origin of the Lone Ranger

Program The Lone Ranger
Air Date 6.30.1948
Length 30.11
Genre Adventure
Award Cronkite
Plot synopsis History of the masked hero of the old west
Emotion Strong
Intellec Historical, cultural origin
Transcend Justice
Writing Compelling
Acting Clayton Moore, Jay Silverheels
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Based on Zane Grey's 1915 book "The Lone Star Ranger" dedicated to real life Texas Ranger Captain John R. Hughes.
Acoustic Hoofbeats of the Rangers horse Silver and Tonto's Scout.
Music Theme song is the William Tell Overture written by classical composer Gioachino Rossini and has become synonymous with The Lone Ranger.
Narration Host
Social Mean Heroism, justtice in old west
Surprise Little surprise
Venue Vivid Old Texas frontier
Authentic Believable
Link Click

1856 Destination Freedom_Railway to Freedom

Program Destination Freedom
Air Date 7.4.1948
Length 29.09
Genre History
Award OTR, 1949 award of the South Central Association of Chicago, "Scribes In Excellence Award" from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists
Plot synopsis Tubman's heroic efforts that helped 300 slaves to freedom.
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Freedom from slavery
Writing Compelling, Richard Durham
Acting Fred Pinkard, Oscar Brown, Jr. and Janice Kingslow
Research Historical research
Structure chronological sequence of acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author History told in collaboration with the Chicago Defender
Acoustic
Music Gospel music
Narration Host
Social Mean Social justice
Surprise Heroism revealed
Venue Vivid From south to north the railway to freedom
Authentic
Link Click

The Thing on the Fourble Board

Program Quiet Please
Air Date 8.9.1948
Length 29.42
Genre Horror
Award OTRR, Cronkite
Plot synopsis Roughneck on oil rig hauls up surprise
Emotion Strong
Intellec Moderate
Transcend Mysteries lying deep under earth's surface
Writing Compelling
Acting Robert Taylor
Research Good
Structure Three acts puntuated by commercials
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original
Acoustic Environmental acoustics, wail of creature
Music
Narration Host
Social Mean Mysteries from the deep
Surprise Surprise ending
Venue Vivid Vivid, exotic locations described precisely with specialized terminology of oil rig
Authentic Accurate
Link Click

A Little Piece of Rope

Program Suspense
Air Date 10.14.1948
Length 29.46
Genre Mystery
Award Cronkite, OTRR, escape=suspense
Plot synopsis Woman gets ride from stranger
Emotion Good
Intellec low
Transcend moderate
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Little
Structure Narrative se
Perspective* 1sr person
Adapt/author Original script by Virginia Cross
Acoustic
Music Suspenseful
Narration Host introduces, protangonist narrates in past tense, then story present tense continues
Social Mean Insanity, murder
Surprise Twist at end
Venue Vivid Ordinary
Authentic Basic
Link Click

Of Human Bondage

Program NBC's Command Theater in the Air, Everying for the Boys, NBC University Theater
Air Date 11.14.1948
Length 59.59
Genre Drama
Award Old TimE Radio Downloads
Plot synopsis Mourning, overcoming disability, perseverance, art and beauty
Emotion Good
Intellec High
Transcend Good
Writing Excellent Maugham
Acting Brian Ahearn, Angela Lansbury
Research Moderate
Structure Two Acts with intermission
Perspective* 3rd person narration, followed by 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from W. Somerset Maugham's auto-biographical masterpiece of 1915
Acoustic Scuffling, dragging feet and other acoustics
Music Dramatic orchestra
Narration Narrator sets scene, with commentary from critic during intermission
Social Mean Agony of love, value of sincerity
Surprise little
Venue Vivid Ordinary
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

The Story of Silent Night

Program Hallmark Playhouse, CBS
Air Date 12.23.1948
Length 30.05
Genre History
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Origins of the classic hymn Silent Night
Emotion Strong
Intellec good
Transcend high
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Well researched
Structure Two Acts, chronological, intermission
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original script based on retelling of story by grandson of man who wrote the melody of the hymn
Acoustic Effective
Music Exquisite orchestra, guitar, children's choir of Silent Night
Narration James Hilton as host, narrator sets scenes, transitions between dialogue
Social Mean Spiritual meaning of hymn
Surprise Revelations from past
Venue Vivid From Alps to Berlin
Authentic Accurate, precise history
Link Click

Backseat driver

Program Suspense
Air Date 2.3.1949
Length 29.47
Genre Mystery
Award Cronkite, Best of Old Time Radio 50
Plot synopsis Counple encounter killer on the road in night
Emotion Good
Intellec moderate
Transcend moderate
Writing Good
Acting Fibber McGee and Molly, producer Anton M Leder
Research Little
Structure Three Acts, informally, with commercials in breaks
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Sally Thawson wrote original radio play
Acoustic Creative use of radio in providing narration
Music Suspenseful
Narration Host introduces
Social Mean Cautionary tale
Surprise Twist at end saves main characters
Venue Vivid Takes place entirely inside a car
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

Orient Express

Program Escape
Air Date 2.19.1949
Length 29.23
Genre Adventure, Mystery
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis American poet and El Guitarrero face those who kinapped the poet's Mexican wife for ransom
Emotion Strong
Intellec Good
Transcend Good
Writing Good
Acting Good
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original story
Acoustic Acoustics in cantina, sounds of truck in kidnapping, sounds of fight inside truck
Music Lovely guitar
Narration Host
Social Mean Poet learns about love, hate, gentleness and violence
Surprise Surprise ending
Venue Vivid vivid description
Authentic Accurate, train
Link Click

Red River

Program Lux Radio Theater
Air Date 3.7.1949
Length 58.53
Genre Western
Award Classic OTR
Plot synopsis Trouble on a cattle drive
Emotion Good
Intellec moderate
Transcend moderate
Writing Excellent
Acting John Wayne, Walter Brennan, Joann Drew
Research Moderate
Structure Three Acts
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from film
Acoustic Western sounds
Music Dramatic
Narration Richard Keely, producer and host
Social Mean Will and bravery
Surprise Moderate
Venue Vivid Western
Authentic Authentic
Link Click

A Shipment of Mute Fate

Program Escape
Air Date 3.13.1949
Length 25.18
Genre Adventure/Suspense
Award Acclaimed by OTR, produced many times on different shows
Plot synopsis Bushmaster terrorizes passengers on ship
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Humans against nature
Writing Compelling
Acting Various
Research Good
Structure Acts
Perspective* 2nd person
Adapt/author Adapted by Les Crutchfield for Escape from original Martin Storm story that appeared in Esquire in 1940
Acoustic
Music Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain theme music
Narration Host
Social Mean Contemplates almost existential, almost supernatural qualities of the Bushmaster.
Surprise Unexpected hero
Venue Vivid From South American jungle to ship at sea
Authentic Accurate descriptions
Link Click

Incident at Arroyo Grande

Program Whistler
Air Date 9.25.1949
Length 29.3
Genre Suspense
Award OTRR
Plot synopsis Men hijack truck
Emotion Good
Intellec Low
Transcend Crime doesn't pay
Writing Good
Acting Frank Lovejoy
Research little
Structure Three acts puntuated by commercials
Perspective* 3rd and 2nd person
Adapt/author Original script
Acoustic Environmental acoustics
Music Whistling of mournful theme
Narration Whistler narrates
Social Mean Crime doesn't pay
Surprise Twist at end
Venue Vivid Ordinary
Authentic Basic
Link Click

Pride of the Yankees

Program Screen Directors Playhouse
Air Date 9.30.1949
Length 29.53
Genre Biography
Award Old Time Radio Downloads
Plot synopsis Lou Gherig's fabled career and life cut tragically short
Emotion Strong
Intellec Strong
Transcend Maintaining strengthen in face of insurable illness
Writing Compelling
Acting Gary Cooper
Research Good
Structure chronological sequence of acts
Perspective* 3rd person, 2nd person (reporter) 1st person
Adapt/author Adapted from film
Acoustic Environmental acoustics of ballfield
Music Strings playing take me out to the ball game; program's theme music.
Narration
Social Mean Heroism on ballfield
Surprise Heroism in face of tragedy'
Venue Vivid Tragedy and strength
Authentic Authentic, truthful
Link Click

A .22 Rifle for Christmas

Program Dragnet
Air Date 12.22.1949
Length 27.16
Genre Detective
Award OTRR, Cronkite
Plot synopsis Tragedy follows parents' Christmas gift
Emotion Strong
Intellec Moderate
Transcend Gun for child leads to tragedy
Writing Excellent
Acting Jack Webb
Research Throrough research using actual case files from LA Police Department
Structure Acts informal
Perspective* 1st person
Adapt/author Original for radio
Acoustic Acoustical environment
Music Now familiar brass theme
Narration Joe Friday narrates
Social Mean Dangers of gun in hands of child
Surprise
Venue Vivid LA
Authentic Accurate, specific venues
Link Click - scroll to .22 Rifle for Christmas
Program Intro Click