The Good Old Days of Radio Show

This is the final episode in a mini-tribute to writer Robert Bloch. John Tefteller and historian Karl Schadow continue our look at the rare and largely forgotten radio horror series, Stay Tuned for Terror. The series produced 39 episodes, but only four recordings are known to have survived. In this episode, we hear the final two. The first follows a scientist who attempts to resurrect Adolf Hitler. The second takes us into werewolf territory, as a mysterious writer may not be quite what he seems. John and Karl also dig into the history of the series, including its connection to the classic Universal horror films, the performers and production team behind it, and the financial problems that ultimately brought the show to an end.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

We're continuing where we left off, exploring the radio work of Robert Bloch. This time John Tefteller and researcher Karl Schadow dig into a nearly forgotten piece of radio history: Stay Tuned for Terror. Originally broadcast in 1945, this unusual horror series adapted Bloch's own pulp stories into fast-moving fifteen-minute stories of the supernatural. Only four of these broadcasts are have been found as of the time we're posting this podcast. In this episode, we hear two of them. One draws inspiration from the Lizzie Borden murders and takes a turn into demonic possession, while the other unleashes a malevolent genie from an ancient bottle. John and Karl also explore Bloch's early career, identify some of the performers, and discuss the show's eerie theme music. It's a rare glimpse at Robert Bloch before Psycho made him a household name.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb are wrapping up our epic, 10-week saga into the  The Whistler radio series, landing with one of the very last episodes from 1955. The story follows a husband who believes he has found the perfect way to hide his infidelity, by turning to murder. But as listeners of The Whistler knew, carefully planned crimes never unfolded the way they should, and secrets always had a way of catching up with those who tried to bury them. It’s a tried-and-true formula that listeners came to expect from the series, and we get them all here. John and Joe discuss how Armed Forces Radio Service recordings and home recordings helped save broadcasts that networks once considered disposable.

There is a show notes website! Dr. Joe has created a site dedicated to this series! https://sites.google.com/view/whistlershownotes/home 

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

We’re joined this week by researcher Karl Schadow to take a look at the remarkable career of writer Robert Bloch, best known today as the author of Psycho, but whose work in radio deserves a look. Bloch got his start writing for the pulp magazines, including Weird Tales, where he developed his style of horror influenced by H. P. Lovecraft. In this episode, we hear a radio adaptation of Bloch's "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper," which brings the legendary murderer into the modern world. We also hear "Almost Human," a story about a robot that appears to possess a mind of its own. Together, these broadcasts show just how versatile Bloch could be, moving between horror, mystery, and science fiction long before artificial intelligence became part of everyday conversation.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

Once again John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb are here to continue our 10-part series featuring the popular radio series, The Whistler. Today we are featuring a story about a man who has built a comfortable life through deception and is now working with a blackmailer to take advantage of his wealthy wife. But when Mr. Penny threatens to reveal secrets from his past, the partnership quickly turns into a dangerous game. John and Joe discuss the talented writers behind the episode and the challenges of identifying many of radio’s uncredited performers.

There is a show notes website! Dr. Joe has created a site dedicated to this series! https://sites.google.com/view/whistlershownotes/home 

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

Finally we come to the broadcast we've been building toward: Jack Benny's 1949 Ford Theater radio adaptation of The Horn Blows at Midnight. After spending the past few weeks hearing the incredible build-up to this broadcast on his own show, we finally get to hear the story itself. Benny stars as Nathaniel, an inexperienced angel sent to Earth with a very serious assignment: blow his trumpet at midnight and signal the destruction of the world. But after meeting a few ordinary people and seeing both their struggles and their capacity for kindness, Nathaniel begins to wonder whether humanity deserves another chance. Claude Rains co-stars in this unusual fantasy-comedy, which turns one of the most famous "failures" of Benny's film career into a warm story about peace, compassion, and the possibility of redemption.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb continue our 10-week Whistler series. We’re in  1948 today with a story that follows a gifted violinist whose obsession with owning a rare instrument drives him to commit an unthinkable crime. But while week after week people tuned into Lights Out! to hear villains getting their gruesome comeuppance, The Whistler reminded listeners that getting what you want always comes at a price, dealt by our old friend, "the fickle finger of fate." John and Joe take a look behind the scenes at one of the more unusual chapters in Whistler history. They explain how sponsor Household Finance Corporation requested a toned-down version of the series, resulting in a second production of the same script with a different cast, a softer narrator, and a less cynical feel.

There is a show notes website! Dr. Joe has created a site dedicated to this series! https://sites.google.com/view/whistlershownotes/home 

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

We are continuing our run of The Jack Benny Program as we get even closer to Jack's much-anticipated radio adaptation of The Horn Blows at Midnight. In this February 1949 episode, Jack is taking violin lessons. Guest Claude Rains shows up. He is locked into the contract to play opposite Benny in The Ford Theater adaptation, and naturally, it’s a last ditch plea to get Jack to “throw” the program. This is a hilarious show, well-written, a well-established weekly tradition for American radio listening fun on Sunday evenings, and still holds up great today.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb continue our Whistler series with a story about Clyde (no, this has nothing to do with the Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show). He is a jealous ballroom dancer who believes his young wife is about to leave him for her new dance partner, Ricky. Determined to stop them, he puts together “the perfect plan” to commit murder and pin the crime on his unsuspecting rival. But, as the trademark of this series goes, one small detail threatens to bring the entire scheme crashing down. John and Joe discuss the career of radio actor Marvin Miller and share some behind-the-scenes insights into the way these programs were written, including how scripts were sometimes adjusted on the fly during live broadcasts.

There is a show notes website! Dr. Joe has created a site dedicated to this series! https://sites.google.com/view/whistlershownotes/home 

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD

We continue our run of The Jack Benny Program as we get closer to Jack's much-anticipated radio adaptation of The Horn Blows at Midnight. In this episode, Jack gets pressure to call off the show, first from the producer of The Ford Theater, Fletcher Markle, and then the powerful studio executive Jack Warner (one of the legendary Warner Brothers). Jack Benny, known behind-the-scenes for his strict adherence to the script, has a rare extended adlib as Jack Warner loses his place and the show goes off the rails. It was live radio after all. The cast is delightful, as usual, and includes Rochester (Eddie Anderson), Phil Harris, and Mary Livingstone. This is a sharp, extremely well-written radio comedy, and the Jack Benny Program at the absolute top of its game.

Visit our website: https://goodolddaysofradio.com/

Subscribe to our Facebook Group for news, discussions, and the latest podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/881779245938297

Our theme music is "Why Am I So Romantic?" from Animal Crackers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHJKAKS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MK8MVCY4DVBAM8ZK39WD