Legendary radio collector John Tefteller presents the best of mystery, comedy, horror, and adventure stories, produced by the greatest writers, directors, composers, and stars.
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
We continue our series listening to comedians in serious roles. Specifically, this episode focuses on the obscure comedian Henry Morgan and his appearance in a 1947 "Suspense" radio drama called "Dream Song." Guest Dr. Joe Webb again joins us as we discuss Morgan's comedic background, his reputation as a subversive radio personality, and today’s story about a writer seemingly haunted by a neighbor. The conversation also touches upon the writers of the "Suspense" episode, and the recognition the show and Morgan received.
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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
4 days ago
4 days ago
This week we are going to be featuring the obscure radio comedians Henry Morgan in an episode of “Suspense” on Thursday. Today we have another episode of "The Henry Morgan Show" from June 11th, 1947, a comedy program showcasing Henry Morgan's satirical humor, sponsored by Eversharp razors. The episode includes Morgan's observations on New Yorkers' accents, moviegoing experiences, and absurd used car dealerships, alongside a parody of a quiz show sponsored by an acidic fruit company.
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
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Today John Tefteller and our guest, Researcher Dr. Joe Webb, listen to a 1947 episode of Suspense featuring the comedian Eddie Bracken. Suspense often purposely put actors in roles that were in direct contrast with their type. This is a dramatic departure from Bracken’s comedic role that we presented on Tuesday. In this story he portrays Elwood, a serial killer, seemingly driven by a distorted perception of love and represented by the objects he steals from his victims.
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
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
This week we’re paring two shows that feature the largely forgotten comedian Eddie Bracken. We’re starting here with the extremely obscure The Eddie Bracken Show. Bracken was much more successful as a support comedian, on shows like the Sealtest Variety Theater. This is a sitcom that is reminiscent of The Mel Blanc Show, centering on Eddie Bracken's character attempting to assist Connie to enter her picture in a beauty contest and helping her father's company against a lawsuit involving a claim of illness from contaminated candy. The show also starred the movie character actor William Demarest.
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
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
This week John Tefteller and guest Dr. Joe Webb discuss a 1947 episode of the radio show Suspense titled "Three Faces at Midnight," which starred William Bendix. The plot involves blackmail, politics, and gangsters, a territory familiar to Bendix who began as a thuggish character actor in the movies before The Life of Riley eclipsed his film career. They talk about the versatility of comedic actors in dramatic roles and an on-air sound effect mishap in the East Coast broadcast featuring actor Hans Conried.
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
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
This week, as part of our epic 10-week quest that seeks to visit many comedians who appeared on the radio thriller series “Suspense,” and pare them with their radio programs, we’re stopping off at the popular sitcom, The Life of Riley, starring William Bendix as the well-meaning but often misguided Chester A. Riley. This is a Mother’s Day episode, and revolves around Riley's anxieties about his son Junior forgetting Mother's Day, leading to the show’s usual encounters with characters like Riley's friend Gillis (played by John Brown) and the undertaker Digger O’Dell (also played by John Brown!).
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
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Today we welcome back to the show Suspense expert Dr. Joe Webb discussing an episode of the radio program Suspense titled "The Palmer Method." The episode stars Ed Gardner, primarily known for his comedic role in Duffy's Tavern, in a more dramatic part. Dr. Joe discusses background information on Suspense, noting this episode's unique characteristic of having significant variations between its East and West Coast broadcasts due to Gardner's improvisational style. They also explore Gardner's personality and the connection between his Duffy's Tavern character, Archie, and Archie Bunker from All in the Family.
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
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Today we’re starting a 10-week series contrasting comedic and dramatic performances of well-known vintage comedians. Moving through these shows chronologically, we begin with an episode of "Duffy's Tavern" starring Ed Gardner, who will be showcased later in the week in his appearance on “Suspense.” This particular "Duffy's Tavern" episode from May 25th, 1949, includes guest star Ed Wynn doing his humorous, nonsensical opera commentary within the radio show's usual tavern setting.
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
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
We’ve been featuring a taste of the large body of radio work of actor Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy appeared on hundreds of radio shows across his career, and many radio adaptations of his films. He also had his own radio series for a short time in the 1950s, when he was doing mostly westerns. Today we’re closing out this tribute with “The Six Shooter.” The series was far less gritty than his Anthony Mann films, and focused on stories that were often more family-oriented and feel-good than action-packed.
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
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Today as part of our February tribute to actor Jimmy Stewart on radio, we’re presenting a funny episode of The Jack Benny Program. Stewart appeared several times on The Benny Show, both his radio and TV program. This is his first appearance on the show. Jack corners him at The Brown Derby restaurant in an attempt to get him to appear in one of his films.
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