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husband, college professor Edward M. Cable, George and Brooksie are told that Gloria is going away...for a nice long rest. Ted Osborne, Lurene Tuttle, Robert Griffin, Noreen LET GEORGE DO IT Gammill, and Victor Rodman are heard in this episode. Full Details CD 8B: “Portuguese Cove” - May 22, 1950 The housekeeper who works for a deep-sea tuna boat Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. captain named Lemago writes to George. She describes how her employer -- a notably kind and gentle soul -- decked Actress began her show business career as a bass viol virtuoso. a mailman. When George and Brooksie investigate, they But her heart was never really in it, despite her pedigree (her mother, Dewey encounter a peculiar clan of feuding fishermen...and murder! Francis X. Bushman is Todd Alphaleta, was also a musician). What she wanted to do was become an Featured in this broadcast are Walter Burke, Francis X. heard in "Portuguese Cove." actress, and it wouldn’t be long before Radio Mirror described her as “one of the Bushman, Gwen Delano, Elliott Reid, and Harry Bartell. busiest (and prettiest) people in radio.” Her first professional voice work was still grounded in music: a stint with a vocal group known as “The Singing Strings” (which performed over ’ KHJ in 1937).

Ginny graduated from Singing String to sound effect, developing what she described as “a terrific scream.” Indeed, it was put to excellent use on many of If you enjoyed this CD set, we recommend radio’s horror shows of the period, including Lights Out. “The day I received a Let George Do It: Sweet Poison, available chance to act instead of wield a bow, I sold the bass viol,” she recalled for Radio now at www.RadioSpirits.com. Life in 1946, “and I haven’t been near one since.” With the number of programs on which she emoted, it’s a safe bet she wouldn’t have had the energy to pick up that bow. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Virginia Gregg was on the radio all the time.

Show business has often been accused of possessing a strong streak of nepotism, and Virginia’s marriage to director-producer Jaime del www.RadioSpirits.com Valle in 1948 certainly didn’t PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 hurt her where steady work was concerned. Del Valle was © 2018 RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. For home use only. the director of Family Theatre, Unauthorized distribution prohibited. a show on which Gregg appeared frequently…not to Program Guide © 2018 Let George Do It and RSPT LLC. All Rights Reserved. mention Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, The Line-Up, and The 47942 General Electric Theatre. Yet to say that Virginia won these roles solely who’s occupying a silver coffin in his room. Featured in this broadcast are Alan because she had an “in” with the boss (whom Reed, Louise Arthur, Lawrence Dobkin, Walter Burke, and Willis Bouchey. she divorced in 1959) would be libelous. She wasn’t married to , who made her a CD 6A: “The Brothers McIntosh” - April 3, 1950 member of his “stock company” on . Mervyn McIntosh is described by his butler as a man so genial “he’d slap the (Ginny would not only graduate to roles on Devil on the back and offer him a cigar.” When Mervyn is murdered, the likely the TV version of that seminal cop show, she suspect would seem to be his “sour apple” brother Bill...but Bill swears that the also made the rounds on the Webb-produced victim had a deadly enemy. Ted de Corsia, Lawrence Dobkin, Ed Begley, Ed Emergency! and Adam-12.) Fields, Pat McGeehan, and Tony Barrett are heard in this episode.

In the case of director-producer Norman CD 6B: “Portrait by Priscilla” - April 10, 1950 Macdonnell...whenever Norm had a show on Simpson, the owner of a department store, is attacked at an art studio while the airwaves, it wasn’t long before Virginia examining a portrait. He hires George, who soon finds himself investigating the Virginia Gregg Gregg could be found standing in front of the murder of both the artist and the man depicted in the painting. Featured in this microphone. Gregg’s resume with Macdonnell included The Adventures of broadcast are Rolfe Sedan, Robert Griffin, Pat McGeehan, Lurene Tuttle, Donald Phillip Marlowe, , Fort Laramie, Rogers of the Gazette, and Romance. Buka, and Harold Dryanforth. She wasn’t on Macdonnell’s legendary every week (even if it often seemed like she was), but when CBS asked Norm to adapt its hit TV series Have CD 7A: “Mix-Up in La Cruza” - April 17, 1950 Gun – Will Travel for radio, Ginny would eventually play the recurring role of George’s assignment: fly to a small coastal town in Mexico and steal $100,000 Miss Wong (the love interest of Paladin’s trusty manservant “Hey Boy”). worth of diamonds from the client who’s hired him. Tempted by the vacation, he and Brooksie take the gig for a little R-and-R...but someone beats them to the If Virginia Gregg had a “stock-in-trade” in radio, it might have been the role theft! Lawrence Dobkin, Harold Dryanforth, Sandra Gould, Dan O’Herlihy, and of girlfriend to the aural medium’s best-known detective heroes. For example, Jack Kruschen are heard in this episode. during the final season of Ellery Queen (1947-48), Ginny was one of several actresses to portray Ellery’s girl Friday, Nikki Porter. Gregg’s best-remembered CD 7B: “Death Begins at .45” - April 24, 1950 “girlfriend” gig was playing Helen Asher on Richard Diamond, Private Wendell Mason, whose journalistic pursuits Detective. A wealthy socialite, Helen would often be serenaded in her penthouse have rarely gone beyond reporting on gardening, by Diamond () after he had solved a complicated case. has stumbled onto the scoop of a lifetime in the quiet suburb of River Vista. Racketeer Virginia’s other long-running stint as sounding-board-to-the-sleuth was on a Rocco Bannion has been discovered dead on Mutual-Don Lee series heard exclusively on the West Coast during its original a houseboat! Featured in this broadcast are Pat run: Let George Do It. The “George” of the title was an ex-G.I. named George McGeehan, Doris Singleton, Lawrence Dobkin, Valentine. Concerned about his rapidly depleting bank account, Valentine William Conrad, and Robert Griffin. decided to go into business for himself as sort of a “problem-solving” concierge. To promote his new venture, George took out several newspaper ads declaring: CD 8A: “The Chair of Humanities” - “If the job’s too tough for you to handle, you’ve got a job for me.” May 1, 1950 Gloria Cable writes a letter to Valentine urgently Let George Do It premiered over Mutual on September 20, 1946, starring Robert requesting his help. However, in a follow-up “Bob” Bailey (who would later achieve radio fame as the “fabulous freelance phone call, she insists that nothing is wrong and Dan O'Herlihy is heard in "Go Jump in the Lake" investigator” on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar). In the series’ early years, the that all should be forgotten. Meeting with her and "Mix-Up in La Cruza." 2 7 CD 3B: “The Floaters” - January 23, 1950 titular hero was more jack-of-all-trades than detective. An October 1946 edition Bernice Hillary wakes Valentine at 2:00am to of Radio Life enthusiastically described George as “radio’s busiest little bee, ask if he’ll meet her in a rundown motel on the proving his salt as the airways’ ablest ‘anything for a price’ guy.” As he gradually Mexican border. When George and Brooksie eased into the sleuthing racket, he solved cases through sheer determination. arrive, they’re accosted by a stranger...and (And it didn’t hurt that he could hold his own in a fight!) His office boy was discover a woman named Helga and her an eager young lad named “Sonny” Brooks (played by That Brewster Boy’s “coughing” companion dead inside Bernice’s Eddie Firestone, Jr.), who suggested that his sister Claire might make a suitable cabin. Featured in this broadcast are Jane Webb, assistant for his boss. Eddie Fields, Joseph Du Val, Ruth Perrott, and Tony Barrett. Claire “Brooksie” Brooks was unforgettably described by old-time radio historian Jack French (in his reference work Private Eyelashes) as “a lady of CD 4A: “The Ugly Duckling” initiative, courage, and foresight, whose efforts made her his partner, in all but - January 30, 1950 name.” Originally played by the talented Frances Robinson, Brooksie had a Jascha Hardwick submits a request for George’s rather cozy relationship with her boss. George affectionately called her “Angel,” services: he’s concerned about Edmund Salter, and Brooksie reciprocated with “Darling.” A 1947 Radio Life article on the series Jane Webb is heard in "The Floaters." a composer-pianist who’s not been well...and joked, “On occasion…she has picked up her office phone and greeted startled whose wife is suffering from the strain of taking care of him. Arriving at the prospective customers with: ‘Hello—Let Darling Do It.’” Salters’, our heroes learn that the man nicknamed “The Ugly Duckling” has passed on, leaving behind a “secret sonata.” Ken Christy, Lawrence Dobkin, The relationship between George and Brooksie had a rather chaste Lamont Irene Tedrow, Lee Patrick, , and Victor Rodman are heard in this Cranston-Margo Lane vibe to it...not that Brooksie didn’t entertain thoughts of episode. one day becoming “Mrs. George Valentine.” She would often drop large hints that she was ready to sashay down that matrimonial aisle, though George always CD 4B: “The Old Style” - February 6, 1950 seemed to get a last-minute stay-of-execution call from the governor on that Curio shop owner Jeremiah Stark is renowned as a collector of unusual crime score. Still, the duo clearly enjoyed each other’s company (they went out to artifacts and needs George’s assistance with an item he received that morning: a dinner a lot), and Brooksie was much more than just an office drone who filed music box. It’s the first of many that Valentine and Lieutenant Johnson stumble and took dictation. She was frequently pressed into service to utilize her talent across, each with the date of an impending murder attached! Featured in this for impersonation. broadcast are Ken Christy, Ed Begley, Robert Griffin, and Frank Hale. “This threesome [George, Brooksie, and Sonny] is a harmonious combination, CD 5A: “Go Jump in the Lake” - February 13, 1950 even when scrapping, which they sometimes do but never seriously,” noted Mona Chandler writes Brooksie a letter on behalf of her boss, Terence Doyle, Radio Life in that same 1947 article. As Let George Do It gradually began to who has become involved with a gambler. He insists that everything’s okay… morph into hard-boiled detective drama, the character of Sonny was slowly even after he’s purchased a gun! Ken Christy, Dan O’Herlihy, Michael Ann phased out (as was Caleb [], the elderly gent who operated the Barrett, William Conrad, and Walter Burke are heard in this episode. elevator in Valentine’s building). The third member of the combination became Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher), George’s contact on the police force. Although CD 5B: “The Tears of Sorrow” - March 27, 1950 Riley was frequently exasperated by the fact that every case he was assigned A letter from a traveling salesman named Guthrie alerts George to some odd seemed to have George and Brooksie involved, he had a grudging respect for the goings-on at a desert diner and motor court called Stillman’s Last Chance. Mac sleuthing couple. (He occasionally referred to Valentine as “chum-boy.”) Maher Stillman owns the rest stop, while wife Lucy waits on tables…with a wandering passed away unexpectedly in 1951, and Ken Christy joined the cast as Lieutenant eye. Then there’s Charley George Washington, the chief-cook-and-bottle-washer Johnson. On several of the shows in this Radio Spirits collection, however, you’ll

6 3 hear Christy as Johnson before he replaced the CD 1A: “Too Near the Sky” - December 5, 1949 Riley character—not to mention Sonia Belsing requests the attendance of George and Brooksie at a societal affair foil Pat McGeehan as Lieutenant Devlin. being hosted by her friend Vivian Hargrove. En route to the party, our heroes find However, you’ll only hear Frances Robinson that the elevator isn’t working. As they trek up thirty-two flights of stairs to the on the first show. She left Let George Do It in penthouse, they encounter the sinister Eric Sims...a man Sonia has warned them 1949, and Virginia Gregg inherited the role of about. Frances Robinson plays Brooksie in this episode, alongside co-stars Sarah Brooksie. (In a small way, the two actresses Selby, Lurene Tuttle, Jack Edwards, and Robert Griffin. kind of swapped shows; Robinson filled in as Helen on several Richard Diamond, Private CD 1B: “Partner in Panama” - December 12, 1949 Detective broadcasts in the spring of 1950.) Lieutenant Riley needs George’s services: a Hollywood producer has made a The program continued to be one of Mutual’s movie about racketeer Vic Ruskin...but can’t release it until he obtains permission most popular series until 1954 -- it even had a from the supposedly deceased subject of the film. Valentine makes the trek to Frances Robinson sponsor (Standard Oil), at a time when much Panama with a $50,000 payoff…and stands a good chance of bringing Vic to of the network’s content was sustained. (Olan Soulé replaced Bob Bailey as justice. Featured in this broadcast are Wally Maher, Ed Begley, Joseph Granby, George in the final season). In fact, it continued to be heard in via Maria Palmer, Fred Shields, and Ted de Corsia. transcriptions for an additional year. It really wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that more people have heard Let George Do It today than when it was originally CD 2A: “Needle in the Haystack” - January 2, 1950 broadcast (due to its West Coast exclusivity). Fans can enjoy a pre-Johnny “My entire life’s work is in jeopardy,” writes Ferdinand Vase in his letter to Dollar Bailey, and an underrated drama that was very well-written (relying on George. You see, Mr. Vase’s most priceless possession—a dozen rare roses— the talents of Owens Vinson, Polly Hopkins, Herbert Little, Jr., David Victor, and have been lost in Pasadena...right before the Tournament of Roses is to get Jackson Gillis). George was also able to attract much of the amazing talent from underway! Wally Maher, Ben Wright, Robert Griffin, Clayton Post, Stanley “Radio Row” to play supporting roles: including familiar names like Lawrence Farrar, Sidney Miller, and William Conrad are heard in this episode. Dobkin, William Conrad, Lurene Tuttle, and . CD 2B: “The Silent Waterfall” - January 9, 1950 As for Virginia Gregg...she found plenty of work on both the small and silver When wealthy Dora Duncan drops off her request for help in person, George screens. (She guested on practically every major dramatic boob tube program and Brooksie believe that she’s a silent, aloof, “Greta Garbo” type. It’s soon telecast from the late 50s to early 70s.) She once quipped of her status as a much- revealed that Dora is a deaf-mute...and after securing Valentine’s assurance that in-demand character actress, “When casting people have a call for a woman who he’ll take her case, she’s found dead near a waterfall on her estate. Featured in looks like the wrath of God, I’m notified.” Old-time radio fans, however, revere this broadcast are Wally Maher, Jeanette Nolan, Ed Virginia for her voluminous radio resume -- and in this collection of vintage Begley, Tony Barrett, and . broadcasts, you’ll soon see why she was called back into the studio time and time again. CD 3A: “Juniper Lane” - January 16, 1950 Valentine receives a thank-you letter from a stranger The following Let George Do It broadcasts feature Bob Bailey as George addressed to “Aunt Bess.” The author has obviously Valentine and Virginia Gregg as Claire “Brooksie” Brooks. The announcer is made a mistake, but George and Brooksie are curious John “Bud” Hiestand, with music by Eddie Dunstedter, direction by Don Clark, enough to investigate...and they’re led to a woman and scripts by David Victor and Jackson Gillis. The series was sponsored by who’s been stabbed with a knitting needle! Wally Standard Oil/Chevron, and originally aired over the Mutual-Don Lee network. Maher, Robert Griffin, Herb Butterfield, and Lurene Tuttle are heard in this episode. Bob Bailey 4 5 hear Christy as Johnson before he replaced the CD 1A: “Too Near the Sky” - December 5, 1949 Riley character—not to mention Red Skelton Sonia Belsing requests the attendance of George and Brooksie at a societal affair foil Pat McGeehan as Lieutenant Devlin. being hosted by her friend Vivian Hargrove. En route to the party, our heroes find However, you’ll only hear Frances Robinson that the elevator isn’t working. As they trek up thirty-two flights of stairs to the on the first show. She left Let George Do It in penthouse, they encounter the sinister Eric Sims...a man Sonia has warned them 1949, and Virginia Gregg inherited the role of about. Frances Robinson plays Brooksie in this episode, alongside co-stars Sarah Brooksie. (In a small way, the two actresses Selby, Lurene Tuttle, Jack Edwards, and Robert Griffin. kind of swapped shows; Robinson filled in as Helen on several Richard Diamond, Private CD 1B: “Partner in Panama” - December 12, 1949 Detective broadcasts in the spring of 1950.) Lieutenant Riley needs George’s services: a Hollywood producer has made a The program continued to be one of Mutual’s movie about racketeer Vic Ruskin...but can’t release it until he obtains permission most popular series until 1954 -- it even had a from the supposedly deceased subject of the film. Valentine makes the trek to Frances Robinson sponsor (Standard Oil), at a time when much Panama with a $50,000 payoff…and stands a good chance of bringing Vic to of the network’s content was sustained. (Olan Soulé replaced Bob Bailey as justice. Featured in this broadcast are Wally Maher, Ed Begley, Joseph Granby, George in the final season). In fact, it continued to be heard in New York via Maria Palmer, Fred Shields, and Ted de Corsia. transcriptions for an additional year. It really wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that more people have heard Let George Do It today than when it was originally CD 2A: “Needle in the Haystack” - January 2, 1950 broadcast (due to its West Coast exclusivity). Fans can enjoy a pre-Johnny “My entire life’s work is in jeopardy,” writes Ferdinand Vase in his letter to Dollar Bailey, and an underrated drama that was very well-written (relying on George. You see, Mr. Vase’s most priceless possession—a dozen rare roses— the talents of Owens Vinson, Polly Hopkins, Herbert Little, Jr., David Victor, and have been lost in Pasadena...right before the Tournament of Roses is to get Jackson Gillis). George was also able to attract much of the amazing talent from underway! Wally Maher, Ben Wright, Robert Griffin, Clayton Post, Stanley “Radio Row” to play supporting roles: including familiar names like Lawrence Farrar, Sidney Miller, and William Conrad are heard in this episode. Dobkin, William Conrad, Lurene Tuttle, and Jeanette Nolan. CD 2B: “The Silent Waterfall” - January 9, 1950 As for Virginia Gregg...she found plenty of work on both the small and silver When wealthy Dora Duncan drops off her request for help in person, George screens. (She guested on practically every major dramatic boob tube program and Brooksie believe that she’s a silent, aloof, “Greta Garbo” type. It’s soon telecast from the late 50s to early 70s.) She once quipped of her status as a much- revealed that Dora is a deaf-mute...and after securing Valentine’s assurance that in-demand character actress, “When casting people have a call for a woman who he’ll take her case, she’s found dead near a waterfall on her estate. Featured in looks like the wrath of God, I’m notified.” Old-time radio fans, however, revere this broadcast are Wally Maher, Jeanette Nolan, Ed Virginia for her voluminous radio resume -- and in this collection of vintage Begley, Tony Barrett, and John Dehner. broadcasts, you’ll soon see why she was called back into the studio time and time again. CD 3A: “Juniper Lane” - January 16, 1950 Valentine receives a thank-you letter from a stranger The following Let George Do It broadcasts feature Bob Bailey as George addressed to “Aunt Bess.” The author has obviously Valentine and Virginia Gregg as Claire “Brooksie” Brooks. The announcer is made a mistake, but George and Brooksie are curious John “Bud” Hiestand, with music by Eddie Dunstedter, direction by Don Clark, enough to investigate...and they’re led to a woman and scripts by David Victor and Jackson Gillis. The series was sponsored by who’s been stabbed with a knitting needle! Wally Standard Oil/Chevron, and originally aired over the Mutual-Don Lee network. Maher, Robert Griffin, Herb Butterfield, and Lurene Tuttle are heard in this episode. Bob Bailey 4 5 CD 3B: “The Floaters” - January 23, 1950 titular hero was more jack-of-all-trades than detective. An October 1946 edition Bernice Hillary wakes Valentine at 2:00am to of Radio Life enthusiastically described George as “radio’s busiest little bee, ask if he’ll meet her in a rundown motel on the proving his salt as the airways’ ablest ‘anything for a price’ guy.” As he gradually Mexican border. When George and Brooksie eased into the sleuthing racket, he solved cases through sheer determination. arrive, they’re accosted by a stranger...and (And it didn’t hurt that he could hold his own in a fight!) His office boy was discover a woman named Helga and her an eager young lad named “Sonny” Brooks (played by That Brewster Boy’s “coughing” companion dead inside Bernice’s Eddie Firestone, Jr.), who suggested that his sister Claire might make a suitable cabin. Featured in this broadcast are Jane Webb, assistant for his boss. Eddie Fields, Joseph Du Val, Ruth Perrott, and Tony Barrett. Claire “Brooksie” Brooks was unforgettably described by old-time radio historian Jack French (in his reference work Private Eyelashes) as “a lady of CD 4A: “The Ugly Duckling” initiative, courage, and foresight, whose efforts made her his partner, in all but - January 30, 1950 name.” Originally played by the talented Frances Robinson, Brooksie had a Jascha Hardwick submits a request for George’s rather cozy relationship with her boss. George affectionately called her “Angel,” services: he’s concerned about Edmund Salter, and Brooksie reciprocated with “Darling.” A 1947 Radio Life article on the series Jane Webb is heard in "The Floaters." a composer-pianist who’s not been well...and joked, “On occasion…she has picked up her office phone and greeted startled whose wife is suffering from the strain of taking care of him. Arriving at the prospective customers with: ‘Hello—Let Darling Do It.’” Salters’, our heroes learn that the man nicknamed “The Ugly Duckling” has passed on, leaving behind a “secret sonata.” Ken Christy, Lawrence Dobkin, The relationship between George and Brooksie had a rather chaste Lamont Irene Tedrow, Lee Patrick, Jay Novello, and Victor Rodman are heard in this Cranston-Margo Lane vibe to it...not that Brooksie didn’t entertain thoughts of episode. one day becoming “Mrs. George Valentine.” She would often drop large hints that she was ready to sashay down that matrimonial aisle, though George always CD 4B: “The Old Style” - February 6, 1950 seemed to get a last-minute stay-of-execution call from the governor on that Curio shop owner Jeremiah Stark is renowned as a collector of unusual crime score. Still, the duo clearly enjoyed each other’s company (they went out to artifacts and needs George’s assistance with an item he received that morning: a dinner a lot), and Brooksie was much more than just an office drone who filed music box. It’s the first of many that Valentine and Lieutenant Johnson stumble and took dictation. She was frequently pressed into service to utilize her talent across, each with the date of an impending murder attached! Featured in this for impersonation. broadcast are Ken Christy, Ed Begley, Robert Griffin, and Frank Hale. “This threesome [George, Brooksie, and Sonny] is a harmonious combination, CD 5A: “Go Jump in the Lake” - February 13, 1950 even when scrapping, which they sometimes do but never seriously,” noted Mona Chandler writes Brooksie a letter on behalf of her boss, Terence Doyle, Radio Life in that same 1947 article. As Let George Do It gradually began to who has become involved with a gambler. He insists that everything’s okay… morph into hard-boiled detective drama, the character of Sonny was slowly even after he’s purchased a gun! Ken Christy, Dan O’Herlihy, Michael Ann phased out (as was Caleb [Joseph Kearns], the elderly gent who operated the Barrett, William Conrad, and Walter Burke are heard in this episode. elevator in Valentine’s building). The third member of the combination became Lieutenant Riley (Wally Maher), George’s contact on the police force. Although CD 5B: “The Tears of Sorrow” - March 27, 1950 Riley was frequently exasperated by the fact that every case he was assigned A letter from a traveling salesman named Guthrie alerts George to some odd seemed to have George and Brooksie involved, he had a grudging respect for the goings-on at a desert diner and motor court called Stillman’s Last Chance. Mac sleuthing couple. (He occasionally referred to Valentine as “chum-boy.”) Maher Stillman owns the rest stop, while wife Lucy waits on tables…with a wandering passed away unexpectedly in 1951, and Ken Christy joined the cast as Lieutenant eye. Then there’s Charley George Washington, the chief-cook-and-bottle-washer Johnson. On several of the shows in this Radio Spirits collection, however, you’ll

6 3 Yet to say that Virginia won these roles solely who’s occupying a silver coffin in his room. Featured in this broadcast are Alan because she had an “in” with the boss (whom Reed, Louise Arthur, Lawrence Dobkin, Walter Burke, and Willis Bouchey. she divorced in 1959) would be libelous. She wasn’t married to Jack Webb, who made her a CD 6A: “The Brothers McIntosh” - April 3, 1950 member of his “stock company” on Dragnet. Mervyn McIntosh is described by his butler as a man so genial “he’d slap the (Ginny would not only graduate to roles on Devil on the back and offer him a cigar.” When Mervyn is murdered, the likely the TV version of that seminal cop show, she suspect would seem to be his “sour apple” brother Bill...but Bill swears that the also made the rounds on the Webb-produced victim had a deadly enemy. Ted de Corsia, Lawrence Dobkin, Ed Begley, Ed Emergency! and Adam-12.) Fields, Pat McGeehan, and Tony Barrett are heard in this episode.

In the case of director-producer Norman CD 6B: “Portrait by Priscilla” - April 10, 1950 Macdonnell...whenever Norm had a show on Simpson, the owner of a department store, is attacked at an art studio while the airwaves, it wasn’t long before Virginia examining a portrait. He hires George, who soon finds himself investigating the Virginia Gregg Gregg could be found standing in front of the murder of both the artist and the man depicted in the painting. Featured in this microphone. Gregg’s resume with Macdonnell included The Adventures of broadcast are Rolfe Sedan, Robert Griffin, Pat McGeehan, Lurene Tuttle, Donald Phillip Marlowe, Escape, Fort Laramie, Rogers of the Gazette, and Romance. Buka, and Harold Dryanforth. She wasn’t on Macdonnell’s legendary Gunsmoke every week (even if it often seemed like she was), but when CBS asked Norm to adapt its hit TV series Have CD 7A: “Mix-Up in La Cruza” - April 17, 1950 Gun – Will Travel for radio, Ginny would eventually play the recurring role of George’s assignment: fly to a small coastal town in Mexico and steal $100,000 Miss Wong (the love interest of Paladin’s trusty manservant “Hey Boy”). worth of diamonds from the client who’s hired him. Tempted by the vacation, he and Brooksie take the gig for a little R-and-R...but someone beats them to the If Virginia Gregg had a “stock-in-trade” in radio, it might have been the role theft! Lawrence Dobkin, Harold Dryanforth, Sandra Gould, Dan O’Herlihy, and of girlfriend to the aural medium’s best-known detective heroes. For example, Jack Kruschen are heard in this episode. during the final season of Ellery Queen (1947-48), Ginny was one of several actresses to portray Ellery’s girl Friday, Nikki Porter. Gregg’s best-remembered CD 7B: “Death Begins at .45” - April 24, 1950 “girlfriend” gig was playing Helen Asher on Richard Diamond, Private Wendell Mason, whose journalistic pursuits Detective. A wealthy socialite, Helen would often be serenaded in her penthouse have rarely gone beyond reporting on gardening, by Diamond (Dick Powell) after he had solved a complicated case. has stumbled onto the scoop of a lifetime in the quiet suburb of River Vista. Racketeer Virginia’s other long-running stint as sounding-board-to-the-sleuth was on a Rocco Bannion has been discovered dead on Mutual-Don Lee series heard exclusively on the West Coast during its original a houseboat! Featured in this broadcast are Pat run: Let George Do It. The “George” of the title was an ex-G.I. named George McGeehan, Doris Singleton, Lawrence Dobkin, Valentine. Concerned about his rapidly depleting bank account, Valentine William Conrad, and Robert Griffin. decided to go into business for himself as sort of a “problem-solving” concierge. To promote his new venture, George took out several newspaper ads declaring: CD 8A: “The Chair of Humanities” - “If the job’s too tough for you to handle, you’ve got a job for me.” May 1, 1950 Gloria Cable writes a letter to Valentine urgently Let George Do It premiered over Mutual on September 20, 1946, starring Robert requesting his help. However, in a follow-up “Bob” Bailey (who would later achieve radio fame as the “fabulous freelance phone call, she insists that nothing is wrong and Dan O'Herlihy is heard in "Go Jump in the Lake" investigator” on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar). In the series’ early years, the that all should be forgotten. Meeting with her and "Mix-Up in La Cruza." 2 7 husband, college professor Edward M. Cable, George and Brooksie are told that Gloria is going away...for a nice long rest. Ted Osborne, Lurene Tuttle, Robert Griffin, Noreen LET GEORGE DO IT Gammill, and Victor Rodman are heard in this episode. Full Details CD 8B: “Portuguese Cove” - May 22, 1950 The housekeeper who works for a deep-sea tuna boat Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. captain named Lemago writes to George. She describes how her employer -- a notably kind and gentle soul -- decked Actress Virginia Gregg began her show business career as a bass viol virtuoso. a mailman. When George and Brooksie investigate, they But her heart was never really in it, despite her pedigree (her mother, Dewey encounter a peculiar clan of feuding fishermen...and murder! Francis X. Bushman is Todd Alphaleta, was also a musician). What she wanted to do was become an Featured in this broadcast are Walter Burke, Francis X. heard in "Portuguese Cove." actress, and it wouldn’t be long before Radio Mirror described her as “one of the Bushman, Gwen Delano, Elliott Reid, and Harry Bartell. busiest (and prettiest) people in radio.” Her first professional voice work was still grounded in music: a stint with a vocal group known as “The Singing Strings” (which performed over Los Angeles’ KHJ in 1937).

Ginny graduated from Singing String to sound effect, developing what she described as “a terrific scream.” Indeed, it was put to excellent use on many of If you enjoyed this CD set, we recommend radio’s horror shows of the period, including Lights Out. “The day I received a Let George Do It: Sweet Poison, available chance to act instead of wield a bow, I sold the bass viol,” she recalled for Radio now at www.RadioSpirits.com. Life in 1946, “and I haven’t been near one since.” With the number of programs on which she emoted, it’s a safe bet she wouldn’t have had the energy to pick up that bow. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Virginia Gregg was on the radio all the time.

Show business has often been accused of possessing a strong streak of nepotism, and Virginia’s marriage to director-producer Jaime del www.RadioSpirits.com Valle in 1948 certainly didn’t PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 hurt her where steady work was concerned. Del Valle was © 2018 RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. For home use only. the director of Family Theatre, Unauthorized distribution prohibited. a show on which Gregg appeared frequently…not to Program Guide © 2018 Let George Do It and RSPT LLC. All Rights Reserved. mention Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, The Line-Up, and The 47942 General Electric Theatre.