The Old Radio Times The Official Publication of the Old-Time Radio Researchers Spring 2019 www.otrr.org No. 102 Contents Murder at Murder at Midnight: Killing Midnight, Pt. 2 the Competition Pt. 2 1 By Karl Schadow Ó2019 Smiley Burnette 12 In Part 1 of this series, (The Old Battle of the Radio Times, Winter 2019) a brief Bard Book profile of Murder at Midnight was Review 13 presented which included executives Wistful Vistas of the producing firm, Louis G. 14 Cowan, Inc. and also principal crew Blog Profile 14 members of the series. Additionally, Purchasing a timeline of the program's tenure on Groups 16 the etherwaves was delineated with My Son Jeep 17 highlights of radio station and Louis G. Cowan sponsor involvement along with Remembering selected comments from the critics. #1 "The Dead Hand" by Robert Doris Day 18 This concluding part cites key Newman, recorded April 19, Young Doctor features of all fifty-two episodes 1946. Script Copyright Claim Malone 21 which was compiled by research of received April 30, 1946, assigned Acquisitions 29 extant audio (thirty-four episodes) Registration No. DU2897. Extant Contributors: and analysis of scripts of all fifty- audio: Yes. Plot: Following an Ryan Ellett two dramas. A complete collection accident in which he lost a hand, a of these scripts was examined at the concert pianist will not settle for a Martin Grams Manuscript Division, Library of mere artificial limb as a Dan Hughes Congress. Additionally, several replacement. Cast: Berry Kroeger Claire Nava scripts were also scrutinized that (Roger), Betty Caine (Lona), Barry were held in the Robert Newman Hopkins (Dr. Martin) and Frank Karl Schadow Papers, Howard Gotlieb Archival Readick (Hook). The script was Trav S.D. Research Center, Boston University. previously broadcast as "The Hand" The information as outlined for each on Inner Sanctum Mystery (January Edited by Ryan Ellett *** episode is as follows: episode 30, 1945). Send submissions, number, title, author, recording date, inquiries, and comments to copyright details, audio status, plot, #2 "The Man Who Was Death" by OldRadioTimes and cast. Also included if applicable, Robert Newman, recorded April 26, @yahoo.com are additional uses of the script. 1946. Script Copyright Claim received April 30, 1946, assigned Registration #5 "Trigger Man" by Max Ehrlich, recorded No. DU2898. Extant audio: Yes. Plot: In order May 13, 1946. Script Copyright Claim to capture the true essence of his subject received May 12, 1946, assigned matter, a demented sculptor employs devious Registration No. DU3047. Extant audio: means to obtain his models. Cast: Frank Yes. Plot: Previously known for being a Behrens (Jan Rolfe), Agnes Young (Aline, coward, a hoodlum suddenly becomes a Mrs. Dolan), Lawson Zerbe (Detective Jordan), ruthless gunman. Cast: William Quinn Amzie Strickland (Nancy), Robert Lynn (Charlie), (Peters, Sgt. Hanrahan). The script was Spencer Bentley previously broadcast as "The Mask of Death" (Reilly, Mike), on Inner Sanctum Mystery (March 15, 1942). Alice Yourman (Mrs. Reilly, #3 "The Secret of XR-3" by Max Ehrlich, superintendent), recorded May 6, 1946. Script Copyright Claim Frank Behrens received May 9, 1946, assigned Registration (Donelli), Ted No. DU3023. Extant Audio: Yes. Plot: The life Jewett (Doc of a circus midget longing to become normal Leonard, cop), takes a drastic and Mandel turn when he Kramer meets a prominent (Bummy, physician. Cast: doctor). The Karl Swenson script was (Gargo), Charles previously Webster (chaplin, Alice Yourman broadcast as pool player #2), "Death Keeps a Martin Wolfson Deadline" on The Shadow (November 1, (Petroff, pool 1942). player #1), Ruth Gilbert (Rhoda) #6 "Death's Goblet" by Sigmund Miller, and Roger De recorded May 17, 1946. Script Copyright Koven (Dr. Mead, Claim received May 23, 1946, assigned pool player #3). Registration No. DU3271. Extant audio: Yes. Plot: Does a non-descript wineglass Ruth Gilbert exert special powers over those who drink from it? Cast: Eric Dressler (Harvey) and #4 "Wherever I Go" by William Morwood, John Griggs (Arthur). recorded May 10, 1946. Script Copyright Claim received May 12, 1946, assigned #7 "The Heavy Death" by Robert Newman, Registration No. DU3046. Extant Audio: Yes. recorded May 20, 1946. Script Copyright Plot: After killing his wife, a husband is Claim received May 23, 1946, assigned constantly in the presence of an unusual Registration No. DU3272. Extant audio: stranger. Cast: Berry Kroeger (Gordon), Adele Yes. Plot: A nuclear physicist is able to Ronson (Ellen, operator), John Gibson (The transform himself and his experiments into Stranger, hotel clerk) and Barry Hopkins instruments of death. Cast: Frank Readick (trooper). 2 The Old Radio Times * Spring 2019 * Number 102 (Shill Sullivan), aliens. Cast: George Petrie (Lt. Larkin) and Charles Webster Peter Capell (Prof. Martell). (Dr. Cardan), Lon Clark (Sgt. Roe, #11 "The Creeper" by Joseph Ruscoll, Matson) and recorded June 6, 1946. Script Copyright Roger De Koven Claim received June 11, 1946, assigned (Dr. Vance). Registration No. DU3503. Extant audio: yes. Plot: A policeman's wife is terrified that she #8 "Nightmare" will be the next by Joseph victim of a Ruscoll, recorded serial killer. May 24, 1946. Cast: Ann Script Copyright Shepherd Claim received (Georgia), Carl May 28, 1946, Frank (Steve), assigned John Gibson Charles Webster Registration No. (Perley), Kermit DU3320. Extant Murdock audio: Yes. Plot: A woman's bizarre dream (newscaster, wanders from hamburgers, to an unfinished doorman), novel to a murder perpetrated by her husband. Martin Wolfson Cast: Elspeth Eric (Helen), Walter Vaughn (druggist, (Ernie), Eleanor Phelps (Betty), Jack Jimmy), Elsie MacBryde (policeman, cook) and Nat Cantor Mae Gordon (Joe). The script was subsequently broadcast as (Mrs. Stone). "I Dreamt I Died" on both The Mollé Mystery John Gibson The script was Theatre (November 14, 1946) and Murder By previously Experts (September 12, 1949). broadcast under the same title on The Molle Mystery Theatre (March 29, 1946) and #9 "The Dead Come Back" by William subsequently aired on several other Morwood, recorded May 27, 1946. Script programs. Copyright Claim received May 28, 1946, assigned Registration No. DU3321. Extant #12 "The Man Who Died Yesterday" by audio: Yes. Plot: An escaped convict is haunted Robert Newman, recorded June 7, 1946. by a tune he first heard while committing a Script Copyright Claim received June 11, previous crime. Cast: Joseph Julian (Lefty), Ed 1946, assigned Registration No. DU3504. Jerome (Doc Padgett, Charlie), Wendell Plot: A hitchhiker preoccupied with reaching Holmes (superintendent), Paul Mann (George, an important destination, has the uncanny Tom) and Barbara Anderson (Ruth). ability to foretell the future. Cast: Stuart Brody (David), Mandel Kramer (Walt, #10 "Terror Out of Space" by Robert Newman, policeman), Frances Heflin (waitress, Hazel) recorded June 3, 1946. Script Copyright Claim Joseph De Santis (newscaster, doctor) and received June 4, 1946, assigned Registration Don Hirst (cashier, attendant). No. Du3395. Extant audio: Yes. Plot: In attempting to establish radio contact with the moon, astronomers encounter unconventional 3 The Old Radio Times * Spring 2019 * Number 102 #13 "Till Death Do Us Part" by Joseph Ruscoll, Copyright Claim received July 28, 1946, recorded June 10, 1946. Script Copyright assigned Registration No. DU4314. Extant Claim received June 11, 1946, assigned audio: Yes. Plot: An ancient Arab scroll Registration No. DU3505. Extant audio: Yes. provides unexpected results for those who Plot: Is it the wife who wants to kill her exploit it. Cast: James Van Dyk (Dr. Rudd), husband, or is he the one who wishes to Martin Blaine (Dale), Ellen Fenwick dissolve their marriage in a fiendish manner? (Barbara), Kermit Murdock (Arab, Cast: Elspeth Eric (Ruth), Eric Dressler (Frank) attendant), Harald Dyrenforth (Prof. La and Maurice Tarplin (cab driver, Inspector Forde). The script was previously broadcast Wade). under the same title on Inner Sanctum Mystery (June 8, 1941). #14 "Murder Is A Lonely Business" by William Morwood, recorded June 13, 1946. #17 "The Ace of Death" by Max Ehrlich, Script Copyright Claim received June 16, 1946, recording date unknown. Script Copyright assigned Registration No. DU3641. Extant Claim received July 28, 1946, assigned audio: Yes. Plot: A couple resorting to Registration No. 4315. Extant audio: Yes. unsavory means in acquiring a wealthy uncle's Plot: A passerby prevents a man from estate is thwarted by a mysterious laugh. Cast: committing suicide by convincing the Helen Shields (Grace), Wendell Holmes (Fred), despondent Carl Emory (minister, Ronnie) and Cameron person that Prud'homme (Uncle Edward). there is a more dignified #15 "The House Where Death Lived" by manner in Robert Newman, recorded June 14, 1946. which to die. Script Copyright Claim received June 16, 1946, Cast: Karl assigned Registration No. DU3642. Extant Swenson audio: Yes. Plot: A researcher of psychic (John Evans), phenomena is obsessed with his investigations John Griggs in a haunted house. Cast: Berry Kroeger (Dr. (President), Goff), Abby Lewis (Jean, woman), Edgar Ted Jewett Stehli (Calhoun) (Frederick and George Whitney), Tiplady (Sanders, Cameron cop). The script Prud'homme was previously Ted De Corsia. (Mr. broadcast under Thompson, Mr. the same title Benedict) and Ted De Corsia (Mr. on Inner Sanctum Dennison). Mystery (June 6, 1943). #18 "The House That Time Forgot" by Sigmund Miller, recording date unknown. #16 "The Script Copyright Claim received August 7, Kabbala" by 1946, assigned Registration No. DU4485. Robert Newman, Extant audio: Yes. Plot: In purchasing their recorded July 30, dream house, a newlywed couple discovers 1946. Script James van Dyk that it contains a peculiar time-keeping 4 The Old Radio Times * Spring 2019 * Number 102 piece. Cast: Vinton Hayworth (Fred), Elsie Hitz #21 "The Mark of Cain" by A. S. Ginnes, (Eva), Rod Hendrickson (Mr. Smith), James recorded August 22, 1946. Script Copyright Monks (Richard Holloway), Marion Shockley Claim received August 24, 1946, assigned (Mrs. Holloway) and Neil Fitzgerald (Gabriel). Registration No. DU4698.