A potpourri of summer-time classic radio
- Rodney Bowcock
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
It's the dog days of summer, and if you are in the midwest like we are, it's been a steamy one. This week, we present a trio of classic radio shows that you may not have heard that we think you'll like. Perhaps these would provide some good listening on the front or back porch with a cool beverage. Or if you'd rather beat the heat, turn down the air inside and enjoy the fun.
First up, let's start with arguably the most popular of our programs this month. It's the always wonderful Myrna Loy starring in SUSPENSE on the CBS network in the episode that aired on September 20, 1945. It's called Library Book and was adapted from the 1939 Cornell Woolrich short story The Book That Squealed by William Spier.. In the supporting cast are radio stalwarts Cathy Lewis, Wally Maher and Conrad Binyon, whom I had the opportunity to correspond with in what must be the distant past now.
To be honest, this isn't my favorite episode of SUSPENSE, but the cast is good and it's a good story although it seems to have been wrapped up a little quickly to me.
Next on the docket is a show that I've been having a lot of fun listening to lately, and I'm excited to share a rare episode with you. It's A DATE WITH JUDY from November 6, 1945. This is a teenage comedy, along the lines of The Aldrich Family or Meet Corliss Archer, but I find it to be a better written and acted show. Our audience will likely remember that there was an MGM musical starring Jane Powell in 1948 based on the show, but the radio program is a little zanier than that. Louise Erickson stars as Judy and Dix Davis, (whom we just lost in 2024), John Brown and Myra Marsh co-star in this episode in which the family gets mixed up with a haunted house. For decades fewer than six episodes of this show circulated among collectors, but many more have been located and are slowly being released to the hobbyist community.
Finally, we present another show that was quite rare until a few years ago. This is a Mutual series called HOLLYWOOD THEATER OF STARS. "Stars" may be a strong word, but the story presented here, Brooklyn Bridge is a fun one starring Howard Duff, who was great on Sam Spade and had an engaging Lloyd Nolan-ish persona in his performances. Not sure exactly when this one dates from, but 1951 or so seems to be a safe bet.
Until next time, Happy Listening! Happy Watching! Stay cool out there!
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