Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 187 – Crime Club: The Topaz Flower

Raymond Edward JohnsonA look at a somewhat forgotten American cozy mystery writer – Charlotte Murray Russell – wrote a number of mysteries well into the 1950s but then suddenly gave it all up and returned to her library work. She was an influence on a number of later female mystery writers who got their start writing “cozy” style mysteries.

This play is from the Crime Club. A brief look at that radio series. This episode starred Raymond Edward Johnson (right) and is adapted from Russell’s book, The Case of the Topaz Flower.

Music under is Benny Goodman’s “Benny Rides Again.”

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 186 – Escape: Red Wine

Jeff Chandler

Jeff Chandler

Writer LG Blochman wrote the short story, “Red Wine” in 1930 about a detective who travels to Indonesia to find a murderer. The story was adapted by Escape in 1949 though it had previously been heard on the Molle Mystery Theaterin 1945. This version starred Film and radio star, Jeff Chandler, who does a credible job in this version of Blochman’s story.

Music under is from Body Heat and is performed by Jazz at the Movies.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 185 – A Merry Christmas

Dick Powell

A Merry Christmas gift – I am repeating an episode I did of Richard Diamond, Private Detective back in 2006 & 2010. This one is a wonderful Christmas variation on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 184 – The Bishop & the Gargoyle

Richard Gordon This podcast features a radio detective series that I will admit is in my opinion a stinker. I have only been able to hear one episode (none others exist), but to round out the radio detective genre, I felt I should feature it nonetheless. Some of you may like it, but I found it definitely an example of very early and bad radio drama. Hopefully, you are curious enough to give it a try!

Music under is the incomparable Nina Simone singing her version of “Love Me or Leave Me.”

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 183 – Let George Do It “Laura’s House”

Bob Bailey The second podcast dedicated to our “Laura-fest” in which Bob Bailey stars in an episode of Let George Do It – “Laura’s House.” This was later in the 6 year run of Let George Do It. By this time the series was no longer a comedy but took itself seriously, though some like this episode had its silly moments.

Music Under is the Andre Previn Trio playing “Limehouse Blues.”

Site design changes

I am trying out some new designs for this blog site. So it may change as time goes on and if I am not satisfied, it will go back to the way it was. Comments are welcomed.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 182 – Ford Theater – Laura

Virginia Gilmore

Virginia Gilmore

The beginning of my “Laura-fest” starting with the Ford Theater production of the Vera Caspary adaptation of Laura. These are not the actors who appeared in the film and they will need to grow on you if, like me, you are a huge fan of the film. Some comparisons between film, Lux Radio Theatre version and this one.

Music under is Chet Baker version of Laura.

Radio Detective Story Hour Episode 181 – Appointment With Fear

Valentine Dyall, BBC ActorA revisit to the classic BBC radio series from the 1940s. The series was created partly by John Dickson Carr and modeled on his experience working as a scriptwriter for the American series Suspense. When you hear it, you think you are listening to a twist on that American series, but while there were crossover storylines, this series had its own unique stamp including the creepy sounding Man in Black portrayed by British actor Valentine Dyall (right).

This story called “The Speaking Clock” is an almost same script telling of the Suspense episode “Mr. Markham, Antique Dealer.” Under Dickson Carr’s deft writing ability, there is a wonderful twist in the plot.

Music under is Ray Noble & His Orchestra with Al Bowlly – Why Dream? and Where Am I?

Film Noir on Turner Classic Movies

Nicholas RayThis coming month – October – Turner Classic Movies is offering several film noir directed by Nicholas Ray from the late 1940s and early 1950s in honor of his 100th birthday anniversary. They include They Live By Night (1949) with Farley Granger and Cathy O’Donnell based on the novel Thieves Like Us by Edward Anderson; preceded by In A Lonely Place (1950) based on the wonderful novel by Dorothy B. Hughes and featured as a podcast from the radio play version and Born To Be Bad (1950) with Joan Fontaine and based on the novel by Anne Parrish.

All in all, some great film noir!

Raymond Chandler on BBC is Back!

Raymond Chandler on BBC Raymond Chandler is back with a new drama of The Long Goodbye which will be heard over BBC  Radio 4 beginning on Saturday, October 1st at 14:30 GMT or 19:30 EST. This is a new play, so be sure  not to miss it. It stars Toby Stephens in an excellent adaptation. You can find it HERE.