Radio Retropolis

A married couple murder an elderly man for the money he has hidden in a pillowcase and now have to cover their tracks as investigators close in. Commentary on the great twisty reminiscent of The Twilight Zone. Plus, actors Santos Ortega and his one day of infamy and Elspeth Eric. Also, Paul McGrath officially takes over as our ghoulish host.

City officials make light of a convict's promise of revenge after his execution until those he promised to kill from beyond the grave wind up dead. Commentary on the love/hate relationships between comic book heroes and law enforcement, a returning Shadow actress in a guest role, and an unknown Richard Widmark who lent his voice to many minor characters in radio before hitting it big in his first leading role Kiss of Death in 1947.

An elderly woman hires a young, troubled drifter as a handyman only to find out that he may be deeply emotionally disturbed and dangerous.  JR speaks on stars Ethel Barrymore and Gene Kelly as well as the comparisons between Kelly and Frank Sinatra who performed this role a few years prior.

Horatio and Lois once again find themselves in mortal danger as the boat they're on catches fire from the strange monster…only this time Kent is with them.  He can save them, but how will he do so without giving up his secret identity?  JR comments on actress Joan Alexander, Lois Lane herself, who inherited $70 miilion before her death.

George gets a letter from the Army so Liz thinks he's been drafted. George, on the other hand thinks Liz is having a baby. Commentary on how one of the great radio episodes could have become a great television episode if they hadn't made one mistake.

A professional gambling ring has set up operations in the city and dozens of people are being victimized. Yet the gamblers keep on the move.  Commentary on The Edgar Allan Poe Awards in which Dragnet once is a recipient for Best Mystery.

Kent begins his investigation into this strange sea monster that seems to have extraordinary powers.  JR speaks on what to expect once Batman enters into the public domain.

A man on death row escapes prison with the help of a mysterious society woman who seemingly can predict every move he makes. Commentary on one of the errors of this episode with regards to the gun used. Also, actress Simone Simone's short but sweet Hollywood career. Plus, this is the last episode featuring our host Raymond.

A falsely accused spy thinks of nothing but revenge for twenty years while sitting in jail, but the man who will pardon him is in mortal danger and the Shadow must save not one life but two. Commentary on how the Shadow is not infallible and can lose a fight.

A good ex-cop gone bad who has been ordered by his boss, a gangster, to murder a policeman and former friend.  JR speaks on twist ending and the strange life of William Bendix being cast against type who in his teens caused Babe Ruth to get sick and miss a game.

Superman has arrived in St.  Selmo and begins his frantic search in the dark night over the water for the missing trio.  JR speaks on what to soon expect for Superman when the earliest version of The Man of Steel enters the public domain.

Liz' exaggerations become so bad that George cuts off Liz's allowance until she can prove that she can consistently tell nothing but the truth. Commentary once again on the unlikable manner in which Liz has been written that is against the nature of why we love Lucille Ball. Plus commentary on Lucy favorite Shirley Mitchell who guest stars in this episode.

For more than two months a wave of safe burglaries have been well planned, well executed and there are no leads to the whereabouts of the suspects.  Special commentary on the politics and business of Dragnet and  Jack Webb's tough guy reputation.  Plus Dragnet company actors Stacy Harris and Harry Bartell.  Do not miss this podcast!

After their boat is destroyed, Lois, Horatio and Marble hang on to ship wreckage in the dark, cold ocean along with a very worried Kent who hears Lois may be lost at sea.  JR speaks on the shortlived television series Superboy.

A young woman tries to convince a detective that another mysterious woman, who seems to appear and disappear at will, killed her father. Commentary on a familiar plot line. Plus actress Wendy Barrie's unique connection to Peter Pan.

A mad scientist, who is dying from an incurable heart disease, builds a time machine to keep him alive to relive December 31 over and over again just so that he can repeatedly kill his cousin who has wronged him. Lamont Cranston and Margot Lane are the only two conscious enough to realize the repetition of New Year's Eve and try to figure a way to end this madness.  Commentary on the concept of time travel and how it could ruin  or enhance a dramatic plot.

A man who is tired of his overbearing wife, meticulously plans her murder just before they are set to leave for an extended trip to America.  JR speaks on the original story Back for Christmas comparisons.  Plus, the tumultuous life of star Herbert Marshall, his affair with Gloria Swanson, and loss of a leg.

Lois and Horatio head out to the open sea with this strange captain who somehow has a personal interest in this bizarre sea monster.  Will Lois get more than what she bargained for? JR speaks on the origins of a comic superhero that led to two versions of the character due to legal battles- Captain Marvel and Shazam!

Liz bought George's Christmas present, a cuckoo clock, with a rubber check, and now she needs to figure out a way to make good on it so the store owner won't repossess the clock.  Commentary on why this episode betrayed the likability of the Liz character. Plus, we celebrate guest star the great June Foray who passed away just two months before this podcast at the age of 99.

A dead woman has been left in the hospital elevator.  There's no lead to the identity of the corpse and there's no apparent cause of death.  Commentary on the curve ball in the act.  Plus actress Gwen Delano.