Radio Retropolis

Superman, now on Utopia, to save Jimmy from excecution finds himself unable to move from the heavy gravitational pull of the planet rendering him completely helpless.  JR speaks on how Perry White's blustery disbelief in others related to the children listening which JR compares to a very special episode of The Andy Griffith Show called "Mr. McBeevee". 

Peter Frame was killed in a knife attack leaving another man still alive who vows vengeance on his killer. The only clue is a certain watch charm that belonged to the dead man. Commentary on star Les Tremayne.

A madman kills a scientist who has developed a secret serum for restoring youth. Commentary on the connection in this plot to the real life Nazi genetic experiment called Lebensborn or the Fountain of Life.

A young girl believes she hears a woman screaming for help deep underground in the empty lot next door yet no one believes her.  JR speaks on star Margaret O'Brien, her lost Oscar, and the controversy that almost resulted in her death on the set of Meet Me in St. Louis.

Perry White, Kent and Poco finally meet as Kent tries to understand what this strange rhyming fellow means  on this other planet called Utopia with Jimmy there in danger for his life.  JR speaks on Superman special guest Rear Admiral Reginald Belknap retired who awards the Superman radio series as The Best Children's program.  Plus, what being in space really meant in early 1947 and what was about to come forth later that summer.

Liz tries to play matchmaker for Peggy Martin with one of George's clients, but both the client and George think that Liz is going after the guy for herself. The audio is a little challenging but it's a funny episode that survives in the My Favorite Husband library. Commentary on the risque' storyline for 1950 that involves negligees and extra-marital affairs and how these storylines were soon abandoned due to the new moral codes that were adopted for television in 1954.

A mother with four children disappears which leaves her sister to care for the children left behind. However, there's evidence of foul play. Commentary on the precise sound effects in Dragnet and how it gives us tremendous insight into what the visual could be. Interestingly, there was also a sound misdirection with Barney Phillips.  Finally, the location of Mulholland Drive which figures into this plot.

Poco decides to rocket back to earth to track down Kent or Perry White with the last-ditch effort to find Superman.  JR speaks on the fascination with darker stories and horror in the WWII era.

rA reluctant deep-sea diver who murdered two men believes his next deep dive will end with his death. Commentary, on the meaning of "Eight Bells". Plus, a significant WWII event of this date, the #1 song and movie in America.

A doctor experimenting with chemicals in his lab "accidentally" blinds his assistant in a plot to use him to undermine the institution for its stock. Commentary on who Blue Coal's John Barclay really is.  Plus , the origin of the Shadow theme song.

Agnes Moorehead makes her fourth appearance on Suspense in the most famous radio play ever written about a bedridden woman who overhears a telephone conversation plotting somebody's murder...hers!  JR speaks on Moorehead, the film version of this script and why this is considered a masterpiece in suspense.

Jimmy and Anthar are imprisoned by Zaram awaiting trial while Kent investigates where Utopia is if it even exists.  JR speaks on the lack of popularoty of the rhyming Poco character.

When George forgets Liz's birthday, Liz sends an anonymous reminder through Mr. Atterbury,  only for George  to think it's his mother's birthday instead. Commentary on exceptional audio quality of the episode, guest actress GeGe Pearson, and the tremendous comedic pacing of this very funny script.

Two convicts escape from San Quentin.  They're armed and begin a crime wave of hold-ups. The trail leads to Mexico via San Diego as they vow never to be taken alive.  Commentary on San Diego Chief of Police Adam E Jansen who is credited as a contributor to this story line. Plus commentary on guest star Whitfield Connor.

Jimmy is in trouble on Utopia and Kent is finally figuring it out back on earth.  JR speaks on George Reeves quitting The Adventures of Superman after season 2.

A macabre tale of an artist whose insane love for his soon to be ex-wife turns into the most vicious hate when he asks her to pose for his sculpture of her bust. Commentary on star Lee Bowman. Plus , Lipton Tea lady Mary Bennett promoting Lipton Chicken Soup as the meal of the week!

A man who embezzled $2 million from his bank fakes his death and hides out on a secluded island off the coast of Nova Scotia.  The Shadow has figured out the scam and heads out to find him.Commentary on the Wellesian approach to this episode and Johnstone's approach to this Welles inspired script, the formula of writing comic book villains, and the real threat in Europe in 1938.

A man accepts an easy job answering phones for a horse betting operation from a woman he met in a bar only to find the woman dead the next day and he is the prime suspect!  JR speaks on stars Edmond O'Brien and Ann Blyth and O'Brien's real life brush with the mob world on one of his films. 

Jimmy goes along with what he thought was a joke until he finds himself in a round rocket ship hurtling through space to the planet Utopia.  JR speaks on who in the Bible Superman was really based on.

After listening to Liz explain how she balances her checkbook, George sends her to night school to learn arithmetic.  Commentary on why George, a banker, would let his mathematically challenged wife continue to mishandle their bank book. Plus we look at Liz' creative math and compare it to a similar routine by Abbott and Costello. Also, we discuss the Curly and Shemp Howard connection as well as tonight's guest star who was blacklisted as a purported communist.