BONUS - Best of Joseph Cotten

BONUS - Best of Joseph Cotten

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts July 1, 2024 Duration: 3:06:54

In this bonus episode, I'm sharing my favorite Suspense shows from the 18 appearances Joseph Cotten made on the program. The star of Shadow of a Doubt and The Third Man plays both heroes and villains across these six episodes. First, he's searching for his missing wife in "You'll Never See Me Again" (originally aired on CBS on September 14, 1944), and he's hunted by J. Carrol Naish in "The Most Dangerous Game" (originally aired on CBS on February 1, 1945). After an impulsive murder, Cotten has to reverse engineer an alibi in "Crime Without Passion" (originally aired on CBS on May 2, 1946), and he's haunted by a corpse no one else can see in "The Thing in the Window" (originally aired on CBS on December 19, 1946). A case of mistaken identity and a long-suffering wife have Cotten in the vise in "The Day I Died" (originally aired on June 30, 1949), and he's got to clear his name after he confesses to a murder he didn't commit in "Fly By Night" (originally aired on CBS on September 28, 1950).


Step back into an era where the crackle of a radio dial promised an evening of expertly crafted tension, brought to life by the most iconic voices ever captured on tape. Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio) from Mean Streets Podcasts is a weekly double feature dedicated to preserving and celebrating this specific golden age artifact. The focus here is on the thrilling convergence of A-list Hollywood talent with the masterful sound production of the classic "Suspense" radio series. You'll hear legends like Orson Welles, Agnes Moorehead, or Cary Grant not in their familiar cinematic roles, but using only their voices to paint pictures of desperation, mystery, and impending doom. Each episode presents two complete, original broadcasts, allowing the listener to fully immerse in the narrative craftsmanship and atmospheric sound design that held a nation captive. This podcast isn't just about nostalgia; it's an archival showcase of performance art, highlighting how these stars built entire worlds and complex characters through vocal nuance alone. The collection spans the show's long run, offering everything from psychological noir to supernatural tales, all united by that signature spine-tingling "Suspense" mood. For anyone interested in the roots of modern audio drama, the history of performance, or simply a brilliantly told story, this curated journey provides a direct line to a time when imagination was the ultimate special effect. Tune in for a masterclass in tension, starring the very best.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stars on Suspense (Old Time Radio)
Podcast Episodes
Episode 420 - Favorites from 1949 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:36:04
Comedy legends, legendary leading men, and the first lady of Suspense - they're all here in my favorite episodes of 1949! Fibber McGee and Molly take the car ride from hell with an uninvited passenger in "Backseat Driver…
Episode 419 - Favorites from 1948 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07:03
The tenth year Stars on Suspense kicks off with my favorite installments of "radio's outstanding theatre of thrills" from 1948! First, it's a sixty-minute Sam Spade/Suspense crossover with Howard Duff in "The Kandy Tooth…
Episode 418 - Favorites from 1947 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:35:02
1947 marked the end of an era on Suspense as Roma Wines ("that's R-O-M-A") ended its sponsorship of the program. But before it parted ways with "radio's outstanding theater of thrills," it brought another big line-up of…
BONUS - More Favorites from '46 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:25:11
I had too many favorite 1946 Suspense shows for one episode! In this bonus installment, I'm sharing five more of my most-loved "tales well calculated" from '46. Brian Donlevy stars as Duncan Maclain, the blind detective…
Episode 417 - Favorites from 1946 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37:18
Not-so perfect alibis, a missing wife, and some supernatural horrors are on deck with my favorite Suspense episodes from 1946. Joseph Cotten commits an impulsive murder and has to reverse engineer an alibi in "Crime With…
Episode 416 - Favorites from 1945 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:01:29
It's a mix of two-handers, adaptations, comedy, mystery, and horror with my favorite Suspense shows from 1945! Joseph Cotten is hunted by J. Carrol Naish in "The Most Dangerous Game" (originally aired on CBS on February…
Episode 415 - Favorites from 1944 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:34:16
Our journey back through the years of Suspense continues with my favorite episodes from 1944. Lucille Ball is a taxi dancer who hopes to avoid a murderous dance partner in "Dime a Dance" (originally aired on CBS on Janua…
Episode 414 - Favorites from 1943 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:07:29
Join me on a trip back to 1943 and my favorite episodes of Suspense from that year. It was the year production of the show moved from New York to Hollywood, which meant it was easier for film stars to make appearances, a…
Episode 413 - Myron McCormick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:47
Myron McCormick took home a Tony for his performance as gruff but lovable sailor Luther Billis in the original Broadway production of South Pacific, and before his premature passing at the age of 54 he logged several mem…
Episode 412 - Harry Bartell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:41
One of the busiest (and best) actors of the radio era, Harry Bartell could be heard everywhere - as an announcer chatting with Nigel Bruce on Sherlock Holmes, as cowboys on Gunsmoke, and as suspects on Dragnet. We'll hea…