Episode 397 - John Payne

Episode 397 - John Payne

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts December 20, 2024 Duration: 1:39:14

Best known as the kindly attorney who takes on Kris Kringle's case in Miracle on 34th Street, John Payne starred in crime dramas, westerns, and adventures on the big screen and as a TV gunslinger in The Restless Gun. We'll hear him as a small town police chief with a big-time mystery on his hands in Dashiell Hammett's "Two Sharp Knives" (originally aired on CBS on June 7, 1945). Plus, he recreates his celebrated movie role as the Lux Radio Theatre presents "Miracle on 34th Street," also featuring Maureen O'Hara and Edmund Gwenn (originally aired on CBS on December 20, 1948).


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 384 - Frank Lovejoy (Part 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:33
Radio, TV, and big screen star Frank Lovejoy returns to the podcast in a trio of stories that show off his talents as well as the variety of tales that Suspense could tell. First, he's a human guinea pig (and co-stars wi…
Episode 383 - Vivi Janiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:40
Vivi Janiss was one of the radio era's most versatile and talented actresses, and she lent her voice to roles in comedies, westerns, thrillers, and everything in between. We'll hear her on a long car ride with her husban…
Episode 382 - Robert Montgomery (Part 4) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:04
We bid a fond farewell to actor, director, and occasional Suspense host Robert Montgomery. In addition to acting as emcee and narrator, Montgomery plays a man who may (or may not) be the homicidal maniac stalking the str…
Episode 381 - Walter Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:51
Character Walter Abel began his career in Eugene O'Neill stage dramas in the 1920s and he worked steadily on the big and small screens all the way through the 1980s. We'll hear him as a bank employee who wants to add som…
Episode 380 - Agnes Moorehead (Part 11) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:18
We bid goodbye to the "First Lady of Suspense" as Agnes Moorehead stars in three old time radio thrillers. First, she plays a high school teacher who tries to save her student from a grisly end behind the wheel of a hot…
BONUS - Best of Joseph Cotten [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 epi…
Episode 379 - Mark Stevens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:09
As a contract player for Warner Brothers and Fox, Mark Stevens starred in film noir and dramas alongside the likes of Lucille Ball and Richard Widmark. But even though he was hailed as one of the most promising new stars…
BONUS - Suspense Goes Sci-Fi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:23:31
Suspense takes some rare trips into the otherworldly realms of science fiction in this bonus episode. John McIntire is a mad scientist with an equally mad experiment in "Donovan's Brain" (originally aired on CBS on Febru…
Episode 378 - Helen Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:06
Helen Walker's Hollywood career was short and marked by an offscreen tragedy, but she made memorable appearances in comedies and dramas opposite co-stars like Fred MacMurray and Tyrone Power. We'll hear her opposite John…
BONUS - Best of Gene Kelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:05
In this bonus episode, I'm sharing my favorite Suspense shows starring Gene Kelly. The star of Singin' in the Rain doesn't sing or dance, but instead he shows off his dramatic chops in three radio thrillers. First, he's…