Episode 415 - Favorites from 1944

Episode 415 - Favorites from 1944

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts June 5, 2025 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 January 13, 1944), and Charles Ruggles suspects his new housekeeper may be too good to be true in "Suspicion" (originally aired on CBS on February 10, 1944). Orson Welles stars in a rare two-part Suspense science fiction drama "Donovan's Brain" (originally aired on CBS on May 18 and May 25, 1944), and Vincent Price and Ida Lupino co-star in "Fugue in C Minor," a Gothic horror drama from the pen of Lucille Fletcher (originally aired on CBS on June 1, 1944). Charles Laughton encounters a strange man who claims to have invented an undetectable method for murder in "The Man Who Knew How" (originally aired on CBS on August 10, 1944), and Gene Kelly enjoys a seemingly supernatural streak of luck…until he doesn't in "The Man Who Couldn't Lose" (originally aired on CBS on September 28, 1944).


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 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…
Episode 411 - Frank Lovejoy (Part 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:21
Radio and big screen star Frank Lovejoy makes his final appearances on Suspense in a pair of shows where he plays characters both scary and sympathetic. First, he's a man with an unhealthy fixation on his Army buddy's wi…
Episode 410 - Jackie Kelk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:57
For seven years on radio, Jackie Kelk portrayed cub reporter and Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen, and he helped to define the character for generations of depictions in comics, cartoons, and films. We'll hear him in a pair of…
Episode 409 - Elsa Lanchester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:27
Elsa Lanchester achieved cinematic immortality with her iconic portrayal of the Bride of Frankenstein in the Universal horror classic. But her work in the realm of monsters was just a part of her long career on the stage…
Episode 408 - Lee Patrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:38
Best known as Effie, the loyal secretary to Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon, Lee Patrick enjoyed great success on the Broadway stage and worked steadily as a character actress on the big and small screens. We'll hear her…
Episode 407 - Berry Kroeger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:54
In the earliest days of Suspense, Berry Kroeger introduced each week's story as the "Man in Black." Years later, this talented and versatile actor would step into starring roles on "radio's outstanding theatre of thrills…
Episode 406 - Herbert Marshall (Part 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:23
We say goodbye to Herbert Marshall - one of the most frequent guest stars on Suspense. Marshall logged twenty appearances on "radio's outstanding theatre of thrills" between 1944 and 1959. He also starred in the 1940 aud…
BONUS - Best of William Bendix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:14
In this bonus episode, I share my favorite Suspense shows starring William Bendix - the lovable lug of The Life of Riley and the Oscar-nominated character actor of Lifeboat, The Blue Dahlia, and more. He's a Runyonesque…
Episode 405 - Vanessa Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:41
Born in Austria, Vanessa Brown and her family fled the Nazis and made their way to America where she soon found success on the Broadway stage and as a juvenile contestant on The Quiz Kids. She broke into films in the 194…