Episode 422 - Favorites from 1951

Episode 422 - Favorites from 1951

Author: Mean Streets Podcasts September 11, 2025 Duration: 4:35:46

The first lady of Suspense, comedy legends, Oscar-winning stars, and some of radio's best character actors fill out the casts of my favorite Suspense shows from 1951. Agnes Moorehead races across town to save a stranger from a date with a killer in "The Death Parade" (originally aired on CBS on February 15, 1951), and Ronald Colman is a nightclub psychic who discovers his act may no longer be a fake in "A Vision of Death" (originally aired on CBS on March 8, 1951). Jack Benny plays a piano tuner who ends up with a bag of stolen money in "Murder in G-Flat" (originally aired on CBS on April 5, 1951), and Phil Harris and Alice Faye face a lynch mob in "Death on My Hands" (originally aired on CBS on May 10, 1951). A cast of veteran radio actors star in a tale of atomic espionage in "The Case for Dr. Singer" (originally aired on June 28, 1951), and Agnes Moorehead returns as a phony spiritualist who may be too convincing for her own good in "The Murder of Adelaide Winters" (originally aired on CBS on September 10, 1951). Charles Laughton plays a notorious murderer from the history books in "Neal Cream, Doctor of Poison" (originally aired on CBS on September 17, 1951). And we close with a double dose of Richard Widmark. He stars in the tale of a bloody post-Civil War Texas feud in "The Hunting of Bob Lee" (originally aired on CBS on October 29, 1951) and as a radio mystery writer who plots an on-air murder in "A Murderous Revision" (originally aired on CBS on December 3, 1951).


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 397 - John Payne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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'…
BONUS - Columbo Killers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37:02
It's another TV-radio crossover as we hear four Suspense stars who also played murderers on the classic detective series Columbo: Anne Baxter ("Requiem for a Fallen Star") in "The Death of Barbara Allen" (originally aire…
Episode 396 - Ruth Hussey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:06
Ruth Hussey picked up an Oscar nomination for her performance as a cyncial photographer in The Philadelphia Story, and she had a long career on the big and small screens, as well as on the Broadway stage. We'll hear as t…
Episode 395 - Eve McVeagh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:25
Character actress Eve McVeagh was a regular presence on the Broadway stage, the big screen, and on TV for over five decades, and during her career she starred in everything from High Noon to Petticoat Junction. We'll hea…
BONUS - Best of James Mason [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:27
In this bonus episode, I'm sharing my favorite Suspense shows starring the great James Mason. The smooth, polished star of Lolita, North by Northwest, and The Veil plays crooks, cops, and a man whose guilt or innocence m…
Episode 394 - Herbert Marshall (Part 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:58
Herbert Marshall returns to the podcast in two old time radio thrillers - a pair of shows where he plays a coward and a man unafraid of death who find their worldviews challenged in critical moments. He stars in an adapt…
BONUS - The Scariest Tales of "Suspense" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:34:48
Just in time for trick-or-treating, here are my picks for the scariest stories to ever air on "radio's outstanding theater of thrills." Orson Welles takes a long drive with an uninvited guest in "The Hitch-hiker" (origin…
BONUS - Horror Headliners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:29:32
With Halloween right around the corner, I'm sharing some classic episodes of Suspense featuring some of the biggest stars of classic Hollywood horror: Peter Lorre in "Till Death Do Us Part" (originally aired on CBS on De…
Episode 393 - Vic Perrin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:19
Best known as the "Control Voice" that opened each episode of The Outer Limits, Vic Perrin was all over the dial during the golden age of radio. He was a regular resident of Dodge City on Gunsmoke, he frequently encounte…
Episode 392 - John McIntire (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:37
Character actor John McIntire - who rode the range on Wagon Train and the mean streets of the city in a squad car on Naked City - returns to the podcast for his third starring appearance. McIntire plays a car enthusiast…